The 2001 Roush Stage 3 Mustang: The Supercharged Pony That Took on the Z06

Wouter Smit · 2026-08-01

When the 2001 Roush Stage 3 Mustang hit the streets, it wasn't just another tuned pony car. It was a statement. For years, Mustang enthusiasts had to watch from the sidelines as the Corvette Z06 dominated the performance charts. But Roush, the legendary race-car builder, decided it was time to change the narrative. The result? A supercharged Mustang that could finally run with — and sometimes beat — the mighty Z06. ### The Backstory: Why the Z06 Set the Bar The 2001 Corvette Z06 was a beast. With a 385-horsepower LS6 V8, it could hit 60 mph in under 4 seconds and tear up any road course. It was the benchmark for American performance, and it had a price tag to match. For Mustang fans, the gap felt insurmountable. The stock Mustang GT, with its 260 horsepower, was a solid cruiser but no match for the Vette. Something had to give. That's where Roush came in. Known for building race-winning machines, Roush took the Mustang and gave it the treatment it deserved. No more playing second fiddle. The Stage 3 was the answer to a question every pony car lover had been asking: *Can a Mustang really hang with the best?* ### Under the Hood: Supercharged Muscle The heart of the Stage 3 is a supercharged 4.6-liter V8. Roush bolted on a roots-type blower, pushing output to a stout 380 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. To put that in perspective, that's nearly 50 percent more power than the stock GT. The result is a 0-60 time of around 4.5 seconds and a quarter-mile run in the low 13-second range. Those numbers put it squarely in Z06 territory. But it wasn't just about straight-line speed. Roush upgraded the suspension with stiffer springs, revised dampers, and bigger sway bars. The car sits lower and handles corners with surprising confidence. You feel connected to the road, like you're driving a race car that happens to have a back seat. ### The Driving Experience: Raw and Rewarding Slide into the driver's seat, and you're greeted by a cabin that's part race car, part street machine. The shifter is tight, the pedals are well-placed, and the supercharger whine is addictive. Every time you stab the throttle, the blower sings, and the rear tires scramble for grip. It's not a subtle car, and it doesn't pretend to be. - **Acceleration:** The supercharger delivers boost from low RPM, so there's no lag. Just instant shove. - **Handling:** The upgraded suspension makes it feel far more planted than a stock Mustang. - **Braking:** Roush added bigger rotors and calipers, so you can haul it down from speed with confidence. It's a car that rewards an experienced driver. Push it hard, and it responds. But it's also forgiving enough for daily use, as long as you're okay with attention. People will stare, and they'll ask questions. That's part of the fun. ### The Price of Admission: Bring Money Here's the catch. The Roush Stage 3 wasn't cheap. In 2001, the base Mustang GT started around $24,000. The Stage 3 package added nearly $18,000 on top of that, bringing the total to roughly $42,000. For comparison, a new Corvette Z06 stickered at about $48,000. So you weren't saving a ton of cash, but you were getting something unique — a limited-production car with race-bred credentials and a personality all its own. Today, well-preserved examples are collectibles. Prices vary wildly depending on condition and mileage, but you can expect to shell out anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 for a good one. And that's if you can find one. Only a few hundred were built, so they don't show up for sale often. ### Final Thoughts: A Legend in Its Own Right The 2001 Roush Stage 3 Mustang proved that American muscle could evolve. It wasn't just a straight-line weapon; it was a well-rounded performer that could hang with the best of its era. Sure, it cost a pretty penny, but for those who could afford it, the reward was a driving experience unlike anything else on the road. If you're in the market for a piece of early-2000s performance history, this is it. Just be prepared to bring money. And maybe a spare set of tires.