Is a S197 Mustang for me? (AKA learn me 2008 Mustang GT)

So I've been half-heartedly looking for a new-to-me car. Like, not urgently, but I thought I knew what I wanted and I was just waiting for "the right one" to fall from the sky within a reasonable distance from home.

I had really decided on a 2008-2009 G37s coupe. I drove a couple of them, and I really like them. I really love the VQ37, I love the tight handling, I love the styling, I love the depreciation...

So then, out of nowhere I see a really cherry 2008 'Stang GT sitting on a local lot that I've had positive dealings with before. I went and checked it out. One owner, local car, traded in 2 days ago on a pickup. 40,000km (like 25,000 miles eh). Dark red, black leather, manual trans, 3.55 LSD. No sunroof, no cool gadgets, no high-revving semi-exotic powertrain, no super tight buttoned down handling. I drove it. Took it for a good long drive. Highway, city, rail crossings, broken up side streets. Wow. I really sort of fell for it. Love that little 4.6. Needs more loud, but what a sweet powertrain. Nicer clutch and shifter than the G coupe for sure, although that's a known gripe spot with them.

What are these things like to live with long-term? It would basically be a daily driver for 3 seasons anyway. It would see occasional autocross use, some summer evening cruising for sure. I would plan on keeping it basically until it's used up.

It feels quite robust. Do they hold up? What do they feel like with a couple hundred thou worth of kms?

I know the aftermarket is HUGE, which is definitely part of the appeal. The sweet V8 soundtrack is another draw.

Is there anything I'm missing that I should know more about before I pull the trigger on this on?

I've lusted for one since 2005, and am finally in a position to almost buy one (bless you, depreciation). In researching them, there really isn't anything much to worry about. The 3v engine is robust, and the rest of the drivetrain is equally trouble free. Abused cars can get crunchy syncros. I'd avoid cars that are festooned with bolt-on mods or lots of body 'enhancements' as they are usually the ones most thrashed upon. The stock wheel/tire package is too small, and consensus seems to be the stock brakes don't do the job for very long on a race track. For DD status, though, they are fine. Fuel mileage can be surprising, at least on the highway. I've read several complaints of the radios taking a dump, and the speedo or tach failing, but that's kind of it. Only other issue is the aluminum skin hood will sometimes react with the steel framework and corrosion will begin. Once it starts, it's impossible to kill, and a Ford hood is $1000 but there are scores of a/m alternatives. And that's about it. They are, like most cars now, good for 200,000 miles easy if taken care of.

There is a corner-carver section at S197forum that is good, but do yourself a favor and stay out of the other areas. Unfortunately, this car attracts a lot of the crowd that used to (and sometimes, still does) sport mullets. High intelligence does not run among many bloodlines. It's probably been one of the deterrents to having one of these cars.

I've got a little over 100k on my 05 as a DD. I've done shocks, plugs, battery - maintenance stuff., but that's it. Its reliable as gravity and twice as fun. You can't go wrong at twice the price. Go buy it today.

I think the only problem with the 08-09 is that you'll always be upset you didn't get an '11-up 5.0 instead.

Will wrote: I think the only problem with the 08-09 is that you'll always be upset you didn't get an '11-up 5.0 instead.

What he said. At least with an 08 though is the resolvement of the 3v spark plug issues of the past.

You are cross shopping a Infinity with a Pony car??

thats funny. My wofe currently has a G37S convertable on a overnight test drive. We are also looking at Mustang GT converiables. Havent tested one yet.

We are also considering a Jeep Unlimited. But we are after a kid friendly 4 seat convertible with a manual trans more then a full on sporty car.

Great car. I dont have many miles on mine, but they are all Sunday driving :). If you have a bug to do TT with nasa, the 05-06 is a better bet. The 5.0 is great, but it will be a couple more years to get one at the same price.

The engine will run to 6500 or more, I set the rev limiter to 6750. I only really use it when I overrun on Autox course. You can hold HUGE SCOTTISH TIRES if you like. You just need Camber in the front and the right offset in the rear.

Comfy cars, has room. Remove the passenger seat and hard mount your infant to the floor. Make the wife sit in the back. My radio is having issues just the cd portion, still works most of the time.

And if you like MPG, before I put the tune on it, I would get 29 on the HWY and average 24 in Houston traffic.

Rusnak_322 wrote: You are cross shopping a Infinity with a Pony car?? thats funny. My wofe currently has a G37S convertable on a overnight test drive. We are also looking at Mustang GT converiables. Havent tested one yet. We are also considering a Jeep Unlimited. But we are after a kid friendly 4 seat convertible with a manual trans more then a full on sporty car.

In my mind, it's not as funny as it first sounds. They're both heavy-ish coupes. Both around 300 hp, both readily available with manual trans. The Infinity is definitely more of a precision instrument out of the box, but the Ford feels "friendly" or something. Easier, more pleasant to drive, and I think with careful selection of suspension and tires, should be plenty capable enough for me.

For those that say I will regret not getting a newer one with a 5.0, the price difference from this '08 4.6 to a 5.0 is not insignificant. It puts me at least up with the average G37 coupes around here, and that would use up all my mod money...

Will wrote: I think the only problem with the 08-09 is that you'll always be upset you didn't get an '11-up 5.0 instead.

Pretty much this. The only real deal killer for my on my mustang is stock it is floaty and the front end takes a dive on braking like a mobbed up prizefighter.

I had mine for a couple years. Great car actually and a lot of fun, really encouraged hooning, though, so you have to be careful. And the aftermarket is just sick. I had aftermarket suspension bits, bodywork, wheels and tires, exhaust, and intake, all cheap and easily done. The sound is glorious with just a set of axlebacks like my Pype Bombs.

Also had an aftermarket head unit that allowed for BT streaming off my phone:

Will wrote: I think the only problem with the 08-09 is that you'll always be upset you didn't get an '11-up 5.0 instead.

Yep.

The Coyote engine = amazing.

doc_speeder wrote: It puts me at least up with the average G37 coupes around here, and that would use up all my mod money...

The 5.0L is a good enough car that I'd rather own one sans mods vs a 4.6L... 4.6L's are slow, I don't care what anyone says.

doc_speeder wrote: For those that say I will regret not getting a newer one with a 5.0, the price difference from this '08 4.6 to a 5.0 is not insignificant. It puts me at least up with the average G37 coupes around here, and that would use up all my mod money...

Completely understandable and legitimate, but if it were me, I'd probably just wait until the 5.0 cars reached the price point you're comfortable with.

If Ford stops improving the Mustang so frequently, it will be easier to choose one.

Will wrote: Completely understandable and legitimate, but if it were me, I'd probably just wait until the 5.0 cars reached the price point you're comfortable with.

Give that that will probably be a few years yet, what's wrong with owning and enjoying a 4.6 car in the meantime? The worst of the deprecation is over for them, especially for the 07 and older cars. What's the downside?

Everyone should own a Mustang at least once.

And HiTempGuy doesn't know what the berkeley he's talking about. You can have plenty of fun with a 4.6.

Sky_Render wrote: Everyone should own a Mustang at least once. And HiTempGuy doesn't know what the berkeley he's talking about. You can have plenty of fun with a 4.6.

Not as much fun as a LS powered corvette or camaro Or a newer 5.0L mustang

I had an '08GT for a few months last year. I liked it OK, but the biggest problem I had with it was that the previous owner basically bought every Shelby option and installed it himself. The rear axle not so great of a install either. If it had been stock, I might have kept it longer. It looked great, had decent power, handled OK, and sounded great! But I kept having issues with his add on parts. Like I said, had it been stock, I probably would have kept it.

This one is bone stock. Like 100%, totally, bone stock.
It may be slow compared to a new 5.0. Or a LSx etc etc etc. It would still be the fastest car I've ever had...

I think on Monday I'll wrap it up. After I finish the cam/heads swap on my LSx (seriously. I'm in the middle of a cam/head swap on my 6.0 in my truck).

doc_speeder wrote: This one is bone stock. Like 100%, totally, bone stock. It may be slow compared to a new 5.0. Or a LSx etc etc etc. It would still be the fastest car I've ever had... I think on Monday I'll wrap it up. After I finish the cam/heads swap on my LSx (seriously. I'm in the middle of a cam/head swap on my 6.0 in my truck).

But seriously, I'd go for a stock 5.0 vs a modded 4.6

doc_speeder wrote: This one is bone stock. Like 100%, totally, bone stock. It may be slow compared to a new 5.0. Or a LSx etc etc etc. It would still be the fastest car I've ever had...

I wouldn't pay premium as S197 prices been dropping, shop wisely. Plus one for a unmolested example. For the right buy in and aftermarket bolt-ons you can have a good road car for decent money. I enjoy the build as much as anything. Ain't never gonna be a Coyote but it is what it is... fun to build and drive.

There is one difference (for me) between the 3v 4.6 and the Coyote 5.0 cars that I find non-negotiable: I do notlike the restyle they did to the body, particularly the ass-end. Like the OP, I too have never owned a car with 300hp, so the 4.6 will still be glorious to a guy who has languished in the under-200hp vehicle category his entire life. The looks, the sound, the prancing pony on the grille...it's all plenty good enough to please a guy like me. I'd probably just drive it until the 4.6 poofs and then do a Coyote swap, at which point I'd have the perfect Mustang, IMO.

My dilemma is I'm having a very hard time giving up my E30 race car to get one. The razor sharp handling, light weight, low running cost, roll cage safety and pile of spares are a big deterrent to starting all over with something that may be faster and sexier but will never respond to inputs the way the BMW does.