Life with a Mustang
Discussion
Good morning,
I am considering the purchase of a Ford Mustang GT 4.6 Litre V8, standard with no engine modifications.
I was wondering as a potential owner if I could get the views of living with this cars from owners of the car already. I intend the Mustang to be my "everyday" car.
-How reliable are they?
-Whats the service intervals and rough cost?
-Websites show them getting 27MPG combined, is this true?
Also, I have the dialema of choosing between Manual and Automatic, which one shows the least issues and is there a significant performance difference between the two?
I currently drive a Nissan Terrano II (4x4) which I will continue to use in snow conditions so that wont be an issue, and thus I am also used to paying a lot for fuel
as my Terrano gets about 24 MPG.
My budget will probably be in the region of £15,000, I have seen a few decent ones around for this price.
I look forward to your responses.
Gav
I am considering the purchase of a Ford Mustang GT 4.6 Litre V8, standard with no engine modifications.
I was wondering as a potential owner if I could get the views of living with this cars from owners of the car already. I intend the Mustang to be my "everyday" car.
-How reliable are they?
-Whats the service intervals and rough cost?
-Websites show them getting 27MPG combined, is this true?
Also, I have the dialema of choosing between Manual and Automatic, which one shows the least issues and is there a significant performance difference between the two?
I currently drive a Nissan Terrano II (4x4) which I will continue to use in snow conditions so that wont be an issue, and thus I am also used to paying a lot for fuel
as my Terrano gets about 24 MPG.My budget will probably be in the region of £15,000, I have seen a few decent ones around for this price.
I look forward to your responses.
Gav
Hi Mate,
Good to see you have taste in cars.
I've had mine for nearly a year and no horror stories to report.
I previously owned a couple of s2000's and NSX and the Mustang is no less reliable than these two...in my experience at least.
27mpg isn't really feasible.Mine is a daily driver.Sure you'll get just over 30mpg cuising at 65 on the motorway but it's no more than 18/19 around town.
I reckon my average would be circa 21/22mpg at best.
You don't buy it for the economy anyway.
Would suggest that you buy one that has some subtle modifications as the after market goodies are not cheap and postage from the U.S. makes it worse.
The guys on these sites know their stuff;
www.mocgb.co.uk
www.s197.co.uk
Have a look there and pay particular attention to the electrics
Good Luck
Good to see you have taste in cars.
I've had mine for nearly a year and no horror stories to report.
I previously owned a couple of s2000's and NSX and the Mustang is no less reliable than these two...in my experience at least.
27mpg isn't really feasible.Mine is a daily driver.Sure you'll get just over 30mpg cuising at 65 on the motorway but it's no more than 18/19 around town.
I reckon my average would be circa 21/22mpg at best.
You don't buy it for the economy anyway.
Would suggest that you buy one that has some subtle modifications as the after market goodies are not cheap and postage from the U.S. makes it worse.
The guys on these sites know their stuff;
www.mocgb.co.uk
www.s197.co.uk
Have a look there and pay particular attention to the electrics
Good Luck
Just do it.
My 2011 5.0 is a daily driver. I previously had a 2007 GT. You will never want to drive anything else and the grin on start up is brilliant.
Reliability - no mechanical issues on either of my cars, but the earlier car needed a replacement SJB (Smart Junction Box) due to poor initial SVA work. Lots of threads on this on MOCGB. Probably the single most important thing to check before purchase.
MPG - as above post. Realisticly you are looking at low 20's in a 4.6 the new engined 5.0 is better but this is always undermined by the urge to boot it from time to time.
My 2011 5.0 is a daily driver. I previously had a 2007 GT. You will never want to drive anything else and the grin on start up is brilliant.
Reliability - no mechanical issues on either of my cars, but the earlier car needed a replacement SJB (Smart Junction Box) due to poor initial SVA work. Lots of threads on this on MOCGB. Probably the single most important thing to check before purchase.
MPG - as above post. Realisticly you are looking at low 20's in a 4.6 the new engined 5.0 is better but this is always undermined by the urge to boot it from time to time.
Be prepared to spend A LOT of time at petrol stations. It's not due to fuel economy; I used to average around 18mpg from my Roush, but it was supercharged. It just took an age to fill due to a stupid design flaw in the fuel filler that would have the pump click out if you filled at any more than a dribble, unless you held the nozzle at exactly 18.2 degrees from the vertical whilst standing on one foot and chanting an ancient mantra. On a Friday. At midnight. Any one know if this has been fixed on the 2011?
Other than that, I used mine regularly for many things in the three years I owned it. Certainly good enough for everyday use. Just make sure the SJB conversion was done properly. You don't want extra bulbs buried under carpets etc.
Other than that, I used mine regularly for many things in the three years I owned it. Certainly good enough for everyday use. Just make sure the SJB conversion was done properly. You don't want extra bulbs buried under carpets etc.
IMacGav said:
Wow, thanks for all the advice guys.
So ideally I should be looking for one thats already had the SJB replaced?
No, not replaced, but modified correctly to allow use of UK-legal lights. Some companies have wired extra bulbs in the loom, and hidden them behind panels, to change the load (I don't know the technicalities!), but this is a bodge. You can read up on the proper way here...So ideally I should be looking for one thats already had the SJB replaced?
http://www.teslaynengineering.co.uk/amcar/CA_LSMF....
I'm nothing to do with the company, but two of my cars have had conversions carried out by them, and it's a proper professional job.
You can buy from someone who knows the cars - look up doublerkid on www.s197.co.uk. He's got some crackers at the moment.
The electrics conversion is the main thing to check. Next, the bubbling on the front of the bonnet caused by iron contamination which is worse on some than others. The car is perfectly useable every day. My supercharged car averages 24mpg. Try and buy a Premium model as it has better equipment. Everything else is reliable - we have several with over 100k on the clock without any real issues.
Standard the Gt will hit 60 in about 5.3 and the quarter top end of the 13s. The stock suspension is a little too soft for really enthusiastic driving and a suspension upgrade is always desirable for European tastes. Everything on these cars is simple so all perfectly DIY-able.
The electrics conversion is the main thing to check. Next, the bubbling on the front of the bonnet caused by iron contamination which is worse on some than others. The car is perfectly useable every day. My supercharged car averages 24mpg. Try and buy a Premium model as it has better equipment. Everything else is reliable - we have several with over 100k on the clock without any real issues.
Standard the Gt will hit 60 in about 5.3 and the quarter top end of the 13s. The stock suspension is a little too soft for really enthusiastic driving and a suspension upgrade is always desirable for European tastes. Everything on these cars is simple so all perfectly DIY-able.
hey there how are you? I've been a Mustang and Thunderbird owner since i was 15 and started driving. I am a yank and can help you with any infoyou would like. As far as what to look forward to with a mustang it all depends on the year and engine size. Once you figure out the year and engine size your looking for i can give you any info you would like.
nightmare04 said:
hey there how are you? I've been a Mustang and Thunderbird owner since i was 15 and started driving. I am a yank and can help you with any infoyou would like. As far as what to look forward to with a mustang it all depends on the year and engine size. Once you figure out the year and engine size your looking for i can give you any info you would like.
Hi mateThanks for the response.
I am particularly looking at 2005 4.6 V8 GT model.
My main thoughts on what to pick at the moment are Manual vs Auto, I like the idea of the auto but would there be much loss in acceleration?
Gav
Ok, I bought my 2007 GT just over a year ago and have covered nearly 5k miles in that time. I do not use mine everyday basically cos I'm paranoid about damaging it not because it isn't useable. I won't repeat what others have said but have a look at my profile for running costs.
In summary though they are very cheap to run (fuel aside). Servicing intervals are oil / filter every 5k miles which I do myself for about £35 - £40 in parts. I think it's cabin filter every 15k miles, an air filter now and again and that's basically it.
I went for the auto in the end but sometimes hanker after a manual. The auto box can be a bit lazy changing gears but a remap will sort that out for you. It now changes gear like an automatic rifle
It depends what you want although there is something special about a yank pony car with a V8, an autobox and your arm on the window sill giving it large..!!
Just my view on the SJB issue. Check the cruise control and indicators work. Have a look in the boot and see whether the wiring looks like a mess. If so then walk away or haggle hard. If the worst comes to the worst it's about a grand to fix which is probably a major service on a 911..!!
In summary though they are very cheap to run (fuel aside). Servicing intervals are oil / filter every 5k miles which I do myself for about £35 - £40 in parts. I think it's cabin filter every 15k miles, an air filter now and again and that's basically it.
I went for the auto in the end but sometimes hanker after a manual. The auto box can be a bit lazy changing gears but a remap will sort that out for you. It now changes gear like an automatic rifle
It depends what you want although there is something special about a yank pony car with a V8, an autobox and your arm on the window sill giving it large..!!
Just my view on the SJB issue. Check the cruise control and indicators work. Have a look in the boot and see whether the wiring looks like a mess. If so then walk away or haggle hard. If the worst comes to the worst it's about a grand to fix which is probably a major service on a 911..!!
I'm letting mine go ridiculously cheap in 3 weeks(less than trade), shame its on the wrong continent!
Only issue I have had with mine is an exhaust sensor failure, to which I was told the entire exhaust needed replacing(I have no idea if this was the dealership trying it on or what, but it was covered under warranty so I don't care). Otherwise bulletproof and immense feel-good factor to it. Also looks incredible, even in the states, over here its in a league of its own.
So long as you don't mind being obstructed from overtaking given the drive side, and you are prepared to hold back a bit in bumpy corners(grip is amazing, but the back bucks a bit over bigger bumps which can spin you out if you push too hard on rough roads) the mustang should be just as epic on this side of the pond.
Also wanted to add: Go with Manual, its so much more fun. The gearbox on mine is the sweetest I have ever used, pedal position and clutch weight is perfect, and the shift is smooth and precise. Only drawback I have found with it is the syncro on 1st is slightly weak but only very occasional changedowns that you feel any feedback from it.
Only issue I have had with mine is an exhaust sensor failure, to which I was told the entire exhaust needed replacing(I have no idea if this was the dealership trying it on or what, but it was covered under warranty so I don't care). Otherwise bulletproof and immense feel-good factor to it. Also looks incredible, even in the states, over here its in a league of its own.
So long as you don't mind being obstructed from overtaking given the drive side, and you are prepared to hold back a bit in bumpy corners(grip is amazing, but the back bucks a bit over bigger bumps which can spin you out if you push too hard on rough roads) the mustang should be just as epic on this side of the pond.
Also wanted to add: Go with Manual, its so much more fun. The gearbox on mine is the sweetest I have ever used, pedal position and clutch weight is perfect, and the shift is smooth and precise. Only drawback I have found with it is the syncro on 1st is slightly weak but only very occasional changedowns that you feel any feedback from it.
Edited by FisiP1 on Thursday 28th July 14:59
Manual, manual, manual, manual. Manual everytime if you want to actually drive a car and be in control. Autos are for luxury cars. the Mustang 5 speed is actually a good box but I just don't like autos.
Will second above advice re: making sure it's been properly SVA'd and I'd look for evidence it's been regularly serviced. They are pretty easy to checl over but I would look for accident damage.
And here's a really important bit of advice: if the car was ever used in the USA you MUST DO A CARFAX CHECK. This is 100% ESSENTIAL as all the HPI checks in the world won't reveal what could have happened in the USA. A car that comes up clean over here could have been written off or sustained more minor damage over there.
As an owner of quite afew US cars over the years I would NEVER buy a US car without running a Carfax check.
Malc
Will second above advice re: making sure it's been properly SVA'd and I'd look for evidence it's been regularly serviced. They are pretty easy to checl over but I would look for accident damage.
And here's a really important bit of advice: if the car was ever used in the USA you MUST DO A CARFAX CHECK. This is 100% ESSENTIAL as all the HPI checks in the world won't reveal what could have happened in the USA. A car that comes up clean over here could have been written off or sustained more minor damage over there.
As an owner of quite afew US cars over the years I would NEVER buy a US car without running a Carfax check.
Malc
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