2004 Mustang
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 609
From: Worcester, Massachusetts
2004 Mustang
Hi,
My uncle is thinking about buying an 04 Mustang, 40th Ann., V6, Auto. It only has 30,000 miles but he's skeptical about Ford, and especially there 3.8. I wanna know what type of problems these engines are prone to down the road?? My girlfriends dad has a ranger with an auto and a V6 and he has nothing but tranny and engine problems. Do they have the same engine and tranny combo?
Anyway, an older man owned it and his daughter is selling because shes sending him to the nursing home..it was his first brand new car. She's asking $6,000. What do you guys think?
My uncle is thinking about buying an 04 Mustang, 40th Ann., V6, Auto. It only has 30,000 miles but he's skeptical about Ford, and especially there 3.8. I wanna know what type of problems these engines are prone to down the road?? My girlfriends dad has a ranger with an auto and a V6 and he has nothing but tranny and engine problems. Do they have the same engine and tranny combo?
Anyway, an older man owned it and his daughter is selling because shes sending him to the nursing home..it was his first brand new car. She's asking $6,000. What do you guys think?
4th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,130
From: Texas
117k miles on my Stang. Never skipped a beat, except the alternator.
Also, what the hell are they doing to that Ranger? I beat the crap out of mine daily and neglected it, it never had a single problem. It was a former construction truck as well. Someone is really screwing that thing over...
Also, what the hell are they doing to that Ranger? I beat the crap out of mine daily and neglected it, it never had a single problem. It was a former construction truck as well. Someone is really screwing that thing over...
3rd Gear Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 703
From: diamond bar
114k miles. not a single problem.
I think there's someone here who has like 300k on one.
As long as your uncle isn't going to beat the **** out of it daily, he'll have no problems if he does basic maintenance on it.
I think there's someone here who has like 300k on one.
As long as your uncle isn't going to beat the **** out of it daily, he'll have no problems if he does basic maintenance on it.
Last edited by ezekiel90; Mar 24, 2009 at 10:17 PM.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,373
From: Wichita, Ks
they are actually really solid cars and good engines. many people are in the 100-200k miles range currently and there are some that are above 200k. the only big problem is in the pre 99 engines. many have headgasket problems but its a simple fix. im at 128k right now and have had no major repairs.
oh there are 2 small things. the passenger side headers like to crack. the stupid ac drips right on the header and they are known to crack. they are very easy to get on and off of the engine so it shouldnt cost much to fix (you can do it at home with simple hand tools). its also not a real problem except for MAYBE a loss in a mpg or 2 and an annoying ticking noise comming from that area.
the 2nd problem has to do with the seat belts. after being used a lot they tend to stop retracting like they are suppose to. some dont retract at all and some just need some help. this is again kind of annoying but nothing serious. if you want to replace it i believe they are about 60-70 from ford. the only problem is they are the same as before so they will just break again down the road.
oh there are 2 small things. the passenger side headers like to crack. the stupid ac drips right on the header and they are known to crack. they are very easy to get on and off of the engine so it shouldnt cost much to fix (you can do it at home with simple hand tools). its also not a real problem except for MAYBE a loss in a mpg or 2 and an annoying ticking noise comming from that area.
the 2nd problem has to do with the seat belts. after being used a lot they tend to stop retracting like they are suppose to. some dont retract at all and some just need some help. this is again kind of annoying but nothing serious. if you want to replace it i believe they are about 60-70 from ford. the only problem is they are the same as before so they will just break again down the road.
Last edited by amrcnidyot; Mar 25, 2009 at 12:05 AM.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,540
From: South FL
Creeping up on 200K with mine. Never had anything break that I didn't cause myself.
The 3.8L OHV is a SOLID engine. Ford used them in a LOT of cars over the years. Parts are everywhere if you happen to need them.
The 3.8L OHV is a SOLID engine. Ford used them in a LOT of cars over the years. Parts are everywhere if you happen to need them.
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 915
From: North Carolina
Hi,
My uncle is thinking about buying an 04 Mustang, 40th Ann., V6, Auto. It only has 30,000 miles but he's skeptical about Ford, and especially there 3.8. I wanna know what type of problems these engines are prone to down the road?? My girlfriends dad has a ranger with an auto and a V6 and he has nothing but tranny and engine problems. Do they have the same engine and tranny combo?
Anyway, an older man owned it and his daughter is selling because shes sending him to the nursing home..it was his first brand new car. She's asking $6,000. What do you guys think?
My uncle is thinking about buying an 04 Mustang, 40th Ann., V6, Auto. It only has 30,000 miles but he's skeptical about Ford, and especially there 3.8. I wanna know what type of problems these engines are prone to down the road?? My girlfriends dad has a ranger with an auto and a V6 and he has nothing but tranny and engine problems. Do they have the same engine and tranny combo?
Anyway, an older man owned it and his daughter is selling because shes sending him to the nursing home..it was his first brand new car. She's asking $6,000. What do you guys think?
4th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,265
From: Falling Waters, WV
156k here, all good. Just an alternator for major component failures. other than that I had a bad trans mount that put my trans out of alignment and ate the rear bushing. In the grand scheme, it's all little stuff. Every car has it's little bugs, but these beasts are pretty reliable, I have not been that nice to mine over the years, especially when I bought her back in 99, it has also been through an EX-Wife and two kids and keeps on tickin.