Okay, So I've been a tad silent on the boards for a while. Here's my deal... My Mustang has been leaking coolant like it's going out of style from the upper radiator hose, and causing it to foul the plugs, also it's been running like total crap and I can't seem to keep the IAC valve clean for more than 2 months, and I have had 2 issues with freeway blow outs... Today took the cake though when my ignition decided it didn't like my key anymore and gave me the wrath of PATS. My girlfriend already hates my car dearly, but I refuse to sell! I almost put it up for sale today to buy a (don't hate me) 97-2001 Grand Prix GTP. I really can't bring myself to do it though. I love everything about my car even though it's about 145,xxx in and likely lead a pretty tough life with the owners before me... I don't know why I'm telling you guys this, but I feel like you can give me a little faith in wanting to keep my car and not sell it for an automatic (yuck), knocking, s/c wimp.
I don't need any auto advice, I more or less just need a little support from people that have mustangs. I'm surrounded by GM drivers that can only tell me that the problem with my car is that it's a ford...
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1996 Mustang GT 248A
barely any mods, Daily driver
1965 Chevy c-10 350 chevy getting pulled for 402BBC and Th400
1984 Caprice Classic 305 getting pulled for mild 350, hoping for high 14s
Just remember, it is a older Mustang that needs a bit of TLC. On that note, ANY car that is the same age, mileage and condition is likely to have the same issues. Keep the faith, it is after all a Stang!!!!
Just think about all the GMs you see with high milage... oh thats rite, there aren't many that last that long, and if you do find one the door trim is missing or cracked, or even (god forbid) rattling! not to mention that it is on the 2nd motor and 3rd tranny. dont waste your time and money on a pontiac unless its a gto, or brand new. Trust me I ahve owned one and it was not pretty. if anything get a another stang and you can't go wrong.
but thats just my 281 cents...
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2001 Mustang GT-"GONE"
Bassani x-pipe Catted, Flowmasters, CAI, March UDPs, Steeda Tri-ax, Functional Hood scoop, Matrix lowering springs, Steeda C/C plates, Roush LCA, Alpine-9885 Head Unit.
2003 F150 Sport 4X4 4.6-SOLD
1999 F150 Xlt Flaresode 4.6-SOLD
Stangs seem to have alot of problems between 140,000 and 160,000 or so. Just tough it out.
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1992 Deep Emerald Green Mustang GT Hatch, 5 speed, 2.73s, Mac fenderwell cold air intake, '93 Cobra MAF, Mac 70mm throttle body & spacer, Explorer intakes, Mac unequal headers & offroad pipe, Magnaflow catback, Walbro 110lph fuel pump, Jet adjustable FPR, MSD Blaster coil, Accel 8mm wires, FRPP aluminum quadrant, UPR firewall adjuster, stock cable, Granatelli upper control arms.
Waiting to go on: Granatelli lower control arms, and GT40 Iron heads!
You've hit the "worn out" wall with the car. Simple as that. All the major components (that haven't already failed and been replaced) will now fail and need rebuild or replacement.
Inevitable. Back in the 70's and 80's, this happened after about half as many miles, so count yourself fortunate.
My best advice would be to clean it up, fix whatever is immediately wrong, and look around for a nice 99-04 stang with low mileage to trade it in on. There are LOTS of them out there. Its an opportunity to snap up that Bullit, Mach One or Cobra you've always lusted after - think forward and postitive, not backward and negative.
As for being surrounded by GM owners, there's an old saying here in the South:
"You're born with your familiy, but you pick your friends."
If all your friends have GM products, you might want to widen your circle of friends (a local Mustang club might help).
Seriously, do a little browsing (AFM has a classified section now) around the internet looking at Mustangs. There are bargains out there, and 10 years from now those low mileage Mach Ones and Bullits in stock condition are going to bring good money still.
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tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
Seriously, do a little browsing (AFM has a classified section now) around the internet looking at Mustangs. There are bargains out there, and 10 years from now those low mileage Mach Ones and Bullits in stock condition are going to bring good money still.
Ya keep rubbing it in triple!
Hey when I have car problems with my 88 I look at it this way……TIME TO UPGRADE! New engine, new transmission, new rear end….it only gets better and better! My vert is the car the Ford Should OF Built!
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So , let me get this straight…..your Honda has 1.6 liters, whereas my bottle of Mountain Dew has 2?
Change…..it’s what is left after taxes.
- Shaken....Not Stirred 2003 Mach I Auto Torch Red - Sold
-1988 Ford Mustang GT Convertible, 331 Trick Flow Stroker with a Tremec 3550....oh yea and a 1.6 liter V-TECH motor to work the convertible top.
- 1966 Inline 6……..the pile of parts car!
I traded a 99 GTP for my Stang. It wasn't a bad car and it was supercharged but it had issues too (upper intake and head gaskets). The grass isn't always greener.
Hey when I have car problems with my 88 I look at it this way……TIME TO UPGRADE! New engine, new transmission, new rear end….it only gets better and better! My vert is the car the Ford Should OF Built!
Well, I didn't want to PUSH him toward your car, just sort of mention it quiet like that there are Mach Ones for sale on AFM...
I want your darn car for myself - I just need to sell my 02 before I can do it. Your car is a lot more rare and easily sold right now - truth be told.
Yep, I totally agree - car PROBLEMS are only problems if you don't understand the gearhead mantra:
"There are no broken parts - only opportunities for upgrades!"
Sort of like the fishing story - "Catching fish has nothing to do with going fishing - although the two things do sometimes occur coincidentally".
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tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
I traded a 99 GTP for my Stang. It wasn't a bad car and it was supercharged but it had issues too (upper intake and head gaskets). The grass isn't always greener.
I helped a neighbor replace his head gaskets on his GTP - twice. Before we tackled it the second time, I recommended he get rid of it quick. I also showed him that the mating surfaces were not true (both heads were slightly concave - ie, warped - by laying a steel ruler across the length of the heads. He wasn't the original owner, and had the car for less than 6 months (and 2 gasket renewals) before swapping it in on a Nissan. I tried to get him to go with the Mustang, but he just wouldn't budge.
Dave, before you buy the GTP, eyeball the head gasket areas. If it looks like there's been a lot of activity changing gaskets, walk away.
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tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
I helped a neighbor replace his head gaskets on his GTP - twice. Before we tackled it the second time, I recommended he get rid of it quick. I also showed him that the mating surfaces were not true (both heads were slightly concave - ie, warped - by laying a steel ruler across the length of the heads. He wasn't the original owner, and had the car for less than 6 months (and 2 gasket renewals) before swapping it in on a Nissan. I tried to get him to go with the Mustang, but he just wouldn't budge.
Dave, before you buy the GTP, eyeball the head gasket areas. If it looks like there's been a lot of activity changing gaskets, walk away.
The 3.8 is actually a pretty good GM engine. I knew a guy that was pushing 550 fwhp with a custom turbo setup.
Keep it brother! My 96 is coming of age and I'm feeling the pains there as well. I don't know what you financial situation is but if you can float it and you aren't worried about resale just pump some money into her and make her happy again. I agree with you that the SN95s are some of the sweetest Stang styles out there and you'll regret it if you lose her.
She just wants you to take care of her!
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66 Coupe Tahoe Turq - 200, Pertronix & Flamethrower, 3 Row Rad, Cliff. 6/2 96 GT Vert Laser Red - FMS pulleys, Bullet ProM, BBK CAI, Prof. Prod. Elbow and 70mm TB, MAC Off-Road H, Borla side exhaust, Tokicos, B&M Ripper, 18x10 & 18x9 DD Bulletts 06 GT Tungsten, UIP, Red Leather, Stick, 18" blades, Steeda CAI, SCT XCal 2 w/ MC Racing 91 tune, MACs, BMR SP010 springs, BMR Adj Panhard, CDC ducktail & quarter louvers, Rear louver, painted black stripes
I need more faith in my Mustang 
