Why the Ford Mustang EcoBoost Beats the Four-Cylinder Supra as a Budget Sports Car

The fifth-generation Toyota GR Supra has officially left the North American market, and with it went the chance to snag a new four-cylinder version at a reasonable price. 0-liter model, producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, was always a rare bird. S. came with the smaller engine, and that scarcity has kept used prices stubbornly high.

A decent 2024 example still commands around $45,000, and you'll be hard-pressed to find one under $35,000. That's a steep ask for a car that was meant to be an affordable thrill.

Enter the Ford Mustang EcoBoost. 3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder has been around since 2015, and it's a marvel of modern engineering. In the 2024 S650 Mustang, it pumps out 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, a solid 60-horse advantage over the Supra. 7 seconds. On a quarter-mile run, both cars are neck and neck in the mid-to-high 13-second range.

And when it comes to stopping, the Supra's advantage is less than ten feet. The Mustang's optional Performance Package adds MagneRide adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes, and a Torsen limited-slip differential, making it a genuine handler. The Supra still holds an edge in tight corners, but the gap has narrowed dramatically.

The real knockout punch is price. On the used market, two-year-old 2024 Mustang EcoBoost models routinely sell for under $30,000, often $10,000 or more less than a comparable Supra. And with Ford's massive production volume, you'll find plenty of low-mileage, certified pre-owned examples at dealers nationwide.

Parts are cheap and mechanics are plentiful. The Supra, by contrast, often ends up at independent European shops because Toyota technicians lack training on the BMW-derived platform. Both cars are future classics in their own right, but if you want the most fun for your dollar, the Mustang is the clear winner.