2026 Dark Horse SC Mustang (S650) Pricing Released

[Franky16]

Well, I would prefer a DHSC over a Z06 because I never liked corvettes and I don’t buy cars based on which one has the best bragging rights at one metric or another. In fact the vast majority of people don’t shop that way either. And since the Mustang has not gone out of production since 1965 I’d say Ford kinda has a pretty good idea of what market they fill.

Or maybe a bunch of randos on an insignificant chat forum know

Honest question:

Who is the target consumer for the DH SC? I feel like if a buyer wanted a track weapon at $140k+ then they would get a Porsche GT4 at a minimum. If they preferred an American V8 then a ZR1 or Z06(maybe). Can even get a 458 Challenge car for that price (obviously not street legal).

Is it for those who were denied GTD orders? very curious

Well, I would prefer a DHSC over a Z06 because I never liked corvettes and I don’t buy cars based on which one has the best bragging rights at one metric or another. In fact the vast majority of people don’t shop that way either. And since the Mustang has not gone out of production since 1965 I’d say Ford kinda has a pretty good idea of what market they fill.

Or maybe a bunch of randos on an insignificant chat forum know better than them

same. Zo6 sounds cool but being connected to a gm store that motor hasn’t been exactly reliable.

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[IPOGT]

And this my friends is why I believe the SE Mustang S550’s will probably exceed if not hold value for the foreseeable future

 

[Evolvd]

Pricing is the determining factor when cross shopping. Otherwise, you could cross shop a Civic type R with a Pagani Zonda.

regardless of layout, horsepower, drivetrain, practicality, etc. if the money doesn’t line up within a few grand, it doesn’t make sense to compare them to begin with. So, either Ford has overshot their expectations on value, or GM is providing good value for theirs. the answer is yes and yes.

I think you are trying to argue that a Corvette was and is a higher tier sports car than a Mustang is, right? And therefore should not be in the same category, However, because they cost the same, then by definition they are now in the same category.

shame on Ford, good on GM.

Corvette has always been a grand touring car and Mustangs have been a muscle/sports car. So no, price is not the determining factor. If you’re trying to be the fastest around a track the neither car is likely in your short list. But how many people here actually race cars for a living or even a serious hobby? I could probably count them on two hands.

It’s pretty simple really, either you see the value or you don’t. Ford isn’t worried at all about the pleebs who complain that aren’t even shopping in that price range anyways. Their bottom dollar depends on F-150s, Broncos, and Mustang Ecoboosts and GTs.

If you think Ford is looking at this discussion thread and is in any way worried about their bottom dollar, I have a bridge to sell you.

 

[RocketGuy3]

i would. The C8 is one of the most sterile feeling sports cars I’ve ever been in. Granted, I have not driven a Z06, but the C8 is very numb as far as steering feeling and just didn’t make me smile like the Mustang does (or even a C6/C7). The C8 performs, but it’s pretty damn boring IMO.

Yeah, the base C8 is known to be neutered in every way. That's part of why I think there is a strong argument for a Dark Horse over a base C8. But the Z06 is a significantly different animal. Steering is still not great, but the S650 steering is pretty meh, too. Hell, even the steering in my Mach 1 is kinda meh. But that Z06 power plant, and brakes, and aero, and the mid-engine balance...

Again, the car knows not what it cost to build. If you want talk finances or economics, ok. But if you can be honest about the cars themselves alone, the weaker, fatass, kept up with an uber high horsepower, lean machine over a length of 13 twisty miles. And you claim the GTD was outclassed?

I wouldn't expect the heavier car with quite a bit less power to win on a tight circuit (relative to a 13 mile stretch), would you?

Bro you're taking unhealthy amounts of copium. I have no idea what you're trying to say. The fact that Ford somehow managed to make a car with less brand appeal cost more, be heavier, have less horsepower, and perform worse in every measurable way is not a win in any way that I can think of. What are you talking about with what the car "knows"? lol, us humans know it's objectively inferior by every metric.

Well, I would prefer a DHSC over a Z06 because I never liked corvettes and I don’t buy cars based on which one has the best bragging rights at one metric or another. In fact the vast majority of people don’t shop that way either. And since the Mustang has not gone out of production since 1965 I’d say Ford kinda has a pretty good idea of what market they fill.

Or maybe a bunch of randos on an insignificant chat forum know better than them

"I never liked Corvettes". Say no more.

 

[HKusp]

What pure car guy "never liked Corvettes"? It is an American icon, just like the Mustang. To whoever said Ford is Marketing the DHSC to the Jay Leno's of the world, how many DHSC's are being produced and how many "Jay Leno's" are there? Ford is producing those cars to be desirable on people's wish list. Those wish lists are supposed to be at least 2 things -obtainable for some and DESIREABLE for many. In that 2nd category is where the disconnect is occurring and THAT is a problem for Ford. If you don't see that, I can't help you.

 

[Evolvd]

"I never liked Corvettes". Say no more.

Your cognitive dissonance doesn’t change the fact that I said it.

 

[Evolvd]

What pure car guy "never liked Corvettes"? It is an American icon, just like the Mustang. To whoever said Ford is Marketing the DHSC to the Jay Leno's of the world, how many DHSC's are being produced and how many "Jay Leno's" are there? Ford is producing those cars to be desirable on people's wish list. Those wish lists are supposed to be at least 2 things -obtainable for some and DESIREABLE for many. In that 2nd category is where the disconnect is occurring and THAT is a problem for Ford. If you don't see that, I can't help you.

lol Judgemental much? Why do people think in such binary terms? I can still appreciate the heritage and history of something while not finding any personal value to it. I don’t particularly care for the Firebird either and it’s has a strong history. And I really don’t give a if you think that doesn’t make me a “pure car guy”.

And whose wish list are you talking about? I’m more than financially stable enough to afford a $170K car. That doesn’t mean I have to rush out and buy one. I’m quite comfortable in my GT500 ownership (which has over $50K in mods) that I have no desire to buy a DHSC.

It seems to me that you’re failing to think beyond yourself here. The DHSC isn’t unobtainable. It’s just unobtainable for many….and those are the people complaining the most. Those who can and want to will either buy it, or they won’t. You personal opinion and complaining about it won’t change that. This whole bitchfest happened over the GT500 too. And guess what, Ford sold EVERY one of them.

 

[1550jrit]

i would. The C8 is one of the most sterile feeling sports cars I’ve ever been in. Granted, I have not driven a Z06, but the C8 is very numb as far as steering feeling and just didn’t make me smile like the Mustang does (or even a C6/C7). The C8 performs, but it’s pretty damn boring IMO.

Your description is spot on. A friend of mine has a brand new C8 stingray. I thought it was a beautiful car and it was way faster than my Mach 1. That being said, it was completely sterile feeling to me. It also convinced me after the drive that there was zero reason to whipple my car, because no matter how much $$ I threw at it, I could never keep up with the speed and power that these other high end factory cars put out. In the end, I just enjoy driving my Mach for the sound, the handling, and the tremec. It’s the first car that I’ll leave mostly as-is.

 

[MAGS1]

Your description is spot on. A friend of mine has a brand new C8 stingray. I thought it was a beautiful car and it was way faster than my Mach 1. That being said, it was completely sterile feeling to me. It also convinced me after the drive that there was zero reason to whipple my car, because no matter how much $$ I threw at it, I could never keep up with the speed and power that these other high end factory cars put out. In the end, I just enjoy driving my Mach for the sound, the handling, and the tremec. It’s the first car that I’ll leave mostly as-is.

I had a C8 Z51, didn’t keep it long because it was boring. Didn’t make me smile like my lowly Mustang does

 

[OX1]

But at least one of them looks good.

Which one??

 

[TonyNJ]

Honest question:

Who is the target consumer for the DH SC? I feel like if a buyer wanted a track weapon at $140k+ then they would get a Porsche GT4 at a minimum. If they preferred an American V8 then a ZR1 or Z06(maybe). Can even get a 458 Challenge car for that price (obviously not street legal).

Is it for those who were denied GTD orders? very curious

Muscle car and Mustang enthusiasts who want the latest and greatest 4 seat* offering with new car smell, and a warranty. I don't think it's the "I want a track weapon" crowd, but they'll be plenty of those too.

Have you ever owned a Vette? Getting in and out of those cars, let alone just cruising around in one is a completely different experience. They're very low to the ground and tight fitting. It's just not even close to the same thing as a pony car. Same goes for Ferrari. I'm sure I'm stating the obvious to many here, but it's a big part of the comparison that should be considered.

My Z06 was a rocket. It was also less practical, less comfortable, and less daily friendly than the S550 I traded it for.

 

[TonyNJ]

won’t change that. This whole bitchfest happened over the GT500 too. And guess what, Ford sold EVERY one of them.

The only bitchfest I remember about the GT500s were the ADMs and slow production times. Were there lots of complaints about the MSRP, performance, and styling? If they were complaining then, they're definitely complaining now.

 

[RNM]

Which one??

The one that doesn't have a truck inspired front end.

 

[robvas]

Is the aspect ratio wrong on the C8 picture?

How can anyone say this isn't a good looking car....

 

[saleen367]

Is the aspect ratio wrong on the C8 picture?

How can anyone say this isn't a good looking car....

I believe, just like the S650, there are angles that make it look both attractive and ugly. Even in person, it can be striking ... walk 5 steps and wonder wtf I was thinking. And either I'm getting old, or never noticed this phenomenon in the late 60's.

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