1996 Ford Mustang

[Tristicus]

Going to look at a Ford Mustang in about an hour. 106k miles, 5-speed, 3.8l V6. Anything to look out for? Called, owner says check engine light is on, but it passed inspection. Said she'd even take it up to AutoZone and get a readout if I wanted. I've read around a bit...could be the O2 sensors I read, but not sure.

Wants $1500...probably can go down a bit. Feel a bit better about it since she straight out told me the light was on and would take it for a readout.

 

[cardiac]

02 sensors can go out on anything after 100k miles. You need the OBDII code and then you'll know what is wrong. Make sure the front end is still tight (No leaks from the rack), nothing is leaking under the engine/trans and the clutch still feels strong. Tires, brakes, struts, etc. are expected to wear out. It is a decent price. Try and get the code and post it here before you buy....

 

[Tristicus]

Well they can tell you what the code means up at a place like AutoZone, right? Or do they just tell you the code?

 

[exdeath]

Code just gives you a general idea of the system experiencing a problem. You still have to determine the cause of the problem.

 

[Tristicus]

Okay. If it drives good though, engine seems okay, no leaks, etc. If it passed inspection, it couldn't be something real bad though, right? Well, I would hope. The other thing is I gotta make sure I fit comfortably in it...


Going to look at it now. Will probably make sure I get codes first.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Only thing I can remember of 3.8s of that vintage is that head gaskets can be an issue.

 

[Tristicus]

$1500, bought it. Car looked really good honestly, shifted fine. Clutch and shifting was a hell of a lot different than my Jeep, but I'll get used to it. He pointed out the sensor that was off to me too, looked to be just a vacuum one I believe.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Dunno if I would've payed $1500 for that. At that age, there will be a lot of little things to replace for optimum operation. Of course, if you don't care about optimum operation then it will cost very little

 

[StageLeft]

I'm not terribly confident in your diagnosis of the sensor, but that's a fairly low mile car and it looked clean. I'd say you did well assuming no crazy underlying issues (probably aren't).

 

[Tristicus]

I'm not terribly confident in your diagnosis of the sensor, but that's a fairly low mile car and it looked clean. I'd say you did well assuming no crazy underlying issues (probably aren't).

Wasn't my diagnosis. It is what the guy told me that the inspectors told him, and my grandfather said it wasn't anything either. If it isn't that, it still passed inspection and drove fine, so it isn't apparently a large problem. If I get all the way to March with it, I'll be dandy (when I might be getting something else as I'll have some more cash, unless this turns out to be a real good vehicle).

EDIT: When I get it though (probably get paperwork done tomorrow, drive home Tuesday), I'll take it and get the code though.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

3.8l V6. Anything to look out for?

Man card?

j/k

 

[ghost recon88]

$1500 seems like a pretty good price with those low of miles and assuming the body is in good condition. For something with those requirements up here, you're looking at $2500-3000.

 

[Tristicus]

Man card?

j/k

:'(
Friend has a V8 autotragic. Sacrificing a V8 for a 5-speed is worth it for me.

$1500 seems like a pretty good price with those low of miles and assuming the body is in good condition. For something with those requirements up here, you're looking at $2500-3000.

Yeah. Hopefully I won't have to put much into it and I'll be able to drive it for at least a year problem free (large problems). Then I can offload it either to my sister or on Craigslist.

 

[Xed]

:'(
Friend has a V8 autotragic. Sacrificing a V8 for a 5-speed is worth it for me.

As a former owner, keep your head up when that minivan/prius/school bus leaves you in the dust at red lights. =P

 

[slashbinslashbash]

:'(
Friend has a V8 autotragic. Sacrificing a V8 for a 5-speed is worth it for me.

I get it, and I would do the same; for $1500 it's a great car.

 

[postmortemIA]

150HP and 3.8L... one of worst engines ever made, both reliability and output. It gets maximum output at 4000prm.

 

[Tristicus]

As a former owner, keep your head up when that minivan/prius/school bus leaves you in the dust at red lights. =P

I'm going to put a racing stripe on and increase it 12hp so stfu!

 

[arcenite]

$1500 isn't a bad deal for a car in good running condition and in good shape.

But with that said-- the 2.8L V6 Fiero engine put out about as much power, revved higher, and at a 1L handicap. UGH.

And those wheels speak for themselves!

 

[Tristicus]

$1500 isn't a bad deal for a car in good running condition and in good shape.

But with that said-- the 2.8L V6 Fiero engine put out about as much power, revved higher, and at a 1L handicap. UGH.

And those wheels speak for themselves!

WHAT YOU SAYIN' BOUT MY WHEELS.


Actually, I don't like them. I don't think they are stock, but could be wrong. They look better in person though. Like I said, if the car gets me through at least March, and I can offload it to my sister, then it was worth it for me. Plus, if I had a V8, I'd drive the thing like a race-car more than I would this one...so probably for the better. For $1500, I'm not complaining tbh. It rained like hell yesterday and today and should this week, and I'll be hella happy when I have this instead of the Jeep in the rain.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

WHAT YOU SAYIN' BOUT MY WHEELS.


Actually, I don't like them. I don't think they are stock, but could be wrong. They look better in person though.

Those are either stock, or are stock from another V-6 Mustang of similar vintage. I don't know all the wheel variations by year, but they were all 3-spoke and, IMHO, ugly -- the only company to do 3-spoke wheels well was Saab in their mid-to-late 90's 900s and 9-5s. Mustang GT's had 5-spoke wheels, and this was one easy way to distinguish them at a distance.

 

[Xed]

I'm going to put a racing stripe on and increase it 12hp so stfu!

Make it flames and it's 40 hp!

 

[Tristicus]

Those are either stock, or are stock from another V-6 Mustang of similar vintage. I don't know all the wheel variations by year, but they were all 3-spoke and, IMHO, ugly -- the only company to do 3-spoke wheels well was Saab in their mid-to-late 90's 900s and 9-5s. Mustang GT's had 5-spoke wheels, and this was one easy way to distinguish them at a distance.

Ah, okay. Well, if I could find a set of GT wheels for a good price, I might jump on them. I would like to put a spoiler on it however. Not that ricer shit, just like the stock one that was an option....makes it look a little sportier to me. TBH , I probably won't do anything except fix that sensor though.

 

[LTC8K6]

150HP and 3.8L... one of worst engines ever made, both reliability and output. It gets maximum output at 4000prm.

Low end torque is pretty good though.

 

[Arkaign]

Google how to polish your headlights, it will look a million times better

It wouldn't be worth the $, but yeah the wheels are the worst of the 90s. Really it's a nice little car for $1500. The motor isn't that great, but it's not that bad either. I just recommend changing the oil religiously, watching your temps, and honestly there's no reason to rev the crap out of this thing. Shifting at ~3500rpm should be all that's needed to get around town just fine, and it's a lot easier on the motor than wailing on it. Take care of it, and there's really no reason not to expect to be able to sell it with ~125k miles or whatever for pretty much what you paid for it.

 

[speedy2]

Not a bad deal at all. 3.8 sucks but that's ok. Would be a good starting point for a V8 swap. Especially if you get a good deal on the motor.