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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

How long can it run?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DKVL
  • Start date Start date Dec 15, 2008
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DKVL

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Oct 12, 2008
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#1
  • Dec 15, 2008
  • #1
How long can a 2002 GT run with proper care and maintenance?

I am asking this because personally, I don't think Ford quality is as bad as people out there make it to be. Ok, so it has some minor annoying issues, but other than that mine seem to run pretty well.

I have 29,000 miles on my Gt and i was wondering, what is a good estimate on it's life expectancy?

From 2002 to September of 2008 the GT put on an average of 4000 miles per year.
From September of 2008 until present, I have put on 6000 miles already.

Any thoughts?



I was wondering how my mustang gt compares to a 350Z that I use to have but totaled by my idiot of a cousin.
 

98COBRA281

10 Year Member
Nov 24, 2007
1,348
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Port St. Lucie, Florida
Dec 15, 2008
#2
  • Dec 15, 2008
  • #2
well over 200K miles if maintained well, 4.6's are very reliable motors.....
 

02nightmaregt

To hell with your Mustang, I want to see your HOG!
Jul 1, 2007
513
4
19
Southern Indiana
Dec 15, 2008
#3
  • Dec 15, 2008
  • #3
+1 they will last just as long if not longer than any import if taken care of and regular maintenance is done.
 
P

PAzYearazzUP

Banned
Dec 12, 2008
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Dec 15, 2008
#4
  • Dec 15, 2008
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Key to longevity are super clean oil and air cleaners. That means a lot of oil filter and oil changes. That means cut the air cleaner in half if not in 3rds as in what the owner's manual recommends is cut a lot of that dirty suspension out of the wear factor is all you are looking at.

Rings and cylinder walls will score lines with the up and down of debris caught in between the skirts is that dirty oil and then the microns in the air is cut that wall is smoke and all that crap crushing down on the valve faces.

Say, if you could steam clean the carbon out of the cylinder/piston, that carbon also blows down the cylinders and builds up on every stroke is times 8.
 

IIGood

Founding Member
Aug 1, 1998
4,252
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Dec 15, 2008
#5
  • Dec 15, 2008
  • #5
All it takes is proper maintenance. With *any* car. I'd guess too many "average drivers" don't properly maintain their vehicle (they view going in for a simple oil change as a big hassle), then when something major does go wrong, they suddenly attribute that to the "poor quality" of the car rather than realizing their failure to prevent the issues beforehand.

I've had my 2003 GT since new. The oil's been changed religiously, the air filter's gotten the proper attention, and all other fluids and filters have been changed as necessary. The only thing I haven't done yet is the spark plugs and PCV valve. The car has 94,400 miles on it and still runs like new. I plan on seeing this thing well into the 6-digits.
 

fast97gt

Active Member
Jan 2, 2007
1,082
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north carolina
Dec 15, 2008
#6
  • Dec 15, 2008
  • #6
ive got 175,000 on my stock npi motor and still running strong. so i really dont think how hard you run it is the cause of breaking, over revving it (bouncing it off the rev limiter is something to avoid). but im with the other guys, you have to make maintaining these engines as regular as...well you know.
 

eliteJAE

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May 29, 2007
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Dec 15, 2008
#7
  • Dec 15, 2008
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just look at all the crown vic cop cars and taxi cabs running around with 200k miles+
 
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DKVL

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Oct 12, 2008
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Dec 16, 2008
#8
  • Dec 16, 2008
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Thank you all.

How often do you guys think transmission fush and radiator flush should be done?
 

the98stang

Active Member
Aug 12, 2005
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Clovis, CA
Dec 16, 2008
#9
  • Dec 16, 2008
  • #9
DKVL said:
Thank you all.

How often do you guys think transmission fush and radiator flush should be done?
Click to expand...

tranny 30-35k same as the coolant flsuh
 

mogs01gt

Founding Member
Jul 22, 2002
3,113
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Ohio
Dec 16, 2008
#10
  • Dec 16, 2008
  • #10
DKVL said:
How long can a 2002 GT run with proper care and maintenance?
I am asking this because personally, I don't think Ford quality is as bad as people out there make it to be. Ok, so it has some minor annoying issues, but other than that mine seem to run pretty well.
I have 29,000 miles on my Gt and i was wondering, what is a good estimate on it's life expectancy?
From 2002 to September of 2008 the GT put on an average of 4000 miles per year.
From September of 2008 until present, I have put on 6000 miles already.
Any thoughts?
I was wondering how my mustang gt compares to a 350Z that I use to have but totaled by my idiot of a cousin.
Click to expand...
In 2004, the Mustang GT was voted the most reliable American car. 4.6 can go in the 200k range without ever having to remove the cam covers.
 
G

GettinThere

Member
Jul 29, 2005
553
1
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Central Texas
Dec 16, 2008
#11
  • Dec 16, 2008
  • #11
IIGood said:
All it takes is proper maintenance.
Click to expand...

+1

I would add that it's not a good idea to hammer on your car before the engine/coolant temps have warmed up.
 

Mustang92

SN's #1 1%er
Jun 6, 2001
6,467
2
79
South Florida
Dec 16, 2008
#12
  • Dec 16, 2008
  • #12
eliteJAE said:
just look at all the crown vic cop cars and taxi cabs running around with 200k miles+
Click to expand...

The taxi's down here usually have 370-410k miles on them before they hit the junkyard.

Bill
 

d98gt

Founding Member
Mar 14, 2002
4,505
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204
SE Texas
Dec 16, 2008
#13
  • Dec 16, 2008
  • #13
I had over 175k miles with a few hundred track passes on the car before I broke something. I honestly think that if I wouldn't had changed cams, that my car would still be rolling around today with 200+ miles

However--upgrading with high miles and taking short cuts will get you
 

cobra2798

New Member
Mar 30, 2005
303
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Clermont, Florida
Dec 16, 2008
#14
  • Dec 16, 2008
  • #14
A couple of cars here with 175k, mine just turned 75k today so I guess I have at least another 100k to look forward to
 

Slow35th

New Member
Dec 14, 2008
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Dec 16, 2008
#15
  • Dec 16, 2008
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137k on mine.
 
2

2000GTdriver

Member
May 27, 2004
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Mile High City, Colorado
Dec 16, 2008
#16
  • Dec 16, 2008
  • #16
Just don't let your cousin drive it...
 
G

GettinThere

Member
Jul 29, 2005
553
1
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Central Texas
Dec 16, 2008
#17
  • Dec 16, 2008
  • #17
cobra2798 said:
A couple of cars here with 175k, mine just turned 75k today so I guess I have at least another 100k to look forward to
Click to expand...

I only average about 8500 miles per year. So when I turn 100k miles (in about 5 years), my car will be 12 years old.

When my car is 20 years old, it will probably still be running strong (knock on wood). No car payments for the next 12 years...

 

fast97gt

Active Member
Jan 2, 2007
1,082
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49
north carolina
Dec 16, 2008
#18
  • Dec 16, 2008
  • #18
2000GTdriver said:
Just don't let your cousin drive it...
Click to expand...

haha haha haha hahaha
 
D

DKVL

New Member
Oct 12, 2008
113
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Dec 16, 2008
#19
  • Dec 16, 2008
  • #19
2000GTdriver said:
Just don't let your cousin drive it...
Click to expand...

That is for sure!
 

Skidawg

Member
Nov 11, 2003
104
0
16
Dec 16, 2008
#20
  • Dec 16, 2008
  • #20
If the car isn't heavily weathered, and is maintained well, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't make it beyond 200k.
 
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