Am I the only one who thought...

[blacksheep06]

I disagree that the stock S197 looks and sounds boring. When the '05 came out, I traded in my '02 because the '05 was just a better car all the way around: more power, better handling, and a better interior. I also liked the fact that Ford cleaned up the styling by giving it a retro look without the fake scoops, and even gave buyers a spoiler delete option.

I'm perfectly content to leave my '05 stock. I don't plan to take my car to the track, and the 300hp is fine for me (and a big improvement over the '02). And even after three years with my '05, I still get lots of questions and jealous looks from drivers of any number of those "sport sedans" out on the market. Now those cars are boring.

I think Ford did a great job of giving us a car that was terrific stock, but left plenty of room for the modding crowd to have their fun. Best of both worlds to me, and the sales numbers the last few years seem to back it up.

I agree but I think you missed my point. As I stated, it's a bargain strait from the factory BUT it's also a blank canvas. To me, buying a mustang and keeping it stock is like buying french fries and eating them without ketchup. I love fries but without ketchup I would rather just eat something else.

That being said Ford has done things right with the s197, they do what it takes to keep the car afordable so they can mass market it. And I hope it always stays that way.

As long as I can mod it I will always drive a mustang.

 

[I101]

I agree but I think you missed my point. As I stated, it's a bargain strait from the factory BUT it's also a blank canvas. To me, buying a mustang and keeping it stock is like buying french fries and eating them without ketchup. I love fries but without ketchup I would rather just eat something else.

That being said Ford has done things right with the s197, they do what it takes to keep the car afordable so they can mass market it. And I hope it always stays that way.

As long as I can mod it I will always drive a mustang.

I agree with you there.

From the start, Ford has given buyers any number of options to personalize their cars: different body styles, engines, appearance packages, and so forth. And they've always given the aftermarket plenty of room to work for those who weren't satisifed with the factory options. One of the great things about owning a Mustang is the freedom to customize it however you want, to make it unique.

 

[300bhp/ton]

I think the stock exhaust sounds really good for a stock exhaust. Way louder than most other makes.

 

[GusinCA]

Here's my take.
I have an 00 GT vert. Love it. Makes plenty of power (for me). Almost un unwritten rule is if a RWD car can leave long stripes, it's fast enough.
So I will probably be VERY happy when my 08 GT vert comes in.
The other thing is, I like safety, and reliability. The new car is much safer in dozens of ways (side bags, fuel tank, etc) and usually leaving something stock is more reliable than squeezing a lot of power out of it.
Maybe I'm boring, but when I'm zipping up the coast, I'm happy...

 

[seal614]

I've always been a firm believer that your opinion on the car and its attributes is almost entirely based upon where you're coming from.

Driven Toyota Camrys your whole life? This thing is an unleashed animal that will scare you at WOT.

Just sold your 5th Vette/Viper/etc...? This thing is soft, and the stock ______ is WEAK!

For example, I hear everybody on here bitching and moaning about the stock shifter. Are you guys crazy!?! This thing is BMW-esque compared to my old Taurus SHO and probably 90% of the factory shifters out there. But here we are on the forums arguing that $300 for an aftermarket shifter was a "need" of some sort. ?!?!

It's -all- relative.

 

[DarkFireGT]

For example, I hear everybody on here bitching and moaning about the stock shifter. Are you guys crazy!?! This thing is BMW-esque compared to my old Taurus SHO and probably 90% of the factory shifters out there. But here we are on the forums arguing that $300 for an aftermarket shifter was a "need" of some sort. ?!?!

It's -all- relative.

I agree with you with my '07. But the shifter in my '05 was terrible. One of the sloppiest shifters ever. They changed the shifter a bit for the 07s and 08s. I'm not sure about the 06s. But I know the 05s were terrible in comparison. Couldn't find the gears, couldn't tell if was in gear. Hurst fixed that.

 

[seal614]

I agree with you with my '07. But the shifter in my '05 was terrible. One of the sloppiest shifters ever. They changed the shifter a bit for the 07s and 08s. I'm not sure about the 06s. But I know the 05s were terrible in comparison. Couldn't find the gears, couldn't tell if was in gear. Hurst fixed that.

Well, I learned something!

Another thing I hear is how the stock suspension "sucks" and is the "worst setup ever"

People just need to keep things in context... I'm not saying you should have to compare your GT to a Honda Element in order to stay "in check" but some people really take it over the deep end with the exaggeration.