From a S550 to S197

activeGT

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I had an 2013 GT in race red and sadly had to sell it after less than a year. When the 2015 GT came out I fell in to a deal on a brand new one and really enjoyed it but always had that love affair with the 2013. Yeah, it's cruder, Yeah it's got that crappy rear axle and the interior is a little crude compared as well. But it's just got the Mustang look that got lost in the S550.

FF to this month and I stumbled on a 2014 California Special with 9k on the clock, all original and not a scratch. Bought it sight unseen and just had it delivered . I plan on keeping this in the collection for a long, long time!

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Norm Peterson

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I had an 2013 GT in race red and sadly had to sell it after less than a year. When the 2015 GT came out I fell in to a deal on a brand new one and really enjoyed it but always had that love affair with the 2013. Yeah, it's cruder, Yeah it's got that crappy rear axle and the interior is a little crude compared as well. But it's just got the Mustang look that got lost in the S550.

FF to this month and I stumbled on a 2014 California Special with 9k on the clock, all original and not a scratch. Bought it sight unseen and just had it delivered . I plan on keeping this in the collection for a long, long time!
There's no question that the S550 is far more refined as a car. But refinement from generation to generation can be a sword that cuts both ways, when that refinement distills some of the older car's character out of it. Crudeness is commonly part of character - and maybe that's where you like the car because of what it isn't and doesn't try to be.

As to the rear axle, the S197's 3-link/PHB arrangement ranks at the top of the simple stick-axle suspensions. It's in the details where the system as developed by Ford doesn't live up to its best potential.

With just a few suspension tweaks (and somewhat bigger/better street tires & wheels) even a 4.6L S197 can catch, hang with and pass cars you might not expect from it. This was in a combined advanced & instructors run group where some much more serious cars/drivers come out to play.



Norm
 
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TorchedGT

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This week I went from a S550 to a S197 after being away about a decade.. as others have mentioned.. the S550 is def more refined.. but as with any car as it gets more and more modern and cushy.. it also makes ya feel more disconnected.. soft clutch, soft suspension, zero effort steering.. which is great for a lot of people.. not so much for enthusiasts..

The solid rear 8.8 can take quite of bit of abuse. They ride like a truck but they’re simple and they work.

I went from a 16 GT Premium to a 12 Shelby.. the Shelby feels like a raging bull in comparison lol in a good way.
 

Stranger

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"crappy rear axle" lol

Nice car! I agree, the S550's are ugly.
I followed this car out of town a couple of nights ago... I thought it looked pretty good from behind.
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Even though there are a few viewing angles and styling cues of the S550 that I kinda like, I still prefer the S197 overall.
 

xxsurvivalism

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I followed this car out of town a couple of nights ago... I thought it looked pretty good from behind.
View attachment 77795

Even though there are a few viewing angles and styling cues of the S550 that I kinda like, I still prefer the S197 overall.

They look...... Alright at best. It's my personal opinion though. The S550 reminds me of the new Camaro styling. Just bulky. Looks like an S197 with lip injections lol
 

Pentalab

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They look...... Alright at best. It's my personal opinion though. The S550 reminds me of the new Camaro styling. Just bulky. Looks like an S197 with lip injections lol
The back end looks wrong to me. Looks kinda bulked up. No smooth flowing lines.
 

Pentalab

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It looks like u sorta took the back end of a camaro..and morphed it into the front end of a Fusion. You get the idea. It looks all wrong to me. I like the 10-12 cars myself, but I'm biased, since I have a 2010.
 

ghunt81

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This week I went from a S550 to a S197 after being away about a decade.. as others have mentioned.. the S550 is def more refined.. but as with any car as it gets more and more modern and cushy.. it also makes ya feel more disconnected.. soft clutch, soft suspension, zero effort steering.. which is great for a lot of people.. not so much for enthusiasts..

If the 2015+ has the EPAS like my F150, I definitely understand what you mean about the zero effort steering. Feels a little weird.
 

Jack F

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If the 2015+ has the EPAS like my F150, I definitely understand what you mean about the zero effort steering.

2011-present have EPAS. It's selectable between standard, sport, and comfort.

S197 vs. S550? You know that you can have both, right?
 

Stranger

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They look...... Alright at best. It's my personal opinion though. The S550 reminds me of the new Camaro styling. Just bulky. Looks like an S197 with lip injections lol
IMHO, all three of the domestic 2+2 performance cars currently offered (Camaro, Challenger and Mustang (even the S197)) appear overweight and are too big compared to the original designs that inspired them.

The back end looks wrong to me. Looks kinda bulked up. No smooth flowing lines.
Funny... these are the comments that I would have applied to the front end.

It's the front end I could never get used to...
Agreed, but it's better than no Mustang at all!
 

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