Are Ford 3.8's naturally rough sounding????

[GM Dude]

Now that I've owned my Mustang for a week, I have some issues with the engine. The engine sounds rough, I don't know if its because I'm use to GM engines, but like starting it up after sitting a while, it'll start, then bog down for a second, then speed back up. It also likes to shake a lot more than I'm use to, not massive shakes, but little shakes, is it because it's RWD, and I'm only use to fwd still? Also Slowing down from say like 55, and putting it into 4th gear, it'll actually make a really loud bash noise for like a second, like a hammer hitting a metal panel, as soon as you down shift into 4th and give it gas, is that Normal? Are any of these things normal, or did I buy another POS car?

 

[Ernad]

Maybe it's your car. The Mustang, at least our old models, are not the most refined cars, that's for sure. But you might have some specific problems. Maybe you need a tune up, change some fluids, or something else.

 

[doc4444]

GM Dude:

I have a '98 and yes my engine idles rough like you say. Shakes too, it's done that for all three years that I have owned it. Based off of my car, I would say you have the normal idles/shakes of a Mustang. Don't be surprised if your cabin interior rattles too, it's thanks to the "fantastic plastic" usually. IRT your problem with shifting, that is NOT normal. No loud banging or hammering sound is considered normal. Unfortunately I'm not that mechanically inclined, and as such cannot venture a guess as to what the problem is with it. Enjoy your new car.