General question about S197 Mustangs

Rich08809 · Apr 10, 2010

I just started shopping for a Mustang. Test drove an 07 GT with 20k miles. I was really disappointed. The car road like it had 80k! The suspension was mushy and it didn't feel powerful as I had expected. Could it be this one had issues or are these stock Mustangs in need of some mods out of the box?

I am also considering a 03-04 Mach 1. Any opinion on which way to go? If I go the route of the S197, I need to find one well under $20k so all the real nice low mileage ones over $20k are out of my price range. I really wanted to do some mods... that was part of the reason for getting one to begin with... so I need to keep the vehilce price low enough to afford mods in the future.

Thanks all.

Five Oh Brian · Apr 10, 2010

I've had both cars. I bought a 2003 Mach 1 brand new, then traded it in for a new 2007 Mustang GT. The Mach 1's are great cars right out of the box (at least those with the manual transmission). The S197 GT's have a much larger aftermarket following, so there is a ton of potential for not much money.

All S197 GT's feel lazy and softly suspended from the factory. So, most all of us went with aftermarket tuners and that realy transforms them into a beast. Lower profile tires & aftermarket suspensions work wonders and don't have to cost a bunch.

I loved my Mach 1, but my '07 GT is better in many ways. Both cost about the same in the long run (cost new + mods).

SpartaPerformance · Apr 10, 2010

Mach one is good, but the S197 are better. They're more comfortable respond well to mods especially forced induction.

Rich08809 · Apr 11, 2010

Thanks guys!

sjpony · Apr 12, 2010

Be very careful too. I've learned this. I bought an '07 with 25K miles and it had all sorts of issues. That said, if you are going to mod it and make it a racer, then mine would have been fine for you. I now have a new 2010 and there really is no comparison in build quality and structural rigidity.

Rich08809 · Apr 16, 2010

Curious to know what problems you had and if there are any issues to look out for with the S197s. I am looking at another 06 with 25k. Looks real clean but it is priced low compared to other dealerships. The 2nd owner had the car for less than a year which also worries me.

sjpony · Apr 17, 2010

That should worry you. I had mine for two months. That shows on the CarFax now and whoever is considering buying it should take note. Mine had multiple problems, but the more sever were with the transmission and drivetrain. I think someone had been dragging the car and made it look stock again. However, the tuner and exhaust stayed. For a car with ony 25K miles, I can't think of any other reason why it would the tranny would need such repairs. It was not noiceable on the test drive and the car looked brand new inside (in hindsight, mabye it was?) and normal for 25K on the outside. I think it was "doctored" to get by and sold and they know it probably wouldn't fail again until someone drove it some miles. I'd be leary as to why the second owner on the '06 got rid of it so fast and why it is selling cheap.

ViperNuge · Apr 17, 2010

I first saw mine on craigslist. Turned out it was a dealership. The pics looked great. I went there and drove it and was totally disappointed. I couldnt believe how boring it looked in person, how sluggish and mushy it felt. I left disgusted. A week later I went back with a friend whom knows cars. We drove it again and talked about it. My friend saw the potential where as all I was seeing was boring and slow. I really low balled the dealership and eventually left without the car. Two days later I purchased, at a lower price $15,600 06 GT with 16k miles.

It had been on their lot for 4 months, so it was dirty, had cobwebs in the wheelwells! LOL It was totally detailed when I picked it up, I couldnt belive how much better it looked. I ordered a brenspeed tune/cai that week. HUGE improvement. Since then a whole lot more. I love this car now. Drive it more than my vipertruck.

Grind the dealers on the price, keep looking, dont be in a rush and you will find the perfect car at a great price.

patrick

Rich08809 · Apr 18, 2010

Thanks guys. It seems that all the dealerships around me in NJ are selling S197s for over $25k. The one I am looking at is Silver and has 25k miles. Car is originally from NY. The dealer is only asking $17.5. Not that I think the others well over $20k are worth it but since this one is priced so much lower, I am hesitant. Car looks good and drives ok. Looks like previous owner put a cold air intake and flowmasters on it.... which BTW sounds real good. I was going to ask if I could take it to a Ford dealership for inspection. Do you think I can pay another dealership to look at it. I don't know any mechanics in the area.

Do you think these dealerships asking $22k or higher will come down to $18k or less?

sjpony · Apr 18, 2010

You said it right there. "The previous owner put a cold air intake and Flowmasters on it". What else did they do? It was likely driven to match that performance. Definately have it checked out. I would not go to another Ford place. Try to find and unbiased independent mechanic.

arcwcb · Apr 18, 2010

I have cold air, exhaust and more and I never race mine or drive it hard. Just because they modded it doesn't mean they tore it up or raced it. But no matter what you buy, always make sure to have it checked out by an independent mechanic.

Rich08809 · Apr 23, 2010

Thanks again.

Dealer is down to $17k. Price is lower than all others I see on the internet. I called a local Ford dealer and they will inspect for @ $100. I am going to see if the selling dealer will allow me to bring it there. I really wanted to find a 1 owner gem but getting one for $3k less is very tempting. I am on a budget and did want to do some mods on it.

BTW - I also have a posting WTB in NJ area. I am still open for a private sale if one is available.

Ken04 · Apr 23, 2010

I shopped for my cars for 6 months for my wifes, and 18 months for mine. I looked at alot of them. They were too expensive, too beat on, etc, etc. I wanted a manual trans, leather int, the Shaker 1000 in black or grabber orange. I made offer after offer on $25K cars, I finally, after 45 days of negotiating bought an 05, black, manual with everything I wanted in pristine condition for $16,900. But it took awhile. Be patient, find exactly what you want an make offers. You may lose 10 cars, but you will get one. Don't settle for something iffy or something you kinda want.

sjpony · Apr 24, 2010

**** luck getting the selling dealer to let you take it to another Ford dealer. If you can pull that off though, that is the way to go. Just make sure they don't have a common owner.

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