Car is Falling Apart: What to Do?
05-17-2013, 03:53 PM
#11
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 208
This will cost you more but this is what I would do. Take it into a Ford Dealership have them go over the entire car five point inspection. This should give you a really good idea of the cars condition and whats wrong with it beyond just what its doing right now. If it's in decent shape beyond the issues your having now. Have them fix it don't get the cheapest parts that's why your having the issue again already. Cheapest fix saves money on the spot but does not really cure the problem for the long term.
I would say if you plan on really keeping this thing for the long haul put some after market rotors, calipers and pads on it. Something thats really going to last awhile. But considering it's miles and its a 4.0..... I would just go with the Ford Dealership options get everything fixed and get another 30 to 40k out of her.
I would say if you plan on really keeping this thing for the long haul put some after market rotors, calipers and pads on it. Something thats really going to last awhile. But considering it's miles and its a 4.0..... I would just go with the Ford Dealership options get everything fixed and get another 30 to 40k out of her.
There are lots of threads with pics on how to change brakes, and rotors. even youtube can be a very usefull tool. As someone has already said these repairs are so simple a cave man can do it. Lastly 100k in debt from school. I hope she is a lawyer or doctor. Maybe an engineer that was able to get a 75k plus starting salary in her first year.
This site has numerous write ups. American muscle has plenty of videos that provide detail.
This site has numerous write ups. American muscle has plenty of videos that provide detail.
Some people need harsh words. You are talking about the payments, but not the cost of the car, which makes me think you can't afford it. There will be plenty of time for a new mustang in the future, but right now it sounds like you need a good, cheap reliable car. You probably don't want to know what insurance will cost in Maryland on a gt.
Depending on your credit score and salary, you might not be able to get financed for these other cars anyway. I would just fix your car and be happy your parents were nice enough to buy you a car in the first place. Nobody needs AC, you can have mine, I never use it.
You really asked you parents to help you buy a new mustang gt? really?
Depending on your credit score and salary, you might not be able to get financed for these other cars anyway. I would just fix your car and be happy your parents were nice enough to buy you a car in the first place. Nobody needs AC, you can have mine, I never use it.
You really asked you parents to help you buy a new mustang gt? really?
05-17-2013, 04:15 PM
#12
6th Gear Member
Too many people would rather lay out $300-$500/month on car payments for the next 4-5 years than pay $500-$2000 to have things fixed right and be good for a few more years.
05-17-2013, 05:07 PM
#13
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 12,260
didn't specify if you have a 4.6 or 4.0. if it's a 4.6 I'd say, spend the money, keep it, and drive it into the ground. these are normal things to go on a car with this many miles. if it's a 4.0, I'd say get rid of it.
4.6's can easily go 200,000 miles plus with proper maintenance, but I don't think you can say the same for the 4.0s.
the items you speak of are normal repairs HOWEVER they have to be done by professionals who know what they're doing (like the AC), otherwise they will reoccur relatively quickly.
4.6's can easily go 200,000 miles plus with proper maintenance, but I don't think you can say the same for the 4.0s.
the items you speak of are normal repairs HOWEVER they have to be done by professionals who know what they're doing (like the AC), otherwise they will reoccur relatively quickly.
Last edited by 2005Redfire6; 05-17-2013 at 05:10 PM.
05-17-2013, 06:01 PM
#14
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MO
Posts: 3,234
The 4.0 is a tank. The 4.6 is too.. but no more of a tank than the 4.0. There is noting wrong with the 4.0 and it will last forever... it is a truck engine after all.
Regarding student loans.. since we are all thinking out loud.. I have $90 grand.. so does my wife. We pay $800/per month in loans between us. We have good jobs as a result.. but make just enough to where we can no longer claim the interest on our taxes ;( Meanwhile, or gov just made 50 BILLION in profit off of student loans.
You cant get a good paying job anymore without an education.. undergrad doesnt mean jack anymore. Education is expensive, and not everyone wants to be a laborer.
Regarding student loans.. since we are all thinking out loud.. I have $90 grand.. so does my wife. We pay $800/per month in loans between us. We have good jobs as a result.. but make just enough to where we can no longer claim the interest on our taxes ;( Meanwhile, or gov just made 50 BILLION in profit off of student loans.
You cant get a good paying job anymore without an education.. undergrad doesnt mean jack anymore. Education is expensive, and not everyone wants to be a laborer.
05-17-2013, 06:28 PM
#15
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 11,278
I'd consider a used 2011 3.7L v6, if you can get a decent price for your trade.
Originally Posted by Steveo555
Of course I didn't ask my parent to help me buy a new mustang gt. I am very grateful for what they did. They just put it out on the table when I started to have car troubles.
Last edited by moosestang; 05-17-2013 at 06:32 PM.
05-17-2013, 07:01 PM
#16
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 184
First, 91,000 miles is not high mileage. Folks today think everything is disposable and if you have it for longer than five years it is old and run down.
Fix the AC, or just drive with the windows down. Believe it or not, man survived without AC up until the last century just fine.
Fix your brakes. They are a maintenance item.
Other than that, I don't see why the car won't last another twenty years without similar maintenance. It is a machine.
I have half a dozen cars, some have 300,000 on them, some have 7,000. Take care of them, replace the things that break and they keep going. That is what a machine does.
A financed car will run you $300 a month MINIMUM. This is WAG based on your age and debt to income ratio from your post. That is $300 a month is something that could be used better elsewhere, such as fixing your current car in under three months time. Instead of being saddled with a payment for three to six years, so you can run the car into the ground again and complain wanting a new car...
Cliffs: Learn to work on a machine, maintain it. Prosper.
Fix the AC, or just drive with the windows down. Believe it or not, man survived without AC up until the last century just fine.
Fix your brakes. They are a maintenance item.
Other than that, I don't see why the car won't last another twenty years without similar maintenance. It is a machine.
I have half a dozen cars, some have 300,000 on them, some have 7,000. Take care of them, replace the things that break and they keep going. That is what a machine does.
A financed car will run you $300 a month MINIMUM. This is WAG based on your age and debt to income ratio from your post. That is $300 a month is something that could be used better elsewhere, such as fixing your current car in under three months time. Instead of being saddled with a payment for three to six years, so you can run the car into the ground again and complain wanting a new car...
Cliffs: Learn to work on a machine, maintain it. Prosper.
05-17-2013, 07:03 PM
#17
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 12,260
First, 91,000 miles is not high mileage. Folks today think everything is disposable and if you have it for longer than five years it is old and run down.
Fix the AC, or just drive with the windows down. Believe it or not, man survived without AC up until the last century just fine.
Fix your brakes. They are a maintenance item.
Other than that, I don't see why the car won't last another twenty years without similar maintenance. It is a machine.
I have half a dozen cars, some have 300,000 on them, some have 7,000. Take care of them, replace the things that break and they keep going. That is what a machine does.
A financed car will run you $300 a month MINIMUM. This is WAG based on your age and debt to income ratio from your post. That is $300 a month is something that could be used better elsewhere, such as fixing your current car in under three months time. Instead of being saddled with a payment for three to six years, so you can run the car into the ground again and complain wanting a new car...
Cliffs: Learn to work on a machine, maintain it. Prosper.
Fix the AC, or just drive with the windows down. Believe it or not, man survived without AC up until the last century just fine.
Fix your brakes. They are a maintenance item.
Other than that, I don't see why the car won't last another twenty years without similar maintenance. It is a machine.
I have half a dozen cars, some have 300,000 on them, some have 7,000. Take care of them, replace the things that break and they keep going. That is what a machine does.
A financed car will run you $300 a month MINIMUM. This is WAG based on your age and debt to income ratio from your post. That is $300 a month is something that could be used better elsewhere, such as fixing your current car in under three months time. Instead of being saddled with a payment for three to six years, so you can run the car into the ground again and complain wanting a new car...
Cliffs: Learn to work on a machine, maintain it. Prosper.
05-17-2013, 08:30 PM
#18
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: toronto,canada
Posts: 1,176
i would just fix the car! It's amazing how many people say they need a new car when something brakes! If you have the $$$ then it's no big deal! If you were spending a few K every couple of months i would say ya maybe getting a new car is a good idea, It;s just the cost of owning a car, there is always going to be repair bills and maintenance!
05-17-2013, 09:06 PM
#19
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 2,634
First, fix your car, or get another one that's reliable and cheep to maintain. You sound like you have not been out of school very long. So, put your priorities where they belong, basic daily driver thats reliable and cheep to maintain. When your ready and money is not a tight issue like now, then think about a muscle car, whatever that may be.
What you can afford when your single, living with mom / dad not having many responsibilities is totally different then living on your own. Priorities and goals are everything and sticking to them.
What you can afford when your single, living with mom / dad not having many responsibilities is totally different then living on your own. Priorities and goals are everything and sticking to them.
05-18-2013, 02:55 AM
#20
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 289
Get involved in one of the local mustang clubs. There will be guys you can meet that know how to turn wrenches. Get one of them to help you through a brake job. It isn't that hard. I switch out the pads in my 911 in about 40 minutes. Haven't done it in the Stang yet, but it looks pretty easy. It will get track pads in June - its first outing on a road track. It looks like an hour or two job for me.Your car will start getting more gremlins. That's the nature of a car with 6 figure mileage. They still can be really reliable. They just have to be babied a little more.
There's a lot of power and satisfaction knowing how to fix your car. At that point, even if you don't do the work yourself, you will know immediately if the work was done right. The mechanics will not be able to sell a "flux capacitor" or muffler bearings. You'll know better.
Last edited by JThor; 05-18-2013 at 03:05 AM.