Each Day I Love You More, Today More Than Yesterday

I purchased my red GT new back in 1997. I've driven her nearly 200K and she still virtually drives like new: No signs of transmission failure; Engine runs like the day it was born; Still handles well; Steering still good: Impressive interior/exterior style.

NO MAJOR PROBLEMS to report OTHER THAN A COUPLE OF THINGS RECENTLY: the odometer stopped working a few months ago. I just replaced the 11-year A/C system this year, which is incredible it lasted as long as it did. This car is such a pleasure to drive that I missed it so much when I had to put it in the shop for a week to get the A/C system replaced. Funny thing is, I rented a red 2008 Mustang with Avis and it was truly a disappointment. The 1997 GT model seems far superior in many regards; including drive. By the way, I received 0-compliments when I drove the 2008 model.

MINOR PROBLEMS: The power seat adjustment on the drivers side died back in 2002, it will make a humming sound when I move the switch, like it's thinking about doing something, but it doesn't function; never had the issue looked into or fixed. 2002, the headlight switch went bad; basically I smelled an electrical type of burning odor one day when I turned the headlights on and saw smoke coming out of the switch; I had that replaced immediately. The CD-Player bit the dust in 2003, which I had replaced; apparently, the laser diode died. I just now started noticing a few squeaks and creaks in the summer heat that have come on with age, but nothing audible from outside the vehicle, just subtle annoying stuff when inside the car when the car is in motion, but nothing the factory Mach stereo system can't drown out. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention, the door hinges started creaking like crazy this summer everytime I open and close the doors; particularly the driver's side. WD40 seems to only be effective for about 2-weeks and they're back creaking again. I have to keep a can handy. 2005, one of my fog lamps decided to slowly take on water every time it rained, which eventually caused the bulb to blow out; guess a seal was defective and allowed water to build up and not escape. I just drilled a hole in the bottom of it to allow the water to drain, replaced the halogen bulb and walah, problem solved. In 2003, I was pulled over by a cop because one of my liscence plate lights was out. As a result, I went over to Autozone to replace the bulb and the guy there helping me with it, looked at the fixtures and as it turned out, both liscence plate light fixtures were charred looking like they had gotten really hot, one even looked a little deformed like it melted. Unbelievable when the buld was replaced they both still worked, but posed a hazard. I'm assuming that moisture could have caused this; maybe another bad seal. Needless to say, I had both of those fixtures replaced.

I receive tons of compliments on my red 1997 GT, Most of the compliments and stares have come in the past two years, for some reason.

THE MOST RECENT NOTEWORTHY COMPLIMENTS I received in the last 6-months (of this year, 2008):

"Nice paint job!"
-- This compliment was cool because the paint job is the original 11-yr old factory job. Yes, this car's red paint incredibly out shines most cars out on the road 11-years later. The paint and clear coat still look amazing.

"Nice car!!"
-- This one came with a lot of enthusiasm from a little boy getting out of his car next to me at the McDonalds. My guess is that he was about 7-years old. I don't know why this compliment was so flattering; guess cuz it came from a little kid that wouldn't have any concept of what year model he was looking at.

"I don't know why Ford ever went away from this model, this model was the best." -- This came from a manager at my local Ford dealship as he was admiring under the hood. His opinion has made me hold out as long as I can to buy a new mustang. I'm trying to wear mine out, no signs of that happening any time soon.

"The last of the good Mustangs!"
-- This came from the 20-year old guy that changes the oil at the Jiffy Lube.

"I bet you get a lot of compliments on your car, huh?"
-- The guy at the car wash. I'll I can say to that is "Yep" :)

"Nice wheels, nice mustang, does it still run good"
-- Okay folks, if you've ever had the pleasure of owning the 1997 GT or comperable year model as long as I have, then you know what a stupid question this is. Try as you may, you can't hardly wear this car out. I looked back at the Taco Bell drive-thru cashier and said, "what??" In spite of the the fact I actually heard what he said, but thought it was rediculous. So when he repeated, "does it still run good?", I refrained from asking "what does it sound like to you fool? You can hear it running!". Instead, I politely smiled, said "yep" and decided to give him a demonstration by flooring it out of there.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Excellent performance, good handling, attractive contour to body style, fancy aluminum wheels (pony embossed on wheel lug nut caps), pony embossed on steering wheel, two-tone interior, nice interior console that takes up minimal space, GT mach stereo system, superior factory paint job, attractive side scoops/vents, attractive rear-end design (trunk, spoiler, tail-lights and Mustang GT embossed on rear bumper; overall, very well made Ford product.

A WORD OF CAUTION:

The rumors are true, this GT has more power than it can handle, so play nice. You've been warned!