From the birth of the supercar to roughly the 2000s, most models that could manage to break a sub-four-second 0–60 mph time belonged to the fabled segment. Sure, there were plenty of sports cars on the market, like the Chevrolet Corvette, during this time. However, these simply couldn't break into that sort of quickness. For example, the Honda NSX could only muster a 0–60 time of 5.2 seconds, much less than some supercars.However, these days, supercar-like performance can be had for much less. Take our model of interest: the 2018 Ford Mustang GT. When equipped with the automatic transmission, the '18 Mustang GT can out-gun a couple of modern supercars that cost quite a bit more than the humble American pony car. In other words, the days of needing to save six figures, or more, in order to be as fast as a supercar are gone, and have been for a while now. Massive Debt, Or A Pony Badge? Ford Halfway through the Ford Mustang's sixth generation, also referred to as the "S550", a major update was unveiled for the 2018 model year. While it gained some new options and minor cosmetic tweaks for both its exterior and interior, it also managed to secure the use of an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission. The new gearbox replaced the aging six-speed auto, which had been in use since the S550's 2015 debut.Ford Big deal, right? A new automatic isn't exactly an exciting prospect. However, due to the new transmission's sheer number of gears, the Mustang GT could, effectively, stay on the power for longer periods of time, allowing it to better take advantage of its 5.0-liter V8. With the new gearbox, the model could now get from zero to 60 mph in a factory-claimed 3.9 seconds, firmly landing it into supercar territory when it comes to quickness. It's worth noting, however, that this time was for the 10-speed automatic under optimal conditions. Independent tests show 4.0–4.5 seconds, depending on configuration.Ford When it comes to supercars built after 2015, the '18 Mustang GT trumps a good number of them. It could sometimes even beat the brand-new "junior" supercar, the 2026 Lotus Emira V6, with its 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds. Take a look below, and we'll list some other "losers" that can't keep up with the hot Ford's 3.9-second sprint:2019 BMW i8 coupe: 4.5 seconds 2016 Lotus Evora 400: 4.1 seconds 2015 Audi R8 4.2 Spyder: 4.0 seconds What You'll Pay For One FordLuckily, you don't need to be an oil magnate or an executive at a Fortune 500 company to afford the 3.9-seconds 0–60 mph Mustang GT. As with any used car, pricing varies widely based on overall vehicle condition, mileage, and even the region it's being sold in. If we turn to Kelley Blue Book, a 2018 Ford Mustang GT fetches an average used price of about $25,970 in average condition and with average mileage. We'll lay out the model's pricing from a couple of other sources in the table below: What You Get With Your 2018 Mustang GT FordFor those who may not be in the know, the Ford Mustang's "GT" grade denotes its use of Ford's 5.0-liter Coyote V8. For contrast, Mustangs without the GT badge took advantage of a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four. Alongside the Mustang's GT grade came a choice between a base and Premium iteration. In addition, GT's could be specced with either a fastback or convertible body style. Of course, a 10-speed auto was on offer, with a six-speed manual serving as the standard transmission.Ford Base-trimmed Mustang GTs, despite being the cheaper option, still managed to offer a good amount of equipment. For starters, it came with things you'd expect from a modern car, such as power windows, locks, and mirrors, along with air conditioning and cruise control. A small, 4.3-inch non-touchscreen radio is present, along with a six-speaker sound system. A 101A package was on offer for the base GT grade, which added things like Ford's Sync 3 system, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, dual-zone climate control, and a few selectable drive modes.Ford Those who sprung for the GT Premium grade were treated to even more goodies. Along with all options included in the base GT's 101A package, Premium models came equipped with leather-trimmed seats that offered both heating and cooling for front-row passengers. An ambient lighting system also comes standard, along with a set of special 18-inch alloy wheels. One of the only options for Premium GTs is a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, part of the Premium's 401A package that also includes satellite navigation and HD Radio. Under The Hood FordNestled beneath a robust strengthening beam is Ford's 5.0-liter Coyote V8. The mill is one of the newest members of Ford's Modular engine family, a grouping of mills that can trace its roots all the way back to 1991, and also houses the famed 4.6-liter V8. The Coyote is the 4.6's near-direct replacement, sharing the older engine's bore spacing and deck height, and was itself introduced in 2010. Its blend of simple design and technologically savvy electronics lend itself to a good bit of reliability, while also maintaining its place as a wholly modern engine.Ford Because of its small size when compared to other engines like GM's LS2 and Chrysler's 6.4-liter Hemi, the Coyote needed to be technologically capable if it wanted to do meaningful battle with its direct competitors. The powerplant features things like Ford's Twin Independent Variable Valve Timing (#7 on this list), along with something called Cam-Torque Actuation (CTA). Both systems work in tandem with the Coyote's four-valve, dual-overhead cam valvetrain.Ford Its 10-speed automatic transmission carries the codename "10R80", and was produced as part of a joint venture struck up between Ford and General Motors. As for its suspension, it's a fully independent setup consisting of MacPherson struts up front, and a multi-link configuration at the rear. Some GTs are optioned with Ford's MagneRide adjustable dampener system, which actively works to adjust stiffness at a rate of 1,000 times per second. Yes, You Should Buy One FordIf you're feeling the need for some serious quickness, but don't have the sort of money required for high-end sports cars and supercars, the 2018 Mustang GT should definitely be on your shopping list. Its sub-4 sec 0-60 mph time is impressive in its own right. However, if you're not interested in having a transmission that does the shifting itself, the six-speed manual-equipped '18 GT can still hit 60 mph from a standstill in just about 4.3 seconds. In other words, nothing to shake a stick at.