Thinking of getting a 1994-1998 V6 Mustang. Help ?
Hello to everyone here,
I've been driving for a little over a year now. With all the situations i've taken myself in and all the trouble i've gotten myself out of by just concentrating, have made me a safer driver. As a side note, i am not your typical 18 year old, who drives his 4 cylinder as though it was a Ferrari. For the past 4 months, i had just been looking for a good car. Something with a little bit of space too. Since my father works at a Ford dealership, any repairs i would need to do would be better priced if i owned a Ford, so naturally ,as of last September, i've been driving a 1995 Mercury Sable.
I am a musician in my spare time, and i've become better at that too over the years. Thing is, as i was getting better, i've purchased more expensive equipment, which is more or else bigger than what i was working with Six years ago. When it came time to choose a different car, the Focus hatch back was really what i was looking for. Only problem is that i've recently found out that my insurance bill would be way too large for that kind of a car. Furthermore, i really do not want
to go into pick-ups, or older equivalents like the Festiva or the Escort.
Now, i decided that i might as well get a car that i would enjoy driving as much as my Focus would, and forget about the space and just by a trailer and a hitch. First thing i thought about, was the Mustang.
Where i am getting to with all this, is that i really need help choosing a Mustang that will be reliable (despite it's age), will not cost me too much insurance, and that i can drive more or less safely during winter.
Which is why i am wondering if there are any 18-20 year olds on here who drive Mustangs both v6 or gt from the sn95 years.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as i am clueless of what to do now. The only thing i know, is that the Mustang has a better chance of costing me less insurance than the Focus would. Keeping in mind that my Mercury is costing me 500 a year (i am the first driver) and it has more horsepower than the V6 Mustang does.
Well that's what i'd really prefer to get, especially considering that the Six-pack only has 145 hp, but i was just thinking of something that won't cost me too much gas or insurance. Il settle for whatever i am paying now, and i am not saving much anyways.
Also, i heard that the 1994-1996 models were cursed with some bad engine blocks. What if i end up getting one of em' that hadn't been re-called or at least fixed ?
Thanks for your input James, but this is the 6 forum, and we really don't need those types of comments. The 94-95 GT's were not any faster than my car.....
Fender,
I just moved from Vermont, and I can tell you that driving a Mustang in the wintertime is hard. Especially trying to get started on a hill. I always stored mine because of the salt they put on the roads. The 94-98's did have headgasket problems-but they were under recall. So if you plan on picking one up, have your Father run the VIN to see if it was repaired. The insurance isn't going to be any cheaper though. Good luck!!!!
Actually, i just checked in with my insurance, and they have told me that the V6 base model with one-way civil protection would be $436 CAD, which is roughly 300 US. Finally, the GT would be $530 ish. So i am not too sure. I am partial to V8 because of the gas consumption and the extra maintenance i think they might need. With the V6, well i am already familiar with them as my driveway has 4 of em'. My Dad has an 05 v6 Mustang, my mom has a V6 97 Sable and i got the 95 V6 Sable. It's around 40 - 50 to fill it up depending how much gas is at and the rest is good.
I've always wanted the SN95 bodied mustangs, since i was a kid. Same as my father had always liked the 1969 Mach 1 or the 1971 big block Mustangs. When the new series came out, my dad had finally earned enough to buy one. I have a bit of money stored away that i will be able to use to pay off the car. I'd be willing to put up to a max of 9000 thousand on the car. The insurance and other things will follow. I just want to be sure to this in a financially safe position and i want to be sure that i wont have any problem driving it in winter.
I know this thought might make others cringe, but the way i see it is that heavier, bulkier V8's with rear wheel propulsion have run in winter without any problems in the past. Just think of the Ford Galaxy or the Impalas etc.
However, i am still open to suggestions. I've always wanted it, i can hardly wait, but i would rather make sure i can do this properly than to lose a lot of money and own a car that will be useless in winter.
Thank you for the information, i really appreciate!
The fuel economy between the V6 and GT aren't very different, maybe 3-4 MPG, depending on the transmission (auto VS. manual).
If you're looking at straight cost, the V6 is the cheapest way to go, on insurance, initial purchase and modifications. You can get the SN95 V6 up to the SN95 GT HP & TQ numbers much more easily than increasing the power on the GT.
Another reason I suggest the V6 is due to the fact that most the GT's from that same era have been "ragged out".
I suggest getting a v6. especially a 1997 or 1998, any other year is known to have transmission problems (I used ConsumerReports.com to buy my car). Trust me, if you want gas mileage, a fun car to drive, and when necessary, be able to haul butt, a v6 is right up your alley. V8's are just way overrated, especially the mustang, you'll be paying about $1500 extra initally on the v8, insurance will be expensive, gas will kill you, parts are expensive, maintaining the car is a pain in the butt (if you're a do-it-yourselfer like me) because the engine comes out so far that things are hard to reach.
Save your self the time, money, and frustration by getting a v6. They're much more fun to drive, a lot easier on gas, and still look as gorgeous as a v8 does. Just my thoughts, hopefully you take every one's thoughts into consideration!
I suggest getting a v6. especially a 1997 or 1998, any other year is known to have transmission problems (I used ConsumerReports.com to buy my car). Trust me, if you want gas mileage, a fun car to drive, and when necessary, be able to haul butt, a v6 is right up your alley. V8's are just way overrated, especially the mustang, you'll be paying about $1500 extra initally on the v8, insurance will be expensive, gas will kill you, parts are expensive, maintaining the car is a pain in the butt (if you're a do-it-yourselfer like me) because the engine comes out so far that things are hard to reach.
Save your self the time, money, and frustration by getting a v6. They're much more fun to drive, a lot easier on gas, and still look as gorgeous as a v8 does. Just my thoughts, hopefully you take every one's thoughts into consideration!
If you want extra power, just swap out the heads & intake. It's a good reliable car, & you can bump the mpg #s with little difficulty.
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
One last thing would be if anyone has any advice about if it would be safe for me to use it in winter? Based on your experiences of course. I live in Canada, so we get a lot of snow. On storms, i can call in sick or not show up at school, but there is just snow to worry about, will i be fine ? My dad took his Mustang out a few times, but he left it more or less confined to the parking lot during the winter.
At first i was worried about the rear wheel traction, but all sorts of cars run in winter that have rear wheel traction. Like Crown-Victorias, Caprices, Impalas, Chargers etc. So apart from the bad idea of driving a Sports Car in winter, i think things should be fine. Especially if i invest in some good 16 inch winter tires.
I would really like to see this idea through. Either this year when i have the money or next spring. My parents are not too crazy about the idea of me buying a car. One of the reasons is that i already have one, but im kinda tired of it, and i'd rather my dad keep it for himself in winter. As for me, i just want my own ride, and since it is affordable to have a car like this nowadays (although i will have minimum insurance), i would like to have one. So i guess il just have to raise the money and do it. One of the other reasons why they aren't too crazy is because my mom thinks i can't handle my money. I know i've been broke for the past half year, but i've been working less than 20 hours a week, and i've had to drive to my school more or less daily which had cost me a tank everyday. At 50 bucks a fill up, my 140 something pay checks die fast.
Anyways i would really like to see this through. I would much rather have this than a civic, or some japanese rice car.
anyways thank you for the advice, and i hope that the winters will be soft on me!
As far as driving in the wonter goes, I have no advice for you. I live in South Texas. We can wear shorts an t-shirts on Christmas day. The last time it snowed in San Antonio was this January, but it was overnight and had all melted by the next afternoon.
Tires, the V6 comes stock with 15's, so unless you plan on a wheel upgrade too, you'll need 15" winter tires.
Well i've been making some researches, and the V6 are somewhat way more affordable, well considering the mileage they have. Il post a few of the ones i found, but please let me know what you think. Sorry if the website is in French though..
This one. Well i am partial to the lights or the yellow frame around it, but it looks great in yellow. However it's a little more pricey, but has less mileage.
There are some interesting GT's, but i'd rather keep it simple. I am only 18 and there are so many things left for me to do. Il get my GT when i am 40, for now i'd rather have a nice car, that women will appreciate the back seat , and that il be able to use as a daily driver.
On a side note, does anyone know how long i can keep this car based on the maintenance i give it. Like how many miles or kms will be too much. My friend still has his 98 Cavalier and he's at 325 000 Kms , which is a lot. And those cars are pieces of **** right out of the factory, so i am thinking the mustang can handle a good 5 years or so ?
Of course your PM (Preventative Maintenance) will go a long way, but you'll be better off trying to find out the PM that the previous owner(s) did. I believe the V6 Mustang was duty rated at 200,000 miles.
I bought my V6 from my friends old sister, a teacher, who had all her PM done by the Ford dealer. I have since had all major work done by a Ford dealer and a lot of the small stuff I do myself.
Well what problems do you run into? Well i am assuming 200 000 miles is roughly under 300 000 kilometers, which is good enough. The thing that will motivate me to keep this car is it's value and the fact that it is a Mustang and not some beat up piece of crap, if ever it should become a beat up piece of crap. I hope to be able to keep it long enough. If ever i can, maybe one day il reinvest in it, have a new engine installed. Oooh like a 351 cleveland and live the life, but that will be later. For now i just want the car. The only issues i still see ahead are my parents. I think they won't take it well. Especially considering that my dad just got his, but then again - he had the chance his whole life, but he got his new. And besides, i would hope not to get too much **** from him. At least he'll be able to boast that his is still more powerful and bla bla bla. Then again, i doubt he would because he's not like that. The way i look at it, i am trading down for a smaller car, a nicer fit, a ***** magnet (scores points with Dad's pride over his son's libido and college fuelled sex trips), a smaller engine (which scores points with mom).
The ideal would be to find one under 100K , so then that way i can assure that it's more or less gonna last longer.
Well i found a Purple 1996 GT with 89 000 kilos. It's in working condition, never ran in winter. It's for sale for 8900$ though. So i think i'd rather pay 5500 for something with 115 000. Then again, il see when i get the money i need together. Il keep my insurrance minimal, until it starts to lower and i add on to my car and then il begin adding to it.
Thinking of getting a 1994-1998 V6 Mustang. Help ? 
