JC316

I have a 97 Cobra right now, but I am potentially looking at getting into an 05-07 GT. The Cobra is a nice car, but you can definitely feel that it's a chassis that was designed in 79. It squeaks, it rattles, the seats aren't that great, the suspension is harsh, the road noise is terrible, it doesn't handle that well, etc. On one hand, I like the old school, no frills muscle car style, but on the other hand, I bought a crown victoria for my lot and it's nicer to drive than the cobra.

Are the S197's more refined than the SN95's? How well do they hold up over the years? Being in Texas and with my budget, I will likely be looking at over 100K miles if I go this route.

Nuke

Quite a few S197 owners have over 100k miles; a number of those well beyond 150k miles. Although I consider most Ford's to be much better made than they were a decade or more ago, they're still Fords. My AVERAGE mileage-before-selling Toyota is over 200k miles and that's for my first 5 Toyotas. I wouldn't expect that from my 1st 5 Fords. Regardless, my Stang is a chit load more fun to drive than any of my Toyotas.

howarmat

i think they hold up pretty good for an under 30k car. They are certainly more refined that the sn95 just the same way that the 2013 is even more refined over the 2005. I wouldnt say the s197 is no frills though at all. take a few for test drives and see how you like them

JC316

I have sat in a lot of them out at auction and I like the interior. One of my biggest issues with the SN95 era of cars is the damned bump steer. Even at stock ride height, bumps severely upset it and I am constantly fighting it.

Lem-06

I just put in a bump steer kit when I fit my air kit. Steers fine

CPTCO

Just took mine on a 900 mile road trip. I was comfortable the entire time as was my passenger. Could be a little quieter, couple of rattles on hard bumps, a little stiffer than the average car. Some of this could be contributed to tire choice though. These BFGs I have are super loud, grippy but loud. The seats are great.

I can honestly say that the more I drive this car, the more I love it.

JC316

I took a 500 mile road trip in my 96 GT vert and it was a nightmare. My Cobra isn't the stiffest car I have ever driven, but it's in the top 5. Sounds like the S197 is a better car, think I will try one for a test drive and look at getting one.

Rudolph Hucker

mustang is ok..i have 2 other cars i drive everyday..only thing the stang is better at is power..
not the best handling or smoothest cars tbh...an ok car for the money..a car with 1960's derived suspension can never be that good..
plus fords will never be as good or drive as nice as most german cars..go drive a top spec audi then get in the stang..i tell you you will be shocked..

808muscle

s197 is a more refined platform than the sn95 for sure but its a ford not a $50k Euro car. I have no complaints about my car............it is the funnest car I have ever owned.

427Roush

You may be able to pick up a used 05-07 Roush or Saleen for @ $25k.