• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

Best And Worst Used Cars

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pearl02
  • Start date Start date Apr 27, 2008
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

Pearl02

Member
Nov 27, 2004
496
0
16
Kansas City
Apr 27, 2008
#1
  • Apr 27, 2008
  • #1
I just read a article on Yahoo about the best and worst used cars to buy. the survey was done between 98 up to 2007 used cars. No ford vehicles was on any list. I guess that's good. Chevy,GM and Pontiac had alot of vehicles that made the worst list. Poor GM. Pearl02.
 

DBMSTNG

I fantasize about it being BIG!
Founding Member
Apr 23, 2002
2,120
0
56
not quite here
Apr 27, 2008
#2
  • Apr 27, 2008
  • #2
i'm sure cavaliers and sunfires were on that list for worst used cars. they are major p.o.s.'s
 
S

SilverBullet00

New Member
Jul 5, 2004
1,150
0
0
Wichita, KS
Apr 27, 2008
#3
  • Apr 27, 2008
  • #3
I have had horrible luck with Pontiac's.. I don't think I could ever buy one...
 

Pearl02

Member
Nov 27, 2004
496
0
16
Kansas City
Apr 27, 2008
#4
  • Apr 27, 2008
  • #4
DBMSTNG said:
i'm sure cavaliers and sunfires were on that list for worst used cars. they are major p.o.s.'s
Click to expand...

They didn't make the list. Pearl02.
 

40th GT

New Member
Apr 7, 2004
916
0
0
Lawrenceville, GA
Apr 27, 2008
#5
  • Apr 27, 2008
  • #5
Pearl02 said:
No ford vehicles was on any list.
Click to expand...
yay
 

deftsound

Please ask me how much my supercharger cost
Apr 6, 2004
945
1
39
Texas City TX
Apr 27, 2008
#6
  • Apr 27, 2008
  • #6
gm FTL
 

Spro

New Member
Nov 3, 2007
73
0
0
IL
Apr 27, 2008
#7
  • Apr 27, 2008
  • #7
View attachment 319896
 

LaserSVT

Got FB banned again for saying nards
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
9,391
3,538
233
Apr 27, 2008
#8
  • Apr 27, 2008
  • #8
 

Flghtmstr1

Member
Mar 31, 2005
572
4
19
Springfield, PA
Apr 27, 2008
#9
  • Apr 27, 2008
  • #9
I thought I remembered the Mustang making the list a couple of years ago.

EDIT: for best, not worst
 

Mike97gt

it doe snot
Founding Member
Jan 26, 1999
10,633
7
89
the people's republic of massachusetts
Apr 27, 2008
#10
  • Apr 27, 2008
  • #10
Flghtmstr1 said:
I thought I remembered the Mustang making the list a couple of years ago.

EDIT: for best, not worst
Click to expand...

I am not surprised... The mustang is very reliable for what it is.. another ford to look at for relability is the fusion, We have sold a ton of these things and have a bunch of them in our rental fleet and have not had any issues with them..

In two years that the fusion has been out i can count the amount of cars that came into my dealer for non maintence work on one hand...

one of them was mine ( creaking noise from passenger seat) and another one had a module problem.. I am sure some other came in that I did not see or came in on my off days but thats still impressive

Only issues I have seen with the 2005+ mustang is SJB ( smart junction box) issues and some cars with a knocking noise in the right front

BTW our warranty work at my dealer are down 80+ percent since 2000 some of that is that ford is selling fewer cars and trucks but much of that is a big drop in warranty claims per unit.

two fords i would stay away or have checked out really well are...

1. Windstars... Stay AWAY far AWAY, many problems, the P/S pump and rack fail on just about all of them, electrical problems and the earlier models 95-98 had head gasket issue, transmission issues on 95-2001

2. 02-04 explorer... Rear wheel bearings fail often, rear springs break.. Also front wheel bearings fail quite a bit, transmission issues, rear axle seals, 4x4 control module issues.. really poor e-brake design that is prone to failure and expensive repairs. New explorers are fine but these three model years have had some problems..
 

40th GT

New Member
Apr 7, 2004
916
0
0
Lawrenceville, GA
Apr 27, 2008
#11
  • Apr 27, 2008
  • #11
svttech76 said:
1. Windstars... Stay AWAY far AWAY, many problems, the P/S pump and rack fail on just about all of them, electrical problems and the earlier models 95-98 had head gasket issue, transmission issues on 95-2001

2. 02-04 explorer... Rear wheel bearings fail often, rear springs break.. Also front wheel bearings fail quite a bit, transmission issues, rear axle seals, 4x4 control module issues.. really poor e-brake design that is prone to failure and expensive repairs. New explorers are fine but these three model years have had some problems..
Click to expand...
Ouch. Now these are the reasons why people make up ugly acronyms for Ford.
 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2004
1,865
24
58
Apr 27, 2008
#12
  • Apr 27, 2008
  • #12
Older Explorers seem to be tanks.

Specifically the OHV 4.0's backed by the 4 speed auto. Not as smooth as the SOHC 4.0, but it has more down low grunt thanks to being a pushrod motor.

The SOHC 4.0's had that nasty timing chain tensioner issue, and those 5 speeds seemed more problematic than the 4 speed prior to them.
 

Mike97gt

it doe snot
Founding Member
Jan 26, 1999
10,633
7
89
the people's republic of massachusetts
Apr 28, 2008
#13
  • Apr 28, 2008
  • #13
40th GT said:
Ouch. Now these are the reasons why people make up ugly acronyms for Ford.
Click to expand...

true.. but all makes have good and bad models..

Other than the transmission issues with the 02-04 explorer the other stuff is somewhat minor.. Now the windbag thats just a hunk of trash..

BurningRubber said:
Older Explorers seem to be tanks.

Specifically the OHV 4.0's backed by the 4 speed auto. Not as smooth as the SOHC 4.0, but it has more down low grunt thanks to being a pushrod motor.

The SOHC 4.0's had that nasty timing chain tensioner issue, and those 5 speeds seemed more problematic than the 4 speed prior to them.
Click to expand...

they fixed the timming chain tensioner issues in 2001 the newer models have a redeigned chain guide and tensioner and I have not seen any fail. The 4.0's in general will run forever if they are not run out of oil..

the 5r55's have had quite a few issues (except for the s197 mustangs they seem to be fine in that car) but it has been replaced now by a totaly different 6 speed auto ( in explorers) that seems good so far..

BTW a new series of 6 speed transmissions for the rest of the trucks ( including superduty) will be out next year..
 
B

bdcardinal

tree hugger
Jun 10, 2003
3,612
16
69
santa barbara, CA
Apr 28, 2008
#14
  • Apr 28, 2008
  • #14
svttech, how many 6.0s do you guys do? thats the biggest warranty one right there for us, as we do a lot. also the 6 lug front rotors on the 04+ 2wd F150s warp too easy.
 

nine2oneGT

Member
Apr 13, 2008
94
2
9
Austin, TX
Apr 30, 2008
#15
  • Apr 30, 2008
  • #15
you wanna talk about the worst car... dodge neon
 

04DarkShadowGT

Member
Jan 31, 2004
474
0
17
Fort Wayne, IN
Apr 30, 2008
#16
  • Apr 30, 2008
  • #16
I think the Pontiac G6 was on the worst list I read somewhere. My wife drives one, its not bad but I wouldnt buy one unless it was cheap.
 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2004
1,865
24
58
Apr 30, 2008
#17
  • Apr 30, 2008
  • #17
svttech76 said:
true.. but all makes have good and bad models..

Other than the transmission issues with the 02-04 explorer the other stuff is somewhat minor.. Now the windbag thats just a hunk of trash..



they fixed the timming chain tensioner issues in 2001 the newer models have a redeigned chain guide and tensioner and I have not seen any fail. The 4.0's in general will run forever if they are not run out of oil..

the 5r55's have had quite a few issues (except for the s197 mustangs they seem to be fine in that car) but it has been replaced now by a totaly different 6 speed auto ( in explorers) that seems good so far..

BTW a new series of 6 speed transmissions for the rest of the trucks ( including superduty) will be out next year..
Click to expand...



Windbag...



Thats good to know they fixed the timing chain issue in 07. We had a 97, but it got fixed a few years back.

It also had an issue with the tranny, but I cant remember exaclty what it was off the top of my head. All I remember about it is the dealer pulled the engine to fix it.

6 speed auto will be sweet.
 

BEASTang96

New Member
Apr 28, 2008
20
0
0
wichita, ks
May 4, 2008
#18
  • May 4, 2008
  • #18
just great! now i find that i have a lot to look forward to with my 02 windstar that we've had for 2 years. we havent had any troubles yet so just maybe we got one of the good ones.
 

danongentry

New Member
Apr 20, 2008
0
0
0
Denton, TX
May 7, 2008
#19
  • May 7, 2008
  • #19
I'm surprised the list wasn't made up entirely of Chryslers. My wife had a 99 concorde for about a year, then I noticed some white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. Then the oil started to get nice and milky. SOOOO I traded that piece in for a 98 mustang gt. Seems like every chrysler I've seen since then has had the same white smoke coming from their exhaust. Really wouldn't surprise me if it was a company wide problem....if Daimler's German engineers can't manage to make Chrysler vehicles work better, then Chrysler is F-U-C-T.
 
H

hskrs10

Member
Dec 21, 2004
35
1
6
Nebraska
May 7, 2008
#20
  • May 7, 2008
  • #20
I'm sure in a few years that list will have the Fusion on it. "as one of the best" I seen on yahoo it was the best new car for under 25K. I have a new 08 and one of the best new cars i've owned.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

0
V6 to V8 Swap info
  • 02_2v_Curtis
  • Jan 11, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
733
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jan 11, 2026
02_2v_Curtis
0
Chevy Equinox- Devil in Disguise?
  • RaggedGT
  • Apr 19, 2025
  • Other Auto Tech
Replies
18
Views
676
Other Auto Tech Jul 31, 2025
RaggedGT
S
Requesting Guidance for 306 motor swap - Fuel? - SD? MAF?
  • So_Flo
  • Jul 26, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
32
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 4, 2026
Mcmahst
For Sale 94 Cobra 408w AOD Project For Sale
  • Labora
  • Oct 11, 2024
  • SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04)
Replies
1
Views
1K
SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04) Apr 7, 2025
Labora
Place to Avoid: Jamison Auto Group in Gulfport, MS
  • D Durden
  • Oct 20, 2025
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
46
Views
3K
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jul 16, 2026
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?