Sometimes I want an S197

scupking · Mar 31, 2008

Look at this post from the S197 side of things. http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=744169

Just some basic bolts ons and running in the mid to low 12s. I just feel like selling my car and getting a used 05 sometimes. All the mods I have done and I probably can't get under the mid 13s. Maybe I will wait till they come out with the new 09s and then the 05-08s will go down in price even more. If I can get a used one for under 15k I think I will go for it.

lvmustanggt · Mar 31, 2008

I am in the same boat.

2002MineralGray · Mar 31, 2008

Yeah Im not to big a fan of the plain ass GTs or V6s that are on the S197 platform. The ONLY ones I really like are the ones that are all decked out like the Shelby GT 500s. I remember one time when my of my bosses was giving me **** for not buying a newer S197 as opposed to my New Edge he was like "You say you like the old muscle cars buy you dont like the look of the newer mustangs they look like EXACTLY like the old 68s and 69s". I responded with "yeah and I didnt like the 68 and 69 coupes either but I did like the 69 FASTBACK". That would be sick if Ford did a retro style Fastback since they stopped making them after the Fox bodies. But yeah if you can get one for under 15k Id definatly go for it. It kinda makes me mad how I have a 2002 and the 2005+ have roughly the exact same motor and there is a rather large horse power gap between the two. Even the damn S197 V6s came close to what my car puts out stock.

mransr · Mar 31, 2008

every time I start thinking I want an S197 I find myself parking next to one and realizing how effin' big they are...

2002MineralGray · Mar 31, 2008

mransr said:
every time I start thinking I want an S197 I find myself parking next to one and realizing how effin' big they are...

Lol me too. My previous car was a 1996 Lincoln Town Car that belonged to my grandmother. Whenever I park next to one Im like "Holy **** that thing is almost as big as the Lincoln".

old_blue · Mar 31, 2008

I still cant get over how ****ty the design of the interior is. passenger has no leg room . I love how the dash is set up better in mine as it allows for someone taller to sit next to me without their knees in the dash.

bhuff30 · Mar 31, 2008

The 05+ mustangs are very nice indeed. As someone pointed out earlier, they are very large cars! They have more interior room than the previous mustangs without a doubt. I am actaully comfortable in an 05+ without moving the seat as far back as it can go (as opposed to the 79-04).

It is a big car, but it doesn't drive like a big car at all. It has coil overs in the front which really help handling and keep body roll under control. It feels more nimble than any previous mustang, but because it has coil overs the ride is actually better.

My dad has a VERY nice looking black 06 GT with GT500 wheels. It has an automatic, but it's really fun to run through a couple gears. The gears are closely spaced, so there isn't a large drop in RPMs between each gear change. Feels and sounds very nice with the close ratio automatic.

Around here, they don't seem to run the times you'd expect... my dad's ran 14.18 at 98mph as I recall. I saw another bone stock 05+ GT running 13.9s-14.0s, and that was the same day I ran 14.2@96 (sig), so I KNOW the weather couldn't have been better.

I have some complaints about the 05+ though. The throttle by wire closes the throttle during shifts... so unless you get a chip you can't power shift. Similar thing for the automatic, you can FEEL it pull power during the shifts, even in light to moderate driving. It is also well optimized from the factory. You may gain 30hp with bolt-ons, but after that you will have to get a power adder or get inside the engine. The pistons are also a bit weaker than previous GTs, so if you are playing with a power adder, you have to be careful.

CobraRed_96_GT · Mar 31, 2008

they are just plain faster, and can be faster easier. The fact that they weigh more and are "big" and still put down better times shows how much great the 3V is. He even got those times through an auto, although it is a great auto. I saw a 18k mile 2006 3V engine and trans on craiglist for 3K the other day. Boy was i tempted

scupking · Mar 31, 2008

I do agree with all the comments on the S197s. I don't like how they look stock. They need the GT500 spoiler and the silver horse window louvers to look good. Also they need a CAI, Tune and gears. The thing is they respond very nicely to the CAI and tune. A lot of guys are putting down 300+ rwhp (350hp at the crank) with just CAI and 93 oct tune. That’s impressive to me. So basically buying a 05+ is like getting a 03-04 mach but more refined. Granted it’s not a 4v but still a good motor.

CobraRed_96_GT · Mar 31, 2008

scupking said:
A lot of guys are putting down 300+ rwhp (350hp at the crank) with just CAI and 93 oct tune.

not exactly, but with exhaust intake/tune they get close - pulleys put em over often. Guess it depends on the dyno, a lot of local guys here are pissed they are still at 297 or so w/ most all bolt on's + tune - while others get it ez.

Notchbck93 · Mar 31, 2008

I guess it depends on what you're trying to accomplish?

I feel more at home in the new edge, but I'm also not out to race everyone. S-197 is the equivelant of a modern Fox. It loves bolt on's but those bolt on's cost money and a pretty penny too.

There will always be someone faster.

02LaserRed2V · Mar 31, 2008

S197's are nice, but I couldn't overlook the fact I was able to get an 03 Cobra for the same price, if not less, and have 400+rwhp right off the bat. S197's are definitely more refined, but it doesn't come close in bang for the buck performance.

bdcardinal · Mar 31, 2008

bhuff30 said:
It has coil overs in the front which really help handling and keep body roll under control. It feels more nimble than any previous mustang, but because it has coil overs the ride is actually better.

they are NOT coilovers. they are a true macphearson strut. a coilover would have a threaded lower spring perch and allow for ride height adjustments. all ford did was put a suspension similar to AE86 corollas, ie mid 80s.

Black_GT_02 · Mar 31, 2008

In my honest opinion..i think 05-08s are ugly

i specifically looked for a 2002 mustang gt when i was purchasing...no way i was buying a newer style

BurningRubber · Mar 31, 2008

They are nice cars.

I know 4-5 people with them. All GT's except for 1 V6, and even it gets down pretty good.

12.4 is fast for that car. It responded really well to those mods... dont get you panty in a wad though because at Mustang Week (2 years in a row) I watched bolt on 05+ 5 speed and auto's have trouble dipping into the low 13's.

They definatly do respond better to bolt ons. 300rwhp with just a intake/tune is a little too high, but they will come close or past that mark with a few more bolt ons.

Superhereaux · Mar 31, 2008

can't outrun ugly

bhuff30 · Mar 31, 2008

Threaded or not, it is a huge advantage to have the springs integrated with the struts as opposed to inboard springs as the 79-04 mustangs.

bdcardinal said:
they are NOT coilovers. they are a true macphearson strut. a coilover would have a threaded lower spring perch and allow for ride height adjustments. all ford did was put a suspension similar to AE86 corollas, ie mid 80s.

joshheat25 · Mar 31, 2008

The 05+ might be quicker but I like the look of the 99-04's and even 96-98's better

old_blue · Mar 31, 2008

as stated above why pay more for car with less horse power. I would take a mach one over a 05+. mach would react just as well to the same bolt ons and it is lighter.

more refined- how is this. The 09's maybe more refined but the 05+ still have their quirks. no different than when the sn95's first came out. and it isnt a true coil over system. sorry ill take a new edge any day. to each his own i guess.

Wolvrin704 · Mar 31, 2008

I would take an S197 but it would have to have the "right" look for me. Something along the lines of the GT500 would be great. But even so I'd rather have a Mach 1 or Termi.

Sometimes I want an S197

scupking

Active Member

lvmustanggt

New Member

2002MineralGray

New Member

mransr

2002MineralGray

New Member

old_blue

bhuff30

CobraRed_96_GT

Active Member

scupking

Active Member

CobraRed_96_GT

Active Member

Notchbck93

New Member

02LaserRed2V

New Member

bdcardinal

tree hugger

Black_GT_02

New Member

BurningRubber

Superhereaux

chicks make me feel inadequate

bhuff30

joshheat25

Member

old_blue

Wolvrin704

Member

Similar threads

Sometimes I want an S197

Active Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

New Member

New Member

tree hugger

New Member

chicks make me feel inadequate

Member

Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency