It was the spring of 2012 when my wife and I started shopping for our Mustang, and we obviously had the Coyote as well as the S197 platforms from which to choose. Our criteria was that it would be a convertible, stick shift, and a GT.
We looked at and test drove several cars of various style levels among the year range 05-11 models; the newer models had more gadgets and gimmicks (like mood lighting in the foot wells and cup holder!).
The s197's seemed more primal, something you had to fear just a little, as it was not as technical and sophisticated, but more of a brawling, untamed wild horse. Want to see if that rear end swings out and tries to trade places with the front of the car? Just step on the gas and see what it'll get ya, mister!
I was drawn to the very distinct 1960's styling cues like the big headlights and square jaw of a front bumper, the slightly bulged hood and the swarthy rear deck with those unmistakable Mustang taillights. The premium version of the S197 interior has that lovely matte aluminum decor, another bow to the classic lines of 1965-8; it lets you dream up custom/classic style modifications to add here and there to make it "your" favorite interior.
I actually stopped looking at the 2010-and later-models very early on in our buying process, as I just didn't like the more rectangular and pressed-down look of the front end (headlights and grille), and the coyote taillights were not as agreeable to me with those back-up lights in the center of the tails; the whole package itself was obviously a "modernization" of the S197; I was just drawn to that "original" retro theme of S197, and could only ask for a real live '60's machine otherwise! Funds were NOT available for that, so, there you go!
Now, please don't mistake my preference of S197 styling for an intolerance of the other, newer designs ( although I still can't find anything to like about the new Fusion-front-ended Mustang for 2015; many do love it, and I say, "more power to ya") I love to go look at my Mustang in its stall during the winter months, and enjoy (with a healthy amount of respect and deference to it's untamed nature) driving it on our local back roads in the spring, summer and fall. It's a car that I've made "my own", and only intend to get rid of it by passing it on to one of my children in my will, 'cause I'll have to be dead for them to get "my" car!