1998 Ford Mustang Coupe from North America - Comments

Shocks, struts, strut mounts.

Worn O2 sensor (has 4).

Interior switch broke off side panel.

Driver door lock sticks.

Trunk interior panel snaps broken.

Hood release under hood failure (not safe on the highway).

Rear tires worn.

Headlight lens worn.

Brake pads.

Rotors.

Squeal once in a while at start up.

I invested in after market air intake system, platinum spark plugs, premium wires and true duel exhaust. After doing so, I received 30% increase in power alone. Sounds much better and saves much on gas, rear end fluid and gasket (pain).

I believe in maintenance care, so I fixed and repaired the following:

Struts and shocks, trans filter and fluid, oil and oil filter, exhaust, brakes and rotors, stereo system (only cannons fit well in trunk), aftermarket front and rear lenses, trans cooler, and rear end oil and gasket.

I purchased this car used. As long as you don't beat it and take time to fix things before they are broken, it is fine. This may be lots of things to fix, but at least the trans and motor are perfect.

I am probably in the $1500.00 mark as far as investment. But I figure the car would have been more expensive.

I have owned previously a Mitsubishi Eclipse and Laser. I was all about the need for speed thing, and hooked those cars up, but I noticed the cars felt fast because they were small. Those small engines have to run harder to stay up, which leads to many other problems. More bolts seized, not including all the calipers.

My Eclipse was ended after switching to synthetic.

I got too old for that, and got no respect for those all American guys on the road. It seems that either way you go, somethings going to be fixed. Either save gas and get smaller, or go larger and pay less in repairs. I don't miss those cars quite yet.

I have heard insurance is high on this car, but if you have a V6 and a clean record, it's not bad. Mine is $650 for 12 months full coverage. And at every light it gets serious looks that almost distracts other drivers. I rarely would purchase a used sports car, but I noticed it was clean and wasn't modified... yet.

FINAL WORDS:

The main thing is pre maintenance. Get it fixed before it breaks. Change it before it needs to be changed. Add a few toys to keep it running as cool as possible. Even take out the thermostat in the summer. Spray the under body once in a while with WD 40 (brake part area, etc.) And all the fluids. And you will have a well running car.

If you don't, prepare to be disappointed. I have owned 13 cars in my life, and they have all had problems.

A car is like a well cared female. If you stop bringing flowers, taking her out to dinner, and for getting those anniversaries, you're gonna pay for it or it will divorce you!!

I have a 1998 Ford Mustang, 3.8 V6, with 116,000 miles. I'm confused as to this list of problems and how you seem surprised. Brakes, rotors, shocks, struts, O2 sensors, things like that are wearable items, they need to be replaced on any car, especially one that is 10 years old and nearing 100k. As for the rest of the issues, again, it's 10 years old.

I'm not surprised about the comments of the Mustang owner's maintenance list with O2 sensors, struts etc... I have a 1998 Mustang that I bought with 34,000 miles, thinking it was a good buy 2 years ago.

I now have 65,000 miles on it, and the gas tank connection from the fill tube to the tank is leaking severely, the power windows on both sides go up about 1/4 of an inch higher than they should, so when you close the door it can shatter the glass from hitting the metal jamb, (first hand experience).

The factory CD player stopped working, the O2 sensor needs to be replaced, and the car has a constant hesitation local and highway driving.

It has a 5 speed manual trans, which so far seems OK, but I have a squealing noise coming from the engine compartment. I don't know if it's the throw-out bearing or some other component.

The power seats don't go up anymore, and the handling in wet weather is terrible, even with $700 worth of new tires.

I am disappointed with the car on the whole, and probably will not buy another one.

I have owned a 1967 GTO back in the early 70s, a 71 Cougar, and various other American muscle cars and still own a 70 Chevelle Malibu, which is a dream machine with 425hp. The Mustang can't compare with the muscle cars of old.

To start I would like to say that I think that if you want to drive a Mustang, the first thing you should do is to buy a V8. V6 Mustangs are not reliable at all, I had one a couple of years ago and I had so many problems with it that wasn't even funny. Motor mount worn out. A/C was a constant issue, lack of power, for a 3.8 V6 150 hp is extremely poor.

Now I have a Grand Prix with a 3.8 with 210 hp that's a lil more acceptable. My advice, don't buy this car.

"To start I would like to say that I think that if you want to drive a Mustang, the first thing you should do is to buy a V8. V6 Mustangs are not reliable at all, I had one a couple of years ago and I had so many problems with it that wasn't even funny. Motor mount worn out. A/C was a constant issue, lack of power, for a 3.8 V6 150 hp is extremely poor."

I've owned V-6's and V-8's and don't find any difference whatsoever in the reliability. I acually had more minor maintenance issues with my V-8's than my 6's (although ALL were just about flawless). The new 4.0 V-6 provides very good performance and is an excellent engine as for as reliability is concerned. Also, the A/C system on the V-8 is no different from the 6, nor are the motor mounts.

I test drove several 2007 Grand Prixs before buying a Mustang. The Grand Prix was EXTREMELY slow. I have easily beaten 3.8 Grand Prixs with my Pontiac Grand Am Quad 4. The Grand Prixs extra weight more than offsets any power advantage. Pontiac did well to drop it. The G8 is a very good car and performs well even with the V-6.