2000 Mustang 9000.00 in repairs

[Onewitnessus]

Bought my son a 400.00 mustang 5 years ago. Came into some money recently and decided to finally fix the mechanical issues. It was running fine when I took it in but had some issues. I believe I just got taken to the cleaners. Replaced head gasket, cranshaft main seal, transmission oil pan gasket, timing chain, water pump, engine oil pan and gasket, Cylinder head gasket set, Flowmaster Force II Cat Back system, MangaFlo Catalytic Converter, crankshapf seal, transmission extension housing seal, timing chian, numerous gasket sets, plugs, wireset, temp control plus thermostat, 3 oxygen sensors, and coolant temp sensor.

As I said in title the bill came to over 9 grand.

They didn't bother to clean the intake manifold, it's still covered in corrosion. When I got in it to drive I got a check engine light soon light, which they claimed they just failed to reset, but it came on again about 30 minutes driving it. The cruise control no longer works. They claim it didn't work when I brought it in but funny thing is I use it every time I drive it and it was working days before I dropped it off there.

I'm pretty sure I picked the wrong mechanic shop for this.

What do you all think?

I know, could have bought a whole other car for that, running and in nice shape, but this one is sentimental to my son and I wanted to give him a gift.

 

[Onewitnessus]

Bought my son a 400.00 mustang 5 years ago. Came into some money recently and decided to finally fix the mechanical issues. It was running fine when I took it in but had some issues. I believe I just got taken to the cleaners. Replaced head gasket, cranshaft main seal, transmission oil pan gasket, timing chain, water pump, engine oil pan and gasket, Cylinder head gasket set, Flowmaster Force II Cat Back system, MangaFlo Catalytic Converter, crankshapf seal, transmission extension housing seal, timing chian, numerous gasket sets, plugs, wireset, temp control plus thermostat, 3 oxygen sensors, and coolant temp sensor.

As I said in title the bill came to over 9 grand.

They didn't bother to clean the intake manifold, it's still covered in corrosion. When I got in it to drive I got a check engine light soon light, which they claimed they just failed to reset, but it came on again about 30 minutes driving it. The cruise control no longer works. They claim it didn't work when I brought it in but funny thing is I use it every time I drive it and it was working days before I dropped it off there.

I'm pretty sure I picked the wrong mechanic shop for this.

What do you all think?

I know, could have bought a whole other car for that, running and in nice shape, but this one is sentimental to my son and I wanted to give him a gift.

Oh, and they replaced the entire dual exhaust system

 

[89ripper]

400 dollar mustang? Whats it look like? Unfortunately sounds like they screwed you over...

 

[LILCBRA]

Welcome to the site!

I agree, it does sound like you may have gotten taken to the cleaners - but then again, that's a lot of work you had them do.

One thing I don't think you should hold over them is the corrosion on the intake manifold. A standard shop won't usually do anything about the aesthetics of parts like that. They would most likely make sure it's operational and clean the mating surfaces, but that's about it.

About your only recourse, as far as I can suggest, is to take it to another shop for verification of the work that you had them do. You can tell them about the cruise and maybe they'll find an issue that you weren't aware of - or they may find something that the previous shop forgot to connect and is just playing it off. If it's the latter, you could have something to use against them if you chose to go to court over it all. The problem with going down this path is the extra money you're going to have to spend. But taking it to another shop would at least give you more peace of mind that stuff will get taken care of - you'll definitely want to do your homework on who to take it to though! Obviously you'll want someone reputable.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents - if it's worth that to you....

 

[Noobz347]

Flowmaster Force II Cat Back system, MangaFlo Catalytic Converter

That's $3k in parts all by itself plus installation.

I don't think you should feel like you ripped off. Hourly rates are [high] and include the work necessary to identify the parts that need replaced.


Finally....

 

[Potomus Pete]

I dont think you got ripped off, but I wish they cleaned everything good. Thats one thing we do on here is clean and paint everything. When I got my car the engine was covered in a grease sand mix. The only thing that gets me is I wish you threw in some Flotech Heads. They had it all ripped apart and the install wouldnt have cost much more.

 

[Potomus Pete]

How about a picture of a $400 Mustang

 

[Onewitnessus]

400 dollar mustang? Whats it look like? Unfortunately sounds like they screwed you over...

It needed a top, the interior was rotted away, it was in several accidents and the body work was never done. I've been working on the cosmetic issues slowly because I'm 70 percent disabled in the spine.

 

[Onewitnessus]

How about a picture of a $400 Mustang

Here's some more before pics

 

[LILCBRA]

The pool in the backseat floorboard reminds me of my vert after my divorce....

Since I posted this earlier and it popped up in my Facebook memories that I shared with my family and friends, here are a few pics of the vert before I got that "new" top installed. Apparently I put that top on a year ago today......

The tattered boxes you see are the new top that I bought.....

But it looks like you've gotten a lot more done on yours than I have on mine. It all looks good though! Nice job!

 

[Potomus Pete]

The pool in the back reminds me of when I was seventeen during a long summer.

 

[89ripper]

Looks like you have a long way to go with this...

 

[Onewitnessus]

The pool in the backseat floorboard reminds me of my vert after my divorce....



But it looks like you've gotten a lot more done on yours than I have on mine. It all looks good though! Nice job!

Darn near crippled myself so far but I get started on the body here soon.

 

[Onewitnessus]

Welcome to the site!

I agree, it does sound like you may have gotten taken to the cleaners - but then again, that's a lot of work you had them do.

One thing I don't think you should hold over them is the corrosion on the intake manifold. A standard shop won't usually do anything about the aesthetics of parts like that. They would most likely make sure it's operational and clean the mating surfaces, but that's about it.

About your only recourse, as far as I can suggest, is to take it to another shop for verification of the work that you had them do. You can tell them about the cruise and maybe they'll find an issue that you weren't aware of - or they may find something that the previous shop forgot to connect and is just playing it off. If it's the latter, you could have something to use against them if you chose to go to court over it all. The problem with going down this path is the extra money you're going to have to spend. But taking it to another shop would at least give you more peace of mind that stuff will get taken care of - you'll definitely want to do your homework on who to take it to though! Obviously you'll want someone reputable.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents - if it's worth that to you....

They fixed the cruise but I still have the check engine light. Their reason for not fixing it? When they tested it the test could not be completed by their equipment. This means it's just an electrical problem, they say. Hopefully there's not something seriously wrong with the engine.

 

[Onewitnessus]

The pool in the backseat floorboard reminds me of my vert after my divorce....



But it looks like you've gotten a lot more done on yours than I have on mine. It all looks good though! Nice job!

At first I thought your comment about a pool in the back after your divorce might be some double entendre

 

[gkomo]

Ya depending on the Magnaflow catalytic converter midpipe you got... i can attest that i just spent like $2200 plus tax to get just the midpipe for my Fox. so that's a good chunk of money right there. I needed mine for SMOG purposes in California.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I bought a $1000 Mustang, and threw $4K in parts at it. I did my own labor, but if i had to charge for what I did the bill would likely be in that ballpark.

I'd be the first to tell you that I'm not cheap if i were to ever charge for what I do.

 

[Onewitnessus]

It's good to know I didn't get ripped off.

 

[Onewitnessus]

I just wanted the stock dual exhaust system and as you say, it wasn't cheap but I can't believe the difference when I drive it.

 

[Noobz347]

I just wanted the stock dual exhaust system and as you say, it wasn't cheap but I can't believe the difference when I drive it.

Welcome to the world of antique rebuilding.