High Mileage Reliability?

[Sn8kebitten]

Hey guys I'm new here. Soon I may be picking up an auto 2007 GT Deluxe so I'm looking for some advice. The car has 151,000 miles so I'm just wondering how reliable they are if taken care of? It'll be a huge jump from my 1996 Cobra that I'll be trading it in on so I'd like to learn about S197s as much as I can.

I've found a few mechanical issues after several test drives but they're expected from a car of these miles. The vent actuators click loudly for a few seconds after first turning the ignition key on and seldom after turning the heat to full blast but will stop shortly after but a/c and heat work on all settings just fine. I would really hate to tear into the dash if they ever stop working though. The rear end has a small cover leak but the dealer is replacing the gasket. The blinkers click rapidly left and right, even though all blinkers work? And lastly, when revving the car in park, the rpms take awhile to drop back to idle.

The car will have to be my daily as my Cobra has been for the past 6 years so Id like to know what common problems to look for on the GT before I pull the trigger. Everything else so far has been great and I'm very excited about having a chance to own a newer car. It runs great and pulls hard, has no ticks, knocks, pings, rattles, etc that I can hear. The oil looks healthy and there are no oil or transmission leaks that I can spot whatsoever.


Any advice would be awesome as I've had no luck on other forums. Lastly, what's the difference between the Deluxe and Premium? Lol

I know the price is high but they've had the car forever and I know they're dying to sell it so I'll have no problem talking them down. Here is the link to the car for those interested
http://www.wilkersonautosales.com/2007_Ford_Mustang_Mayfield_KY_255579005.veh#

 

[chair]

Mine has 146,000 and engine runs perfect. Only issues ive had are blowing clutches and a coolant leak under the intake manifold. The blinkers is probably because you have a tail light out; same thing happened to me. The high rpm is called rev hang which usually happens after the battery is unplugged.

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

I've found a few mechanical issues after several test drives but they're expected from a car of these miles. The vent actuators click loudly for a few seconds after first turning the ignition key on and seldom after turning the heat to full blast but will stop shortly after but a/c and heat work on all settings just fine. I would really hate to tear into the dash if they ever stop working though. The rear end has a small cover leak but the dealer is replacing the gasket. The blinkers click rapidly left and right, even though all blinkers work? And lastly, when revving the car in park, the rpms take awhile to drop back to idle.

There are several S197 GTs that have passed 200k miles and are still running strongly. Long term reliability will be mainly down to how well the cars were maintained by their owners.
Your rapidly clicking blinkers could be due to a burnt out filament inside both of the middle taillight bulbs. Each bulb has two filaments and maybe only one is burnt. I just replaced one of mine last week with exactly the same problem.
To solve the rpm problem disconnect the negative battery terminal, thoroughly clean the inside of the throttle body (Brenspeed have a good video of this procedure in Youtube), reconnect the battery, and go through the idle relearn procedure as described in the Owners' Manual.

 

[Stephen31201]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/341...ment_id=408127459311861&notif_t=group_comment

Scroll down on the page. I saw this one the other day. 2007 for 9k.

 

[fdjizm]

I am at 96k miles (bought it brand new) and have been racing it since it's 2nd month in my possession. Never had any engine related issues, the transmission sucks ass though (for racing/powershifting) WOTBOX was the fix for that but I'm on my third tr3650.

 

[Mustang Mark]

Did anyone actually look at the link? It's a 5r55 car...

The autos aren't the greatest, and cant handle more than 500rwhp even when built. If you can detect even a HINT of slippage going into 3rd gear, walk away.

The deluxe has a rubber like steering wheel vs the premium has leather, as well as the spokes on the steering wheel, the door pulls and a couple other misc. Things are silver instead of black. The face of the dash would be brushed aluminum instead of black, and I believe leather seats. That's all I can think of right now though.

The fast blinking could also be if the previous owner installed LEDs in the market lights.

I would try to talk them down below $9kk. I only paid $9300 for my 05 GT premium stick with 109k miles 2 years ago.

 

[stkjock]

please review the posting rules.. this is not tech

Moved

 

[eighty6gt]

Nice looking car. The rpm hanging that you're noticing is probably just the way the car acts when stock, they do that to try to limit the pcv drinking a bunch of oil when you're free revving the car.

I'd buy it, put a converter in it and some fresh trans fluid, that transgo fix kit if it's a good idea for this year of 5r55 (seems like it,) hang around online until a full exhaust came up, maybe some used hot rod cams, get a ford racing intake like I had on mine, a nice tune from lito, a detroit true trac, some 265/45 michelin pilot super sports (they go on an 8-1/2" rim,) and then a full suspension setup from Roush except for some vorschlag cc plates. Car would outrun all kinds of stuff.

 

[TGR96]

^^^Typical S197! Trying to spend the man's money before he even gets the car! LOL

 

[Deez-67]

140K of hard miles on my old girl. Still has stock clutch and still running strong.

 

[JCCNY]

^ Damn, I have to start riding my old lady more often!

 

[Sn8kebitten]

It seemed as though Tech was the appropriate place since I had a few tech questions. Thank you for moving it to the proper subforum though. But yeah if the car does prove to be reliable then I would love to buy some cams later on down the road. I never really bothered with the thought of camming my 4v because of the cost but now it it shouldn't be as bad with half the cams lol

 

[AR Stang]

87k miles here on an auto with no issue's motor wise so far. Aside from regular maintenance I have done tie rod ends a year and a half ago, and front lower control arms(this week for these). Just make sure to keep up with maintenance and it should run pretty good.

 

[Sn8kebitten]

I've been going through one of the salesman at the dealership but the boss is on vacation in Florida since his kids are on fall break and he wants to check my Cobra out before making a deal. Which sucks because I want it gone asap before I have any more time to miss it lol

 

[pacettr]

140K of hard miles on my old girl. Still has stock clutch and still running strong.

If you only knew...

 

[fdjizm]

Did anyone actually look at the link? It's a 5r55 car...

My bad, I thought a man was posting

 

[KatoS197]

My bad, I thought a man was posting

 

[KatoS197]

OP,

My '08 had 140K when it was totaled this past February. I had no intentions of trading it any time soon. Ran like a champ, and had 0 issues. It was meticulously cared for and received the same treatment from me.

It's worth waiting for one that you absolutely know was taken care of and not beat to hell. Mine was traded in by an older retired military guy. 1-owner, no accidents, never modified.

The one you're looking at doesn't sound too bad, but there's always a better one out there. Gotta pay to play.

 

[SNKPWR]

The clicking in the dash is one of the vent actuators, common problem but an easy 25 dollar fix. One of the bigger PITA issues is spark plugs breaking when you go to change them, search on here or youtube for that. Most of the other issues are minor but definitely make sure the trans isn't slipping!

 

[AbdullaGT500]

That's a nice looking car, but way overpriced. I honestly think that's a $6-7k car tops. It is also a base, not premium.