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Saleen Automotive
Performance BuildS302 Mustang~$60K+
AmericanCarBrands.com › Active Brands › Saleen Automotive
Performance Builder · Founded 1983 · Troy, Michigan

Saleen
Automotive

Steve Saleen has been extracting extraordinary performance from Ford Mustangs since 1983. The Saleen S302 and S1 represent 40+ years of American muscle refinement — each car a numbered, signed limited edition from a true pioneer of the factory hot rod.

Founded
1983
HQ
Troy
Parent
Independent
CEO
Steve Saleen
Stock · Ref. Only
Private
Status
● Active
⚡ What Changed · March 2026
Brand At A Glance
TypeTuner Brand
Founded1983
HQCorona, CA
ParentIndependent
N/A
Revenue (Private)
Not disclosed
<500
Annual Production
Hand-built limited runs
700hp+
S302 Black Label
Supercharged V8
41
Years Building Cars
Est. 1983
$100K+
S302 Starting Price
Saleen-modified Mustang
S1
Saleen Sports Car
Independent platform
Updates Models Reliability History Ownership Recalls Used FAQ Sources
Lineup Intelligence

Saleen Automotive Model Lineup

Current models in production as of 2026. Pricing reflects base MSRP — actual transaction prices vary by region and dealer.

🏎 Saleen-Modified Mustang
S302 Black Label
From ~$100,000
The signature Saleen product. Supercharged Mustang GT with Saleen-tuned suspension, aero, and interior. 700hp+ in Black Label spec. Each is numbered in the Saleen Registry.
View Guide →
🏎 Purpose-Built Sports Car
S1
From ~$100,000
Saleen's own chassis (not Mustang-based). 450hp 2.3L EcoBoost, rear-wheel drive, carbon fiber body panels. An American alternative to Porsche Cayman.
View Guide →
🏎 American Supercar
S7 (Heritage)
Historic / Reissue
The original S7 was America's fastest production car in 2000 with 750hp. A limited continuation series with updated specs has been produced. Starting price $800K+.
View Guide →
Reliability Intelligence

Saleen Automotive Reliability Data

Rankings updated quarterly. Aggregated from industry reliability reports and resale market data.

Brand Reliability Score
Overall Reliability Rating
Editorial estimate based on aggregated industry data. Score = estimated problems per 100 vehicles in first 3 years of ownership.
N/A
Specialty Builder
Insufficient production volume for standardized reliability scoring.
Reliability tiers aggregated from published surveys and owner reports. Rankings updated quarterly. No proprietary dataset licensing claimed. AmericanCarBrands.com is not affiliated with any survey publisher.
Brand Intelligence

History & Background

Steve Saleen began modifying Ford Mustangs in 1983 from a small shop in California. Saleen Autosport grew through SCCA racing success and consistent quality to become one of the most respected Mustang specialists. The S7 supercar (2000) made Saleen a household name for performance enthusiasts. The company has changed ownership several times but Steve Saleen returned to lead the brand and continues building cars.

Corporate Structure

Ownership & Corporate Structure

Saleen Automotive is a private company controlled by Steve Saleen. It operates as an independent specialty builder with contractual relationships with Ford for Mustang-based vehicles. No stock ticker or public financial information is available.

Parent Company
Independent
Stock / Trading
Private
Founded
1983
Headquarters
Troy
Insurance Intelligence

Saleen Automotive Insurance Cost by Model

Full coverage estimates. Avg: ~$255/mo.

Model / TrimMonthlyAnnualvs Avg
Saleen 302 Yellow Label $188/mo $2,256/yr +$90/mo vs stock Mustang GT
Saleen 302 White Label $215/mo $2,580/yr +$117/mo — forced induction surcharge
S302 Black Label (700hp) $265/mo $3,180/yr High-performance classification
S1 (570hp) $245/mo $2,940/yr Mid-engine exotic; specialist insurer

ⓘ Saleen vehicles are rated as high-performance — insurance significantly exceeds stock Mustang rates. The S302 Black Label and S1 carry supercar-adjacent insurance classifications. Steve Saleen's signature on the vehicle has no insurance impact.
Always obtain 3+ personalized quotes from licensed insurers. Rates vary by driver history, ZIP, credit, and mileage. These are rough editorial estimates — not quotes. NHTSA Recalls ↗

Common Questions

Saleen Automotive FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Saleen Automotive. Independent editorial answers — not sponsored.

Is a Saleen faster than a stock Mustang? +
Yes, significantly. A Saleen S302 Black Label (700hp+) is considerably faster than a stock Mustang GT and approaches GT500 territory in straight-line performance. Saleen also adds suspension tuning that improves handling balance.
Does a Saleen come with a warranty? +
Saleen vehicles include a limited warranty on Saleen-specific modifications. Ford's factory warranty covers the underlying Mustang components. Owners should verify warranty coverage with Saleen directly.
How is Saleen different from Shelby? +
Both are Ford Mustang specialists, but Shelby has a formal licensing relationship with Ford that allows the GT500 name to appear on factory cars. Saleen operates as an independent aftermarket manufacturer. Both produce numbered, documented limited editions.
⚠ Safety & Recalls

Saleen Recalls & Safety Notices

⚠ Always verify recalls on your specific VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls — this section is editorial context only.
🔍 Saleen Recall Overview & Context +

Saleen builds limited-production modified Mustangs and custom vehicles. Base Ford recalls apply to Saleen-modified Mustangs — check VIN at NHTSA.gov. Saleen-specific engineering work has its own limited technical documentation.

ⓘ Editorial summary only. Not a substitute for official NHTSA VIN lookup. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗

📋 How to Check Saleen Recalls by VIN +
  1. Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls
  2. Enter your 17-digit VIN (found on dashboard, door jamb, or title)
  3. Review all open recalls — note which have been remediated
  4. Contact an authorized Saleen dealer to complete any open recalls at no cost
ⓘ Recall repairs are always free at authorized dealers, regardless of vehicle age, mileage, or ownership status.
📱 OTA vs Dealer Recall Repair — What’s the Difference? +
📱 OTA Update
Software-only fix pushed wirelessly. No dealer visit required. Common on Tesla, GM (Super Cruise), Ford (Sync), and newer models.
🔧 Dealer Repair
Physical parts replacement or mechanical repair required. Must schedule dealer appointment. Always free under recall.

ⓘ NHTSA determines recall remedy type. OTA-resolved recalls still appear in NHTSA history — check that your vehicle's remedy has been applied.

ⓘ Editorial recall context only. Not affiliated with Saleen or NHTSA. Always verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Disclaimer →

💰 Used Market Intelligence

Buying a Used Saleen

Independent editorial guide. Not affiliated with Saleen, dealers, or any resale platform. Not purchasing advice.

5-Year Depreciation Est.
Collectible Saleen builds appreciate or hold steady; standard conversions follow Ford trend
Editorial estimate — verify with market tools
Best Used Sweet Spot
VIN-verified, Saleen-documented Mustangs with under 30K miles for best collector value.
🔍 Used Saleen Market Notes

Saleen Mustangs are collectible — documented examples with low miles command premiums. S7 Twin Turbo is a hypercar collectible. Authentication of genuine Saleen builds is important for value.

Used Buying Checklist
✓Run VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls
✓Pull Carfax or AutoCheck history
✓Verify all recalls completed
✓Inspect for accident/flood damage
✓Confirm CPO/warranty status
✓Get independent pre-purchase inspection
✓Check for outstanding liens
✓Test all electronics/ADAS features

ⓘ Editorial guide only. Not purchasing, legal, or financial advice. Always conduct independent due diligence. Disclaimer →

Sources & Citations

About This Page — AmericanCarBrands.com independent editorial research. Updated March 2026. Not affiliated with Saleen Automotive. Not financial or purchasing advice.
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