S197 V6, quick cruiser car?
03-18-2013, 11:53 AM
#11
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Southeast Virginia
Posts: 6,409
I have an '07 and the only issue I have had is with the paint bubbling on the underside of the hood. Had it fixed while it was still under warranty. Haven't had any leaks yet. Could be because I only drive on pretty days. So far, only 11k fun miles on my car. 
03-18-2013, 12:08 PM
#12
I have an '07 and i've only had two small issues. My t-stat housing went out at around 60k miles and had to replace that. Was a very easy fix and took all of 30 minutes. Second issue was a small water leak when I first got the car, which was fixed by cleaning out the grommet. I'm almost at 80k, and it's running strong.
My mom has an '07 vert with almost 100k miles and hasn't had any types of issues with it at all.
They are definitely fun cars to drive around in, and have a blast every time I go somewhere.
My mom has an '07 vert with almost 100k miles and hasn't had any types of issues with it at all.
They are definitely fun cars to drive around in, and have a blast every time I go somewhere.
03-18-2013, 05:19 PM
#13
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Clinton, Tennessee
Posts: 761
And Thanks
03-18-2013, 08:09 PM
#14
I love my car. I've got an S197 v6 pony package with some slight mods here and there. It's a little lighter than the gt but the gt has its differences like more rigid sway bars, struts, etc. This only plays a minuet factor, but i've got lowering springs and its absolutely awesome for cruising and kicking it. I do sometimes wish I could have a little extra power and rigidity, but that seems to be more where the 2011 3.7L came in. It sure has its zippy factors, and I love getting up to higher speeds on freeways, because the car just cruises. I would just recommend a CAI and some springs; and if taking girls out is desired, I'd recommend struts (those bumps can feel a little awkward)
good luck, you won't be disappointed after catching a good deal.
good luck, you won't be disappointed after catching a good deal.
03-18-2013, 10:02 PM
#15
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Littleton, Colorado
Posts: 247
I have a 2005 4.0 with CAI, Tune, and dual catbacks. How fast is fast enough? In Colorado where we lose 18% power because of altitude, Wot can invoke the traction control in 2nd.
At 100K, it is one of the most reliable cars I've owned. No leaks, no cooling problems. I say Go For It!
I hope this is useful.
At 100K, it is one of the most reliable cars I've owned. No leaks, no cooling problems. I say Go For It!
I hope this is useful.
03-18-2013, 11:42 PM
#16
Resident Ginger
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Cali
Posts: 4,624
I don't know what Matt is referring to on a leak in the engine bay - never heard such a thing or saw it on my 2006. He may be thinking about the leak that some people had - regardless of model - that went through the cowl and onto the smart junction box in the passenger side foot well. But that wasn't a 4.0 thing, it affected all models; although I never had the issue on mine.
As far as the plastic thermostat housing, seems to be "luck of the draw" on that. Mine lasted for 199,800 miles before it split, and that was after running it with nitrous and later a supercharger.
I sold it with 203,000 miles on it and had very few problems (thermostat housing at 199,800, the alternator at 175,900 miles). The new owner said he now has 211,000 miles on it and it is still running strong.
A CAI and tune will wake up the stock tuning for around town driving.
As far as the plastic thermostat housing, seems to be "luck of the draw" on that. Mine lasted for 199,800 miles before it split, and that was after running it with nitrous and later a supercharger.
I sold it with 203,000 miles on it and had very few problems (thermostat housing at 199,800, the alternator at 175,900 miles). The new owner said he now has 211,000 miles on it and it is still running strong.
A CAI and tune will wake up the stock tuning for around town driving.
And I will say that I never drove a 4.0 so all my feedback was what my friend told me. Obviously there are alot of people on here that love the 4.0 and have plenty of good things to say about it.
Matthew
03-18-2013, 11:43 PM
#17
6th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: North Pole
Posts: 6,716
haha I remember your old GT from S/S a while ago, been so long since I've had a chance to get on there though... I bet that charger is doing work!
Everything on your list sounds good to me, but as far as headers, long tubes are the better performance bet, it's a noticeable difference from what one of my buddies tells me after he did the pacesetters LTs, he told me it got pretty loud/droney though, but he had some crappy flowmaster muffler on there, so I would bet that was more so the issue.
As far as the 07s having the water leak issue, it's not too common but there is a chance. Just keep an eye out, and check the floorboards for any water stains along the passenger side footwell and make double sure the stereo/lights/etc. all work correctly. And like Jim said, the t-stat housing issue is kind of random. I by no means baby my car and I have had no problems with mine so far, it's definitely not an issue that should worry you. Easy fix, and fairly cheap.
Hope to see you on the V6 boards soon!
Everything on your list sounds good to me, but as far as headers, long tubes are the better performance bet, it's a noticeable difference from what one of my buddies tells me after he did the pacesetters LTs, he told me it got pretty loud/droney though, but he had some crappy flowmaster muffler on there, so I would bet that was more so the issue.
As far as the 07s having the water leak issue, it's not too common but there is a chance. Just keep an eye out, and check the floorboards for any water stains along the passenger side footwell and make double sure the stereo/lights/etc. all work correctly. And like Jim said, the t-stat housing issue is kind of random. I by no means baby my car and I have had no problems with mine so far, it's definitely not an issue that should worry you. Easy fix, and fairly cheap.
Hope to see you on the V6 boards soon!
lol yup.. I still hang out there in the SS forums
I miss my Mustang so much... I had to have another! I don't mind if it's not a fire-breather like my last one (Vortech supecharged @ 10 psi, 450-500whp!)
With a lot of power.. shiet breaks. I got tired of fixing things. My Charger only as about 340'ish awhp and it's already eating up driveshaft bolts!
Thanks for the heads up on the Long tubes. Not sure how things look under the hood, but I bet they are a lot easier to install than on a V8. Not one of my favorite jobs lol
3540 or so is just about right and a lot lighter than my Chargers
CAI/tune are great mods.. first on the list if I do get one!
03-18-2013, 11:49 PM
#18
6th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: North Pole
Posts: 6,716
I have an '07 and i've only had two small issues. My t-stat housing went out at around 60k miles and had to replace that. Was a very easy fix and took all of 30 minutes. Second issue was a small water leak when I first got the car, which was fixed by cleaning out the grommet. I'm almost at 80k, and it's running strong.
My mom has an '07 vert with almost 100k miles and hasn't had any types of issues with it at all.
They are definitely fun cars to drive around in, and have a blast every time I go somewhere.
My mom has an '07 vert with almost 100k miles and hasn't had any types of issues with it at all.
They are definitely fun cars to drive around in, and have a blast every time I go somewhere.
at least they are an easy fix.. I thought I'd have a disaster on my hands lol
I am a fan of auto shifting as well!
I love my car. I've got an S197 v6 pony package with some slight mods here and there. It's a little lighter than the gt but the gt has its differences like more rigid sway bars, struts, etc. This only plays a minuet factor, but i've got lowering springs and its absolutely awesome for cruising and kicking it. I do sometimes wish I could have a little extra power and rigidity, but that seems to be more where the 2011 3.7L came in. It sure has its zippy factors, and I love getting up to higher speeds on freeways, because the car just cruises. I would just recommend a CAI and some springs; and if taking girls out is desired, I'd recommend struts (those bumps can feel a little awkward)
good luck, you won't be disappointed after catching a good deal.
good luck, you won't be disappointed after catching a good deal.
I have a 2005 4.0 with CAI, Tune, and dual catbacks. How fast is fast enough? In Colorado where we lose 18% power because of altitude, Wot can invoke the traction control in 2nd.
At 100K, it is one of the most reliable cars I've owned. No leaks, no cooling problems. I say Go For It!
I hope this is useful.
At 100K, it is one of the most reliable cars I've owned. No leaks, no cooling problems. I say Go For It!
I hope this is useful.
Thanks for the tips
I didn't even think about the differences in suspension
Ditto on the CAI/tune.. all of my cars have run those two exclusively and with great results!
03-19-2013, 11:35 AM
#19
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Southeast Virginia
Posts: 6,409
Hey stealth GT, I do drive my car year around not just in the summer. The reason it only has 11K miles is I have 3 other vehicles (all 5.4L) that I drive during the week. The Mustang is my play toy.
It's nice to see you want to join the herd again.
It's nice to see you want to join the herd again.
03-19-2013, 08:00 PM
#20
6th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: North Pole
Posts: 6,716
Thanks for welcome back!
