High Milliage Mustang Questions - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

zizdog69 · 01-29-2004, 09:04 AM

Hi everyone. Its been a while since I've been here but it's great to be back. I knew I could count on you guys for any answers.

I am going to look at a great Mustang tonight. It is a 1998 Mustang Cobra, Atlantic Blue, some engine mods, and 140,000 miles. The miles are what I am worried about. The guy says that they are mostly all highway miles (yea right) and that the engine is still strong. I have tried searching the net but have found nothing on anyone complaining about a high milliage mustang. The reason why I am still interested in this car is that the guy is selling it for thousands less than the Blue Book Value, even with all the miles.

Anyway, I wanted to see if you all had any input in things like this. What do I need to look forward to as far as repairs and how soon? Any thoughts would be great! Oh, and here is the link to the car ad.

onetime2 · 01-29-2004, 10:24 AM

Get the history of the vehicle by doing a carfax check on the vin number. If he refuses to give you the VIN then walk away. There's a reason he's selling it for less than Blue book (maybe even a salvage title). Engine mods are, in most cases, bad news. Too many people doing them that have no business working on an engine. Further, many of those having mods done abuse the hell out of the cars. It's not just the number of miles but how those miles were attained (as you obviously already know by your doubt around the "highway miles" statement).

Good luck. I'd be interested in hearing the outcome when you finally decide.

Confederate · 01-29-2004, 11:25 AM

as far as what you do when you buy it, they sell engine refresher kits. basically it flushes all the small metal shavings that have built up, repairs seals and lubricates everything, and it's not that expensive, todays engines are built to withstand higher miles with a little love and attention.

irseg · 01-29-2004, 12:08 PM

Keep in mind at 140k it's not going to be as tight (especially since it's a convertible), plus it's probably due for new front end and suspension parts. Many of those are exclusive to the Cobra so they'll likely be expensive and possibly difficult to obtain. I'd be more concerned about that than the drivetrain.

merkerguitars · 01-29-2004, 04:12 PM

Well if the price is right...and your mechanic savvy you could always hotrod it yourself...huge aftermarket selection for those cars...

zizdog69 · 01-31-2004, 06:15 AM

Thanks everyone for the input. I decided not to get the Cobra. The insurance was way to high. I've decided that I will trade in my old 1998 Mustang GT for something a little more practical for now, a 2004 PT Cruiser. The reason for the Cruiser is simple; it was voted the least to insure. My insurance rates will come down from $270 a month to $77 a month and right now I need it the most. I have to clean my Mustang today and get it ready and I should have the PT by tonight. I will miss my Mustang sooooo much but there is always time again in the future to buy a new one. Again, thanks for all your input!

JusticeForPhat · 01-31-2004, 10:29 PM

Well there is always a turbo kit for that that PT if you miss going fast, along with a horde of suspension upgrades. Not a bad choice considering how much your insurance just dropped.

Bigt6909 · 02-04-2004, 05:36 PM

If you're serious about it... check everything about.. and go from there... make sure you do the carfax though

01-29-2004, 09:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
zizdog69 Crazy Location: Arizona	High Milliage Mustang Questions Hi everyone. Its been a while since I've been here but it's great to be back. I knew I could count on you guys for any answers. I am going to look at a great Mustang tonight. It is a 1998 Mustang Cobra, Atlantic Blue, some engine mods, and 140,000 miles. The miles are what I am worried about. The guy says that they are mostly all highway miles (yea right) and that the engine is still strong. I have tried searching the net but have found nothing on anyone complaining about a high milliage mustang. The reason why I am still interested in this car is that the guy is selling it for thousands less than the Blue Book Value, even with all the miles. Anyway, I wanted to see if you all had any input in things like this. What do I need to look forward to as far as repairs and how soon? Any thoughts would be great! Oh, and here is the link to the car ad. __________________ "So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life." -Peter Gibbons, Office Space

01-29-2004, 10:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	Get the history of the vehicle by doing a carfax check on the vin number. If he refuses to give you the VIN then walk away. There's a reason he's selling it for less than Blue book (maybe even a salvage title). Engine mods are, in most cases, bad news. Too many people doing them that have no business working on an engine. Further, many of those having mods done abuse the hell out of the cars. It's not just the number of miles but how those miles were attained (as you obviously already know by your doubt around the "highway miles" statement). Good luck. I'd be interested in hearing the outcome when you finally decide. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

01-29-2004, 04:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Well if the price is right...and your mechanic savvy you could always hotrod it yourself...huge aftermarket selection for those cars... __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

01-31-2004, 06:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
zizdog69 Crazy Location: Arizona	Thanks everyone for the input. I decided not to get the Cobra. The insurance was way to high. I've decided that I will trade in my old 1998 Mustang GT for something a little more practical for now, a 2004 PT Cruiser. The reason for the Cruiser is simple; it was voted the least to insure. My insurance rates will come down from $270 a month to $77 a month and right now I need it the most. I have to clean my Mustang today and get it ready and I should have the PT by tonight. I will miss my Mustang sooooo much but there is always time again in the future to buy a new one. Again, thanks for all your input! __________________ "So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life." -Peter Gibbons, Office Space

02-04-2004, 05:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bigt6909 Crazy Location: Michigan	If you're serious about it... check everything about.. and go from there... make sure you do the carfax though __________________ Beer. Now there's a temporary solution. --Homer Simpson

01-29-2004, 11:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
Confederate Death Leprechaun Location: College Station, TX	as far as what you do when you buy it, they sell engine refresher kits. basically it flushes all the small metal shavings that have built up, repairs seals and lubricates everything, and it's not that expensive, todays engines are built to withstand higher miles with a little love and attention.

01-29-2004, 12:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
irseg Junkie Location: Florida	Keep in mind at 140k it's not going to be as tight (especially since it's a convertible), plus it's probably due for new front end and suspension parts. Many of those are exclusive to the Cobra so they'll likely be expensive and possibly difficult to obtain. I'd be more concerned about that than the drivetrain.

01-31-2004, 10:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
JusticeForPhat Crazy Location: Philly	Well there is always a turbo kit for that that PT if you miss going fast, along with a horde of suspension upgrades. Not a bad choice considering how much your insurance just dropped.