S197 vs SN95
 

I have had an 05 GT S197 for the past 4+ years . . . . . I just bought an 01 Bullitt (bought it from a ladys' dead husband). God bless the Mustang lover because the 01 Bullitt is like new! After a week, I am beginning to prefer the 01 Bullitt to my "old" 05 GT. The 01 Bullitt, in my opinion is a more "manly" car! The lower/tighter suspension makes the car handle a little better . . . . . . the hard clutch and notchy short throw are a plus . . .. I am beginning to prefer the close pedals on the bullitt . . . .. . Obviously the 05 is 100 times more refined . . . . .. . but I am beginning to prefer the awkward/crammed seating position of the 01 Bullitt. . . . . I guess I have short arms, because I have to "REACH" for the SN95 shifter . . . . . While the Shaker 1000 radio on the 05 has more bass . . . . .the Mach460 radio on the 01 Bullitt seems clearer . . .. . My green paint job seems a little "drier" than my super wet looking Ebony 05 . . . . .. . so my final conclusion . . . .. . . . I think I will be driving my 01 Bullitt more (hopefully the 05 wont get too jealous!) . . . .. . .. anyone have an 07 Shelby . . . .. . pencil me in as a buyer in 2 years - $19K (40K miles).

Congrats! Sounds like a good find.

I found the '01 Bullitt to be the best GT of its generation and tons of fun to drive. Enjoy!

I'd have to agree. I currently own '09 GT & an '03 Mach 1, & there are definitely things I like better about the Mach. The '09 is roomier, more comfortable, & as you said, more refined. But the Mach just feels more like an old muscle car. The 13.5" brakes are amazing, & the shaker hood doesn't hurt either!

Nice pair of Mustangs you have there. I agree about a lot of what you said, there are many things I like about my Bullitt, even though I also have a "more powerful and refined" S197. My biggest complaint about the '01 Bullitt though is the seating position. I love the seats themselves, but in almost three years of ownership, I've never been able to get the seat in a position that is comfortable for me. I'm 6'1" with long legs, so that may have something to do with it. I'm even thinking about modifying the stock seat brackets or going with aftermarket seats to get it a little closer to perfection to me.

I've driven a few S197s as well, and they just seem too big inside for someone like me. i like feeling a little cramped in the car too, and the shifter is exactly where i like it. and i really hated how light the clutch was in a 2010 i drove, didnt feel right to me at all :shame:

that being said, i still think the s197 is a fine car, just not the one for me. only the new 5.0 and the 2010+ looks have me yearning for one at this point lol

It seems like the SN95 is more 'raw' and I can understand how some may like that over the S197's refinements/improvements (referring to the GT).

I just can't deal with the SN95 styling with the huge underbite or the cobra's darth vader mask.
Luuuuke! LOL

I'm a shark nose guy all the way. IMO

Absolutely loved how raw & muscular my '03 Mach 1 felt. My '07 GT is very refined, but I'm "unrefining" more and more as I mod it. The '03 was so easy to spin/turn on a dime, and the clutch/shifter worked very harmoniously for me. My '07 is a bigger car, but will leave my '03 in the dust. They both have their merits.

05 just needs more mods

Did you buy from a lady in Panorama City? If so the car belonged to "Doc Coffin" on IMBOC. David was a good friend over the years to a lot of us. Glad to see you're happy with it. I always felt like his car was probably immaculate. Congrats on the purchase.

I have an '01 and '08 Bullitt. As much as I love the '08 I'm like you. The '01 is a blast to drive.

Maybe we'll meet up at Bullitt Nationals in Chino Hill in June.

http://www.imboc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172521

I have driven both and the S197 is more refined, but I prefer my 2000 GT for the shear fun of driving. It will turn 12.50's all day long at the drag strip and the 5 way Tokico's, Cobra Brakes and Kenny Brown TracKit (w/panhard bar) make it fun on road courses. I have run a couple of 1:55 laps at Barbers Motorsport Park (Koni Cup cars turn 1:39's)!!

Salinas, CA
 

Nope . . .. . .I bought it from a lady in Salinas, California . . . . . .

since i have both i can chime in here. it does seem that the sn95 seems more raw, you have to actually drive it compared to the s197 where u just sit there and guide it. i grew up on the sn95 body style since my first mustang was a 1994. the interiors never changed that much from 94 to 04 so its kinda like the car i grew up in...so anytime i see a sn95 it kinda brings back memories. the 06 i have will literally blow the doors off of the 03 and is more subtle in corners but the 03 like above you have to drive it, which means you pay attention more to driving. that is the fun part. i like them both and hopefully will not have to give any of them up in the near future, but its nice to have the difference between them. they have "character"

drive
 

As I tell people . . . . . .. . I trust my wife with the S197 GT (she can drive a 5speed) . . . . . even on a rainy California day (maybe?) . . . . .. . actually I don't trust all you Mustang guys thinking, "Wow a good looking woman in a shiny GT!" But the SN95 Bullitt . . .. . .NO WAY! She could loose that back end driving over a little dog piss!

A factor to consider IMO is the weight difference ranging from 259 lbs to 315 lbs depending on the testing source for both generations. From my experience the road performance and handling of the '01 Bullitt has a slight edge on the '05 - '09 GT.

The 01 Bullitt definitely handles better than the 05 GT (I assume because the suspension is so tight . . . .. it stays flat in the corners) . . . .. . . .but the 05 GT feels faster . . . . . . the 70MPH to 100 MPH acceleration on the 05 GT still scares me! I guess thats the difference between 265HP and 300HP . . . . . . . . . Are there any 2004 Cobra owners out there? How do these compare to 05-09 GTs???? 400HP and IRS sound good on paper.

I have a 2004 Cobra. I've had several SN95 GTs, the '01 Bullitt, the '03 Mach 1, and presently have a 2008 Bullitt and GT500. The 2004 Cobra sound good on paper, it is actually a lot better on the pavement and is my all time all around favorite Mustang to drive.

Yep...nothing like a supercharged SN95!!

There isn't nearly that much weight difference between my '01 Bullitt and my '08 GT. I weighed both on my Longacre corner scales, both had full tanks of gas, floor mats, spare tires, etc, and there was only a little over 100 lbs difference. My Bullitt weighed 3383 lbs, and my '08 GT weighed 3490 lbs.The only modifications my Bullitt has that would add weight are the slightly larger Eibach front sway bar, and my tires are 3 lbs heavier each than the originals, so the factory curb weight on my '01Bullitt would be about 15 lbs lighter, or 3368 lbs. My '08 GT was weighed the week I brought it home from the dealer, and it is lighter than most since the only options are spoiler delete and the 3.55 gears.I'm not completely convinced that the Bullitt actually handles better than the S197. I've had both out autocrossing, and the Bullitt feels like it handles better due to the stiffer suspension, but the numbers don't bear it out.

lol..

S-197 hands down, its superior in every way except fot weight and (lol) aerodynamics. My only complaint with the current car is the placement of the mufflers, if only Ford could have kept them ahead of the axle instead of behind it.