Are 1996 to 2004 mustangs reliable?
11-09-2015, 12:24 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1
Are 1996 to 2004 mustangs reliable?
Hello I'm new to the Mustang world, but considering coming over. Recently my 2003 Toyota Camry was stolen, and my insurance check won't be much due to the cars age. I'm considering a Mustang GT. My question is are Mustangs reliable and easy to work on cars? Let me first start by saying I'm a bit biased towards Toyota's as they have been nothing but reliable. My 1993 Camry had 375k miles, and this 2003 Camry had 210k. Nothing other than routine maintenance was done to both cars, and they never gave any trouble.
My wifes 2008 Ford Focus on the other hand has been the worse car I have ever owned. It seemed like every 5 minutes something was breaking on that turd! Both Camry's for the most part are fairly easy to work on (with the exception of axles! Toyota and honda axles are pains to get out.) The Focus in comparison was poorly designed, and more complex to do simple maintenance on. The Focus has left me with a bad taste in my mouth, and makes me question owning a Ford again.
I say all that to ask would you guys recommend a Mustang GT for a daily driver? Do you guys feel it is Toyota Camry reliable? Do you see them easily getting over 200k without major mechanical failures? If not are there some known issues that I should be aware of? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
My wifes 2008 Ford Focus on the other hand has been the worse car I have ever owned. It seemed like every 5 minutes something was breaking on that turd! Both Camry's for the most part are fairly easy to work on (with the exception of axles! Toyota and honda axles are pains to get out.) The Focus in comparison was poorly designed, and more complex to do simple maintenance on. The Focus has left me with a bad taste in my mouth, and makes me question owning a Ford again.
I say all that to ask would you guys recommend a Mustang GT for a daily driver? Do you guys feel it is Toyota Camry reliable? Do you see them easily getting over 200k without major mechanical failures? If not are there some known issues that I should be aware of? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
11-09-2015, 05:38 AM
#2
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 223
my mustang didn't give me a problem for 12 years, I've had a few $100-150 fix up moments this year.... but for a car that has seen 6krpm every day of it's life and has seen 150mph at least every 3 days at 145k miles she has done me damn good.* and been hit by reckless drivers 3 times while standing still. my wife had a 07 focus I wish that hell on no man.
Last edited by Drastang; 11-09-2015 at 06:01 AM.
11-09-2015, 10:24 AM
#5
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 223
+1 jwog666 .... we just had a guy post that he bought a 03 mustang drove it off the lot and on the way home it caught fire.... most likely had no coolant in it, my mustang blew a coolant tube that same day.....
11-09-2015, 05:29 PM
#6
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NY
Posts: 478
Perhaps the current Mustangs have improved,but the build quality of my 2014 Honda puts my 2004 GT to shame.Since you had a Toyota,this response might be a close enough answer for you.
The Mustang will probably go the distance,but things will aggravate you along the way.
Someone is going to get a good deal on mine one of these days.
The Mustang will probably go the distance,but things will aggravate you along the way.
Someone is going to get a good deal on mine one of these days.
Last edited by Camster; 11-09-2015 at 05:32 PM.
11-09-2015, 05:56 PM
#7
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PA
Posts: 556
If you are considering a 96-04 at the end of the day you are talking about a 10 to 20 year old car 1996 - 2004
Me personally if I needed a daily driver or work transportation I wouldn’t be looking at these cars but again that’s me. My car is my hobby.
Really comes down to budget and what you want the 4.6 l has been rumored to get 250K with no major repairs.
Me personally if I needed a daily driver or work transportation I wouldn’t be looking at these cars but again that’s me. My car is my hobby.
Really comes down to budget and what you want the 4.6 l has been rumored to get 250K with no major repairs.
11-09-2015, 08:10 PM
#8
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 152
Hello I'm new to the Mustang world, but considering coming over. Recently my 2003 Toyota Camry was stolen, and my insurance check won't be much due to the cars age. I'm considering a Mustang GT. My question is are Mustangs reliable and easy to work on cars? Let me first start by saying I'm a bit biased towards Toyota's as they have been nothing but reliable. My 1993 Camry had 375k miles, and this 2003 Camry had 210k. Nothing other than routine maintenance was done to both cars, and they never gave any trouble.
My wifes 2008 Ford Focus on the other hand has been the worse car I have ever owned. It seemed like every 5 minutes something was breaking on that turd! Both Camry's for the most part are fairly easy to work on (with the exception of axles! Toyota and honda axles are pains to get out.) The Focus in comparison was poorly designed, and more complex to do simple maintenance on. The Focus has left me with a bad taste in my mouth, and makes me question owning a Ford again.
I say all that to ask would you guys recommend a Mustang GT for a daily driver? Do you guys feel it is Toyota Camry reliable? Do you see them easily getting over 200k without major mechanical failures? If not are there some known issues that I should be aware of? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
My wifes 2008 Ford Focus on the other hand has been the worse car I have ever owned. It seemed like every 5 minutes something was breaking on that turd! Both Camry's for the most part are fairly easy to work on (with the exception of axles! Toyota and honda axles are pains to get out.) The Focus in comparison was poorly designed, and more complex to do simple maintenance on. The Focus has left me with a bad taste in my mouth, and makes me question owning a Ford again.
I say all that to ask would you guys recommend a Mustang GT for a daily driver? Do you guys feel it is Toyota Camry reliable? Do you see them easily getting over 200k without major mechanical failures? If not are there some known issues that I should be aware of? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
You sound like a Prius type guy. Better for you to stick with a Toyota...
.
11-10-2015, 09:39 AM
#10
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NY
Posts: 478
My 2004 is only a second car.I'm sure that the drive train will go 200k,but so will plenty of other cars.Thus far,this pampered low mileage car has had typical Mustang issues:the intake manifold,the assorted vert roof leaks,the faulty ABS system.I'm sure that other delights await me.
Last edited by Camster; 11-10-2015 at 09:59 AM.