2001 Ford Mustang LX 3.8 V6 from North America

Summary:

An association of car parts, moving in the same general direction down the highway

Faults:

Tensioner pulley went bad at 205,000 miles.

Air conditioning failed at 120,000 miles; repaired.

General Comments:

The Mustang has been incredibly reliable. In 12 years it has only had 2 unexpected repairs to memory - an air conditioner issue and the tensioner pulley failure.

The tensioner pulley even gave me 4 months warning before it failed (increased noise), and the morning of the day it failed, it started yelling at me. Talk about fair warning.

However, it is quite dicey to handle in the rain. Does not inspire confidence at all when it is wet outside, even with the wimpy V6. It is utterly predictable in the dry though.

Also, the front seats won't lay back beyond 45 degrees.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th October, 2013

10th Oct 2013, 13:22

Update. The fuel pump needed replacing at around 150,000 miles.

2001 Ford Mustang Coupe LX 3.8L V6 from North America

Summary:

Funniest car to drive... to the garage..

Faults:

140 000 km:

* Clutch and release bearing are really worn, but work after another 20 k kms.

* Exhaust manifolds are cracked.

* Left axle seal failed on my way home, just after I bought it.

143 000 km:

* Front brake calipers were wrapped, so I replaced them.

* The two other seals on my axles leak, but were never repaired.

* Oil leak between the engine and the transmission.

145 000 kms:

* Self-adjustable clutch cable became slack every morning, and needed to be tuned every day...

* O2 sensor went bad.

* Idle air control started to fail, especially on hot summer days.

150 000 km:

* Front calipers are wrapped as their rotor... Rear calipers need to be rebuilt...

* I change two rear shock absorbers.

* Oil pressure sensor sometimes stops working...

155 000 km:

* E-brake doesn't work.

* Dashboard sometimes shuts off.

* Clutch makes a metallic noise for about 1500 km.

160 000 km:

* MAF sensor diagnostic trouble code.

* Rust killed my fuel tank feed neck.

General Comments:

This Mustang is really fun to drive. The steering is firm and the car sticks to the ground. The performance is acceptable for a V6 with a manual trans.

The car is easy and fun to drive, but could be a nightmare under heavy rain, since the windshield receives all the water splashes of other cars. Mustang are low...

You better stay away from the snow with this car, mainly because it rusts like a Lada or Renault. Undriveable in a foot of snow...

Ford need to learn a lot about the human physiology and ergonomics... The clutch and brake pedal have too much travel, and are too high. The gas pedal is in the correct location, but heel & toe is barely impossible. The shifter is too far from the driver, and too close to the radio and drink holder... Every time I shift, my knee hits the dash.

Mustang are fun to drive, but they don't like bad weather, and repair cost a lot of money...

It's the funniest car to drive at this price!

I would maybe buy another one...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 7th July, 2011

13th Jun 2012, 19:52

Man, I don't know what to tell you, other than who had the car last trashed it. I have a 2001 Mustang V6 with 219,000 miles with no problems whatsoever. Still running good and strong.

4th Mar 2013, 21:06

I have a 1999 Mustang V6 automatic. I bought it 6 years ago at 47,000kms, and the car now has 212,000kms.

I beat the living daylights out of this beast! I kid you not.

GREEN LIGHT! 1st, red line NAH NAH NAH, 2nd, red line NAH NAH NAH, overdrive NAH NAH NAH, drive... OK, time to chill, I'm doing 160kph. I've done this a million plus times. Automatic remember, when the car got so hot it started slipping.... :( But wait 10 seconds and you can go... So I had the fluid changed... NAH NAH NAH again.

I've done general maintenance throughout the years. Neglecting oil changes up to 18,000 kms on regular oil. I beat the crap out of this vehicle for 6 years. I can't stress that enough.

Lowered the car 2.2 in the front and 2.0 in the back. The skid plate is 2 inches off the ground, sparks be a flyin' all over, let me tell you!

I'm driving it like this because when the V6 and trans go, I can put the real goods in... BUT I CAN'T KILL IT!

Amazing beast...

Best car ever...

Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'... literally!

NAH NAH NAH = Rev limiter.