WTB an S197 Mustang and Get Some Advice (Bought One)

michaelsmiller · **Posted:** Tue Jan 26, 2016 6:26 pm

Anders has changed his mind from getting a Miata to getting an Mustang. It's more practical. He wants a GT, but I'm partial to the newer 300+ HP V6's. We're looking at both. What are the important things and potential problems to look for on a Mustang. I know talking to club Mustang owners that the front lower ball joints are commonly bad and that the rear axle seals can be a real problem. We have already seen a few with these maladies. What else should we look for.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Jan 26, 2016 9:21 pm

IMO a non V8 powered Mustang is fundamentally wrong.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Jan 26, 2016 9:23 pm

I can't offer much comments on the '11+ mustangs, slightly different setup, but you are right about the ball joints and rear seals. I've already replaced all of mine. I really haven't come across many other soft spots on these cars. I will say in ref to my '08, the upper top hats on the struts are junk and I would replace. Mine also had a TSB for for the tranny synchro's. The door panels are an issued in the 05-09 as well.

If you're looking at an '11+, you shouldn't have the tranny or door panel issues. A plus is the interior is much nicer and not so full of plastic...

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Tue Jan 26, 2016 9:41 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

IMO a non V8 powered Mustang is fundamentally wrong.

What he said. V8 noise is half the experience. The sound of the 2.3 ecoboost in a mustang makes me cringe.

brettmcwhorter · **Posted:** Tue Jan 26, 2016 10:53 pm

I think the 2.3 sounds pretty decent for a boosted 4 banger with an exhaust

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzYESOAmQ1Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGU8YTmzgks

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2016 3:50 pm

Plus, everybody will ask you if it's a V8 and when you say no, they shrug and walk away, lol. Everybody knows if you buy a American pony car, the only way is to get the V8.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2016 4:00 pm

Chad Culbertson wrote:

Plus, everybody will ask you if it's a V8 and when you say no, they shrug and walk away, lol. Everybody knows if you buy a American pony car, the only way is to get the V8.

QFT!

michaelsmiller · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2016 5:56 pm

I definitely got the message on the V8. I guess the way that I should have said it would be from a financial point of view. He can afford a GT if it's old enough or an 2011 V6. The 11 V6 looks on paper to be very competitive with the previous years GT's. It might even handle a little bit better. It is better balanced, gets better gas mileage, and has a limited slip rear end. Anders wants the GT and Dad likes the more refined 2011 V6. Shouldn't a Dad tell his kid to be practical?

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:06 pm

michaelsmiller wrote:

Shouldn't a Dad tell his kid to be practical?

If you were my dad, I would counter that the GT could be considered more practical as it will likely have more resale value (even if that statement is false). After all, who wants a used car with 2 missing cylinders

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:19 pm

michaelsmiller wrote:

I definitely got the message on the V8. I guess the way that I should have said it would be from a financial point of view. He can afford a GT if it's old enough or an 2011 V6. The 11 V6 looks on paper to be very competitive with the previous years GT's. It might even handle a little bit better. It is better balanced, gets better gas mileage, and has a limited slip rear end. Anders wants the GT and Dad likes the more refined 2011 V6. Shouldn't a Dad tell his kid to be practical?

I agree w/ the fact it's better balanced. Read several articles on that very item. There's enough after market mods to make the 4 banger very potent. Gotta remember, the lowly mustang started life w/ the 6, so there's heritage there, but as they say, there's no replacement for displacement....

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2016 10:54 pm

michaelsmiller wrote:

Anders wants the GT and Dad likes the more refined 2011 V6. Shouldn't a Dad tell his kid to be practical?

no.

Mustang=V8. Period.

michaelsmiller · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2016 10:56 pm

Jordan Normark wrote:

michaelsmiller wrote:

Shouldn't a Dad tell his kid to be practical?

If you were my dad, I would counter that the GT could be considered more practical as it will likely have more resale value (even if that statement is false). After all, who wants a used car with 2 missing cylinders

Well the rest of the family drives cars with 4 missing cylinders; a Miata and a Mazdaspeed 3.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Wed Jan 27, 2016 11:56 pm

michaelsmiller wrote:

Well the rest of the family drives cars with 4 missing cylinders; a Miata and a Mazdaspeed 3.

Mike, just stop, stop it.... you'll never win this argument w/ this club...

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2016 12:00 am

Did someone say 4-cylinder Mustang?

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Thu Jan 28, 2016 12:06 am

I know nothing about the 2005 - 2010 Mustangs and only put about 20K miles on my 2012 V8 prior to trading for the 2015.

From what I've seen of the 05 - 10's compared to the 11 - 14's the 11+ are much nicer cars. If the only way he can swing one is the V6 then for someone who hasn't experienced a V8 the V6 would be very nice.

Too bad a 2015/16 is out of the budget. These are VERY nice. A new V6 manual might be around $25K out the door with new car financing and warranty. An Ecoboost looks like not a lot more than that. Those are a LOT of car for the money.

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WTB an S197 Mustang and Get Some Advice (Bought One)

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