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  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-

Quality of 2005+ Mustangs? (versus 2004)

  • Thread starter Thread starter 1965coupe
  • Start date Start date Feb 5, 2007
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The Fang

Member
Sep 11, 2005
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16
Tallahassee Fl
Feb 10, 2007
#21
  • Feb 10, 2007
  • #21
Power4 said:
Of course if the man was looking for a trouble-free car then he'd get something like a Camry
Click to expand...


I wouldnt bet on no Camry. My wifes 05 Camry has been in the shop four times for various things. The first two times it would just quit, the third was a canaster of some sort and now the gas cap.
Stick with a Ford.
 
K

kenaimone

Member
Jun 8, 2004
85
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6
Feb 11, 2007
#22
  • Feb 11, 2007
  • #22
i had a p5 and the only mistake i made with that car was to get rid of it. sure it was not fast, but that car could cut a corner. it is sad, i have a 07 gt and i miss my 02 p5. well since ford owns mazda i guess that i am in good hands
 
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Spdfreak

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Feb 21, 2006
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Feb 12, 2007
#23
  • Feb 12, 2007
  • #23
I had an '03.5 Mazdaspeed Protege turbo. It cut corners like a bat out of hell. It ranked .02 mph faster than a Porsche Carrera in the slalom. The problem was that your mod limit was 250hp without forging the internals.
 

cowtown

Founding Member
Nov 4, 2001
228
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Victoria, BC Canada
Feb 12, 2007
#24
  • Feb 12, 2007
  • #24
Yeah the Protege5 I had was a fantastic little car. I wish I had the extra cash to have one as a winter/bad weather/home depot whip.
 

351CJ

New Member
Dec 11, 2002
1,732
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Feb 12, 2007
#25
  • Feb 12, 2007
  • #25
The Fang said:
I wouldnt bet on no Camry. My wifes 05 Camry has been in the shop four times for various things. The first two times it would just quit, the third was a canaster of some sort and now the gas cap.
Stick with a Ford.
Click to expand...

And if you're buying a used Camry, make sure not to buy one from the years where the engine oil sludged up and blew the engine. Toyota finally settled with customers who were burned by the sludging engine oil. Funny thing is I haven't seen one word about this in the mainstream media.
 
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Mr_K_Code65

New Member
Sep 19, 2004
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Feb 14, 2007
#26
  • Feb 14, 2007
  • #26
Fuel tank filling issues aside, I think you would feel better knowing that the fuel tank in the 05+ stang is located ahead of the rear axle, rather than behind it as in all previous generations. It goes without saying that likelihood of serious fires after rear end collisions is reduced. I can't vouch for their accuracy, but you can google and find websites dedicated to holding Ford accountable for related injuries and deaths with Mustang fires.
 

cowtown

Founding Member
Nov 4, 2001
228
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Victoria, BC Canada
Feb 14, 2007
#27
  • Feb 14, 2007
  • #27
And fuel pumps are super easy to swap in the 05+ cars.

I've only had the fuel filling issue with one pump and I drove and filled up my car all over western Canada and into the Seattle area last summer. I actually had a fill up problem with the wife's VW Jetta the other day, it's not in my mind entirely a Mustang issue.
 
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bluecar

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Feb 19, 2007
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SF CA
Feb 20, 2007
#28
  • Feb 20, 2007
  • #28
05+ is better by lightyears. You are basically riding on the chassis of the Lincoln LS, Thunderbird, and S-Type Jag. The convertible is not simply a coupe with the top chopped off. The convertible chassis is designed as a convertible.

I did have a couple issues with sqeaky rattling dash which have been fixed. Also there was a buzz at 1100 rpm under load. It wound up the engine torque (?) transmitted into the shifter (i have the automatic). They changed out the shifter, no more problemo.

No regrets trading in my 01 Cobra
 

Marine One

New Member
Jan 28, 2004
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North Topsail Beach, NC
Feb 20, 2007
#29
  • Feb 20, 2007
  • #29
bluecar said:
05+ is better by lightyears. You are basically riding on the chassis of the Lincoln LS, Thunderbird, and S-Type Jag. The convertible is not simply a coupe with the top chopped off. The convertible chassis is designed as a convertible.
Click to expand...

Excellent points.
 

351CJ

New Member
Dec 11, 2002
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Feb 20, 2007
#30
  • Feb 20, 2007
  • #30
bluecar said:
05+ is better by lightyears. You are basically riding on the chassis of the Lincoln LS, Thunderbird, and S-Type Jag.
Click to expand...

While I agree with you that the S197 is "lightyears" better than SN-95, you are not basically riding on the chassis of the Lincoln LS.

The Lincoln LS has true 4 wheel independent suspension with all aluminum suspension parts. The Mustang uses struts in front and a live axle in the rear, all done in steel.

I'm on my 3rd Lincoln LS. The Lincoln LS is better by lightyears than a S197 Mustang.
 
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bluecar

Member
Feb 19, 2007
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SF CA
Feb 20, 2007
#31
  • Feb 20, 2007
  • #31
Lightyears

351CJ said:
While I agree with you that the S197 is "lightyears" better than SN-95, you are not basically riding on the chassis of the Lincoln LS.

The Lincoln LS has true 4 wheel independent suspension with all aluminum suspension parts. The Mustang uses struts in front and a live axle in the rear, all done in steel.

I'm on my 3rd Lincoln LS. The Lincoln LS is better by lightyears than a S197 Mustang.
Click to expand...

Perhaps I used the wrong terminology. "Platform and variant" are the more appropriate words, nor was I referring to suspension.

http://www.motortrend.com/future/concept_cars/112_0302_ford_mustang_gt/interior_photos.html

Agreed, Lincoln LS is an awesome car. A buddy of mine has one and will be at a loss as what to replace it with.
 

351CJ

New Member
Dec 11, 2002
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Feb 21, 2007
#32
  • Feb 21, 2007
  • #32
Glad you like your buddy's LS.

I guess I'd say the S-197 Mustang's platform design was "inspired" by the LS & S-type's D/EW-98 platform. The S-197 shares some key aspects of such as the "frame rails" that are stamped into the bottom pan of the unibody which are one of the keys to the S-197's much more ridgid unibody over the SN-95.

If you've driven both a LS and a 2005+ Mustang, you do come away with the sense that the cars are related.
 
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bluecar

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Feb 19, 2007
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SF CA
Feb 23, 2007
#33
  • Feb 23, 2007
  • #33
LS

Yes, the LS' are quite popular out here. It's also popular with young kids to the extent that they are modded out rather extensively, be it internals or visuals. I haven't had a chance to talk to someone who owns one that has been modified.
 
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