2012 Ford Mustang GT Premium

Americans have had a forty-plus-year love affair with the Mustang, and is it any wonder? This is the purest distillation of the American muscle car found anywhere in the U.S. market. The Mustang was completely redesigned two years ago, so styling-wise, it pretty much stands pat for 2012. As for powertrains, the base 'Stang gets a 3.7-liter V-6 that pumps out 305 hp and is touted as the first 300-plus-hp engine to return 30 mpg, and the GT marks the return of the 5.0-liter V-8 with an impressive 412 hp. At the top of the Mustang lineup is the Shelby GT500, boasting a 550-hp, supercharged V-8 and a price that tops the $50,000 mark. For even sharper performance, an SVT package with special tires, lighter wheels, a higher axle ratio, and stiffer springs is available for the GT500. The new-for-2012 Boss 302 resurrects a historic name and also offers exceptional performance at a price that undercuts the Shelby by some $10,000. If you are a track maven and want a Mustang geared for on-track performance, the Boss 302 Laguna Seca, with a stiffer body, firmer chassis setup, and special aero package, may be for you. The base and GT models can be had with a six-speed manual or a new six-speed automatic, while the Boss 302 and the GT500 come with the manual only. Available as both a coupe and a convertible, this pony is a solid competitor that won't back down from its Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger competitors.