Ford Mustang (2004 and earlier)

ponyrider2 · January 2004

Hi
Just letting you all know that my car was delivered safely under enclosed transport. CA to WI took 6 days. Transport Co was great, no problems to car, drivers were very professional.
And I'm happy to report I LOVE the car. In the whole 10 minute drive to storage I found out how really nice this car is, it drives like a dream, shifts like butter, and looks new!
Now the hard part..waiting for summer to drive it.
All for now. Ponyrider2

ponyrider2 · January 2004

on Town Hall?
Thanks, Ponyrider2

jfender · January 2004

I have a 2002 Mustang GT, 5 speed manual, convertible, 17,500 miles.

I took it in for an oil change at one of the 20 minutes places on Saturday. I was told to have my dealer look at the "transmission speedo cable". What is this? Around Tuesday/Wednesday of last week, I did start smelling something "burning" whenever I got out of the car.

I have an appointment for Wednesday at the dealer. I bought this car in September at a CarMax dealership and my 3 month/3,000 warranty is up, but I'm hoping this is covered under the Ford 36,000 miles warranty coverage.

Anyone's input would be greatly appreciate.

Regards,

Joy

pinetted · January 2004

3point1v6 just do a search on Google using the above title and you will find many sites. I know there is at least one, I cannot rememer the exact address, but it posts times for just about every car.

john_324 · January 2004

Newbuyer, glad your Mustang is back in operation with no further ill effects; what exactly was the problem/which hose? (So if it happens to one of the rest of us, we'll know...)

3.1, try this one: http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/ford/performance1.htm

Lotsa other cars too!

scarletstang · January 2004

I bought a 2002 V6 premium convertible. Although I dearly love the car and it gets mega-looks, it probably was back to the dealer 3 times within the first year for problems. It is babied and has less than 9k miles. I love the nostalgic new design (2005) and would purchase one, but not in the first year production since it is totally new all the way around. I hope the new Mustang can earn a new reputation for holding up.

revdrluv · January 2004

If you can log onto edmunds, you can go log into Geico. Seriously, they will give you a FREE quote that is going to be a much more accurate portrayal of your insurance costs than any of us can project here. Don't stop there either, there are many insurance companies now that will give you a free quote online. Shop around and see how good of a price you can get.

By my guess $1,000 for full coverage is a pipe dream if you are going to have your own policy that is not attached to your parents/gaurdians in any way. I paid $1,200 a year 10 years ago for an 87 Ford Ranger with nothing but the absolute minimum coverage allowed by law (no collision, no theft). If you are getting a 98-99 Mustang you are going to want full coverage since the car is actually worth something.

If you are added to your parents policy then it will be much cheaper, but I don't know how much. If not, I would anticipate really high costs and would start considering other car options.

scarletstang · January 2004

In most states you have to be 18 to obtain your own insurance policy, therefore you would more than likely have to be on your parent's policy. If the car is financed, full coverage would be required.Your best bet would be to get your parents' insurance co and call them and give them the scenario and they can give you a quote that will be realistic. Good luck and be careful!

Kirstie_H · January 2004

A newspaper reporter is looking to interview someone who bought a car within the past six months. Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com with your daytime contact information, make and model of car, and incentives applied to the purchase by 10 AM Pacific on Friday, January 16, 2004.
Thanks!
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com

keri4god · January 2004

Hi everyone. I am hoping to buy a new 2004 Mustang in the next few months. I have a Ford Focus and have been semi-pleased with it (except for all the re-calls that it has gone through). I'm wanting the full package...leather, moonroof, spoiler, etc. My question is what should I look out for when looking at Mustangs? We have a family friend that is a dealer at the local Ford shop so I hopefully don't have to worry about him swindling me. I'm needing an automatic transmission since I never learned to drive manual, and i'm wanting the bright yellow color on the outside.

Also, what version of the Mustang do you think I should get? Thanks for any help you all can give me! Oh, one more thing...do any of you have any regrets on what you didn't get when you bought your Mustang?
Keri

revdrluv · January 2004

If you have to have an automatic transmission then get the GT. What little fun you can have in the V6 is completely robbed by the not-so-smooth auto tranny.

john_324 · January 2004

Agreed with revdrlv...get the GT if you have to have an auto.

Or why not get a manual? You'll learn to drive it (you'll have to), and I guarantee you'll love it and wonder why you didn't learn sooner.

Otherwise, what you want is a "premium" edition Mustang (both GTs and V6s are available at this level). Pretty much everything is standard with the premium package...leather, nice stereo, spoiler, etc. However, no moonroof is available at any level...Ford doesn't offer one on Mustangs. However, there are aftermarket ones you can have installed.

But one option to get is abs and traction control. Abs and t/c, which used to be standard on the GT, are now optional at all levels. Both are good things to have.

The one regret I occasionally have is that I didn't get a convertible...on a nice American summer day, there are few things better than a convertible Mustang. : )

Kirstie_H · January 2004

Don't forget tonight's open chat -- Our topic tonight is "Driving distractions: what makes you a bad driver?"

http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html

6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET. Drop by for live chat with other members. Hope you can join us!

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

hoffs1 · January 2004

I have a 98 mustang V6/ manual transmission and it moans or grunts when letting off the clutch in 1st or 2nd or 3rd gear especially when the rpms are low. It seems to be in the back end...maybe the differential that is making the noise. What is this noise and is it normal? I have only noticed it lately or since winter set in. Only have 17K on it.

newbuyer31 · January 2004

Kistie, question, do you keep a page on here that "reviews/highlights" the weekly discussions of Live chat?
If so, how can I get to it?
Thanks

hhh387 · January 2004

Hey guys havent posted on here in awhile. I finally got my mustang. It is a 96 GT with just over 60,000 miles on it and I love it. I dont know how many people on here have modded mustangs but if so can u tell me what you think the best cold air intake is for a 96 mustang GT and what it would cost me.

john_324 · January 2004

Congrats on the Mustang! What color? 5spd or auto?

Re cold air intake, the consensus is usually that CAIs don't really do much except change the sound of the engine. If that's what you're after, then go for it; otherwise, take a pass and put the money toward something else (does it have a catback?)

The stock Mustang induction system is actually pretty good as is, so you don't get too much of a benefit from swapping for a CAI. It's been said that just adding the drop-in K&N gives you most of the gain you get from a CAI, at about 1/3 of the price.

Just my 2 cents.

Kirstie_H · January 2004

newbuyer31, sorry for the late reply, but if you go to the Town Hall home page:
http://townhall.edmunds.com/TH/townhall'
we list the scheduled chats. On a weekly basis, we've got a Mazda (Tues) and Subaru (Thurs) chat. You don't have to be an owner to stop in! The topical chats are held on the third Wednesday of every month, and are often based on popular themes on the News & Views board. Hope to see you at one!

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

hhh387 · January 2004

Hey John,

Its pacific green and its a 5 speed manual. Thing I have heard from most people is that the mustangs air flow is really restrictive but most people say the same thing as you to just go with the K&N air filter. They say CAI only does good if you are running alot of horsepower. Yea it has cat back with an h-pipe. Most people say go with one of these options tell me what you think. I got about $300 to spend. So I got these options

1. Pro 5.0 shifter and the K&N air filter
2. New catback exhaust system
3. Headers
4. CAI and White face gauges
5. X-pipe
6. 3.73 read end gears

Tell me which of those you think would be the best or if you have a different suggestion. Thanks

john_324 · January 2004

Nice...always liked that green.

If it were me, I'd probably go with the gears. Best acceleration bang-for-the-buck. When my 2002's out of warranty, I'm going to upgrade to 3.73s myself.

What kind of Mustang are you looking to build? Racer (if so, what kind?) or daily driver (both?) Also, what kind of emmissions concerns do you have where you live?

hhh387 · January 2004

Some people say I should get 3.73's some people say I should get 4.10's so I'm not sure which one to get. I'm not going for a full out race car this car is gonna be my daily driver but I would like to add some more power to it. Maybe someday I will turn it into a race car but for now I'm just doing little mods to give it some more kick. I'm not sure what emmission laws are in Arizona.

john_324 · January 2004

The whole 4.10 vs. 3.73 debate seems to go on endlessly on the various mustang forums. All the hardcore types think if you're not going with 4.10s, then don't bother.

But these are also the true believers that spend all their time either at racing at drag tracks or picking fights with imports/camaros at stoplights.

I think 3.73s would add a nice amount of power for street work, and still leave you with a usable first gear and not require upgrading your tires to be able to get traction with all that power.

schoonie3 · January 2004

I am in the market for a reliable 3rd car. I was looking for a escort / neon / cavalier type car but instead came across a 1997 Mustang with 95,000 miles, 6cyl, 5 speed, all power.

I was not looking for a mustang, but have always liked them. 95K was more than I wanted as well, but the dealer had maintenance records back to 32K. The thing has been maintained! It is in decent shape inside and out.

My questions are these? Is this car worth $3,500?
When do I need to change the timing chain? If I take of the care and perform regular maintenance, what is the life expectancy of teh 3.8litre 6 cyl? 150K, 180K, 200K?

Thanks, Norm

Mr_Shiftright · January 2004

Price seems more than fair if condition is good.

conv77 · January 2004

I did alot of comparison shopping of used cars before running across my '98 Mustang with only 40k miles,I wasn't in the market for a Mustang, but being a convertible sold me. Sounds like the '97 is at a great price, by California standards anyway. Pick up the owners manuals if not w/car, well worth it. Haven't researched the life expectancy but I've put 35k on mine in 1 1/2 years w/no problems, just routine maintenance. I paid about 10k then - seems to be holding value by comparison in my area. Good luck!

john_324 · January 2004

Anyone know if the the 3.8 head gasket issue been solved by then? I think it was in 1995, but not sure. At 95k miles, that's a concern...

Otherwise, that's a good deal.

3point1v6 · January 2004

good point john. we had a 95 windstar which has the same 3.8 as the v6 stangs. it had head gasket trouble around 100k. i know from my research that the problem was for sure fixed by the 99+ stangs but im not sure about the older ones.

hhh387 · January 2004

How do you clean your engine bay without damaging your car?

bmolloy · January 2004

I'm thinking of buying a used 2000 convertible GT to enjoy the LA sunshine. But I see that Ford are offering 0% finance on new cars. I think I can get a 2000 GT convertible with 50k miles for about $13,000 which is about 50% down on the price of a new one. I would be paying cash but 0% finance sounds really good.

How reliable are 2000 GT used models, would the potential maintenance trouble make the new car seem better value ? What would the 2000 GT be worth in another 3 years time ?

Also, is the V8 GT that much better than the standard V6, is it worth the extra money ? and stick shifts are no problem, I drive them all the time.

Does anyone have any comments ?

john_324 · January 2004

You can clean the engine compartment by covering the battery, fusebox and airfilter with plastic bags, and then using Simple Green cleaner (spray it on everything), followed by *gently* hosing it off. Check the owner's manual too...it has specific instructions.

john_324 · January 2004

bmolloy, I'd say go for it! Mustangs are pretty reliable at this point...sure there are small "annoyance" problems (mine is full of 'em), but the powertrain is solid, the suspension is dated but a known quantity, and it's pretty durable.

Plus Mustangs are perhaps some of the most entertaining cars in their price range...maybe not strictly the fastest, but you can have more fun in them than most competitors (which is what you'll remember years later). 'Verts are esp. nice I think.

V8 definitely worth the money. The power differential between the two levels is quite noticable, esp. the torque. Also, V8 exhaust sound is one of the best on Earth from a factory...

The V8s also hold their value much better the 6cyls.

Having said that, the V6 still a good car though and plenty of fun; 5spd is a must though if you really want to wring the power out of it.

bmolloy · January 2004

John_324 thanks for your comments .. I'm convinced .. a V8 with 5spd will be it then. Thanks again

bmolloy · February 2004

If I bought the Mustang privately, say off a classified advertisement in LA, would the seller have to charge me Sales Tax on top of the agreed price, which I think is 8.5% ?

or do private sellers generally include that tax when they advertise vehicles ?

ssheridan · February 2004

I am Interested in buying an 02 GT and i am wondering how bad it would be in Chicago Winters if i bought a good set of Winter tires would it help and how much? how would it compare to a 98 taurus.

thanks Scott

3point1v6 · February 2004

from what i have read as long as you buy a certain kind of tires you will be ok. i have heard many people reccomend the blizzak tires. again i havent tried them so dont take my word for it but it wouldnt hurt to check some prices online.

lcorri · February 2004

Is anyone else having bad repair experiences with Ford dealers when it involves parts under warranty? With me, they did not do the proper tests on my car while the defective part(s) was still under warranty. Then as soon as the warranty expired, they suggested an additional test that they should've done in the 1st place. When my '95 Mustang was new I had to continually add coolant & when I complained in '95/'96 they did only a pressure test & told me everything was fine. But when the warranty expired they immediately suggested another test for internal leaks only to find out I had a defective head gasket & had to pay for the repairs because it was too late for it to be covered by the warranty. To make things worse, when the repair job also had an internal leak, once again they wouldn't do the proper diagnostics & kept on insisting they couldn't find any leaks & that it was normal to have to add coolant on a regular basis. I'll never buy a Ford again. Is anyone else also having these kinds of experiences?

Kirstie_H · February 2004

bmolloy, I can't speak specifically for California, but in most states, sales tax is paid when you go to register the vehicle. It will be based on the purchase price, but the private seller does not collect the tax. The state will gladly take care of that

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

lcorri · February 2004

Also, when I spoke to Ford Motor Company Customer Relations regarding my Mustang repair problems, they were just as bad as the dealership's shop. They did absolutely nothing to help me--just kept on referring me back to the dealer/service manager who was not doing a good job.

john_324 · February 2004

lcorri, I'm sorry to hear your story...unfortunately, customer service by the big 2 1/2 is nothing short of terrible. And they wonder why they keep losing customers.

Definitely write a letter to Ford explaining your anger, and cc the dealership. Maybe even say you're going to contact Consumer Reports too...

Probably nothing more you can do then, unfortunately, except find an independent repair shop that you trust will treat you right.

scarletstang · February 2004

Norm,
Don't buy that V-6 if you can help it. V-6s in Fords are known for blowing head gaskets. I had one go at 40k (and two others). That's a major job/investment.

john_324 · February 2004

Just found this, on this website no less:

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/driving/articles/42970/article.h- tml

In short, no head gasket issues for the 1997 3.8 V6 Mustang. So in that case, I'd say go for it!

scarletstang · February 2004

Has anyone bought a sequential taillight harness for their Mustang? Good or bad experience? I have a 2002 convertible and I thought the tri-blinking taillights would be cool - like the old Cougars.

lcorri · February 2004

john_324, thanks for the feedback re: bad repair service. In the past the dealer actually provided good service at times, but in the year 2003 there suddenly was a big change for the worse. I hope I can help someone else who may have the same problems as I did with my Mustang 3.8 V6. If any of you have a slow constant coolant leak, w/ no obvious external leak, don't let anyone make you believe this is acceptable. The last person I know who thought this was normal ended up having a blown head gasket (he has a Ford Crown Victoria). Lucky for him, because of my experience he knew right away that he was better off going to an independent mechanic & got the whole engine replaced for much less than what the dealer would charge. If you have a similar coolant leak (mine was due to a defective head gasket), don't let the mechanic get away with doing only a pressure test & telling you he can't find anything. Other tests that can help diagnose the problem are: a chemical test, compression test, & leak-down test. Also, especially now, be extra careful about making sure defective parts still under warranty get taken care of promptly before you unfairly have to pay for them.

leftywayn · February 2004

CDC manufactures the sequential tailights and they are a good quality shop. They also make the most popular light bar. So I would think as long as they are installed correctly you would have no problem.

scarletstang · February 2004

Thanks a lot for the info. My dealer recommended nothing but CDC also. I thought the sequential lights would be a nice change rather than having the euro lights that everyone has for around the same price.

scarletstang · February 2004

I own a premium V6 convertible. I suppose I might be a little older than the fellows that are discussing purchases. I bought a vinyl roadster cover to go over the back seats and my paint is diamond plated (red). It is an absolutely gorgeous car and absorbs mega-stares. You can also add exhausts to the v6s that nearly sound like a v8s so unless you are looking to burn up pavement and attrack tickets, the v6 is a nice choice if you are looking to save a few bucks. I choose the convertible over power I guess. PS: I have never been stopped by a cop (yet).

bmolloy · February 2004

I'm looking to buy a '99 or '00 V6 Convertible shortly. Are there any specific things on these models I should be checking out when I'm looking at used Mustangs ? Any weak points on the car that needs specific attention? etc
Thanks

john_324 · February 2004

Bmolloy, thought you were "gonna have a V8?!" ; )

But re your question, nothing really to worry about...the V6s are more or less the same as the V8s with the exception of the engine, suspension and exhaust.

Something to be aware of: 15 vs 16 inch wheels ('99 V6s had 15 inchers across the board...I think in '00 16" ones came with the deluxe model). 16" ones are probably better looking (I think anyway).

Other than that, can't really think of anything. Best of luck.

bmolloy · February 2004

Thanks John,
well I looked at the bhp figures for the 99 and 00 V6's (190 bhp) and thought that it was enough for me, maybe the insurance would be cheaper too, and with going to be driving in and around Los Angeles I thought the extra power of a V8 would be a waste

Of course the V6 is a lot cheaper to buy too ...

So I was just checking if there were any specific stuff I needed to be on the lookout for when buying one. My girlfriend tells me that, in general, American cars are c**p regarding reliability .. and thats from her experience of being an American, but hey .. I'm a Brit .. going to live in sunny LA .. of course I want a convertible and an American car .. geez we have zillions of Mercedes, Audi's, Volvo's, VW and all the Japanese stuff over here .. I want something different.

Having said that, a Mustang isn't different over in LA, but it will be for a Brit

john_324 · February 2004

Fair enough...the V6 is a great car in its own right and plenty of fun. Look at it this way...the current V6s serve up nearly as much power as did the 1980s Mustang GTs. There's plenty of power to get you in trouble, no doubt about it.

Since you're English, you'll appreciate this: the character of the V6 Mustangs is similar to the 2.5 Capris avaible in the UK in the 1970s and 1980s. Just think of Bodie and Doyle as you careen around corners in your 'Stang. ; )

Ford Mustang (2004 and earlier)

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles