It's been at least 3 years...

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390) 02/16/2016 at 16:25 • Filed to: Mustang Things

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We’ve been around the S550 and S197 for a good amount of time now. Have opinions changed, improved, worsened? How are we looking at the to side by side now?

Yes, I’m still bored.

Have fun.

bob and john > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 16:31

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has it actually been 3 years? holy shit

Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 16:33

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I have had an unjustified hatred for the Mustang until recently, when I took a good long look at the S550. I think that it has some of the best styling on a recent modern car of any class.

CaptDale - is secretly British > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 16:35

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S197 GT500 is probably the best looking Mustang in my opinion.

Saracen > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 16:36

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S550 still looks better to me, inside and out, from any angle.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > bob and john 02/16/2016 at 16:37

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Well, we first saw the S550 either at the end of 2013 or very early 2014. It’s getting there and time goes shocking fast doesn’t it. What do you think?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 16:38

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I’m still all in on the 550

I just saw one drive by me the other day and I went - damn that orange one looks good - I would totally drive one of those.

(except I really need better access to a backseat)

Sneaky Pete > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 16:38

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S197 is better in every way other than the solid axle.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 16:43

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S197: Looks, Nostalgia, Modability, and better special editions (GT500, Boss 302, etc).

S550: Interior, Overall quality, Powertrain (Ecoboost still doesn’t do it for me but V6 and 5.0 are fine), and handling.

Future next gen S2000 owner > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 16:44

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Over ten years old at this point and I still don’t like the S197 exterior.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 16:51

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The S197s interior actually looks more attractive to me. I still prefer the pre-facelift, though. Exterior-wise the S550 is far better than the 197.

daender > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 16:57

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I still can’t believe Ford can’t understand that having all circular air vents that you could rotate 360 and fully open or close is the best. S197.2 = circular on the outside. S550 = circular on the inside. Being able to adjust exactly where you wanted your air to go is the best thing ever with climate control systems. I get it that the S550's side air vents are rectangular to fit within the dashboard design, I’m just not a fan of it.

2008 GT interior for reference:

Otherwise, the S550's interior design is holding up well in my opinion. The S550 seems to be an all-around improvement over the S197.2

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 02/16/2016 at 16:58

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I will once again need your constructive reasoning to explain why to me. Because you give good reasons.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 02/16/2016 at 17:02

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Why can’t the S197 have the S550 interior. That, and a nip-n-tuck on the S197 would be awesome yes.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/16/2016 at 17:03

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You don’t need better rear seat access, you’re just being rational.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Future next gen S2000 owner 02/16/2016 at 17:03

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Why’s that.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Sneaky Pete 02/16/2016 at 17:03

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Explain.

haveacarortwoorthree2 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 17:20

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Prefer the post facelift S197s exterior, although the GT350 has caused me to like the S550s a bit more. I just don’t like the rear end on S550, and I’m not a fan of the wraparound headlights either. I like a lot of the S550 interior, although I think the toggle switches look cheap. The new rear suspension is nice as well. But I also am biased, as well as not having been satisfied with buying a stock S197. :)

bryan40oop > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/16/2016 at 17:34

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Orange you say?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 17:36

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I like them both... though I like the look of the S197's exterior a little more.

For the interior, I like them about the same.

In terms of powertrain, suspension and chassis, the S550 is probably the better car... especially if you’re comparing an earlier pre-2011 S197 to an S550. The only exception is if you want a GT500.

bryan40oop > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 17:37

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S550. The chassis is more planted, and interior is leaps and bounds ahead of the s197 in terms of quality.

No contest really. The s197 doesn’t even feel like it’s related to the s550.

bryan40oop > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 17:39

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The interior probably wouldn’t fit. Seats/steering wheel might, but dash/door panel? not so much.

Sneaky Pete > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 17:39

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Exterior is uglier, the center stack is a mess, engine bay is smaller, and it’s heavier.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > bryan40oop 02/16/2016 at 17:40

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Shhhh! I’m dreaming dammit.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 17:41

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But you know, the REAL question is... which one is better to drive to the sushi place?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 02/16/2016 at 17:43

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How’d you discover my secret restaurant??

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Sneaky Pete 02/16/2016 at 17:49

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Fascinating. I consider the weight difference marginal and not as bad as it could’ve been, depending on the model, but I never looked to see if the engine bay was considerably smaller, nor did I think the center stack was a mess.

not for canada - australian in disguise > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 17:52

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I think I prefer the interior of the S197 to the S550, it just looks a lot more unique.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 18:00

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I’m hungry and wouldn’t mind having some sushi. And I was thinking... Hmmm... maybe K-Roll is to Sushi what Manwich is to sandwich...

Sweet Trav > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 18:51

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How are they stacking up against eachother? the S550 is clear winner.

How are they stacking up against the competition?

HAHAHAHA the new Camaro SS 1LE is going to give the GT350 a run for its money.

for Michigan > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 18:52

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So it’s been two years?

Urambo Tauro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 18:52

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I really liked the 2010 Mustang. I think the later S197s hit a real sweet spot. I understand why Ford felt the need to do something special for the Mustang’s 50th anniversary, but what they already had was hard to top.

The S550's rear is interesting, but the front reminds me too much of the Evos and Taurus. It’s not a bad look on its own merit, but I feel the Mustang needs stand out more. In the same way, the Camaro is starting to share a bit too much with other Chevy models. Corporate grilles have a way of watering down the appeal of enthusiast cars.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Sweet Trav 02/16/2016 at 18:53

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I don’t doubt it. But because I’m a pleb, how’s the V6 1LE gonna stack up against the competition?

Sweet Trav > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 18:58

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by the time you put the 1LE package on a V6 you might as well get the V8. The aftermarket isn’t going to support the V6 like the V8.

twinturbobmw > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 19:00

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I have no idea how either of them drive, but for aesthetics, I’m still not a fan of the S550 at all. I don’t like the direction they went with it, although I will say the S197 is beginning to look a little boring. As far as the interior, I feel like Ford went the wrong direction as well. I like the idea of a modernized Mustang interior, but the execution was wrong. By modernizing the interior they’ve made it more boring.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Sweet Trav 02/16/2016 at 19:05

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Yes very true, but Michigan insurance won’t support me either. :p

I figure less cylinders means cheaper insurance. And S550 GT is also V6 1LE money as well.

Sam > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 19:13

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The new one is better, but the old one is going to be a future classic. Not a “wow, you don’t see these every day” classic, but a “look at that nice old Mustang” classic.

Sweet Trav > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 19:32

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but slower and the engine is wrong.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 19:46

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Interiors: The S197 is much cleaner. A bit more minimal and retro-muscle (which the S197 was supposed to be, though not so much the S550). I mean, come on S550, three friggin air vents in the middle? Why? The center stack is busier than an unpaid office intern compared to the S197s simple three rows of buttons beneath a screen, and the s197 has these delicious retro gauges:

Compared to HOLY MOTHER OF GENERIC

As for exterior, you’ve already heard my argument I believe for the pre-facelift S197 vs the facelift one (tl;dr: simpler, cleaner lines, less ‘immature’). But I absolutely love the proportions and euro look of the S550.

I mean, take a look. The S197 looks like it has kind of worried eyes. It’s got a bit of a swollen nose (seriously I HATE the bi-level hood on the facelift) and... I dunno wtf is going on with the lower grille. Meanwhile the S550 looks like it’s ready to rip your balls off and shove them up your nostrils. Angry-ass lights with a confident grille jut out in front of acres of hood. The swept-back headlights give it a more striking side profile, and the raked rear end and the lower greenhouse make it look like it’s going a million miles an hour when sitting still.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 19:52

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For real though. The S550 interior was such a step up, even in base form.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 20:00

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After my dad having two S197's and now the 2015 I will say the S550 is better in every single way possible. Sure, looks are opinion but honestly I think S197's just look boxy next to S550's. I could kind of go on for awhile about why I think they’re better but I’m just going to leave it at this.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love S197's and hope to get a Boss eventually but the new cars are such a big step up.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 20:09

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I’m about to review a new COBB Ecoboost mustang. I think that car will be the winner for me. That or a GT350R if I ever get to drive that.

RallyWrench > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 20:11

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I still really like the S197, though it does look slightly chunky next to the 550. It’s a tough kind of chunky though. The 550's nose hasn’t really grown on me, but I still think they’re the sex.

PRBot II > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 20:16

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I bought an S550 and I love it.

Ford says the new Mustang is an improvement over the outgoing model. They’re right, because it is. Better performance, better ergonomics, better options... and as far as looks go, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Critics say a solid rear axle is better at the dragstrip, but so’s an automatic :/

I’d love to own an S197. I’d also love to own the new Camaro. And the Challenger. If I could afford them all, I’d buy them all. But instead I had to pick only one.

RallyWrench > Sweet Trav 02/16/2016 at 20:17

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This is how it always goes. Ford comes out with a new Mustang, Chevy develops a new Camaro to smoke it, Ford comes out with a hotter version of said Mustang, Chevy does the same with the Camaro and so on, ad infinitum.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Sweet Trav 02/16/2016 at 20:30

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Maybe, but only from a stereotypical, irrational, and cultural standpoint, is the engine wrong. 335hp and less than 3500lbs, a slouch does not make. If we’re talking about the V6.

If we’re talking about the GT, that’s an extra $4-5k less than the SS. And the performance for any of them is lightyears ahead of what was had decades ago.

but I’m 20, and not over 25 yet. But I guess that’s a moot point really.

ranwhenparked > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 20:34

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I still like my ‘13, and was all set to go ahead and trade in on a ‘16, until Ford’s persistent corrosion problem showed up. Unfortunately, I’m probably going to go with a Challenger now, since I don’t what to deal with refinishing or replacing as many as 3-4 body panels in a couple of years.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > ranwhenparked 02/16/2016 at 20:44

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Right. I remember you mentioning it not too long ago. I kept on searching 6th gen Mustang forums for signs of it happening on those cars, but only saw it on the S197s. But because I take rust and corrosion very seriously, it is a worrying problem to me.

I’d love a Challenger or Charger, but I’ve discovered a new found enjoyment in Autocross, and I fear those cars would be to boaty and cumbersome and fat to do such a thing. And I’m torn on the Camaro because it’s full of what I like and want, but I haven’t test driven one yet.

Mustang was the compromise between size and performance and weight in my opinion, but then there’s the rust issue...

Sweet Trav > RallyWrench 02/16/2016 at 20:48

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The issue I take with the Mustang is why they don’t offer the 425 HP Ecoboost 3.5l. Fuck the Mod motor, the coyote is small bore garbage.

ranwhenparked > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 20:56

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Oh, agreed. I haven’t seen any confirmation that the problem continues on the 2015+ models, but they really haven’t been on sale all that long, so I just don’t feel confident. It could take another year or two to really know for sure.

The S197's hood and trunk lid are aluminum, and I have the problem on both (to the tune of $1400 in repairs to the hood, which I need to do if I want anything decent for the car on trade-in, since the bubbling is pretty bad and obvious); while the S550 adds aluminum fenders to the mix.

I’m kind of torn. I don’t like the curb weight or the overly retro styling of the Challenger, but the roomier interior and smoother ride might not be so bad, and it is really attractively priced - you get a lot more for your money than with the Camaro or Mustang.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > ranwhenparked 02/16/2016 at 21:13

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I’m waiting until 2017(the year not the model year) to make my mind up so I think if something should come up, it could be by then. Hopefully nothing does and they fixed the problem.

I don't like the curb weights of either of them, but the challenger just looks too big, and the charger better proportioned. Not only do you get more for your money, but you get more practicality with the charger; if you're considering it.

ranwhenparked > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 21:17

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I’m actually between the Challenger and a leftover 2015 300 Limited (there’s a surprising amount still kicking around). If I’m going the sedan route, might as well get something with more of a premium air to it. Two extra doors really aren’t a big selling point for me, as long as there’s a usable trunk and a back seat that people can occasionally occupy, if needed. I do have an old Town Car I can use if I really need extra room for some reason.

LJ909 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/16/2016 at 21:20

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I hate how the last 2 gems and the current one weren't really major redesigns. They were just evolutionary changes. Everything from the exterior to the interior. To me though the last gen from a year or two ago with the 5.0 is better than the current car for some reason.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > ranwhenparked 02/16/2016 at 23:11

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I know the feeling. I’ve got a hatchback that only sees the back seats being used maybe twice a year and the hatch never used for anything other than groceries, and even that is rare.

RallyWrench > Sweet Trav 02/16/2016 at 23:24

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It's hard to deny the effectiveness of the LS, and it would be great if Ford would do a new SVO with the 3.5.

ranwhenparked > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 02/16/2016 at 23:57

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What you can’t tell from the beauty shots of the S197 are that there’s still lots of mid ‘00s grade hard plastic in spots, and everything that looks like chrome or brushed metal is really cheap plastic that scratches if you breathe on it. And there’s also that Grand Canyon between the steering column and dash.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/17/2016 at 00:32

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The only real problem I have with the new Mustang is

Yeah, it’s hard to see out of but to be better in all other metrics is hard to reconcile. They’re both great modern sport coupes though, I wouldn’t kick a GT mustang out of bed.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/17/2016 at 09:16

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Yeah I wish it was easier to stuff a squirming 3 year old into the back of a pony car.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > bryan40oop 02/17/2016 at 09:29

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Damn right

I still have no idea why I like this car in Orange so much

I’ve never liked orange on cars before

I still believe the black wheels with the orange is magnificent. Good work.

Future next gen S2000 owner > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 02/17/2016 at 10:09

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I don’t like anything retro. I’m not a fan of the forward canted nose. The rear quarter/back half looks big for no apparent reason.

bryan40oop > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/17/2016 at 19:38

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Without the wheels, it’s meh. Wouldn’t consider it without them.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > bryan40oop 02/18/2016 at 09:19

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Really makes it stand out