First, I am not a mustang guy and a newbie to this site, so be gentle. My son wants one so we are doing some research. He has narrowed down his search to a 2001-2004 GT, vert or not. Preferably with no more than 60K miles. Has about $9,000 to spend. We live in Austin, TX. I am wondering if there is a year model that is more reliable than another. Also wondering about reliability/longevity of these cars in general. Am open to any other things to look out for such as mechanical things that are prone to break for this car, etc... or a sticky with such info.

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

 

you really wont have much problems with mustangs ford has done very well with these cars over the years, but 99 to 2004 is i think by far the best for the money the only problem is finding one that is not beat up too bad. it might be a little hard to fine one with 60k for 9000 dollars it will have some more miles on it for that price but these cars can easily last 200,000 miles or more if you keep them maintained. any other questions just ask.

 

2-3 years ago I traded in my 2003 GT with about 60k miles on it (for a 2006 GTO) ..I know I know, I'm horrible, and they put it on the lot for about 12. I think they gave us some lame amount like 8 or something. They are out there, you can find them. I'd say that car probably now has about 100k miles and would have a value of under 10.

Something you may also want to know is pre-2003 4.6 motors were part of the era that had spark plugs popping out and ruining the cylinder heads, assuming they came with the Interceptor cylinder heads. You might want to look into that. In 2003-2004 they put the proper 8+ threads to hold the spark plug in properly and if fixed the problem. 94-2002 had only 4 threads! LAME ..Like I said it was only the police interceptor heads like on the Ford Lightning, performance enhanced Crown Victorias, and I think maybe Mustangs as well? Haven't researched it on the Mustangs so I haven't heard a lot of cases with Stangs. Good luck and they were pretty good cars, I like the 2000 era.

 

Here's a good read on the spark plug issues in a stang. Enjoy

https://mustangforums.com/forum/show...k+plug+popping

Like I said they fixed this in 2003

 

Thanks guys. As many as are on the road, I was assuming reliability was not an issue. As I search, are there any mods that I should avoid? I found an 02 with 58K with these mods - Magnaflow catback exhaust with a Bassani X-pipe, Steeda timing adjuster, cold air intake with a K&N air filter, Bullitt springs. They are asking $8900. Going to look this weekend.

 

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. You might want to check the Xpipe to see if it is cat less I don’t know what your emissions are like but in AZ you would be sol. Just trying to save you a buck. Also with an off-road midpipe check to see what kind of tune they have because if it is untuned it could be running EXTREMLY lean.

 

"generally speaking",, modded cars are more likely to have been pushed harder so, be cautious of that. Not a hard rule of course,, stock Stangs can also lead a hard life too.

..check the inside of the rear wheelwells & see how much rubber is caked under there

 

yeah you have to be very careful with modded cars because you have no idea what the owner has dont to it, i wouldnt jump on the car your looking at either, if you fine one with and exhaust, or just and intake like little stuff is a little better just be very very careful and be sure some punk kid didnt own it cuz you know he beat the hell out of it