A new Mustang lists for $30K. Would you rather have a vintage one?
A base 2022 Mustang with the 2.3-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder engine, a manual transmission, and one option—premium floor mats—priced on Ford’s configurator lists for $29,710, including $1395 in shipping and a $645 “acquisition fee.”
Are you sure you wouldn’t like a vintage Mustang for under $30,000?
We’ve listed a half-dozen here available on Hagerty Marketplace. See if one of these tickles your fancy.
1973 Ford Mustang
The 1971–1973 Mustangs have gotten an unfair rap for being, well, a little bulbous compared to the slicker 1969 and 1970 models. If you’re just looking for a stock cruiser, this ultra-clean, yellow 1973 Mustang convertible is awfully appealing: second owner, 46,000 miles, the proper Magnum 500 wheels, and a 5.0-liter V-8, which produces an EPA-strangled 136 horsepower but will still make the right noises. A nice Sunday afternoon ride for $16,000.
1999 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
One owner, 61,000 miles, some performance modifications such as a Superchip, Kenny Brown suspension components, 18-inch Ford Racing FR500 wheels, Eibach springs, and an Optima battery. It all adds up to a very nice, well cared-for, manual-transmission 1999 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra convertible for $18,000, if you don’t mind what is likely a stiffish ride on rough pavement. The sticker shows an original price of $32,000, by the way.
1966 Ford Mustang
Yes, this 1966 Mustang needs a little work—the owner says it has basically been sitting since 2019, but it supposedly runs well, though it likely needs a tune-up and a new rear seal in the transmission. Mileage is unknown, but that really doesn’t matter much with a car this age.
Yellow with a black vinyl top, Magnum 500 wheels, a very clean interior—we’d guesstimate this one in #3, or “Good,” condition, and since Hagerty values such a base Mustang V-8 coupe at $23,800, this price of $25,000 is pretty close to the target.
1968 Ford Mustang convertible
“Not a show car or trailer queen but a very reliable, nice weather cruiser,” says the 28-year owner of this 1968 Mustang convertible, with a V-8 and an automatic transmission.
The car was repainted 15 years ago, and some of the interior has been redone, including upholstery. Red with a black top—an appealing color combination. A solid car with good bones, and like the owner says, “Enjoy it as it is, or invest small amount to have a great car.” The price is $30,000, a bit under the Hagerty #3 condition value.
2000 Mustang GT (Saleen S281 Speedster)
If you’re looking for a little extra performance and a lot of extra flash, this 2000 Mustang GT convertible with the Saleen S281 Speedster package in a rare, one-of-one “Sunburst Gold” exterior and black leather interior (it’s confirmed by Saleen) might be up your alley.
This 281 Speedster (281 is the displacement, in cubic inches, of the 4.6-liter V-8) is a lifetime California car with only 28,000 miles. It has Saleen bodywork, Saleen chrome wheels, a hard-shell tonneau cover and a roll bar. It has minor blemishes inside and out, but otherwise is exceptionally well turned out. It comes with a clean CarFax for $26,000.
1993 Mustang GT
The like-it-or-leave-it bodyside cladding was a mark of the 1990s on multiple vehicles, including this 1993 Mustang GT convertible, the last year of the Fox-body style.
This car, nicknamed “Sheba” by the owner, has 59,000 miles and everything on it works, including the fabric top. There are no photos of the cloth interior, but it is said to be “in very good condition.” The 5.0-liter engine and five-speed manual transmission have a reputation for durability. Priced under the Hagerty “Good” condition value of $14,800.
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All Mustangs are attainable. They made more Mustangs in any single month than any other vehicle.
The models with the extra (and ugly in my opinion) cladding are not for me no matter what year. The ’73 is a tank. That is one of the main reasons why I opted to buy a ’70 Mach 1 off the lot in late August of 1970 (that I still own and drive) because I got one look at the “new, improved” 1971 monsters and was in shock. That pretty much leaves me to choose between the ’66 and the ’68. On face value I would take the ’68 because it is a convertible. But my real desire is a ’70 Shelby GT500 fastback in candy apple red. Now if I just had an extra $100K laying around…..
If it’s your only car it has to be the new Mustang. I own a sampling of all the years and the old cars are stylish and remarkable – always getting looks and positive responses, but the joy of them quickly fades as a daily driver.
After owning a 66, a 70 Mach, I now have the one I love best: 1998 Cobra convertible that I have had built as a real hot-rod, street race capable. A go-cart on steroids!
It honestly doesn’t make sense how much I love mustangs. I’ve had 3, a 66 coupe, 08 bullitt, and 18 GT 350. I still turn around to check out a s197 that drives by, drool over a first gen fastback, and get gritty and the idea of thrashing around in any S550 or S650. I foundly remember my cousin’s fox body from highschool. The cars I listed are barely similar yet I love them all. I’m not sure why that is. I don’t hate other pony cars but the mustang just hits me different.
I have owned my 66 Mustang 2+2 289 4spd since 1975 when I bought her off a new car dealers used lot. I also have a 2016 Roush Mustang GT. They are two completely different animals. The 66 is a throwback to the hard knock, throw it around, kinda hard to drive days. The 16 is, for the money, a world class car. Upgraded all around it was just dyno’d at 750+hp. The car handles, stops and goes with cars costing much more.
So it boils down to what you want in a car. I can pick….different car….different mood.
Is it because your back east ? My 68 Fast back definitely does not look bulbuas . Any. Time I show up at a Malibu beach . Everyone blows their mind !! This is among all the exotic cars in Malibu . At the Ford dealership I had a service . They were unloading a truck of Shelby’s , when they brought the 68 out , the mechanic bumped the throttle . An the Borla muffles had everyone run over . The service manager exclaimed . YES . Looks an sound of a muscle car !!! I’ve since installed a Bill Miller 4;0 inch Man a war engine. Votrtec YS I super charger , An Fast Fuel injection . Now it does not make noise , sounds like a boat at idle , an no shaking of the car . Fab nine rear suspension , Australian front . All coil over shocks . Works for me 😊
Uggghhh so many convertibles, my least favorite choice for a Mustang.
One of the dumbest things I ever did was to sell my very first new car, a 1967 Mustang fastback in 1974. Would buying one of these in the same condition as the one I sold redeem me?
None of them….I’m happy with what I have. A ‘67 Candy Apple Red GTA fastback.
If I had to pick from this selection, daily driver would be the Fox Body, if weekend car the 68 is nice. The Saleen is the ” most special and coveted” but they we’re just to gaudy for me. I;ll keep my 08 GT. Was a nice warm day today so I started it up and let it run for a little while, backed in in and out of the driveway ( to much salt on the streets to drive it) . A good winter day
I’d go ‘73. Roomier than the ‘66. If I bought a ‘68 it would have to be a fastback. I find the post-‘71 body to be more masculine looking than the earlier models in a convertible. And most importantly, with the ‘73 and earlier cars, I can fix most things myself.
I’m just not a Mustang guy. I have sold several early Mustang ( I’m Aa used car dealer ) They sell well for us but I half like the 66 fastback cars of all the Mustangs Ok so no hate mail
I own a 1969 Shelby GT350 cherry red fastback with white stripes and a white interior. Great driving car and the only other Mustang I would trade it for is another Shelby convertible!
I purchased a new 72 Mach 1 for 3600$………and had a nice 65 289 Coupe before that, so would be cool to relive that……….if I could do the 36 $118 monthly payments again!