I was researching the S-197 a bit, and looked up the Safety Ratings, and it looks like all years get a 5 Star frontal rating, but the '05-'07's get a 4 Star side ratings while the '08+'s get a 5 Star side rating according to to Safecar.gov (unfortunately the IIHS tested only a convertible and I'm looking into Hard Tops).
I know they got standard side Airbags in '08, so perhaps that has something to do with it, but am assuming they either didn't test a model with the optional side bags for the earlier years, or if they did, Ford must have made some structural changes in '08 to improve the side safety ratings?
I know they got standard side Airbags in '08, so perhaps that has something to do with it, but am assuming they either didn't test a model with the optional side bags for the earlier years, or if they did, Ford must have made some structural changes in '08 to improve the side safety ratings?