Time to sell the 'stang?

[bigsheldy]

I've got a 1996 GT with 122k on it and I need some positive reinforcement here ...I'm finally moving out of my parents house in two months and I don't know what to do with my car. I'm moving to L.A. so it's not like I need a truck or something different, I just don't want to be stuck without a car. I'll be going to school full time and I'm paying for everything else myself so money will be pretty tight. It's all paid off and it's got plenty of money into it to make me not want to sell it. I'm just concerned with the miles at this point. I can't really imagine selling it, because I've put so much time and money into it, and if I did I would just buy a newer Mustang with less miles anyway.I work at an auto parts store so I've pretty much always kept it in top shape, but how much more life can I really expect out of this car?, and if the motor does crap out how much money am I looking at to replace it or rebuild it?

 

[thomas91169]

dont trip!

i just crossed 91k on my 02 GT. if taken care off and regularly maintained and not abused, the 4.6 will last 250K+. i mean hell, look at all the crown vic cabbies, they are way up there in miles and still move strong, because they are maintained and even with the abuse they get from the driver, they run strong.

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

im going through the same deal man. Im transfering after this semester out of my parent's house and moving to proly San Deigo to go to UCSD, and i was thinking about my car too. 113k miles, so i was wiery. So I've rebuilt the tranny (mine needed it) replaced the spark plugs and wires, bought two cases of oil to take with me, got new tires and had the car ran on a scope for problems. Now it runs better than it did when i bought it w/ 89k miles (im serious here), just do preventative mainance man - you know you cant live w/ a four banger.

 

[007]

Theres A LOT to be said for not having car payments. I've finally paid off all my cars, and ITS AWESOME. I dont plan on buying another car for a long time, and I'll never buy new again.

If you can get cheap parts and maintain it yourself I say keep it. IF your motor dies then start over or if you really love it drop in a new PI motor.

 

[BurningRubber]

If its paid off dont sell it unless you find something you want MORE at a cheaper or equal price.

I doubt you will by the sounds of it. If you want to keep it dont think twice.

 

[35thGTLimited]

Dude I have 119k, I got it with 105k, and it runs like new. The only thing I've replaced is the IAC, but who hasn't heh. Anyways, these engines will last a very long time, but you gotta change the oil and don't do stupid stuff. Even in the summer, let it run a good 3 minutes before you go, like me, I listen to one full song.
Anyways, all tests and everything and you would think my car has less than 50k on it. The previous owner bought it new, had it until january of '04, sat at my local chevy dealer until I got it in february '05. He took such good care it's remarkable, the only thing not perfect, with the entire car, is the silver parts of the leather seats, where ur butt sits, that's it. This thing feels like it will last forever. I've never even heard of anyone blowing a head gasket. And to be honest, once you pass 100k, IMO, the only thing that might be at risk is the head gasket, I mean, what else can break? And for me, I drive very very perfect, I've never had to replace a clutch, in a total of about, well, over 1 million miles driven total in all my cars. That, plus I don't abuse the synchros, I can get over 200k out of this car, like I did 3 others, and I'm sure you can to. Just take care of it, don't downshift constantly, sometimes let the brake pads take the beating, they're cheap and who cares! Also, if the check engine light comes on, actually do something about it. Other than that, don't be LAZY!!! Most engine failures can be prevented, it's sad. Everytime you change your oil pay attention to what's used, if any, also watch other fluids, and most important, always run with good, clean coolant. Crappy coolant is the worst thing man, will eat up ur head gasket in no time. Btw, it's extremely easy to flush and change yourself, just takes some time, but who can't spare 3 hours on a nice day, to take care of ur baby?

 

[mransr]

I've got over 175,000 on my 2000....

still runs strong (but the rear end needs a rebuild)

 

[mity2]

i'm in different situation..

We just recently bought 07 RX-8, and while lacks less then sophisticated, yet brutal torque like that on my car, its really nice and great handling car.

And while RX-8's interior makes my mustang's interior feel like sitting in toilet seat at local micky D's, there is something about V-8 learking under not so sophisticated exterior of My Mustang. and I just love how my car looks despite of unsophisticated drivetrain and old fashoned stick axle, and shifter feel that can only be described as that of dump truck(even with shotshifter)


But driving new car makes me wonder if I'm missing something...
Cars, such as S2000, RX8, 350Z, or even GTO makes me think I'm stuck in time, while everything else is gallopping forword in time...
IRD, 6speeds, navigation, car full of electrical godget that makes it somewhat more liveable as day to day driver


And local Honda have left over Yellow S2000 for less then $30000.....
And Dealer where we got RX-8 have few 6spds LS2 GTO with huge discount left still.....

 

[Dragstr05]

i'm in different situation..

We just recently bought 07 RX-8, and while lacks less then sophisticated, yet brutal torque like that on my car, its really nice and great handling car.

And while RX-8's interior makes my mustang's interior feel like sitting in toilet seat at local micky D's, there is something about V-8 learking under not so sophisticated exterior of My Mustang. and I just love how my car looks despite of unsophisticated drivetrain and old fashoned stick axle, and shifter feel that can only be described as that of dump truck(even with shotshifter.

Working at a Mitsubishi dealer, I sometimes get this everytime I get behind of the wheel of an evo. It's not the best looking car in the world, but the steering and suspension feels lightyears ahead of the stang.

To the original poster, when I was working in the lincoln mercury shop (part of the same auto group), I saw countless VA state police cars with over 200k miles, and you know those things arent babied. I cant say the same thing for the rest of the car, but the the 4.6 is a durable engine. I'm very close to 100k on mine, and it runs very strong. Keep your car. If all fails, even a $3,500 built shortblock is cheaper than buying another car.

 

[mrvax]

Agreed. The engine will last. Other parts? Who knows. I'm keeping mine until it begins to fall apart or gets so ratty looking that it makes me sick. 97K. Save your money.

 

[scupking]

There are a lot of nice cars out there but........they don't compare to a muscle car. Sure my stang rides hard stalls once and a while, is loud and is not that comfortable to sit in but I love her. She’s all American, she’s a muscle car and she turns heads. I couldn't be happier (well actualy I will when I get a KB installed). Keep the stang because nothing means more business then when you here that
V8 coming down the road.

 

[the98stang]

These cars run FOREVER. Taxi cabs (crown vics) have the same engine and those last over 200k miles and you KNOW those cars are beaten to death. I just found a crown vic in my town for sale that had 260k original miles. The engine purred too.

 

[281CI96Coupe]

Definitely keep the 96 Bro, for one thing i know they can definitely hang with the city abuse...Just to the regular maintenence and it wont let you down!!! Even its the NPI motor its still strong as rock!

 

[RED2001GT]

I would keep the car. There's no sense in having a car payment when your car looks nice and if it runs good. Keep it until you start having major problems with it and/or until it rusts out. Then you can buy yourself a much newer Mustang.

 

[bigsheldy]

This is exactly the response I wanted haha. I figure even if it does end up taking a dump on me it won't be all at once so I'll still be able to sell it or I can just drop a newer motor in it. What year motors can I use that won't affect smog, and will I have to swap wiring harnesses/transmissions if I use a newer PI motor?

 

[007]

No. PI motor swap is no big deal at all. You can just slap PI heads on your block anytime too and have same/more power than a stock 99+.

 

[bigsheldy]

No. PI motor swap is no big deal at all. You can just slap PI heads on your block anytime too and have same/more power than a stock 99+.

yea I looked into that, but I'd still be stuck with a high mileage bottom end, and if I'm going to spend that kind of money I'd really want to just throw a whole engine in.

 

[GT98]

I'm still debating on selling mine too. 106k and I'm starting to feel nervous driving. Like something could go wrong. She drives perfectly right now (knock on wood), but everytime I turn it on, I swear I can smell fresh oil. Who knows, maybe thats just me.

 

[COramprat]

Mine has 177k on it so if you are worried about the engine I wouldn't. The little knick knack stuff can get tedious. Once you have some miles you will be replacing things here and there. Just a fact of car life.

 

[GT98]

Mine has 177k on it so if you are worried about the engine I wouldn't. The little knick knack stuff can get tedious. Once you have some miles you will be replacing things here and there. Just a fact of car life.

thats what i gotta keep telling myself haha...106k is considered low miles for these motors.