Any Mustang lovers here?

[mwmorph]

I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on a Ford Edge Mustang. It's a 2001 GT Vert w only 70k on the clock. Automatic, which is non ideal, but I'm in Fairbanks, Alaska do there's little to no choice in any interesting cars up here anyways.

Anyone have any resources and information on trouble spots to look for/a buyers checklist and general tips on reliability and maintenance?

I really would like to find something like this and this as well as owner experiences on common trouble spots.

From what I remember, the edge had few issues outside of more common than normal window regulator failures and headlamp cover yellowing/scratching/not sealing from moisture and Ford V8 coilpacks of that era were suspect.

Also any things I should know about care for the top and the rest of the car? Up here it's freezing temps hovering at -25 average during the winter with some -45 and highs in the summer of 70-80 degrees with no salt on the roads but decent amounts of snow and rain. Luckily it won't get too many miles a year since I'll putting it in storage from May 2011-May 2012.

 

[Tristicus]

I like the original Mustangs and the newer ones. The darker period was '79 to '04, sans a few "rare" ones (Cobra versions, etc.).

 

[TehMac]

don't like that particular mustang for two reasons:

1) It's a convertible
2) It's an automatic

And you live in Alaska, you should get a dog sled instead. 😉

 

[PClark99]

try stangnet and mustanglife forums.

There should be some information there to help you.

I have a 2k GT with about 66k and its been pretty reliable for me. I should go without saying snow and wet road traction isn't the best. If you absolutely need to drive it in the elements invest in some blizzak tires.

 

[mmntech]

I'm planning on getting one in the next year or two to replace my Civic. Always wanted a pony car. I think Ford has really nailed down the essence of the genre this time. Something Camero and Challenger seem to miss.

I looked at the Challenger. They have a lot of them on the lot next door to where I work. Only 250hp, costs more, and it's a pig on gas? I mean, that pathetic 3.5L V6 engine gets the same mileage as the 5.0L V8 Mustang, which has 66% more horsepower I might add. No thanks, although it does look fantastic. The Camero is just ugly IMHO.

From what I hear, the 2011 Mustang V6 is a dream to drive. Ford's quality is pretty good right now. It's definitely leagues ahead of what GM and Chrysler are offering. The cars feel solid, they have comfortable interiors, a good set of features, and handle quite well. Even the lowly Focus is a pleasure.

The only issue with them is traction, like PClark99 said. It's rear wheel and has no weight in the back. That's not to say you can't drive it in wet or snowy conditions period. I've driven plenty of Chevrolet Savannah cargo vans in those conditions. They have the same problem with the addition of being top heavy. You just need to get a feel for how the vehicle handles and don't over drive it. That rule applies for any car. You'll still need tires with a good tread. Since the OP lives in Alaska, quality snows will be a must. And sandbag the crap out of the trunk.

 

[Tristicus]

The Camero is just ugly IMHO.

And now I know why people don't like it...they are looking at some weird asian ripoff.

 

[mwmorph]

don't like that particular mustang for two reasons:

1) It's a convertible
2) It's an automatic

And you live in Alaska, you should get a dog sled instead. 😉

It would be awesome, but no pets in the barracks, much less a 100+lb husky or malmaute.

I also don't race or auto-x or do track days anymore (the whole living in Alaska thing and all) so I don't care too much about coupe v.s. convertible. I find verts more fun during normal street use anyways.

try stangnet and mustanglife forums.

There should be some information there to help you.

I have a 2k GT with about 66k and its been pretty reliable for me. I should go without saying snow and wet road traction isn't the best. If you absolutely need to drive it in the elements invest in some blizzak tires.

Thanks.

I know winter traction will be abysmal, so I plan on doing the tried and true Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 or WS70 tires and get some sandbags from work to put in the rear. I'll probably just change them on the stock wheels instead of getting 2 sets since I don't drive too much and I'll be leaving in May just as it really warms up.

I'm planning on getting one in the next year or two to replace my Civic. Always wanted a pony car. I think Ford has really nailed down the essence of the genre this time. Something Camero and Challenger seem to miss.

I looked at the Challenger. They have a lot of them on the lot next door to where I work. Only 250hp, costs more, and it's a pig on gas? I mean, that pathetic 3.5L V6 engine gets the same mileage as the 5.0L V8 Mustang, which has 66% more horsepower I might add. No thanks, although it does look fantastic. The Camero is just ugly IMHO.

From what I hear, the 2011 Mustang V6 is a dream to drive. Ford's quality is pretty good right now. It's definitely leagues ahead of what GM and Chrysler are offering. The cars feel solid, they have comfortable interiors, a good set of features, and handle quite well. Even the lowly Focus is a pleasure.

The only issue with them is traction, like PClark99 said. It's rear wheel and has no weight in the back. That's not to say you can't drive it in wet or snowy conditions period. I've driven plenty of Chevrolet Savannah cargo vans in those conditions. They have the same problem with the addition of being top heavy. You just need to get a feel for how the vehicle handles and don't over drive it. That rule applies for any car. You'll still need tires with a good tread. Since the OP lives in Alaska, quality snows will be a must. And sandbag the crap out of the trunk.

The 2011 has 300+hp so it's a very respectable car.


Honestly, praticality might win out guys. The Mustang was sold but I saw a nice dark grey 2006 Dodge Magnum SXT AWD. I might actually put my money where my mouth is when I said how interesting Magnums were years ago and buy that.

 

[VinylxScratches]

I'm planning on getting one in the next year or two to replace my Civic. Always wanted a pony car. I think Ford has really nailed down the essence of the genre this time. Something Camero and Challenger seem to miss.

I looked at the Challenger. They have a lot of them on the lot next door to where I work. Only 250hp, costs more, and it's a pig on gas? I mean, that pathetic 3.5L V6 engine gets the same mileage as the 5.0L V8 Mustang, which has 66% more horsepower I might add. No thanks, although it does look fantastic. The Camero is just ugly IMHO.

From what I hear, the 2011 Mustang V6 is a dream to drive. Ford's quality is pretty good right now. It's definitely leagues ahead of what GM and Chrysler are offering. The cars feel solid, they have comfortable interiors, a good set of features, and handle quite well. Even the lowly Focus is a pleasure.

The only issue with them is traction, like PClark99 said. It's rear wheel and has no weight in the back. That's not to say you can't drive it in wet or snowy conditions period. I've driven plenty of Chevrolet Savannah cargo vans in those conditions. They have the same problem with the addition of being top heavy. You just need to get a feel for how the vehicle handles and don't over drive it. That rule applies for any car. You'll still need tires with a good tread. Since the OP lives in Alaska, quality snows will be a must. And sandbag the crap out of the trunk.

uuuh, why would you even consider the 3.5, Hemi or none.

 

[SSSnail]

Hi, welcome to AT Garage, a.k.a. Focus, Fusion and Mustang land.

 

[Imported]

Never been a big Mustang fan.. but that new Boss Laguna Seca has caught my fancy.

 

[mwmorph]

Hi, welcome to AT Garage, a.k.a. Focus, Fusion and Mustang land.

Thanks, I've been lurking ATOT since the YACT days so I've been checking these boards for a long time now. The Mustang and Fusion are solid products, the focus... ehh not a big fan until the euro version stops teasing me and gets over here.

uuuh, why would you even consider the 3.5, Hemi or none.

Because real life comes into play here.

I live #1 in Fairbanks, Alaska. There's not many cool cars on sale around here. Want a Expolrer or Tahoe? Coo, choose 1 of 11 million. Want anything even close to interesting? Good luck. it's going to start get crappy and snowing in less than a month. Would I love to buy that 1997 Corvette down the street for $16k sure, but it'd be awfully stupid. By March, the unplowed snow is usually chest high.

Also there's a big difference. $10k is easy, I have that in cash and liquid assets. 14k and 18k is big for me on the Army salary. There is a R/T but it's RWD and $4k more.

Also I'm 21, male and I live in the land of snow, black ice, bear and caribou. Insurance is bad enough as it is.

I just don't feel the need to speed anymore. Young guys like to talk tons of trash about but I got all that out of my system early. I've (admittedly not as quickly as the other guys) driven a Porsche 996 GT3 in SCCA events for a friend at Mid Ohio and Road America, I've done my track days at VIR and dangerous hooning in the street time with my turb/6 speed MR2 Spyder. I've done my time for the automotive gods of high performance. I just want a nice looking car to cruise in nowadays, with at least a minimum of practicality as a day to day driver and mostly I want it to be unique so it doesn't get lost in a parking lot like any SUV or truck would up here. A GT type car would be perfect, but have fun finding a Lexus SC400 up here.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I test drove a 2011 V6 mustang this weekend and it handled great. Thanks in part to still having a solid rear axle. The Camaro doesn't have that anymore 🙁

 

[Demo24]

From what I hear, the 2011 Mustang V6 is a dream to drive. Ford's quality is pretty good right now. It's definitely leagues ahead of what GM and Chrysler are offering. The cars feel solid, they have comfortable interiors, a good set of features, and handle quite well. Even the lowly Focus is a pleasure.

Everything I've read on these says different. The 5.0 v8 GT is supposedly very nice to drive but the v6 feels unsettled. Which kind of makes sense as it doesn't have the same suspension tuning.

For me, 5.0 V8 or no stang. 😎

 

[thedarkwolf]

My dad had an 02 mustang GT and put around 280k miles on it, was his work car. He went through a couple coil packs, a radiator fan, an alt, and a few other little things. Didn't have too many problems over the years. His had traction control and did ok in the winter but Wv isn't Alaska winter.

 

[TehMac]

if thats the case OP, go for the mustang. Mine has 98k miles on it, and as long as you do regular maintenance, can't really go wrong.

I'm still confused why you would want a vert in Alaska's climate.