Dependability/Durability of the 3.8?

mac16

Member

Sep 9, 2004

51

2

8

Nov 15, 2004

#1

• Nov 15, 2004

• #1

Hey I was just curious about how storng these little engines are. My friend wants to sell his civic to get one and I couldnt really tell him anything about the v6's because Ive never really heard much about them. Basically with proper care and good maintence what kind of life can these engines get out of them? Also the newer ones are about 200 hp correct? ANy 0-60, 1/4 etc..? Alright thanks.

 

stangin99

Founding Member

Jul 25, 2002

393

0

17

Hackettstown, NJ/ Rochester, NY

Nov 16, 2004

#2

• Nov 16, 2004

• #2

mac16 said:

Hey I was just curious about how storng these little engines are. My friend wants to sell his civic to get one and I couldnt really tell him anything about the v6's because Ive never really heard much about them. Basically with proper care and good maintence what kind of life can these engines get out of them? Also the newer ones are about 200 hp correct? ANy 0-60, 1/4 etc..? Alright thanks.

Click to expand...

mine has 80k on it, I got it with 20k.

I've beaten on it since day one almost. Had to learn to drive with it but after that it's been my daily driver/racer ever since.

I have 100 timeslips too. And the car still starts everytime, warm or cold, and has no signs of dieing yet (knock on wood).

 

98_stang_guy

New Member

Apr 17, 2003

121

0

0

Wisconsin

Nov 16, 2004

#3

• Nov 16, 2004

• #3

they are alright cars, not really really really tough engines, but they arent really really really weak ones either.

 

mac16

Member

Sep 9, 2004

51

2

8

Nov 16, 2004

#4

• Nov 16, 2004

• #4

how would you say they are compared to say a RS Camaro of similar newer years, doesnt have to be an RS just a v6 camaro compared to the v6 mustangs. Mostly newer years 1997+

 

DraftHorsePower

New Member

Nov 11, 2004

33

0

0

Sun Valley, Idaho

Nov 17, 2004

#5

• Nov 17, 2004

• #5

my '99 has 170,000 miles on it, and i have not done a damn thing to it in the way of matinence besides oil changes (and only every 5,000 miles cuz' i'm weird like that and don't think it needs them sooner), it got a new engine fan at one point, and a tune up at 100k, but it has NEVER broken down or not started right up. so yeah, i think they're super reliable!

 

Ghostalker

Member

Jul 5, 2003

184

0

16

Danbury, CT

Nov 17, 2004

#6

• Nov 17, 2004

• #6

As compared to the camaros V6... i dont know personally, but have heard that their V6 is disapointing compared to ours... dont fear!

 

J

jefferz

Member

Oct 21, 2004

110

1

19

Spokane, WA

Nov 19, 2004

#7

• Nov 19, 2004

• #7

My 1995 Stang has 217,000 Miles on the Same 3.8 V6. The only repair we have had was a new clutch about 100,000 miles ago. Everything is running fine still.

 

RED98

Member

May 22, 2004

0

1

6

People's Republic of Oregon

Nov 27, 2004

#8

• Nov 27, 2004

• #8

My '98 has 85,000 miles, driven daily, city and highway. Still runs like new. In fact, it runs better than some brand new cars I have driven. Never leaked a drop of oil, never failed to start or even started slow on a cold morning.. fires right up! It sounds and feels like a new car still.. idles at about 700 rpm or so, and sometimes the idle is so quiet and smooth I seriously have to look at the tach to make sure the car's still running. I figure it will easily make it to 100,000, and who knows how long after that. When/if it finally dies, I want to get a new V-6 from a 1999-2004 put in because it has 40 more horsepower. Most reliable engine I have EVER had by far, and I owned an Accord once! Ford has had a lot of experience with these engines in the Taurus and older T-Bird before the 3.8 went into the Mustang, so they know how to make them right. At least, they did with mine!

 

S

sheoncehadme

New Member

Jun 2, 2001

19

0

0

Dec 1, 2004

#9

• Dec 1, 2004

• #9

My '98 has 115k on it, runs like a dream. Regular oil changes (well i know for sure since i have owned it since '01) the only problem im having with it right now is some missing, i may have to break down and buy new plug wires and plugs. just to factor that out of the equation. im really thinking its either an 02 sensor thats bad (but at $75 a sensor and there are four, its an expensive route to go) or possibly a vaccuum leak somewhere.... otherwise.. engine runs perfect, ive never had any "major" problems

 

S

SpectorV

Founding Member

Sep 3, 2000

1,872

0

36

Florence, Alabama

Dec 1, 2004

#10

• Dec 1, 2004

• #10

the 94 - mid 96 have head gasket issues so before you buy check and make sure they have had the recall performed (or tsb what ever)

the 99-00 had a pcv oil sucking issue but was fixed in 01 its not very bad... just something thats out there and can foul plugs... basically if it aint happend on the used car yet it probably wont... just pull the back two plugs if they look good your fine.

If you change the oil and coolant and all that stuff like you should the motor will go to 100-150k miles. A rebuild is VERY cheap.... it like a 5.0 you can grab a motor ANYWHERE. You can buy a new motor for the car (well barly used) for 800 bucks.... same for tranny.