GTO vs S197 GT

Okay, this is the last "what car/vs." which will decide what car I'll ultimately buy after my current car gets sold (hopefully sometime this week as someone is coming to look at it).

The GTO seems to be "my answer". I'm looking for a GT car that will serve as a reliable, fun, and powerful daily that can still handle on the track/autocross course. Although the car is going to see much more street time than lap times, I still don't mind sacrificing a bit of DD'ness for modding potential - especially in the handling department.

Which is why the S197 GT has come up. From what I can see, it seems like the S197 is the better "sports car", whereas the GTO is the typical big-power grand tourer. Yes, the LS1/2 is a much better engine but I don't think the Ford V8 is a bad one either. Not like 300hp is slow anyways.

A lot of my friends go canyon running and I would very much like to keep up with them (they all drive lighter Japanese cars). This is where things get tricky, the S197 "should" handle better than the GTO, but since we're talking about bumpy canyon roads, would the GTO's IRS actually work better than the S197's live axle?

Discuss!

I really like the GTO, but for what you're discribing: Mustang - all day long... mainly because there's a better/cheaper aftermarket for it.

Based solely on what I have seen Sam Strano do, the Mustang has more handling potential.

I daily drive (even through the winter) an 05 GT. has about 90K on it now, never any issues. has Tokico's, strano bars, tubular rear control arms, steeda springs, watts link, Sparco seat, 4.10 gears, intake, tuner, magnaflow exhaust

Love the car, great at everything. I'm a GM guy @ heart but the mustang was too good of a deal. And yes, all you have to do is call Sam Strano.

Stock for stock the GTO will run circles around the S197 GT (I have driven multiple versions of both, extensively). While the aftermarket for the GTO isn't as big, it can still keep up with the mods on the Mustang for road course / street handling department. On the autocross, the Mustang will be better modded. And no question that "overall" modifications goes to the Mustang as well. The sky is the limit, you can do anything to these cars. The GTO gets pricey as most stuff (outside of the engine obviously) comes from Australia.

As for the DD-ness though, that goes to the GTO hands down. The interior is on par with a BMW, whereas the Mustang's interior (though worlds better than the SN95) is still a hard plastic, creaky, cheap mess. I actually slashed my arm and bled all over a new 05 GT during a test drive from a plastic seam!

So basically, if you want the best street cruiser, buy the goat. If you want to modify everything, buy the Mustang. Both are great cars so you really can't go wrong.

The one real negative I've heard regarding the GTO is that there's not much space in the wheelwells for more tire. This is coming from a drag race crowd though, so take that as you will.

I like them both quite a bit but I suspect the GTO is the better road car based on the way the last mustang I was in jounced over frost heaves and potholes.

Everyone pretty much hit the nail on the head.

When I bought my 04 GTO a few year ago, it came down to that and the Mustang. From the test drive, the GTO was MUCH quieter, nicer to live in and effortlessly rumbled around at damn near idle without breaking a sweat.

If I was doing it all over again, I would pick the GTO for dual duty (DD and hoonage). If I wanted a car to just hoon in, it would be the S197.

I love my pony car. I'd bet even money that you can buy a used S197 GT and the watts link for about the same money as the GTO. Well, close probably. I'm running stock springs and arms with adjustable Tokico shocks and BMR swaybars, and I've seldom had issues with rough midturn tarmac. With a watts or Strano setup, I think it's as good or better than any American factory IRS. Tune the shocks soft and it's a comfortable long distance cruiser. Firm them up and I can usually trophy on the autox course, running midpack on raw times and top 25% of the PAX.

The GTO reminds me of the 60's buick muscle cars - a little more plush, a little heavier - the gentleman's sports cruiser.

Javelin wrote: I actually slashed my arm and bled all over a new 05 GT during a test drive from a plastic seam!

How the hell did you do that? I live with an '06 GT on a daily basis and I can't imagine how I'd have to contort myself while specifically looking for a sharp edge in order to do something like that.

Basically, I have no problem living with the interior of my GT safely and rattle free.

Chris_V wrote:

Javelin wrote: I actually slashed my arm and bled all over a new 05 GT during a test drive from a plastic seam!

How the hell did you do that?

Nov or Dec of 04, first 05 within like 300 miles. Early production GT, the seam on the front of the center console lid slashed the back of my elbow. Base interior (with even the flat black plastic dash face around the gauges). Dealer wasn't happy, but neither was I!

It looks like I have about 12k that I can safely spend, give or take.

So far, Searchtempest was only able to locate ONE S197 GT within 100 miles from me. It's about 11,500 and not the color I want. The search isn't going so well.

On the other hand, there's a 04 GTO for 9k... which gives me about 3k to play around with. If I can't find a nice deal on a S197, I'll be picking up a GTO instead.

Asides from craigslist, where are you guys finding your cars? Which Mustang forums should I check?

For $9k I would be buying a GTO.

93EXCivic wrote: For $9k I would be buying a GTO.

WERD, $2500 bucks buys a lot of improvements

So after going through the list of available GTO's and S197's (there weren't many), I found that none of the sales ads inspired confidence. I'll go ahead and inquire about the 9K GTO more tomorrow but I think I might want to hold out on a better example (hopefully an 05').

If I do sell my current car this weekend, I'll need to pick up another car as soon as possible. I'm afraid I won't be able to find the right GTO or S197.

If worse comes to worst, what are some GTO/S197-like cars?

Javelin wrote:

Chris_V wrote:

Javelin wrote: I actually slashed my arm and bled all over a new 05 GT during a test drive from a plastic seam!

How the hell did you do that?

Nov or Dec of 04, first 05 within like 300 miles. Early production GT, the seam on the front of the center console lid slashed the back of my elbow. Base interior (with even the flat black plastic dash face around the gauges). Dealer wasn't happy, but neither was I!

I just looked at my '06, no sharp edges there. Of course, for $60 I can get a stitched leather cover that matches the seat and shift boot for that center console lid, which would eliminate the problem even on the odd early production version.

Gret thing about Mustangs is the aftermarket support.

are y'all finding $9K GTOs?? I know ain't, not even w/ R- titles

I'd be all over a $9K GTO like white and sticky on rice! There is nothing wrong with an 04, either. (PS - They have the best colors)

I agree... a $9K GTO almost sounds too good to be true.

Similar cars? The E36 M3 comes to mind... although an E46 may be closer in overall feel, but I don't think prices are quite down to that level yet. Nissan 350Z... RX8... I'm sure others will think of more.

Personally, I wouldn't consider a mishap in an early production car to be a sign of the cars as a whole. There were probably a few rough edges that snuck through in an effort to get cars into dealer showrooms.

I can't think of another car in your price range. The RX8 and 350z are sports cars, and feel nothing like one of these boats. Have you considered an LS1 Fbody?

rotard wrote: I can't think of another car in your price range. The RX8 and 350z are sports cars, and feel nothing like one of these boats. Have you considered an LS1 Fbody?

I would argue they are all GT cars. The RX8 kind of straddles the line, but Mazda's intent with that car was to make it more of a GT - hell - it's got 4 doors!

A later F4 - maybe - but there's a reason those died at the wheels of the Mustang at the time. While great performance cars, they weren't that great at the "GT" part. That said, I like the looks of the F3 better and they seem to be easier to find sans-sunroof/t-tops and the purchase price should leave a lot on the table for upgrades.

Of course, the problem with an Fbody is a C4 (or maybe even an early C5?) Vette isn't much more and doesn't sacrifice that much compared to them on the utility side.

Ian F wrote:

rotard wrote: I can't think of another car in your price range. The RX8 and 350z are sports cars, and feel nothing like one of these boats. Have you considered an LS1 Fbody?

I would argue they are all GT cars. The RX8 kind of straddles the line, but Mazda's intent with that car was to make it more of a GT - hell - it's got 4 doors! A later F4 - maybe - but there's a reason those died at the wheels of the Mustang at the time. While great performance cars, they weren't that great at the "GT" part. That said, I like the looks of the F3 better and they seem to be easier to find sans-sunroof/t-tops and the purchase price should leave a lot on the table for upgrades. Of course, the problem with an Fbody is a C4 (or maybe even an early C5?) Vette isn't much more and doesn't sacrifice that much compared to them on the utility side.

I'd buy a GTO over a RX8, but I have to say that rear seat room and access is FAR better in the RX8

I was assuming that he wanted 4 seats, since the Corvette wasn't mentioned. I found a clean C4 ZR1 for $14k not too long ago.

I've already previously owned an RX8 (and wouldn't mind getting back into a cleaner example). I don't really have a preference for seating - 2 seats or 4; its all good.

I've considered a 4th-gen Fbody but I can't seem to get passed their styling. I think I'd much rather have an SN95 if that were the case.

C5's have been considered strongly. I just can't seem to find one around here with a manual trans.