The Mustang is the world's favorite pony car largely because Ford invented the idea of the pony car, but if you don't like the Mustang there are plenty of people who came up with alternatives. Here are the ten best.
10.) Subaru BRZ
It's no pony car, it's down on power and comes from Japan. How could it compete with a V6 Mustang? Well, if you're looking for an RWD coupe with a manual, you don't have that many options. Maybe the base Mustang just doesn't feel right, while the nimble Subaru puts a smile on your face.
We'll see how it competes with the new Mustang.
Suggested By: cazzyodo, Photo Credit: Subaru
9.) BMW M235i
While some of you suggested the M3, let me point out that no mass produced Mustang has been a match for the BMW so far.
However, if you look at the 322 horsepower M235i, things get more exciting when you throw the new Ecoboost Mustang against it in your head, which will have "more than 309 horsepower." Whatever Ford!
Suggested By: Patrick Frawley and JayBe_III, Photo Credit: BMW
8.) First-gen Toyota Celica
Not everybody could have a Mustang. In Europe, you could choose the Opel Manta or the Ford Capri instead, and if you where looking for a Japanese alternative, the Celica was the one.
I want one badly. For sale at the moment in my country: zero.
Suggested By: Green Pig, Photo Credit: Five Starr Photos ( Aussiefordadverts)
7.) Nissan 370Z
The original 240Z made many forget about the Mustang, or anything American in fact, and the modern equivalent is a seriously fast car if you want V6, RWD, manual. Not a pony, but not a base model either. And the Nismo can take a GT.
Some say it's worth a testicle, I say it's a good deal.
Suggested By: LowEndZen, Photo Credit: Supermac1961
6.) Mercury Cougar
The Mustang almost become the Cougar instead, and Ford liked the name so much that they made a more luxurious Mustang for the Mercury division. At least the money landed at Ford either way.
Suggested By: GR1M RACER : Wrong Most of the Time, Photo Credit: aldenjewell
5.) Pontiac Firebird
While Darkcode suggested a very specific Firebird, it's safe to say that every generation got a slice from Ford's cake.
'73-'74 Pontiac Firebird Super Duty 455, available in Formula and Trans Am trims. Most cars that competed with the Mustang either didn't really beat it or took a moderate win. The SD455s made it look weak and slow. By 1973, with a then-impressive 290 official net horsepower (365+ in reality, some say), it was one of two remaining American cars that actually delivered serious performance, and the other was the LS4 Corvette - a lot more expensive than the Mustang and belonging to an entirely different category.
Hell, the SD455 was probably what actually gave the Trans Am a name for the rest of its career - it went from being yet another pony car to become Detroit's no.2 car, only behind the Corvette. Okay, the Mustang at the time was growing into a weak car, but so were all other US cars. The Trans Am came in, stole its crown, and went on to become the reigning king of the segment up to the early '90s.
Suggested By: Darkcode, Photo Credit: aldenjewell
4.) Dodge Challenger
It was wider, more powerful and more Plum Crazy. For those who didn't like the 1970 Mustang's restyled face, this came as a pleasant surprise.
Suggested By: Stig-a-saw-us wrecks, Photo Credit: aldenjewell
3.) AMC Javelin
The AMX was fast, but could only seat two and came late anyway. The Javelin was AMC's tool for the job. The marketing division let it down.
Suggested By: DRobin78, Photo Credit: aldenjewell
2.) Plymouth Barracuda
Because Hemi.
Suggested By: My X-type is too a real Jaguar, Photo Credit: aldenjewell
1.) Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro was designed to beat the Mustang, and it's been a back and forth game since 1977, the first year when the Camaro managed to outsell the Ford.
It's still very much on, even if Chevy just got out of Europe, while the Mustang has just arrived.
Suggested By: Bullitt417 can comment again!, Photo Credit: aldenjewell
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Top Photo Credit: Chrysler Corp.