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If you’re interested in buying a Ford Mustang but are somehow not sure which trim level to get, we recommend buying a Mustang Bullitt. Modeled after the famous chase scene in the popular movie Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen, the Mustang Bullitt has been around for the past few decades, and now could be a great time to buy one.

The Ford Mustang Bullitt was discontinued last year

2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt is on display at the 110th Annual Chicago Auto Show.
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt is on display at the 110th Annual Chicago Auto Show. | (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

We’re sad to say that the final iteration of the Ford Mustang Bullitt was quietly discontinued last year, according to CNET Roadshow. That’s why it’s probably a good time to get a lightly used one now so that you can keep it for a while in case their value starts to climb in the coming years.

If you want the latest version, then you’ll be looking at either a 2019 or 2020 model. A nationwide search on Cargurus reveals that you can currently buy one of those for around $40,000 and the price goes up to the high $40,000 range the newer the car and lower the miles. That’s pretty good considering the 2020 Mustang Bullitt retailed for around $50,000 when it was new.

If you can swing that price of entry, then you’ll be treated to a slightly gussied-up version of the existing Mustang GT. The Mustang Bullitt came with the same 5.0-liter V8 under the hood, but it produced 480 hp, which was 20 more than the GT version.

The Bullitt is only available with a six-speed manual transmission, and aside from its cue ball style shift knob and Bullitt badging, the car’s main aesthetic difference is its Dark Highland Green paint job, which is an homage to that the car used in the original movie.

2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt is on display at the 110th Annual Chicago Auto Show.
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt is on display at the 110th Annual Chicago Auto Show. | (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

The older Ford Mustang Bullitt cars are collectible as well

2002 Ford Mustang Bullitt cornering on a country road.
2002 Ford Mustang Bullitt cornering on a country road. | (Photo by National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

If you don’t want to shell out $40,000 for a newer Mustang Bullitt, then you can always tap further into the used market to find one. The first homage to the movie car was released in 2001 when Ford first massaged the Mustang GT to put out slightly more power and don the famous dark green paint job.

That car featured a revised 265-hp, 4.6-liter V8 engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission and could go 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, according to Steeda. Other revisions included sport pedals, retro gauges, and a cue ball-style shift knob. You can currently find a 2001 mustang Bullitt for around $13,000, but do note that the price can climb to $25,000 for the low-mileage examples.

If a 2001 Mustang Bullitt is too old, try a 2008 model

a side shot of a 2008 Mustang Bullitt at the beach
Ford has come out with a Mustang that is a spinoff of the car Steve McQueen drove in the classic chase movie “Bullitt.” | (Photo by Michael Robinson Chavez/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

If you decide that the 2001 Mustang Bullitt is a little too old for your tastes, then you can also opt for a 2008 model. This model was based on the S197 chassis and again was a revised version of the Mustang GT at the time.

According to Steeda, the Ford engineers went back to the drawing board for this one and revised not only the engine but also the suspension components for upgraded ride and handling characteristics.

Ultimately, this version of the Mustang Bullitt featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine that pushed out 315 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque that was mated to a five-speed transmission. Its performance numbers were increased too as it could go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds. And to top it all off, this Mustang Bullitt featured the same sporty interior updates like sport pedals and the cue ball shift knob and was also painted Dark Highland Green.

You can currently find one for around $15,000 to $25,000 nationwide depending on the car’s location, condition, and mileage. No matter which Ford Mustang Bullitt you choose, it’s a good idea to buy one now before prices start to go up in the future.

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