The Old 5.0 S107

[JimmyTwoTimes]

As the owner of a 2012 5.0, I would say a 2015 v6 is a downgrade when it comes to the speed and thrill factor. The newer car is nicer,, rides better, and has a decent interior (since it's only the base model.) but I would never be happy with a v6 vs. 5.0.

I had a 2011 V6 and now have a 2015 GT. The GT isn't noticably faster in daily driving where you never see the far side of 3,000 rpm.

And the only things Premium S197's had that base S550's are lacking are leather seats (which were crappy quality in the S197) and ambient lighting. And upgraded audio, I guess. But SYNC with Bluetooth and USB connectivity are now standard, along with the backup camera and everything else.

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[Fox5.0]

Get the GT.
1. After having a 2015 v6 and driving it compared to the coyote, a mustang truly deserves a v8. Just such a different feeling.
2. You won't have to deal with the 4-5k loss as soon as you drive off the lot with the 15'.
3. Whatever you do to the 3.7, it will NEVER sound as good as the 5.0. NEVER NEVER NEVER!
4. The 2011-2014 are still really nice looking mustangs and you'll probably get much more tech, touch screen, better audio, power seats, 3.73, brembo brakes. It's a no brainer.

If you are about performance, opt for the older model with the v8. Worse case in a year or two sell it and get your self into a used 2016 GT.
Any questions, shoot me a PM! I'll be glad to talk some more.

 

[Jamo]

Get the GT.
1. After having a 2015 v6 and driving it compared to the coyote, a mustang truly deserves a v8. Just such a different feeling.
2. You won't have to deal with the 4-5k loss as soon as you drive off the lot with the 15'.
3. Whatever you do to the 3.7, it will NEVER sound as good as the 5.0. NEVER NEVER NEVER!
4. The 2011-2014 are still really nice looking mustangs and you'll probably get much more tech, touch screen, better audio, power seats, 3.73, brembo brakes. It's a no brainier.

If you are about performance, opt for the older model with the v8. Worse case in a year or two sell it and get your self into a used 2016 GT.
Any questions, shoot me a PM! I'll be glad to talk some more.

There's a good analysis. I really don't care too much about interiors, like with the 2015. They all look the same after a while to me anyway. And after reading that cover story just now with the review, apparently a set of good coil over shocks makes a big improvement on the live axle.

Now my son, 18 and going to college, thinks the V6 is plenty and gets better mileage. And has color choice. What are you to do with these kids?

I guess losing the least $$ in deprecation is part of what motivates me and leads me to the used car. I just hope the price of the S197 GTs doesn't fall through the floor after I buy it, like I expected it to do. But this one is a great buy. Of course, my dealer is giving me $500 below invoice plus the $500 rebate on the V6, so that's a good deal, too.

I'm still undecided and unsure.

 

[Fox5.0]

There's a good analysis. I really don't care too much about interiors, like with the 2015. They all look the same after a while to me anyway. And after reading that cover story just now with the review, apparently a set of good coil over shocks makes a big improvement on the live axle.

Now my son, 18 and going to college, thinks the V6 is plenty and gets better mileage. And has color choice. What are you to do with these kids?

I guess losing the least $$ in deprecation is part of what motivates me and leads me to the used car. I just hope the price of the S197 GTs doesn't fall through the floor after I buy it, like I expected it to do. But this one is a great buy. Of course, my dealer is giving me $500 below invoice plus the $500 rebate on the V6, so that's a good deal, too.

I'm still undecided and unsure.

Just remember, Im pretty sure a s197 was put up againt a BMW m3. So its not like the car "can't" handle. Maybe put your son behind the wheel of the 5.0 and watch his face just light up.

Have you tried looking around for more used GT's? When I was shopping I found several 2013-2014 GT premium's for about 25k.

Anyways, not trying to talk you out of the S550 line up. When i went to go look at stangs I thought to myself, well the v6 has decent power and good economy? 3 weeks in i regretted it so much, took about a 4k hit and that was with me knowing the dealer.

Just test drive all your options!
BTW wont think youll loose alot on a s197... they are not gonna become dirt cheap anytime soon.

 

[thehunterooo]

I would try to pick up a 13-14 GT over the 2015 V6. They will hold their value well though so I wouldn't worry about that. I will say the interior improvements alone would make me go for a 2015 GT. After having a 2014 for over a year I can say the 6th gen stang is a huge step up overall. But it really depends on what you want, V8 vs V6 and such, we can't make that choice for you.

 

[blkandgud]

I had a 2011 V6 and now have a 2015 GT. The GT isn't noticably faster in daily driving where you never see the far side of 3,000 rpm.

And the only things Premium S197's had that base S550's are lacking are leather seats (which were crappy quality in the S197) and ambient lighting. And upgraded audio, I guess. But SYNC with Bluetooth and USB connectivity are now standard, along with the backup camera and everything else.

I had the 401 seats, which weren't available to the v6's, which were much nicer than the standard leather seats.

 

[Jamo]

I guess my concern is whether or not people who know the cars have any interest left in the S197s. Enough interest so that the car is not generally perceived as archaic rather than classic.

There's that, and the other question is that a 2012 GT is a $40k car for $24K, while the '15 V6 is a $24K car for $24K.

This '12 GT Premium one I'm looking at is really perfect. Ford Certified w/new tires and just 18K miles and all the goodies. But does it have that beautiful, expansive look over the hood (that puts me in mind of my '63 Stingray)?

 

[FATHERFORD]

The 11-14 5.0's will be highly sought after in many year I would imagine. It has the "classic" looks for the 69-70, last of the straight axle stangs, awesome 5.0 engine, etc.

I love my 14

 

[Tony Alonso]

I very much enjoyed my 2010 GT, which had the smaller 3V V8. If I could have financially, I would have kept it along with getting the 2015. I think a back-to-back drive on the same route is in order. The feel of the steering and suspension performance are the things I'd be comparing. I think the changes to the front suspension set the cars apart. Your evaluation of the value for the difference in driving feel could come from such a drive. Clearly, the IRS offers a big change in the rear, but there are some similarities in normal street driving.

Both are great cars. The S197s are NOT, in my opinion, as 'low grade' as some might characterize them.

 

[Jamo]

The 11-14 5.0's will be highly sought after in many year I would imagine. It has the "classic" looks for the 69-70, last of the straight axle stangs, awesome 5.0 engine, etc.

I love my 14

Fatherford - If that's your '14, you got the right color. That's the best color. The one I'm going to get is Black on Black which is so common.

 

[blkandgud]

I guess my concern is whether or not people who know the cars have any interest left in the S197s. Enough interest so that the car is not generally perceived as archaic rather than classic.

There's that, and the other question is that a 2012 GT is a $40k car for $24K, while the '15 V6 is a $24K car for $24K.

This '12 GT Premium one I'm looking at is really perfect. Ford Certified w/new tires and just 18K miles and all the goodies. But does it have that beautiful, expansive look over the hood (that puts me in mind of my '63 Stingray)?

I always and still get looks in my 12 GT and get the 'nice car' comments. So, I think you'll be fine if you take car of it.

 

[Tony Alonso]

I guess my concern is whether or not people who know the cars have any interest left in the S197s. Enough interest so that the car is not generally perceived as archaic rather than classic.

The only concern, in my opinion, is if YOU think the car is fantastic or not. The aftermarket is going to be around for awhile for the S197s. There is a segment of the Mustang community who will consistently appreciate them.

I've heard the comments about "archaic", and the main people I get that from are those who don't own Mustangs but have heard or read about them. The people that own them can appreciate them for what they are. Ask anyone who owns an original with 1960s technology (archaic, right?). They'll likely talk about how much enjoyment they get from something that is simpler mechanically than current cars.

I think you owe it to yourself to DRIVE an S197 and judge the differences in the suspension and steering responses, along with the quality of the interior materials. When I boil down the differences between my '10 GT and the new GT, this is what really live with daily. Beyond that, if you like the driver assist and entertainment technologies better, it's clear there's been an upgrade from the most recent S197s in the S550.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[Jamo]

... DRIVE an S197 and judge the differences in the suspension and steering responses, along with the quality of the interior materials. ... if you like the driver assist and entertainment technologies better, it's clear there's been an upgrade from the most recent S197s in the S550.

Driver assist, SYNC, entertainment technologies are not important to me. Truth be told, teh interior dash panel is not impoortant to me. Those things all just fade into the background as you become familiar with them. If it were up to me, I'd have vinyl upholstery and a base radio so I could put my own stereo in and not have to worry about steering wheel controls and all the other elec tronics that work through the radio.

So I'm not a really modern kind of guy. But I do like the modern styling and stiff frame and rear suspension of the new one. I just don't really want to pay for a new V8 and the V6 is the alternative. But it isn't a special car with the V6. Might as well get an Accord Coupe. And the 2.3 eBoost engine isn't interesting to me, it's too small. THey should have offered the larger one. And the Hyundai gets more power out of its 3.8 V6 than Ford does. GO figure.

So, I do like the 2012 GT a lot and it's affordable.

I was at the Chicago Auto Show yesterday and I spent some time with the Chicago Mustang Club representative there. He's very happy with his '91 that he got for $3K.

SO I'll probably just get the '12 GT I can (marginally) afford or wait a while and see what turns up.

 

[Tony Alonso]

Driver assist, SYNC, entertainment technologies are not important to me. Truth be told, teh interior dash panel is not impoortant to me. Those things all just fade into the background as you become familiar with them. If it were up to me, I'd have vinyl upholstery and a base radio so I could put my own stereo in and not have to worry about steering wheel controls and all the other electronics that work through the radio.

Definitely why I boiled the test drive down to comparing the steering and suspension changes. Only you can determine the value of that. The base GT is a solid value, in my opinion, if you don't care for the other stuff.

So I'm not a really modern kind of guy. But I do like the modern styling and stiff frame and rear suspension of the new one.

Have you been able to compare and detect the chassis stiffness and action of the rear suspension by testing driving both the S197 and S550? When I compare my 2010 GT to 2015 GT, I do feel the action of both. However, again, only you can determine if the price differential between an '11-'14 GT and a base '15 GT is worth it to you.

So, I do like the 2012 GT a lot and it's affordable.

If the price difference between a used '12 GT and new '15 base GT is $5000, would that still fall in your "affordable" range?

I was at the Chicago Auto Show yesterday and I spent some time with the Chicago Mustang Club representative there. He's very happy with his '91 that he got for $3K.

I know plenty of people happy with those cars. However, trying to compare the benefits of the chassis differences of the Fox platform and the S197 or S550 purely on the cost does not take into account the other things you mentioned - styling, chassis stiffness, suspension performance. This factor would not enter into my decision making, if I were operating with your scenario.

SO I'll probably just get the '12 GT I can (marginally) afford or wait a while and see what turns up.

If that is your most compelling constraint, then I believe there is a lot of life and value in the S197s. You also have your choice of 2 major design styles ('05-'09 and '10-'14). Good luck with your decision.

 

[Jamo]

... When I compare my 2010 GT to 2015 GT, I do feel the action of both. ....

Tony - You have both? Would you compare them a little more for me? Do you think a 2015 V6 w/3.55 axle would be enjoyable as a '12 GT?

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