'02 GT Convertible - very basic fuel & convertible ??'s
Hi everyone,
I'm brand new here and just bought my first Mustang a week ago. It's an '02 GT Convertible. My husband works for a dealer (not Ford), and the car came in as a trade. He knew it was "mine" as soon as he saw/heard it. The car is 100% stock, is in immaculate condition, and has low mileage (25,700).
I have a couple really basic questions ... appreciate any replies.
I assumed that I should put premium unleaded in the car. Always thought it would improve performance and gas mileage. However, the owners manual says it recommends 87 octane only. Should I really be putting 87 in the car? I know, I know, RTFM, but it just doesn't feel right. ;-)
About the convertible top. I've talked to 2 people now who have both said "be very careful with the convertible top - they're known to break". Gee, that's descriptive, huh? When I asked for more details, they just said that when lowering or raising the top, something can break or snap for no reason at all. I coudn't get any more details. Wanted to check with people "in the know" - are there "known" issues with the convertible top, and if so, anything I should watch or look for, and any specific steps I can take to prevent problems? Not that I really have to worry about lowering the top for the next several months <sigh>.
87 octane for a stock motor should be fine. ive been running nothing but 87 on mine for a year and the previous owner also did too. everything is looking fine (knock on wood) so far. you might want to have the basic fluids changed just as a precaution though.
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Procharged 2002 Mustang GT 5 Speed 351rwhp 353rwtq at 10psi
Next summer looking to go with:
Bilstien shocks + struts, Lowering springs (brand still TBD (any suggestions?)), MM CC plates, front + rear sway bars, subframes, and upper and lower control arms.
Time to make the pony ride some rails
With a completely stock car and no cai you can run 87, but its better for the engine to run 93, and it should make more power and get enough better mileage over 87 that it will pay for itself. If you go to a cai you will definitely want the higher octane, they lean the mix a little due to the added airflow.
For the top, I really don't know and don't want to spread a bunch of he said she said, but I haven't heard of any problems. That doesn't mean they don't exist though.
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That hunk of junk? Yeah, well I've made a few special modifications to that yellow 99 Gt, it makes the Kessel run in 12 parsecs and eats turbo japs and poops chevy's
I have an 03 gt convertible and always burn 93 octane. Also, I used my top up and down all summer and never had a problem of any kind... enjoy it and good luck. BTW welcome to the forums.
Frank
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It isn't about existing-it's about living in the moment, and this aint no dress rehersal. Top down-exhaust loud-bigazz smile!
03 GT Drop-top Oxford White, 5 spd, MGW short throw shifter, AFE cold air kit, American Thunder Exhaust
'02 GT Convertible - very basic fuel & convertible ??'s 
It isn't about existing-it's about living in the moment, and this aint no dress rehersal. Top down-exhaust loud-bigazz smile!
