Savage Geese Goes In Depth with the C8 Corvette Stingray vs Mustang Dark Horse vs BMW M2

Aug 4, 2025

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Savage Geese Goes In Depth with the C8 Corvette Stingray vs Mustang Dark Horse vs BMW M2

There’s nothing more alluring than the girl next door aesthetic; an approachable beauty that you could realistically see yourself with under the right circumstances. Even if our paths crossed, most of us probably didn’t have much of a chance with Liz Hurley or Heidi Klum. But, Jennifer Aniston, Katie Holmes, or personal favorite Alicia Silverstone? If you’re delusional enough, and the stars were perfectly aligned, they could all be considered, as the kids say, “attainable hot,” and that’s the root of the lasting appeal of today’s star cars.

[VIDEO] Savage Geese C8 Corvette Stingray Z51, Mustang Dark Horse, BMW M2

We all had a Lamborghini poster on the wall at some point – mine was a Diablo SE30 – but life happens. We get wiser, more attuned with reality, and boring words like “practicality,” and we narrow in on the sweet spot where hard work and perseverance can pay off with a gratifying slice of our former Lambo dreams. Our friends at the Savage Geese YouTube channel found that sweet spot in their latest video starring the three best aspirational but achievable sports coupes in the world.

As usual, the SG Team has done as comprehensive of a comparison as you’ll see, so we won’t guild the lily much, here – particularly since watching the video in its entirety will require a 38-minute investment on your part – but before you mash the play button and enjoy the work of some true pros, please allow us to introduce today’s “cars next door.” First is the one we all know and love, the Z51-equipped C8 Corvette Stingray. For around $77,000, it packs 495 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque from the test’s only mid-mounted engine, the 6.2L “LT2” pushrod V8. It features a fast-shifting 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and rear-wheel drive, which is all augmented by the Z51 goodies, which include upgraded Brembo brakes, performance exhaust, an electronic differential, improved suspension and axle ratio, better cooling, grippier tires, and a host of aero goodies. All told, 3,650 lbs. and a 7.4 weight-to-power ratio.

The domestic competition is the Ford Mustang Dark Horse, which is starting to look mighty familiar around here. The most powerful 5.0 “Coyote” powered ‘Stang rings up around $70,000 and goes up from there with options. It’s DOHC V8 makes an even 500 HP and 418 torques on its way to a lofty 7,500 RPM redline. Weighing in at a touch over two tons, each of its ponies is saddled with 8 lbs. It also features RWD and can be had with either a 10-speed automatic, which was co-developed with GM (it also has another GM staple: Mag-Ride), or a TREMEC six-speed manual.

Finally, there is the second-generation BMW M2 that looked a bit odd at its introduction but has grown to be one of the best-looking things in the Bavarian portfolio. It motivates 3,860 lbs. with a twin-turbo 3.0L inline-six that makes power and torque numbers of 453 and 406, respectively. Those numbers are likely underrated, as has become a Bimmer tradition, but give it a worst-in-test 8.52 lbs. for each horse. It can also be had with your choice of transmissions, making us pine for the pre-2020 days, and allows you to get out the door for around $70,000 without options. Enjoy this one, Corvette Nation, we know we did!