So I went out after work today to test drive/look at an early model S197. The one I was interested in just test driving was the '08 but I drove a mineral gray '06 instead. Premium trim but cloth seats. Car was in good shape but not perfect. I like the ergonomics, the feel in the steering and overall size of the car. I like the 05-09 quite a bit.

Now the problems, when even light on the brakes it felt as though there was a slight shutter. It certainly wasn't smooth. Neither was the drive train. Shifting felt fine but overall the engine hesitated to give power and the 3.55 rear end was not what I remember from driving the 2010. I guess I am spoiled but after driving the 2010 and 2011, I was almost ready to get back into my Accord and start looking at another car.

I don't think this was an accurate impression of the car I want the Mustang to be. I am going to give it a few more chances, even possibly go test drive a Highland Green Bullitt if I can. I am excited about the Bullitt. I like the GT/CS but getting a Bullitt would be SWEET!

Just wanted to know what I should be expecting from these test drives?

Edit: Just to give you guys my Mustang driving timeline -- 1967 GT 4 Speed Project car, 2001 V6 Auto, 2003 Cobra 6pd Vert, 2010 GT 5sp., 2011 GT 6sp 3.55's, 2011 GT 6sp Brembo 3.73. This was my first time even inside an 05-09 except a V6 I was shoved in the back of one day when a friend drove me to lunch.

 

Brakes definitely shouldn't feel like that. A high mileage '06 probably needs some rotors/pads and a flush. Engine also probably needs a good tune up: plugs, seafoam, synthetic oil change, filters, etc.

I think if you find a low mileage 08 or 09 they'll feel very different. A Bullitt would be a great car if you can afford it, 3.73 rear end, excellent exhaust, best 05-09 interior IMHO, and some good suspension upgrades.

 

'10s and '11s will probably drive better than 05s-09s, at least stock ones, based on all the reviews I've read. I am not surprised that it seems like a step down. Bullit handling will be a lot closer to the '10s probably. (BTW, a Highliand Green Bullit is my current dream car - if you see a nice one grab it!).


The two specific issues you mentioned may be issues with that specific car. BTW, someone correct me if I am wrong but I thought all "Premium" GTs came with leather seats.

 

That Premium should come with leather seats. Perhaps someone swapped with a friend before trading? I'd stay away, just in case.

You sure you don't want to get a basically equipped '11 GT? I found one with saddle interior and no other options for $34K MSRP. Probably could get it for $31 or $32K.

 

The problem I had with the 06 was that it has only 20K miles on it. Seems to me like someone ragged it out for a while and didn't want it any more. I know that the earlier models are somewhat of a step down from the newest but I don't even remember the 2001's being this sloppy. I did love the handling but the throttle response was worse than my Accord. When I test drove the 2011's, within 2 minutes of the test drive I was at 90% throttle. I was affraid to open this one up for fear that it might not make it back to the dealer alive!

Oh how I would love that. Though I can get into an 08 Bullitt for close to 20K. So I'd rather have the Bullitt than a base model 2010. At 32k, even on x-plan the 2011 is just out of the picture.

 

The 2011 is just about $150 (or a bit over) a month more than I really want to spend. The Bullitt is pushing my limit. Yes, since we bought the BMW, that really limits my selection, if this is a problem then someone else can tell my wife that we have to sell her BMW. Now, not only do I never get any, I am promised no action for the rest of time! I love my wife much more than the 2011 Mustang. If Ford does it right, I'll be back in 2015 for the new, lighter weight, more efficient version.

I think a lot of people are thinking of it as, well the 2010 is built off of the Bullitt platform and the 2011 is a better version of the 2010. OK, that works but in my mind and budgetary needs, I feel like the Bullitt is a 2010 in 2009's clothing AND I get GT500 seats, steering wheel, upgraded interior, Shaker, and a car that oozes cool. The 2011 will rock your socks off, but a Bullitt is...well...a Bullitt. I love the Highland Green. Plus any modding costs now go way down with the Bullitt. Already built on a great platform, I can slowly put on a few more suspension parts costing way less than my original estimates, put in a short throw shifter, already has a decent exhaust, spoiler delete, no shaker hood, subdued grill, add some more retro-mod dished wheels and done. Tag on some MGW interior dress up acessories and you have one bad a** Bullitt. Oh I did forget the GT500 brake upgrade but I still see it as thousands saved in the long run with mods I won't want to do because I don't want to change the overall Bullitt aspect of the car.

 

I saw some around $21K a few months back. They may be going for less now. Keep looking for a really clean, low mileage one; they're out there at decent prices.

Also, have a look at the IMBOC car lot: http://www.imboc.com/forums/forumdis...c&daysprune=30

Probably plenty on eBay too.

 

"I know that the earlier models are somewhat of a step down from the newest but I don't even remember the 2001's being this sloppy."

As others have stated, maybe you just drove one that hasn't been treated well or even abused. Our '07 GT (Premium, Appearance Package - leather, Sirius, etc.) drives, handles and brakes as well as the day we bought her new. Of course it is just about to reach 10,000 miles, but they are pampered miles. Never abused. Treating a car well must come with age.

 

I have over 48K miles on my '06. Still on the original brakes - smooth as silk, no shudder. Throttle response is instantaneous - no lag. It pulls harder with a tune, but even stock it responds immediately, just not as hard. Drive train is also smooth as butter. Something was wrong with the '06 you drove.

 

Not sure age has anything to do with it. I have never been abusive to any of my vehicles. My Accord drives great and feels like it should. No one would know it had 180K on it if I never told them, or they didn't play with the gauge display.

I don't think any late model vehicle should drive like the one I drove. I thought I was in an IROC-Z. A tortured one at that. Good handling characteristics, not-so-inspiring braking and absolutely no throttle response. I debated driving a V6 just so I could make sure that it drove worse.

 

Me thinks you should test drive a different S197 before you pass judgement.

You seem to alternate between really liking the S197 and putting it down at other times. Which is it?

 

Overall I still very much enjoy the S197. The one I test drove was a POS. It's the only one I have driven so it is the only car I can critique. With such a huge success and large fan base I can assume that this is a one time thing and the next one I drive will be completely different. Even though the car I drove sucked, the handling was really good and very much enjoyed how small the car felt. Everything else was terrible. Only talking about the one car I have driven, that's all.

 

Anyone driving a fox or SN95 always says the S197 feels huge... food for thought

 

drive another low mileage S197. The one you drove was obviously neglected.

 

Having sold my '89 GT before buying our S197, I can attest to that. The 2007 did feel larger - and heavier. Loved my old GT, but the S197 is much nicer. Not as noisy, handles better (both cars being stock) and just feels more stable at speed. I like the 2007 GT more, but would love to have been able to keep both. I will always have a place in my heart for the Fox-bodied Stangs. Owned a new '86 GT and the aforementioned 1989 GT. Both were manual tranny cars.

 

So? Sometimes people are conflicted, and for good reason. I felt the same way at times, and I OWNED two 2007s, didn't just shop them There were times that I absolutely loved the cars, and other times I cursed Ford for taking shortcuts. Even a few times where I caused the issue the vehicle was having

All relationships have ups and downs, I commend Auto for taking the time to view the car objectively. I have no doubt that he'll drive another one, without us goading him.

 

Bullitt's have no real handling upgrades vs. a GT. The only real difference is the shocks, and they are actually softer than a GT's. In fact the one Bullitt I drove that was bone stock had 3300 miles on it and @ 45 it moved around a ton, and later that day we took my '07 GT out (also all stock but for a set of Koni Sports) and took the same turns around 90 mph and it was dead stable.

Those Bullitt spec Tokico's are all about ride and actually have less control them the stock GT stuff.

 

That makes sense since they are much larger than the Fox or SN95 both dimensionaly and from the drivers seat. The fox is tiny. My Accord drive like a Lincoln and feels like one too. The 2011 seems larger from the drivers position, the 06 felt like I understood more of where the car was. After driving these for a while, darn near anything feels small!


Yep, it's the only way I can truly tell. I have rounded up about 5 more to go test drive tomorrow.

Makes sense, the 2010's and 11's ride softer than even the 06 GT I drove. Part of the every man's sports car I think. Feels luxury but very confident. Besides suspensions can be changed!

 

Not that it matters at this point. I found a great '05 GT and it was a great car. In the end I have decided to pay off my debt, help my wife and save some money to get the 2011+ model. Hell, in that amount of time maybe I can get a GT500! Cheaper than an M3 and gets better gas mileage!