My buddy's wife is in the process of buying a '96 V6 auto. 98,000 miles, and other than a cracked A/C hose (or something) and chipped paint it appears to be very clean, and well maintained... She started it up, and it sounded okay. I didn't have a time to take it for a drive or look it over too good.

My biggest concern is the head gaskets. I've been searching for about 30 min now, and keep finding conflicting info. Some places say it was 94-95, some say 94-mid 96, and most places don't even mention it. When I enter the VIN at Ford's site it comes up with no recalls, but I've also read that the recall was only for 7 years OR 100k miles. So if there was a recall (and this info is correct) then the car would not be covered...

So, is this car worth buying and can someone pleae clear up the recall for me? If this car was under an expired recall I'll do my best to keep them out of it...

Thanks...

 

Try this. Take it to a local shop, OR college with an automotive program. Have them do a compression test. If they have AllData, or Mitchell On Demand, they can look up any recalls. If the seller won't let you do this...RUN! AllData and Mitchell On Demand have all the TSB's and recall info included in thier subscription. Hell, if you wanted to, you can go to www.alldata.com and subscribe for a particular vehicle. You will have the same info any shop does.

 

I already looked at alldate, and while they do mention a recall on the hood, airbag, and something else none of the years in question (94-96) showed anything about head gasket recall. And Mitchell only covers TSB's not recalls.

I'm just afraid that it may be fine right now, but who's to say what will happen in the future. Granted that can be said about any car, but one that should have been recalled is another story...

thanks for the info though... A compression test probably isn't a bad thing to do. Would tell of any immediate danger...

 

If things don't work out with this car, remember there are plenty other mustangs out there. Remember trying to find a used 94-98 is a pain, it took me almost a months worth of looking to get mine, and it still wasn't perfect, but Ford did replace most of the old stock parts, so I practically got a new car, so keep looking around and there are good deals abroad, you just have to be patient. Also there are plenty of 99-04 used out there that are going to be in better condition and will have more hp, but wheather or not this is what she wants is up to her.

 

Also remember, the 96 has less HP than the 99 and up.

 

These cars seem to be realiable. Good luck and keep looking if this one does not satisfy your buddies wife's needs........this did not sounded right....

 

that's actually low miles for a 96. my 98 had 92k on it when i traded it in last year. still ran like a champ too.

 

Well, the only concern I have is the head gaskets. Otherwise it appears to be a great car... Very, very clean inside and out. Just has pealing paint, which isn't something to hold against the owner... and they've already asked me to take the car to my painter friend for an estimate.

I made sure my buddy knew power was not abundant on this model, but since it'll be his wife's car, and his daughter may be learning to drive on it, that seemed to be a plus for him...

Well, it looks like they'll go ahead and get it. I can't seem to find anything to say the gaskets were recalled on this one. So, I guess if it blows one I'll be replacing some head gaskets...

Oh, well, maybe I can talk them into buying my '04 Bullitts for it...

 

Ok before I had my 2000 V6 manual I had a 96 pacific green V6 auto the only thing I did not like about it was that it was slow and when I say slow I mean slow. But other than that I loved that car and kinda miss it but not over my 2000 anyways mine had 132k on it when I bought it and sold it with 140k on it I never had problems with it at all I put new exhaust and tires on it and thats all I had to put into it. the gaskets were never replaced or anything. if the price is right I would say tell her to go for it if she doesnt care that it is SLOW!!