I like the look of the new Mach's especially the shaker hood. But the truth is that the underpinnings are the same since the introduction of the 1979 mustang, except for the switch to control arms, traction loc, and revised spring ratings in the mid 80's. My friends 2002 GT has the exact same undepinnings as my 87 5.0!!! So the old setup is definately old technology. The S197 is better built and more solid, plus it has a sport oriented and not a passenger car oriented suspension. The interior is also more spacious and comfortable. The one thing the Mach has over the S197 is that beautiful 4 valve engine!!! I think for power and style get the Mach. For comfort and better handling, definately the S197.
I'd say go with the '06. Even though I would not get rid of my Mach to get an '06 I can say I would rather buy a new car than a used. That way I can break it in the way I want, keep up with the service the way I want and I would know exactly what I have.
I imagine the performance of each are very close, maybe a slight edge stock for stock going out to the Mach but the way the aftermarket has gone after the new Mustangs there is more to chose from when getting the extra umph with the '06's.
I imagine the performance of each are very close, maybe a slight edge stock for stock going out to the Mach but the way the aftermarket has gone after the new Mustangs there is more to chose from when getting the extra umph with the '06's.
ramjetlx said:
Hey don't exaggarate, the 2002 underpinnings are only 95% the same as a 1987. By 2002 the tooling used to stamp the floor pans was so worn out that they're different from what was made 15 years earlier.
No joke, after 25 years of production the tooling used to make much of the old Mustangs was so worn out that if Ford had not developed the S-197 the Mustang would have gone away because by 2005 it would have been impossible to make any more SN-95s.
I agree with you, go with a S-197.