1996 Mustang Convertible

[TOM BECKWITH]

Have a chance to buy a 1996 Mustang Convertible (Silver) with the 4.6 V8 and auto transmission (GT - not Cobra). Body and internal/top VG with 138000. Needs tires and air fixed. Main problem, when warmed up, it stalls at stop situations. At 86, probably my last shot at a convertible for a TOY.

Would appreciate any comments or suggestions on this year, miles, and problems.

 

[Bruce51]

The 4.6 is one of the better engines that Ford produced. Except for the early intake manifold cracking problem.

It sounds like the idle control valve needs replaced. It should be showing a code for that problem.

I've had two vans and two T-birds with the 4.6. Current van has 155,000 and I have only replaced the plugs and the idle control valve other than normal belts and oil changes.

The 1996 is a two valve and uses a regular spark plug not the newer ones that break off.

That's all I can think of as the 4.6 has been good for me.

Bruce

 

[ColbyBruce]

In 2005 we bought our kids a 1995 with the 3.0L V-6. A year later it spun a rod end bearing and I had a local shop put a crate engine in it. Other than that, it has been fairly trouble free.

Raise and lower the top several times. If the motor or lines are leaking fluid will usually spill out into the boot area. Those parts can be costly.

My wife reminded me that we replaced three of the power window motors early on.

 

[6518John]

Tom—go drive a Shelby with a standard while you are still a young man! You only live once. The mustang you mention sounds nice but the automatic would be a deal killer for me.

You can find the later model Shelby’s at decent prices if you aren't in a hurry. A lot of folks buy them for weekend cars and they are simply too much car for the occasional driver and/or his wife.

 

[Onomea]

Tom, as they say, you can't take it with you.... Get a nice, sporty car, this one or another, simply because it would be fun and you would enjoy it.

If this one, maybe you could arrange to take it to a mechanic for a look see before pulling the trigger. Maybe you could negotiate a deduction for whatever the cost of the fix is.

Have fun, Young Man, while there's still fun to be had!

 

[LVSteve]

Fixing A/C can cost a wedge. You may guess how I know.

 

[Old_Cop]

Don't forget to play Rollin in my 5.0.

 

[venomballistics]

Don't forget to play Rollin in my 5.0.

That was the Fox body ... This is SN95. the era of grunge and Emo. Good engine, top notch audio in the mach 460 sound system, but at a time music wasn't worthy of either

 

[rockquarry]

It could easily be someone else's headache that could turn into a very expensive project. To me, it would be too risky buying something more than twenty-five years old with that many miles on it. I wouldn't even consider such a purchase unless it was practically a giveaway and I could do the work on it myself. Good luck whatever your choice-

 

[ralph7]

In 2005 we bought our kids a 1995 with the 3.0L V-6. A year later it spun a rod end bearing and I had a local shop put a crate engine in it. Other than that, it has been fairly trouble free.

Raise and lower the top several times. If the motor or lines are leaking fluid will usually spill out into the boot area. Those parts can be costly.

My wife reminded me that we replaced three of the power window motors early on.

Now that's funny.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I believe the NTSB technical service bulletins are available online; do a search for them on that model.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Now that's funny.

I bought that car for two teenagers, I never expected it to last, but that engine failure happened on my daughter, not her brother. The man who loaded the crate engine into my truck said it was a common failure due to out of spec parts in a given serial number range.

 

[31FordA]

I’ve had the 4.6 V-8 in five of my Vic’s and Grand Marquis. My ‘94 Mercury was over 205,000 when I sold the car, and the motor and trans were still running great. All the others are over 100,000 with no issues. My surplus 2001 P-71, which I bought with 125,000 on it is up to 179,000 miles now. The 4.6 is a great motor.

If the Mustang is a solid car, and you don’t mind dealing with the occasional quirks 25 year old cars sometimes have, it sounds like a fun car. Here in PA it would be eligible for a antique tag, which exempts you from annual inspections.

I’m still looking for a decent ‘03/‘04 Marauder at a sane price. They sell fast, I missed out on one by 15 minutes. The Lincoln Mark VIII is another ‘90s car I’m tempted to buy. Always thought they looked good.

 

[Golddollar]

I’ve had the 4.6 V-8 in five of my Vic’s and Grand Marquis. My ‘94 Mercury was over 205,000 when I sold the car, and the motor and trans were still running great. All the others are over 100,000 with no issues. My surplus 2001 P-71, which I bought with 125,000 on it is up to 179,000 miles now. The 4.6 is a great motor.

I acquired twin 2008 Mercury Grand Marquises. The one I bought new had 238,000 miles on it when I took it to the Gettysburg Auto Auction. I still have the other one and it has 145,000 miles on it and I plan to keep running it.

 

[16thVACav]

Tom, here's the problem as I see it. You could buy the car, buy new tires, repair the AC, and repair the stall problem, but you're still driving an old Mustang.

You've made it to 86 - you deserve to drive a Corvette!

 

[JcMack]

I respectfully suggest you get a much newer used Camero ragtop. I think ford makes those mustinks. Are they still in business?

 

[venomballistics]

I respectfully suggest you get a much newer used Camero ragtop. I think ford makes those mustinks. Bad choice.

The Duramax Diesel is the only engine GM actually makes stateside. The 4.6 Ferd is a Cleveland block.

 

[4barrel]

Tom --Being a convertible it was probably inside at night and hasn't got any hard miles on it. Pull the air cleaner hose to the throttle body and check for oil. It needs to be clean. Open the throttle by hand and wipe your finger under the throttle plate. Pcv valve or hose can be bad. When a torque converter is on it's last leg it can lock up when coming to a stop. Air $1500-tires $800. Maybe you can take it to a repair shop and get it scanned. That will tell a transmission problem and ABS and tell if any engine codes. Pull on to a dry place and check for leaks. Pull the oil cap and check for sludge. That motor has a small oil screen and if any sludge in the valve covers --when you use the correct oil it will break loose and stop the oil screen up and knock the bearings out. You can tell bearing noise on a cold crank. Then you need to have the brake pads checked. 70% of the stopping is in the front and the rear pads last a lot longer. If the car has road miles or town miles that makes a difference also. Road miles are a lot better than town miles. Good luck.

 

[sheepdawg]

I respectfully suggest you get a much newer used Camero ragtop. I think ford makes those mustinks. Are they still in business?

As the original owner of a 2005 GT 4.6 Mustang I must disagree. Camaros don't have the room up front and rag out much faster. I'm 6'3" 290 lbs. and can just about stretch out in the Stang. I can't even get in a 2014 Camaro.

121K on the 4.6 and it will still smoke the tires.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Thanks all for the many replies. The asking price was $3500. Guessing I would need to spend another $2500 to get ready to drive safely and with AC. Nothing finalized, but sure do think I'd be cute in it????