I got a free Mustang from Grandma

[GrannysMustang]

Hi. I got a 1998 Mustang V6 automatic for free from Grandma.

She can't drive anymore. Grandpa said if I can get it back up and running I can have it. It was parked in their garage for 20 years. It has 200k highway miles. The interior is immaculate. Outside has some dents and scratches but the paint and clear coat still looks good. So I got to work.

Since it was parked for 20 years I thought it was going to have a seized engine but engine turned fine. Of course it didn't start. I replaced the battery, gas tank, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel injectors, spark plugs, air filter, alternator, brakes and rotors. I did an engine oil, transmission and differential fluid change. I restored the headlights and tinted the windows. It passed smog. Its registered, and runs good now.

The struts/shocks are leaking and all bushings are cracked. Valve cover and pcv are leaking. Cooling system is rusty like nobody's business. So I'm here to learn as much as possible to maintain this car another 200k miles.

I bring the mustang every time I visit Grandma and Grandpa. I normally drive my truck so grandpa says " Don't feel like you have to keep it. You can sell it. It won't hurt my feelings" I know he loves seeing it run again.

Even though I have a truck, I drive it to work everyday. I couldn't be happier.

 

[Noobz347]

Those are nice little cars man. Fun to drive even with the V6.

I'd put new wheels, tires, shocks, bushings and a tune-up on it and press on with pride.

Where you are, you can drive it year round.


Buy a code reader. Make sure it works for [that] car. Pretty cheap on Amazon. I'm not a fan of the ones with BT to the phone. Get a [real] one that interfaces with the anti-lock brake system too.

 

[Noobz347]

Option 4: Keep it till it dies and do a V8 Swap with a manual trans.

 

[LILCBRA]

Congrats! Looks like a well kept car - I'd look into keeping it and making it your own as long as you're able.

 

[rednotch]

Clean for the year, drive it and swap it later.. I'd do coyote swap from a totaled car since its commiefornia and smogs a bitch.

 

[DadLife0724]

That's a sweet looking ride man. I'm with the other guys. Keep it, run it till the v6 takes a , then swap it. I had a 98 v6 5spd. Was fun as hell and reliable to boot. They make great going to town rigs.

 

[General karthief]

Ok, go find a comparable mustang, or what someone claims is comparable, you buy it, find that it's not that close because of hidden work/repairs that may or may not be well done.....
Here you have a mustang you're familiar with and it is as stated in a known 'condition '
Keep it,.drive the wheels off it, survivors, even the V6 kind are hard to find not all wack from shoddy repairs.
JMO.

 

[gkomo]

Thats a clean stang. Would be a great commuter car as you said its currently fulfilling that duty.

 

[GrannysMustang]

Option 4: Keep it till it dies and do a V8 Swap with a manual trans.

I'm liking option 4. I agree with driving it until the engine gives out then do a v8 and manual swap. I think Grandpa had already swapped the GT wheels on it to.

 

[GrannysMustang]

Ok, go find a comparable mustang, or what someone claims is comparable, you buy it, find that it's not that close because of hidden work/repairs that may or may not be well done.....
Here you have a mustang you're familiar with and it is as stated in a known 'condition '
Keep it,.drive the wheels off it, survivors, even the V6 kind are hard to find not all wack from shoddy repairs.
JMO.

How much do you think this mustang in this condition would go for? I'm just curious. I'm not going to sell it.

 

[Noobz347]

How much do you think this mustang in this condition would go for? I'm just curious. I'm not going to sell it.

Pretty much whatever the NADA guide tells you give or take.

 

[Warhorse Racing]

I'm a big fan of 94-04 3.8L Mustangs. There are ways to make the 3.8L V6 more powerful and reliable (and fun). As I was looking for my next project, I created a list of performance parts for 94-98 V6 Mustangs. If you plan to modify the V6, I'd be happy to share that list. And, if you plan to upgrade the suspension, I have a lot of experience making these cars handle better.

 

[gkomo]

I remember when i had my 98 Cobra i pulled up next to a guy in a SN95 v6 Mustang with a Procharger sticker on his window. He had his window rolled down so i asked him how much power he was making. Said 308rwhp. I thought that was impressive (a lot more than my Cobra). Obviously didn't get to chat to see what else he had done to it, if anything besides the Procharger, to get to that number.

 

[gray owl]

Hi. I got a 1998 Mustang V6 automatic for free from Grandma.

She can't drive anymore. Grandpa said if I can get it back up and running I can have it. It was parked in their garage for 20 years. It has 200k highway miles. The interior is immaculate. Outside has some dents and scratches but the paint and clear coat still looks good. So I got to work.

Since it was parked for 20 years I thought it was going to have a seized engine but engine turned fine. Of course it didn't start. I replaced the battery, gas tank, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel injectors, spark plugs, air filter, alternator, brakes and rotors. I did an engine oil, transmission and differential fluid change. I restored the headlights and tinted the windows. It passed smog. Its registered, and runs good now.

The struts/shocks are leaking and all bushings are cracked. Valve cover and pcv are leaking. Cooling system is rusty like nobody's business. So I'm here to learn as much as possible to maintain this car another 200k miles.

I bring the mustang every time I visit Grandma and Grandpa. I normally drive my truck so grandpa says " Don't feel like you have to keep it. You can sell it. It won't hurt my feelings" I know he loves seeing it run again.

Even though I have a truck, I drive it to work everyday. I couldn't be happier.

Keep it , thats a nice car. Have fun with it and make.your grand.parents happy.

 

[Realmongo]

I used to get those as a rental car all the time!