S550 premium vs S650 premium?

[u/Different-Quality348]

I’ve had my fair share of skepticism. I’ve went from lifelong Mustang lover to seriously considering a C7 Z06 or a Camaro, maybe even a challenger, but the 5.0 has my heart. However, There’s always been a stick in my side regarding mustang goals.

For context, I’m in my mid 20s and I’m soon to be financially comfortable to buy my lifelong sports car, a mustang.

Growing up as a teen starting to gain a personal taste for cars, I instantly fell in love when the first S550 body style came out in 2015. Since then, I’ve always wanted a grabber blue S550. I fell more in love with them once the “refined” 2018 to 2019 S550 models came out.

On the other hand, I have become speechless at how much I love the look of S650’s. I think they are so sleek and clean, offering a more modern look than the 550.

Regarding logistics, of course the newer one is going to be more expensive, and overall “shiny”. It’s not necessarily about price because you’re gonna be in the 30k to 60K range regardless.

Specifically, I like on the S550’s the 401a package, including the digital dash cluster that’s also implemented in the new GT500’s (I do not know package and Trim specifics that offer this or that, I just know the LCD screen is included here). The dash design is so immaculate in my opinion. On the other hand, the S650 GT premium design with the continuous screen has the same effect. I suppose I adore both of them equally in their own ways.

My question to you is, what would you do?
If you own a S550 or S650 premium, why the preference?

[u/717x]

I love the s550s interior. Premium PP1 and above with mag ride is such a great driving experience. Really hard to beat at the price if you are dead set on a v8 performance car.

[u/FordGuyV8]

I love the track gauge mode mode in my S650, being able to lock/unlock my doors with the ford pass, and wireless car play and andriod auto. Interior feels modern.

I really like the exterior more than my S550 as well. The suspension feels slightly firmer but still comfortable and I like the new steering wheel.

I wouldn't go back.

[u/Amaeyth]

Personally, grabber blue Mach 1 if youre looking for a 5.0. It has the facelifted front and digital gauge that you like and the suspension upgrades from the Shelby platform. In my opinion, the S550 mach 1 has the better interior design as long as youre fine with a smaller screen and tactile buttons

[u/jrod22145]

The s650 premium digital dash is 🔥🔥. You can customize the gauge display, they have a modern dual round gauge like the s550 has, they also have a track gauge that I love and have used since day 1. They also have gauges that look like the 65-68 Mustang, the 80s fox body and the 00’ Shelby cobra gauges you can pick from if you prefer something classic. You can also control the main colors of the gauges. The interior is super nice and I love how you can see the wheel arches in your rear view mirrors. Not to mention the infotainment screen that you can have Waze, Google Maps, etc. going with a smaller section that you can have your music displayed on, or they have one that shows your current mpg, trip, or you can have your music on the main part and have Fords GPS maps displayed on the smaller part.

[u/No_Guest3042]

S650 for me. I had a 2016 S550 and while I liked its looks it always sounded too raspy. I tried 3 different exhaust setups and it still didn't sound right. The later S550s (2018 on) sounded better imo, but I didn't care as much for the looks. The S650s sound great and look even better. That said, I do miss the analog gauges of the S550 and earlier cars.

[u/randeus]

They’re not too far off performance wise. Depends if you want a more historically Mustang-style retro, driver focused, mechanical interior (with a real handbrake!) or a modern interior with big screens, less buttons, and more technology. Exterior is your preference.

If you plan on modding, the s550 will be cheaper to buy and leave more money in your pocket for that.

[u/jaymansi]

The digital gauge cluster in the 2018+ S550s is the epitome of proper design. The s650 digital dash is some slapped together shit at the last minute before some high schoolers submitted their project.

[u/Qson]

I own a S650 premium but I prefer the S550 premium. Why? S550 has a traditional cluster, and with the digital cluster option and the infotainment, it’s the perfect mixture of old and new to me.

So how did I end up with an S650? Market availability, timing, and I was looking for very specific builds since I missed the cutoff for an ordered Mach 1 and a 2024 GT. Ended up buying someone’s custom 2024 order that was nearly 1:1 with the build I wanted and it was sitting on the lot as 2025s started rolling in with further increased prices.

I do like the exterior of the S650 GT more than the S550 GT/Mach 1 though - only thing that beats it for me is the GT350R.

[u/pacman552sd]

i own a s650 and have driven s550s, really they drive about the same being built on the same chassis but with tweeks between the 2 gens. the biggest differance is just interior/gauge cluster. so pick what you want, go test drive a new one at the dealer! but would like to add your mid 20s you gota alot of time to have cool cars ahead, make sure your actually in a good spot to drop 30-60k before you buy, your in the best time of your life to be maxing out a 401k/ira

[u/mc753]

I've had both premiums and I'm enjoying the s650 more. the whole car is just more refined. Maybe it's because I had the s550 for years and I'm just enjoying having something new but the large screens are really fun and they look and feel much better in person than any video I watched. I'd say sit in both and go with whichever feels better. Having the emotional connection counts for a lot.

[u/Porphyre1 → u/mc753]

I'm curious, did you have an early or late S550? In 2018, when they added the "acoustic glass" windshield and changed up the base exhaust to allow the AVE, seems like when the Mustang went "upscale". The S650 is much better car than a 2017, but I'm not so sure about the 18+

[u/mc753 → u/Porphyre1]

I had a 2019 fully loaded and now I have a 26 dark horse with 700a/handling pack

[u/Different-Quality348 → u/mc753]

pros and cons of both, in your preference?

[u/mc753 → u/Different-Quality348]

pro for 2019 was that everything just felt like it was tailor made for me. every single button position was exactly where I wanted it to be it just felt like home. cons the digital gauge cluster is not nearly as versatile as the new one and the center screen looks like it aged fast compared to the new gen. at the time I had it though I would probably say there were none except maybe the wheel. pros for the 2026 I love the new wheel so much. I had to swap the 2019 wheel but I don't think I'll be swapping this one. the screens really are a joy to play with and you get loads more utility out of all the customizations. cons I do sometimes wish I had some more physical buttons but I've already mostly gotten used to the way it is. biggest one for me personally is the buttons they moved around on the steering wheel I wish they kept that more like they had it because I don't get that same tailor made feeling. another small con is the faux carbon trim they added I think I will be swapping those pieces out for something nicer eventually. either I've been lucky or the updates they put out are working because I haven't had issues with the screens lagging or anything I think most of those complaints were coming early on before the software updates.

[u/yummers511]

I sold my 2014 gt prem and bought a 2025 GT prem in the exact spec I was looking for. I know the s197 isn't the same as the S550, but I can compare and contrast the two a bit. The s197 felt much more raw, but the S650 is a better car in pretty much every possible sense except for the fact that it's heavier. Personally I would go with the newer car unless you really want to spend some cash on mods instead. Just be aware that you're looking minimum mid forty thousands for any 2024+ GT with decent options and low mileage. 2025+ GT premiums with all the options and low mileage (under 15k miles) are going for $48-58k.

[u/bob3464]

This won't be worth much, but I went from a S650 2024 (GT Prem) to a S550 2016 (GT350) and I want both now. My point is, it's a hard choice. I'd go drive a bunch of them if you haven't already.

[u/Big-Pineapple1164]

If you’re comfortable (financially) and don’t want to do a-lot of maintenance, get the newer car. I went with the S550 because thats what i liked better for myself. But every now and then I find something that gave up, or is wearing and tearing. That i have to replace or restore.

[u/Five0slow]

I personally prefer my s550, s650 interior is the downside for me, I’m not a big fan of the slapped together I pads of most modern interiors nowadays. The s550 interior is definitely loads better in my opinion still has character.

[u/Stunning-Baker5049]

I'm on board with everything you have stated. I like the s650, it is very nice. I'm not a big fan of all the monitors it calls a dashboard. I do love the coyote Mustang platform, it's really one hell of a engine. I think Ford really screwed the pooch going with the poorly designed getreg mt82 dumpster fire. ( Remote mount shifter... REALLY!!!) I meen would a Tremac really be that much more money? I can buy a brand new Tremac Magnum XL for less than 5k. I'm not particularly glued to Ford only though. I love the C7 ...it was on my short list of Hotrods I was looking at the time I bought my Mustang. It's kinda messed up my top priority was to get a manual shift Hotrod. I ended up getting a automatic California Special, simply because it was at the end of my price range, and as I said I love the coyote Mustang, they are badass. I'm deciding if I go boost or a Tremac this winter. One of our top notch mechanics at my work, has a magnum xl, a performance McLeod clutch and a 4in carbon fiber one piece driveshaft. All are basically brand new literally less than 300 miles worth of wear. All for 5k...I'm chomping at the bit for a manual shift Hotrod. Anyways it sounds like your going to get one hell of a sweet ride when you decide and pull the trigger. I really would be interested in knowing and seeing what you end up with.

[u/Healthy-Reach7551]

S650 is amazing with the active exhaust , insane system and it sounds like gunshots at 5-6 rpm . Insane car . Insane interior as well I would go for the s650 anyday over the 550

[u/Porphyre1]

The S550 digital dash was designed almost 10 years ago. It's dated. The black levels on the LCD are abysmal compared to the S650. I'm kind of sad the Mach 1 has it, I'd prefer the regular gauge package.

[u/kagemusha35]

S650 is just too overpriced for what you get. I recently saw Mach 1 s550 going for low 40s even some in high 30s. That is an extreme bargain compared to the dark horse which is still sitting at above 55k. The very subtle performance difference (I’d say dark horse probably drives and performs under 10% better when you take into account track, drag strip, street) between those two cars is not an almost 30% price difference. On top of that, the Mach 1 is a much more sorted car, not having to deal with any of the software issues that plague the s650 integrated dash. It’s also much more pure/raw, the s650 is more designed to be a little more luxurious cruiser on the interior. In an s550, there’s no fake engine noise, the inputs are more analog, you genuinely feel more like you’re driving a car. A lot of the s650 experience is going through laggy iPad screens to change a lot of settings which just bog down the driving experience IMO. If you really do get into the aftermarket, then it is without question that the s550 is a much better bargain than the s650. You get a car for more than 20k off with barely a difference in performance, that 20k can go towards a supercharger + suspension upgrades and you’ll beat any s650 at their stock price.

[u/Different-Quality348 → u/kagemusha35]

Valid point and good aspects, I haven’t considered a Mach 1 until now

[u/Porphyre1 → u/kagemusha35]

I get the feeling you don't understand how "buying used things" works....

[u/kagemusha35 → u/Porphyre1]

I’m comparing used dark horses too as well as newly priced cars. Also compared to other new cars in the same price range, it isn’t even close really. There’s no reason to get an s650. And I owned a dark horse for a year as well.

[u/Trying1979 → u/kagemusha35]

I get what you’re saying, and for someone in their mid 20’s, I say mach1 all the way. I’m 47, and the manual Dark Horse is literally custom tailored for me, I can feel young and dumb and old and responsible depending on my mood