The Serpentine belt was replaced last week, after driving the car 54,000 miles. No other problems have been found with the automobiles ability to perform.
Other than oil changes every 9000 miles, that is the only item that I have been forced to replace. I replaced the belt upon inspection while at at oil and lube shop, the belt did not just give out on me while driving.
I beat on the car frequently, I push the car to it's limits daily and as I said before change the oil only about every 9000 miles. I use a synthetic blend of oil replacement, but it is needed as I put about 1000 miles on it a week.
No other problems have been encountered thus far, the car runs and drives remarkably.
Very quick handling for a V6 car, suspension takes curves like a charm.
Had the exact same thing with the Serpentine belt, but at about 45,000 miles. That was probably due to my aggressive driving. Another thing to look at... I don't know if anyone else is experiencing this, but the stock tires (Eagle GA) on my car had the poorest traction. I've slid 180's and 360's in rain. Another thing is the ABS brakes, without ABS it's really bad with braking. You should get this car with ABS brakes unless you have good experience with braking. Right when my factory warranty ended, my battery died, but the Ford dealership was nice enough to replace the battery with another one (better edition too) without any charge even after my warranty expired a couple days ago.
Surely you are crazy to say that your 3.8 mustang is quick and powerful. Go drive a 3.8 Grand Prix. It will blow the doors off any mustang and runs side by side with a GT. A GTP will beat a Mustang GT (Pre 05). 3.8 Ford engines are weak like most Ford products.
Yes you are right! The 3.8 GM does haul ass over the 3.8 Ford. But be ready to spend a LOT of money keeping that good ol GM 3.8 running, especially is you have it in a Pontiac. Get to know your mechanic, and don't go on long road trips- they go sour FAST when your Pontiac is stuck in first. Trust me, I have owned a few.
I agree, the GM 3800 series (like most GM products, haha) suck big time. If you can keep perfect maintenance on them you're fine, but they develop problems like no other. My dad's company owns many GM cars with 3.8L and they all have had some type of major problem. The Ford 3.8L may be slower, but dang is it reliable (like most Ford products). I've noticed some people with v6 mustangs with 180,000 miles and it's still trucking. To say Ford is unreliabe is a load. What are most of the older trucks and some cars you see on the road... FORD. At least in my area, that is. Put some mileage on both before you go talkin'.
Talking about 3.8? LOL, come on, those GM 3.8 cars are front wheel drive, not good. Ever seen a front wheel drive burn rubber? Looks so funny it's not right. The only 3.8 that's OK is the 97 and up Camaro with a manual trans, but go and see the reliability on those. Most are bad, but better than front wheel. My brother's Camaro runs good when it's running right, but man those coils coils coils and window motors motors LOL.
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