Buying used s197 - Advise ??

[GoVols]

I'm going to be buying a used 05 or up manual GT in the next couple of weeks. Any advise? I'm going to be paying cash, how much should that effect the cost? Also I'd like to hear people's opinions regarding which options are good/bad. I have a 99GT and remember being pretty amazed at how much better the tri-ax shifter was than the stock unit. Is that a good one to get for the s197? Any other advise and/or recommendations would be great.

Thanks, Justin

 

[Steedman07]

As far as the purchase goes, a cash deal wont get you a better deal..But make sure to run a carfax, and make sure you buy from a reputable dealer.If its a private sale, have a good mechanic give it a once through before you buy it..Try and find something still under the factory bumper to bumper warranty...If your near Connecticut, Ive got a perfect 1 owner 05 stick premium with 42,000 miles on it...

 

[jsawyer]

Welcome!

As far as the purchase goes, a cash deal wont get you a better deal..But make sure to run a carfax, and make sure you buy from a reputable dealer.If its a private sale, have a good mechanic give it a once through before you buy it..Try and find something still under the factory bumper to bumper warranty...If your near Connecticut, Ive got a perfect 1 owner 05 stick premium with 42,000 miles on it...

Well if he is not near Connecticut he should do a road trip

 

[GoVols]

As far as the purchase goes, a cash deal wont get you a better deal..But make sure to run a carfax, and make sure you buy from a reputable dealer.If its a private sale, have a good mechanic give it a once through before you buy it..Try and find something still under the factory bumper to bumper warranty...If your near Connecticut, Ive got a perfect 1 owner 05 stick premium with 42,000 miles on it...

Connecticut would be a little far. I'm also trying to keep the miles under 20K or at least 30K. Thanks though

 

[Colsgt]

I have a hurst shifter and i love it.

 

[GoVols]

Also, something that I forgot to mention in the OP, is hooking up an iPod. Do all of the stereo options have the 1/8in input in the center console? If not, which years and which options have it? Thanks again.

 

[Colsgt]

my 06 does not

 

[GoVols]

my 06 does not

Thanks for the info. Which stereo option do you have?

 

[Colsgt]

shaker 500.

my younger brothers 08 gt has it stock, has the shaker 500 as well

 

[GoVols]

shaker 500.

my younger brothers 08 gt has it stock, has the shaker 500 as well

Hmmm. Wonder if it started in 07 or 08. Can anyone verify that? Thanks again for the info.

 

[alloy6ix]

it started in 07. my 07 has it and my friends 06 doesn't but then again, his 06 runs 10's on 10 psi... go figure, I think he wins. lol. good luck with the find. There's a white one I saw a while back on this forum, and i'd be all over it, especially with a great price, but it's auto.

 

[GoVols]

Options

So does anyone have any thoughts on options? Is the 1000 worth it or am I better off just getting the best deal I can regardless of stereo and upgrading with aftermarket later if needed/wanted? Also one thing I've been thinking about it whether or not I want leather seats. Never had them before and they seem nice but maybe not so nice on either really cold or hot days. Particularly dark leather seems like it would kind of suck to have on hot summer days when I'm wearing shorts and seem like they would take longer to warm up in the winter. Am I exaggerating and should just measure them on how nice I think they are without worrying about the effects of weather?

Thanks

 

[Freaknazty]

So does anyone have any thoughts on options? Is the 1000 worth it or am I better off just getting the best deal I can regardless of stereo and upgrading with aftermarket later if needed/wanted?

get the best deal worry later imo

Also one thing I've been thinking about it whether or not I want leather seats. Never had them before and they seem nice but maybe not so nice on either really cold or hot days. Particularly dark leather seems like it would kind of suck to have on hot summer days when I'm wearing shorts and seem like they would take longer to warm up in the winter. Am I exaggerating and should just measure them on how nice I think they are without worrying about the effects of weather?

Thanks

depending on the price difference in the cars you find you can always get leather covers people took off theirs for probably 3 to 400 range

 

[MexGT]

it started in 07. my 07 has it and my friends 06 doesn't but then again, his 06 runs 10's on 10 psi... go figure, I think he wins. lol. good luck with the find. There's a white one I saw a while back on this forum, and i'd be all over it, especially with a great price, but it's auto.

The stereo input started in 2007, my car is a 07 with Shaker 500 and I have that input.

 

[302]

go vols? I think he might be from TN

But my suggestion to you is look for a 07+... Wont have to do the moleskin upgrade and i think the 07+ have the Ipod hook up like you are wanting. As far as leather erm... Ford Pleather... goes, i like it. Very easy to clean and i have tinted windows so i have never had a problem with the hot days in alabama with leather...

 

[Eric298]

So does anyone have any thoughts on options? Is the 1000 worth it or am I better off just getting the best deal I can regardless of stereo and upgrading with aftermarket later if needed/wanted? Also one thing I've been thinking about it whether or not I want leather seats. Never had them before and they seem nice but maybe not so nice on either really cold or hot days. Particularly dark leather seems like it would kind of suck to have on hot summer days when I'm wearing shorts and seem like they would take longer to warm up in the winter. Am I exaggerating and should just measure them on how nice I think they are without worrying about the effects of weather?

Thanks

Tell you the truth I have never had leather before my GT and well in the winter its fine after about 10 seconds the leather is at your body temp and in the summer Its just sweet rolling with the windows down or up.

 

[Eric298]

go vols? I think he might be from TN

But my suggestion to you is look for a 07+... Wont have to do the moleskin upgrade and i think the 07+ have the Ipod hook up like you are wanting. As far as leather erm... Ford Pleather... goes, i like it. Very easy to clean and i have tinted windows so i have never had a problem with the hot days in alabama with leather...

moleskin can be had for about 6 dollars to your door takes about 20 minutes to install, I did it on mine. Just saying, because if he finds a good deal on an 05 or 06 moleskin upgrade or ipod jack shouldnt be a deciding factor. Just saying.

 

[302]

moleskin can be had for about 6 dollars to your door takes about 20 minutes to install, I did it on mine. Just saying, because if he finds a good deal on an 05 or 06 moleskin upgrade or ipod jack shouldnt be a deciding factor. Just saying.

true, but its still a PITA ford should have thought of... just like the trunk release...

 

[Colsgt]

v8,5 speed, 3.55.

that's all you need really.

i have a fully loaded car. dont get the shaker, just upgrade, my color is fun.

 

[Eric298]

v8,5 speed, 3.55.

that's all you need really.

i have a fully loaded car. dont get the shaker, just upgrade, my color is fun.

+1

got all that + leather is nice too