I've had my 91 LX 5.0 for 2 years now. Put just under 20,000 miles on it and all I've done is oil changes..
are Mustang GTs high in maintenance?
Hello all,
Is it just me or are Mustangs really that high in maintenance? It seems like every weekend I have to do something to my car just to keep it top notch. I almost want to believe that FORD really stands for Fix Or Repair Daily.
I have two jobs and work Monday through Friday so that means that I have no time during the week to work on my car. I estimate 35 miles of daily driving back and forth from work. That last thing I want to do on the weekends is get full of grease for repairs (I do all my maintenance BTW). I understand that cars need basic maintenance such as filters, plugs and what not but it’s getting to the point that almost everything needs to get replaced (my car has 186xxx BTW. So, that might be part of the problem).
I guess I’m comparing this weekly maintenance to my high school car back in 1998-99 which was a 1989 Lincoln Continental (basically a Ford Taurus with a Lincoln name…POS car IMO). But that’s another story. Because of this issue then, I had nothing but Japanese cars and didn’t even come close to the maintenance I am facing now. I even had an EG with an H22 (1995 civic hatch with a prelude engine) and didn’t even give me that many problems.
I've had my Mustang for about 10 months and I have already changed the transmission once (was already bad when I bought the car) and changed the engine twice.
Just so I can give you guys an idea of what type of maintenance is up for this weekend... I have to change my quadrant (not really a routine maintenance, just an upgrade), wheel bearings, and fix my A/C.
I really enjoy the sound of an American V8, but is it really worth it? I’m almost to the point of trading in my car for a Japanese one. Someone help me come to my senses before I go back to the whole ricer scene…:happyhapp
Is it just me or are Mustangs really that high in maintenance? It seems like every weekend I have to do something to my car just to keep it top notch. I almost want to believe that FORD really stands for Fix Or Repair Daily.
I have two jobs and work Monday through Friday so that means that I have no time during the week to work on my car. I estimate 35 miles of daily driving back and forth from work. That last thing I want to do on the weekends is get full of grease for repairs (I do all my maintenance BTW). I understand that cars need basic maintenance such as filters, plugs and what not but it’s getting to the point that almost everything needs to get replaced (my car has 186xxx BTW. So, that might be part of the problem).
I guess I’m comparing this weekly maintenance to my high school car back in 1998-99 which was a 1989 Lincoln Continental (basically a Ford Taurus with a Lincoln name…POS car IMO). But that’s another story. Because of this issue then, I had nothing but Japanese cars and didn’t even come close to the maintenance I am facing now. I even had an EG with an H22 (1995 civic hatch with a prelude engine) and didn’t even give me that many problems.
I've had my Mustang for about 10 months and I have already changed the transmission once (was already bad when I bought the car) and changed the engine twice.
Just so I can give you guys an idea of what type of maintenance is up for this weekend... I have to change my quadrant (not really a routine maintenance, just an upgrade), wheel bearings, and fix my A/C.
I really enjoy the sound of an American V8, but is it really worth it? I’m almost to the point of trading in my car for a Japanese one. Someone help me come to my senses before I go back to the whole ricer scene…:happyhapp
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If you've had to change the engine twice in 10 months, the problem is most likely not the car itself. I would expect to replace a transmission somewhere in the lifespan of the car. The fact is that parts wear out, and with high mileage, you have to be proactive, not reactive with maintenance.
With 186k on the clock, you are going to have higher maintenance costs, especially if it wasn't well maintained during the 1st 100k. Parts wear out. I would have to say that my wife drives a Dodge, and it has 130k miles on it, and I've had more problems with it since it's hit 100k than I ever have had with any of my Mustangs. Mine are just usually getting broken in when they hit 100k.
With 186k on the clock, you are going to have higher maintenance costs, especially if it wasn't well maintained during the 1st 100k. Parts wear out. I would have to say that my wife drives a Dodge, and it has 130k miles on it, and I've had more problems with it since it's hit 100k than I ever have had with any of my Mustangs. Mine are just usually getting broken in when they hit 100k.
the one problem with getting a used car is you get someone problems.they got rid of it for a reason.+ factor in the , did they dive like a little old lady or like they stole it.ware and tear,and since the motor is new all the stuff around it is not.
i have had plenty of high mileage used cars, usually at first all the surprises show up nickel and dime you to death and then no problems for awhile.if you like the car and you take care of it soon it will be a happy car:gringreen and if the previous owner said"I HAVE NOT HAD TO DO ANY THING TO IT" means they didn't take car of it IMO
i have had plenty of high mileage used cars, usually at first all the surprises show up nickel and dime you to death and then no problems for awhile.if you like the car and you take care of it soon it will be a happy car:gringreen and if the previous owner said"I HAVE NOT HAD TO DO ANY THING TO IT" means they didn't take car of it IMO
G
I've put way more money into mods on our Stangs than actual repairs.
Sorry for your troubles but in our case I have two say our GT's are the least troublesome vehicles we've ever owned.
I'm actually kind of waiting for the engine to go on the 96 so I can go the crate motor route. We're att 115,xxx and still going strong!
I suspect you got a car that just wasn't taken care of. If you've had to put an engine in twice user error or your car is haunted.:gringreen
Sorry for your troubles but in our case I have two say our GT's are the least troublesome vehicles we've ever owned.
I'm actually kind of waiting for the engine to go on the 96 so I can go the crate motor route. We're att 115,xxx and still going strong!
I suspect you got a car that just wasn't taken care of. If you've had to put an engine in twice user error or your car is haunted.:gringreen
the only problematic things I can think of that are kind of constant with the GT's:
Coil Packs
IAC's
Neither of which are terribly expensive, coil packs can be a pain to diagnose though, unless you take it to the Ford dealer and have them run diagnostics. (a normal shop cannot test the coil packs properly)
Coil Packs
IAC's
Neither of which are terribly expensive, coil packs can be a pain to diagnose though, unless you take it to the Ford dealer and have them run diagnostics. (a normal shop cannot test the coil packs properly)
Do you have any suggestions with special maintenance once a 'Stang hits 70k miles?If you've had to change the engine twice in 10 months, the problem is most likely not the car itself. I would expect to replace a transmission somewhere in the lifespan of the car. The fact is that parts wear out, and with high mileage, you have to be proactive, not reactive with maintenance.
With 186k on the clock, you are going to have higher maintenance costs, especially if it wasn't well maintained during the 1st 100k. Parts wear out. I would have to say that my wife drives a Dodge, and it has 130k miles on it, and I've had more problems with it since it's hit 100k than I ever have had with any of my Mustangs. Mine are just usually getting broken in when they hit 100k.
Thanks! :backontopic: ...
I purchased my car from my father-in-law. He purchase the car back in 99...so he was the first owner. So, I know the history and know it was driven like an old lady...that's the only reason why I bought it with high miles. I doubt he ever did WOT pulls...lol. Heck, the car was BONE stock when I got it.I've put way more money into mods on our Stangs than actual repairs.
Sorry for your troubles but in our case I have two say our GT's are the least troublesome vehicles we've ever owned.
I'm actually kind of waiting for the engine to go on the 96 so I can go the crate motor route. We're att 115,xxx and still going strong!
I suspect you got a car that just wasn't taken care of. If you've had to put an engine in twice user error or your car is haunted.:gringreen
i would say judging from what you have said you got unlucky i feel like everyone else lots of mods but nothing but oil changes and back brakes as far as maint. goes compared to the dodge and chevy vehicles i had before i got my stang the stang is a dream to own:bigthumbsup
gears and lowered questions???
first off i was told my 02 mustang had different gears put in i am not sure what they are i am guessing 3:73 but it kinda makes a quiet whistle at 60 mph just wondering if that is unusual? the car was also lowered and its really an uncomfortable ride and i am getting inside wear on my front tires just wondering if i can make that better without spending my whole paycheck and also when i start the car after starting and shutting it off sometimes it takes a second to start ? just wondering if someone can give me some feedback
first off i was told my 02 mustang had different gears put in i am not sure what they are i am guessing 3:73 but it kinda makes a quiet whistle at 60 mph just wondering if that is unusual? the car was also lowered and its really an uncomfortable ride and i am getting inside wear on my front tires just wondering if i can make that better without spending my whole paycheck and also when i start the car after starting and shutting it off sometimes it takes a second to start ? just wondering if someone can give me some feedback
the whine is probably from the gears
shouldnt be a problem, just check em out and make sure its got plenty of fluid in the rearend. And the wearing of the inside of youre tires is probably from lowering in. Id buy some caster camber plates
shouldnt be a problem, just check em out and make sure its got plenty of fluid in the rearend. And the wearing of the inside of youre tires is probably from lowering in. Id buy some caster camber plates
the rough ride is mainly in the back i am not much of a car wiz so would i still have to get those plates for the rear or not??? if not what would i do then
If the rough ride is in the back, whoever did the lowering probably didn't cut down or replace the bump stop in the back, and it's pretty much riding on it.
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