2005 Ford Mustang
Fifth generation · S197 2005–2014
The S197, whose retro styling revived 1960s-fastback cues, produced 2005–2014.
The 2005 model year
Overview
The S197 redesign brought the Mustang home to its 1960s roots. Built on the new Ford D2C platform, the 2005 car traded the Fox-derived "New Edge" look for an unmistakable retro shape — long hood, short deck, tri-bar taillamps, and the classic fastback profile. It kept a solid (live) rear axle, paired a 210 hp 4.0 V6 with a new 300 hp 4.6 3-valve SOHC V8 in the GT, and was the first Mustang built at Ford's Flat Rock, Michigan plant for this generation. Coupe and convertible body styles were offered.
Specifications
- Engines
-
- 4.0 Cologne V6 210 hp
- 4.6 3-valve SOHC Modular V8 (GT) 300 hp
- Transmissions
- 5-speed manual (Tremec T-5, V6), Tremec TR-3650 5-speed manual (GT), 5-speed automatic (5R55S)
- Body styles
- Coupe, Convertible
- Dimensions
- Wheelbase 107.1 in · Length 187.6 in · Width 73.8 in · Height 54.5 in (coupe)
- Base price
- $19,770 (V6 Deluxe coupe) ≈$31,800 today (inflation-adjusted) Original MSRP adjusted for inflation (CPI, 2024); not the car's current market/collector value. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U (U.S. city average, all items), annual average.
- Production
- 160,975 (U.S. build)
Year over year
What changed
- All-new S197 generation on the Ford D2C platform — a full redesign.
- Retro styling: long hood/short deck, fastback roofline, round headlamps, tri-bar taillamps.
- New 4.6 3-valve SOHC V8 (300 hp) replaced the prior 4.6 2-valve in the GT.
- Retained a solid (live) rear axle rather than moving to independent rear suspension.
- Convertible joined the coupe during the model year.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- The 4.6 3-valve V8 is durable, but the cam-phaser/VCT system can rattle on cold starts and the 3-valve spark plugs are known to seize and break on removal — a documented service quirk.
- The 4.0 Cologne V6 is a stout, simple engine; the timing chain/tensioner setup is its main long-term watch item.
Worth knowing
Notable
- First model year of the retro S197 — the car that revived the "fastback" Mustang look.
- Pony Package dress-up option arrived for the V6.
- Motor Trend named the 2005 Mustang its Car of the Year.
Sources
Other Fifth generation years
Explore the S197 generation → All Fifth generation · S197 years →