Contemplating purchase of an 02 v6.

uzukiel · Dec 28, 2006

Hey guys. I used to lurk around the 5.0 forums...used to drive a 95 gt that I totalled in my immaturity. Got wiser, got married, settled down a bit, and now it's three years later and I've got an opportunity to buy a "new" stang.

The car is (obviously) a 2002 v6 coupe, with an automatic. I haven't driven it, yet, but the car is very clean. It's white w/ tan cloth interior, no scratches on the interior that I could see, and not even door dings outside. The kicker is this: It's got about 78000 miles on it and the dealer wants $8000. I know this is a little high...but what is an "average" used dealer price for a v6 stang w/ almost 80k on it?

I was just wondering how reliable the v6 stangs are. I'm pretty sure the 3.8 is pretty reliable...Ford's had it around long enough to perfect it. What about the tranny, rear-end, lights, power steering...etc?

Also, two critical questions: My wife and I don't have kids (yet), but we are looking forward to having one soon, and I was wondering if it's possible, not convenient, or even easy...just possible to fit a car seat back there. The other is, how feasible is it to expect to drive this car in the snow w/ a good set of snow tires on all four corners and some sandbags in the trunk?

I appreciate your feedback.

Josh

raz54 · Dec 28, 2006

The 3.8 has been around a long time and if maintained it's a very good engine. Can't say I would pay $8,000.00 for a car with that high of mileage myself though. I just bought a 2004 Mustang with the 3.9 V6 and only 23000 miles and paid $12,000.00 (out the door from a dealer) for it so that might help you decide.

02ponypackage · Dec 28, 2006

n/m the dealer buy my car instead...7000miles less and looks a lot better...not to mention runs perfect

Give Me TP · Dec 28, 2006

uzukiel said:
Hey guys. I used to lurk around the 5.0 forums...used to drive a 95 gt that I totalled in my immaturity. Got wiser, got married, settled down a bit, and now it's three years later and I've got an opportunity to buy a "new" stang.

The car is (obviously) a 2002 v6 coupe, with an automatic. I haven't driven it, yet, but the car is very clean. It's white w/ tan cloth interior, no scratches on the interior that I could see, and not even door dings outside. The kicker is this: It's got about 78000 miles on it and the dealer wants $8000. I know this is a little high...but what is an "average" used dealer price for a v6 stang w/ almost 80k on it?

I was just wondering how reliable the v6 stangs are. I'm pretty sure the 3.8 is pretty reliable...Ford's had it around long enough to perfect it. What about the tranny, rear-end, lights, power steering...etc?

Also, two critical questions: My wife and I don't have kids (yet), but we are looking forward to having one soon, and I was wondering if it's possible, not convenient, or even easy...just possible to fit a car seat back there. The other is, how feasible is it to expect to drive this car in the snow w/ a good set of snow tires on all four corners and some sandbags in the trunk?

I appreciate your feedback.

Josh

A grown person can fit back there, so a car seat should pose no problem. As far as driving in snow, a T-Lok or similar limited-slip differential would help, since the car comes stock with an open (one wheel drive) differential.

uzukiel · Dec 28, 2006

Thanks for the input.

How much would it cost to put a t-lok in? How hard is the swap to do yourself?

Anyone have experience driving them in the snow? With or without the aftermarket differential.

Give Me TP · Dec 28, 2006

The part new costs about $170 and runs about $200 - $250 to install. If you're thinking about changing the rear gears from the stock 3.27's, that would be the time to do it since the installation cost will be the same regardless of what gears you use. Unless you have some experience with gear changes and have access to all the required tools, I would not recommend attempting the job yourself.

I've driven a 2001 GT and a 2004 V6 in snow/ice and they perform fair at best. The GT seemed a little better than the V6, maybe because it is equipped with a electronic traction control feature from the factory that the V6 is not. Both had OEM Ford T-Lok differentials by the way.

raz54 · Dec 28, 2006

Some 04 V6 models do have electronic traction lock already. If this car has it it will be a switch in front of the shifter next to the rear window defroster. If it has it it should do OK in snow.

RED98 · Dec 28, 2006

I have a couple of nephews ages 2 and 3, so I know from experience that a child seat will fit back there. Don't buy that one for 8 grand; that's too much. The 3.8 is reliable; mine is at 109,000 with no problems from the engine or transmission. BUT.... why get a V6? I have said this on Stangnet many times before.. the 99-04 4.6 gets almost as good MPG as the 3.8, and is a heck of a lot more fun. I know for a fact you can get one for $8000; I have seen them advertised for less than that. If I wasn't buried with credit card debt I'd get one myself.

ChingonStang · Dec 29, 2006

My 04 Vert I bought last March had 21k miles on it. Paid 14k for it and wondered if I could get a car seat back there and a person in the front seat after I bought it.. Even in a vert I can, so you should be good to go. It will just be awkward putting the child in and out. My daughter is old enough where she can climb in and out without my assistance.

'66 coupe · Dec 29, 2006

I got $9k from the other driver's insurance for my '01 V6 Auto w/ 81k miles back in August. So considering that's a dealer's asking price, it seems right on.

I bought it when it was 1-yr old w/ 32K for $12k.

FYI - If it's a base car(cloth interior, 15" rims) but has an automatic and maybe spoiler as the only two options. It could be a former rental(actually more than likely WAS). Just run a carfax and see if the first lease was for only a year(it won't say "rental" outright).
Not that this is necessarily a bad thing. My '01 was a former Budget car(ran carfax AND found a business card under the backseat) and it ran strong to 81k and only needed routine maintenance. And I beat on that car like I was renting it. The only thing that stopped it was a damn Toyota Camry driver.

I do like the 5.0 better. Have you considered going back? lol

02ponypackage · Dec 29, 2006

people cant get it through their head...reason why people may not buy the V8's is because of money issues...wether they can afford the car or not you forget theres something called insurance...and those extra cylinders means extra money and pending where you live that can make a Huuuuuuuuuuge difference in payment from a V6 and V8

RED98 · Dec 29, 2006

Not always.. I have asked my insurance agent (State Farm) for a quote on a '98 Cobra, with full coverage and a low $250 deductable. The rate they quoted me was only $20 higher than what I am paying for my V6. So, yes, the insurance is a little higher, and the fuel economy is a little lower, but not enough to rule out buying the car. If only... I weren't so deep in debt, I would have done it a long time ago. But, yes, is does depend on where you live. I'd ask your insurance agent what the rates would be on a 99-00 GT; you may be surprised.

02ponypackage · Dec 29, 2006

Age is also a factor...im 19 in FL with a 280month on a 02 V6 full coverage........my friends 96Mystic Cobra under his moms name is 450 a month full coverage...I agree mine is high on a V6 but being under my name and in FL where the racing happens and young kids aloways dying from having quick cars and not using their heads its pretty high for me...I was paying 120 when it was under my moms name

'66 coupe · Dec 29, 2006

02ponypackage said:
people cant get it through their head...reason why people may not buy the V8's is because of money issues...

LOL...I used to have a V6 so calm down, jr. Don't get all defensive just because a V8 was mentioned.

Age is also a factor...im 19 in FL with a 280month on a 02 V6 full coverage........my friends 96Mystic Cobra under his moms name is 450 a month full coverage...I agree mine is high on a V6 but being under my name and in FL where the racing happens and young kids aloways dying from having quick cars and not using their heads its pretty high for me...I was paying 120 when it was under my moms name

Something is wrong with your friend's family. The difference in price shouldn't be that much. Do you know his deductable? His family's driving records? Do they own the car or does the bank? All these things can affect your insurance rates. So unless you're planning on going in on their policy, don't use it as a guide for what you'd be paying;everybody's different.
Like RED98 said, actually ask your agent; don't just assume.

I'm 22 in Fl. and my agent said a '94-'98 GT would be less than I was paying on the '01 V6. Convertible or Cobra was only like $10 more every 6 months. A Cobra Convertible would've been a bit more.

My gas mileage wasn't much better in the V6 either. Only big difference was on highway driving.

I do think it's funny that I was just wondering if he though about going back to a 5.0 and it started all this crap. He didn't even get to chime in yet.

cradicg · Dec 29, 2006

Another two cents on insurance...

RED98 said:
Not always.. I have asked my insurance agent (State Farm) for a quote on a '98 Cobra, with full coverage and a low $250 deductable. The rate they quoted me was only $20 higher than what I am paying for my V6. So, yes, the insurance is a little higher, and the fuel economy is a little lower, but not enough to rule out buying the car. If only... I weren't so deep in debt, I would have done it a long time ago. But, yes, is does depend on where you live. I'd ask your insurance agent what the rates would be on a 99-00 GT; you may be surprised.

I was dumb-founded when USAA told me that my 1997 SOHC Neon was going to cost $20.00 more per six months than my 1999 Cobra (excact same coverage on both). If I didn't want to drive my Cobra in the snow, the 4 banger wouldn't even be worth it. According to USAA, cars have a VIR (vehicle injury rating) and the Cobra is much safer than a neon. Since the the V6 and the V8 are similar platforms, rates for good drivers may not be that far apart. Just my two cents.

V6muscle00 · Dec 29, 2006

Jersey insurance sucks.. im 17, on my moms insurance and im payin 200 a month. if i had a gt from the same year as my car id be payin more than double that.. 5gs a year. also imo if u dont have the money to work on a 5.0 or even a 4.6 from 94-98 dont bother buyin it because they're underpowered. a gt from 99-04 is another story tho and yes they probably get the same gas mileage as me.. 16 mpg

RED98 · Dec 29, 2006

cradicg said:
Since the the V6 and the V8 are similar platforms, rates for good drivers may not be that far apart. Just my two cents.

There ya go, that's what I was talking about. Maybe that explains why, at age 21, I went from a '91 Escort GT to an '88 Mustang GT, and my rates went DOWN, not up. My jaw was on the floor, but I just signed the line and bolted out the door before the agent changed his mind.

'66 coupe · Dec 29, 2006

V6muscle00 said:
also imo if u dont have the money to work on a 5.0 or even a 4.6 from 94-98 dont bother buyin it because they're underpowered. a gt from 99-04 is another story tho

LOL

4.6's cost more than 5.0's to work on. Both respond to bolt-ons better than V6es.

As for '99-'04 GT being the only ones to be worth it, those cars are in a totally different price range. If you're saying that it's not worth it to get a '94-'98 GT, then you better agree that a V6 is not worth it. Especially because my '95 GT 'vert was only a little more than half the money the insurance gave me for my '01 V6, and is just as reliable and faster.

But unless you get an '02+ GT(or '01 Bullitt) you'll still be putting money into the engine; $300-$1000 to fix that little plastic coolant crossover problem. That's if you get it before it can hydrolock the engine.

I think it's funny that people think older Fords are unreliable or something. I drove my '66 everyday in from 2000-2002 without a problem. There's a kid in the '94-'95 forums that has 200k+ on his GT with no problems, and several more over 150k. Then there's this guy: http://www.prdomain.com/companies/F/FordMotor/newsreleases/20069735434.htm
If you all think Ford is so unreliable, why don't you go join a Toyota forum or something?

'66 coupe · Dec 29, 2006

V6muscle00 said:
Jersey insurance sucks.. im 17, on my moms insurance and im payin 200 a month. if i had a gt from the same year as my car id be payin more than double that.. 5gs a year.

Is that what they qouted you?

When I got my '01 my dad's agent said it would be $1,100 every six months for me to be on the '01. The agent told my dad to keep me on the '66 at $600/6 months, and just added the '01 to the family policy for $300/6 months. If I had a claim while I was in it, I was still good for being on the policy.
If I had gotten a GT then, it wouldn't have mattered much either. But my dad never asked until we got the V6.

Moral of the story, buy a classic Mustang and save $600 a year. LOL

232Mustang95 · Jan 7, 2007

V6muscle00 said:
Jersey insurance sucks.. im 17, on my moms insurance and im payin 200 a month. if i had a gt from the same year as my car id be payin more than double that.. 5gs a year. also imo if u dont have the money to work on a 5.0 or even a 4.6 from 94-98 dont bother buyin it because they're underpowered. a gt from 99-04 is another story tho and yes they probably get the same gas mileage as me.. 16 mpg

Strangely enough it's the 94-98 engine that puts out the most power when modded.
If you go to www.v6power.net you'll see about all of the +500hp V6's got the 94-98 engine

Contemplating purchase of an 02 v6.

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