Ford Mustang S-197: Current Market Prices, Specs, and Reliability Insights for 2005-2013 Models

Table of Contents

• 1 How much is a used Ford Mustang (2005-2013)?
• 2 Specifications
• 3 How many are there in the Netherlands?
• 4 How much does a used Ford Mustang cost?
• 5 How much does a used Ford Mustang cost in Germany?
• 6 Is the Ford Mustang reliable?
• 7 How does something like that drive?
• 8 What are Ford Mustang’s competitors?
• 9 Is the Ford Mustang worth the price?
• 10 What ‌are some of the potential financial and ​logistical considerations someone should think ⁢about before purchasing a 20-year-old Mustang, even if it’s now “affordable”?

You know you’re doing something right when car brands start imitating you. This happened with the fifth generation Ford Mustang (model code S-197). The pony car was now almost gone. GM had already discontinued the Pontiac Firebird and Chevrolet Camaro and Ford had great difficulty selling the fourth generation. That’s why Ford went back to basics with this generation S197. So now we are almost twenty years later and we thought: how much does a Ford Mustang of this generation cost?

The Ford Mustang was a huge success. So much so that General Motors and Chrysler came up with their own pony cars in the new millennium, heavily inspired by their 1960s predecessors. When others start imitating you, you know you’re ‘do well. The Ford Mustang S-197 came to the market in 2005.

Specifications

Ford Mustang of this generation is not of high quality, but this is just its charm. The model was initially available as a coupe and convertible. In terms of engine, you can choose from an old V6 or a slightly (but not much) newer 4.6 liter Modular V8. In both cases they could be connected to a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic transmission. The Shelby GT500 has a gigantic 5.4 liter V8 with a mechanical compressor, good for 500 hp. They have a six-speed gearbox.

The first facelift of the S-197 will be released in January 2009. These look much more modern with a slightly sharper nose. First, they will have the 4.0 V6 and the 4.6 V8 again. Two years later they were replaced by a 3.7-liter V6 (called the Cyclone) and a 5.0-liter V8 (called the Coyote). These engines are about as thirsty, but much more powerful, 315 and 412 hp respectively. The GT500 goes to 540 hp.

The second facelift will come in 2012. These are the absolute gems. New is the Mustang Boss 302, where the focus is on road holding and driving behavior rather than outright performance in a straight line. With 450 hp you will not lack for anything. The Shelby GT500 gets a bigger engine (5.8 liters) and has even more power with the latest facelift: a total of 660 hp. More than a Mercedes SLR or a Ferrari Enzo.

How many are there in the Netherlands?

The S-197 generation of the Ford Mustang was not officially delivered by Ford Netherlands. So all copies were included. There are 139 copies on the road in the Netherlands. Most of them are front-end models. That’s not surprising, in the Netherlands you pay ​​​​​​BPM on CO2 emissions, which is very high for every Mustang of this generation.

How much does a used Ford Mustang cost?

The cheapest Ford Mustang (S-197) costs 8,950 euros. For that money you can get a Mustang Convertible with a 4.0-liter V6 and automatic transmission. If you really want a V8 – we understand that – it will cost you at least 13,750 euros, you will have a copy with a lot of kilometers on the clock. Most eight cylinders start above 15,000 euros, but it quickly rises to 20,000 euros (or more).

On the other side of the spectrum is the extreme violence. The most expensive Ford Mustang in the Netherlands costs 89,950 euros. Then you have a Shelby GT500 with a supercharged 5.4-liter V8, good for 500 hp. That’s much more than the new price of these cars in the United States. In any case, you should not look at prices in the US, because Mustangs are very affordable there. Unfortunately, import taxes and CO2 taxes are very heavy.

How much does a used Ford Mustang cost in Germany?

In Germany the supply is much larger. There are approximately 300 copies of the Ford Mustang S-197 for sale. The The cheapest Ford Mustang in Germany costs 7,500 eurosthen you obviously have a six-cylinder with an automatic transmission. Eight cylinders start at 10,000 euros. Models after the facelift start at 13,000 euros. Unlike the Netherlands, there is much more choice. Keep in mind that you still have to pay BPM when you join, luckily you have the maximum age discount.

The most expensive Mustang in Germany is 85,000 euros. This is related to a copy with 700 hp that Saleen dealt with. Shelby GT500s cost around 60,000 euros. Here too, there is much more choice. The range of new units is also much greater at the top of the price spectrum. With the lowest prices in Germany and the larger selection, BPM calculations are definitely worth doing. Don’t forget that many Mustangs already came to the Netherlands via Germany.

Is the Ford Mustang reliable?

Well, there really is no other way. We see many examples with many to many kilometers. Some even up to 400,000 kilometers. Basically they are good cars, but they are now starting to show their age. So it’s especially important how Mustang was handled. There are plenty of specialists for American cars in the Netherlands and parts are readily available from the US.

That said, there are a few things to pay particular attention to with the S-197. The hood can rust, especially at the bottom of the front. It starts with bubbles that later rust. The catalytic converter can also be clogged, so it’s best to have a Mustang that has just passed its MOT. Check how the engine is running, a faulty air mass sensor can cause it to rev a bit suddenly.

How does something like that drive?

Of course not very good, but very good. It’s not that you can’t make a trip (it just does), but you notice in everything that the car industry was much more advanced than it was 20 years ago. It makes noise, it vibrates and it is moderately insulated. The 4.6 can’t be called fast either. Consumption is high again. Now there’s an arsenal of upgrades available for the Mustang, so you can – no, you should – upgrade and tune it to your heart’s content.

The V8 is actually the best, because suddenly the insulation is great, you get more V8 sounds and vibrations. Nice! By the way, a Mustang Convertible with a six-cylinder automatic transmission is a very nice option if you see a nice weather convertible. For the money of the GT, the facelift models with 3.7 liter V6 also come close and are very nice. They are just as fast as the old 4.6 and even steer a little better. In any case, the imperfect edge of such a Mustang is also part of its charm.

What are Ford Mustang’s competitors?

The Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro, but they came to the market much later and are even rarer in the Netherlands. Unlike the Mustang S-197, the Camaro was officially delivered in the Netherlands for a while. The Challenger looks even cooler, but it is very heavy and hard. Even with a V8. The Camaro is secretly a great outdoorsman with a much higher quality chassis (independent rear axle!) and an even better engine (LS V8).

If you are looking for a V8 coupe of this age, the Mercedes CLK 500 is another option. It has an even bigger V8 that is also very reliable. The Mercedes was twice as expensive new (in the US) and you can see that in everything. But yes, that’s a bad idea, and Mustang is much more timeless. If you want a coupe with around 300 hp and rear wheel drive, Nissan 350Z is a good alternative. That car also has rough edges, but it offers a lot of driving pleasure.

Is the Ford Mustang worth the price?

That is hard. If the looks entice you and you can’t resist the gurgle of a V8, yes. You will see a lot of convertibles around 12,000 euros and that in itself is a nice price for a nice car. Then you have the classic driving features, but it is relatively modern. A Mustang with a V8 is what you want, but that makes it an expensive affair. Then there are also cars available that drive much better than the Mustang.

The younger Mustangs from the first or second iteration are much better, better and faster. The problem is that prices are rising fast. You can also buy other cars for 20,000 euros to 40,000 euros. Not only that, it also replaces the sixth generation Mustang that was delivered in the Netherlands. They are better in every way. In all cases they are not very cheap, which is mainly due to their scarcity in our country.