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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Yes—but “the last” needs a qualification. The 2024 Ford Mustang GT is one of the final mainstream muscle cars combining a naturally aspirated V8 with an available manual gearbox. Chevrolet ended Camaro production with the 2024 model, and gas-powered Dodge Challenger and Charger production had already ended, but Ford has not confirmed that this Mustang is its final gasoline muscle car.
Why the 2024 Mustang GT feels like an era-ending car
The seventh-generation Mustang arrived as Chevrolet and Dodge withdrew their traditional gasoline muscle cars. The Associated Press reported that Camaro production would end early in 2024 and that Stellantis would stop building gasoline versions of the Challenger and Charger by the end of 2023. Ford spokesman Mike Levine declined to say whether the 2024 Mustang would be Ford’s last gas-powered muscle car. That makes “one of the last V8 muscle cars” supportable; an absolute claim that it is the final one is not.
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Ford says Mustang reached 60 years of continuous production in 2024 and has sold more than 10 million cars. John Williams, general manager of Ford Blue, Europe, described the new car as “everything that our customers expect from an undisputed automotive icon—and then some.”
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Demand data also shows what buyers were preserving. Ford told AP that about 13,000 U.S. Mustang orders had been placed by August 2023; 67% chose the V8 and more than a quarter selected the six-speed manual. Those figures are from 2023, not a forecast of the car’s lifetime mix.
#1 Best Overall
- Highly-detailed die-cast precision model
- Die-cast metal body with plastic parts
- Opening doors, hood or trunk on most styles
What the Mustang GT’s powertrain delivers
Ford’s North American technical specification lists a 5.0-liter, naturally aspirated, dual-port fuel-injected V8. It is offered with either a six-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic.
| Specification | Standard GT | With active-valve exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5.0-liter V8 | 5.0-liter V8 |
| Power | 480 hp at 7,250 rpm | 486 hp |
| Torque | 415 lb-ft at 4,900 rpm | 418 lb-ft |
| Transmissions | Six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic | |
The active-valve exhaust is therefore an output specification, not merely a sound preference: Ford lists six additional horsepower and three additional pound-feet with that equipment. Exact equipment availability can vary by market and trim configuration.
Rank #2
- Brand new 1/64 scale diecast car model of 2024 Ford Mustang GT Dark Matter Gray with Black and Red Stripes "Showroom Floor" Series 7 die cast model car by Greenlight.
- Dimensions approximately L-2.875 inches long.
Manual or automatic: which GT makes sense?
Choose the six-speed manual when involvement is the priority
The manual is the defining choice for buyers who want to control gear changes and make the V8’s throttle response part of the experience. It also preserves a combination now rare among new, mass-produced performance cars: a large-displacement naturally aspirated engine and a clutch pedal. The trade-off is that the driver must manage shifts in traffic and during spirited driving.
Choose the 10-speed automatic for effortless consistency
The automatic suits drivers who prefer two-pedal convenience, especially in congested commuting or when multiple drivers will share the car. It removes clutch-work decisions, but it also gives the driver less direct involvement in selecting each ratio. Neither transmission changes the GT’s basic V8 character.
Rank #3
- Crafted from durable materials such as 100% die - cast metal and premium rubber tires
- ur high - end casting method allows for feature rich details, such as an opening hood, doors , detailed interior, and trunk
- Scale is 1:24
- Collect them all
- Suitable for ages 8+
There is no universal “better” gearbox here. Select the manual because you will use and value the interaction, not because its presence alone makes the car more collectible; choose the automatic when ease and repeatable operation matter more.
Fuel economy is the unavoidable compromise
Consumer Reports records an EPA rating of 17 mpg combined for the 2024 GT configuration it tested. That figure is configuration- and driving-dependent, so it should be treated as a planning baseline rather than a promise for every GT, transmission or route. Frequent short trips, high-speed driving and heavy throttle use can produce a lower result.
Rank #4
- 1:64 SCALE DIECAST MODEL: Highly detailed replica of the 2024 Ford Mustang GT Convertible in a classic 1/64 scale.
- ALL DIECAST METAL CONSTRUCTION: Built entirely from diecast metal for a premium, authentic feel and long-lasting durability.
- REAL RUBBER TIRES: Features genuine rubber tires that closely replicate the look and feel of the full-size vehicle.
- BLACK BANDIT COLLECTION SERIES 31: Part of the exclusive Black Bandit Collection Series 31, finished in a striking all-black design.
- LIMITED EDITION COLLECTIBLE: A must-have limited edition piece for diecast enthusiasts and Ford Mustang fans alike.
How it compares with the muscle cars leaving the market
| Car or family | V8/manual status in this era | What the Mustang GT preserves |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Ford Mustang GT | 5.0-liter V8; six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic | A current, mass-market V8 coupe with both transmission choices |
| Chevrolet Camaro | Production reported to end early in 2024 | No new Camaro replacement is established by the cited reporting |
| Dodge Challenger and Charger | Gas versions reported to end by the end of 2023 | The Mustang remains the available mainstream alternative in this comparison |
The comparison is about market timing, not a claim that the cars drive identically. The Mustang’s naturally aspirated V8, manual option, rear-drive muscle-car layout and newer cabin technology give it a distinct proposition, while buyers should weigh fuel use and everyday practicality against the emotional appeal of the engine and gearbox.
Should you buy before V8 muscle cars disappear?
Reasons to buy now
- You specifically want a naturally aspirated V8 and a manual in a new car.
- You accept the 17-mpg-combined EPA figure reported for the tested GT configuration.
- You want a current-production Mustang backed by a model line with six decades of continuous production.
Reasons to pause
- Fuel consumption matters more to you than engine character.
- You do not want to operate a clutch or do not need a performance-focused coupe.
- You are buying solely for guaranteed appreciation. Ford has not promised that the 2024 GT is the final gasoline Mustang, so future collectability remains uncertain.
Ford’s European launch release listed the Mustang GT from £55,585 in the UK. That is a launch-market price, not a current global transaction price; U.S. and other-market pricing, incentives and inventory must be checked locally.
Best Value
- Officially Licensed Replica – Authentic styling and branding from the original manufacturer
- Die-Cast Metal Construction – Durable metal body with detailed plastic components
- Highly Detailed Design – Realistic exterior styling and interior details
- Free-Rolling Wheels – Smooth movement for display or play
- Perfect for Collectors & Kids – Great gift for automotive fans
Ownership details worth planning
Owners protecting the GT’s cabin can look for Ford’s “Mustang 2024–2026 Carpeted Front Floor Mat with GT Logo, 2-Piece – Black” (SKU PR3Z6313300CG). Verify exact fitment and current stock before ordering. Ford’s 2024 accessory catalog also lists all-weather liners and other genuine accessories.
Verdict
The 2024 Mustang GT is not proven to be Ford’s final gas-powered muscle car, but it is a defensible choice as one of the last mainstream V8 muscle cars—and one of the few still offering a manual. Its 480-hp 5.0-liter V8, or 486 hp with active-valve exhaust, gives buyers the traditional formula; the 17-mpg-combined EPA result and Ford’s unconfirmed future plan define the compromises. Buy it for the experience you can use now, not for a guarantee that it will become a collectible.
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