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excell

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Posts posted by excell

  1. Grand Prix GXP - what to look out for

    in Passing Lane

    Posted

    GXP's (the V8) eat transmissions, have different size front and rear tires (and fronts are expensive to get, they're a custom size developed just for the GXP) but you can replace the wheels with aftermarket to make them the same size. Motor is solid. Put a transmission cooler on - it will help - as will a mild shift kit.

     

    GTP's (supercharged V6) will need new lower intake manifold gaskets if they haven't been changed to the 06+ metal gaskets, valve cover gaskets if they're leaking (obvious, the sides of engine will be covered in oil), and metal coolant elbows.

     

    Either model, assuming it's all stock, will need all main suspension and steering components replaced now or soon (end links, tie rods, struts, etc.), the intermediate steering shaft is the clunk you'll feel when you drive it -- it's normal and not dangerous, just annoying and there's a non-clunky Dorman replacement, the radiator cap replaced, lower motor mount and transmission mount replaced, front wheel bearings soon, the sunroof will probably stick a little in the winter (replace the grease), the interior plastic turns to shit but you can prolly already see that, the HUD will "fall in" when the support spring eats through the plastic tab that holds it up but it's just cosmetic, the seat heaters get weak as they age, the water on the passenger floorboard when it rains is because it doesn't have the 06+ water shield under the cowl which fits over the cabin air filter ($10 on Amazon).

     

    That's most of the annoying things. My 04 GTP has 166k and I just did an alternator, battery, water pump, and AC condenser, in addition to all of the things above which is pretty good for major wear components. They're good cars, just be proactive about maintenance. I also rebuilt my transmission because I felt like it before I started all this back and forth to DC I do now. I beat the fuck out of this thing twice a week on my trips back and forth, it's still a fun turd.

  5. 3800 recall waiting list..

    in Passing Lane

    Posted

    Front and rear valve cover gaskets. It's very easy. Takes 2-3 hours with basic hand tools if you're taking your time. The hardest is the rear because you have to remove the alternator bracket/heater hose manifold which means a partial coolant system draining.

  14. Where to shop for a clean Fox

    in Passing Lane

    Posted

    Not sure why they stopped in 1999... but those cars were odd birds. I think they rushed them out which is why they had all the performance problems and recalls. Skipped 2000 except for the Cobra R and 2000-2001 are supposed to be really fun cars. They just got paled in comparison to Ford's "I'm sorry we fucked you in 1999" Terminator which is a great car. I always really liked the n/a Cobra though, and they can be found for half the price of a Terminator. That's 10k worth saving to me.

     

    Funny enough Clay -- the Cobra's are still hard to find under $7500 in any generation. They have held value pretty well.

  16. Where to shop for a clean Fox

    in Passing Lane

    Posted

     

    Yea, I talked to this guy. A few red flags for me -- body has about 170k, was repainted but he didn't know when, etc. Sounded like a decent car for more like 4k but I'm sure they won't go there.

     

    I have my eye on a 2001 Cobra right now. Low miles, stock, and the colors I want. Top of my budget but I think you have all turned my thinking a bit. Nicer, newer car that's got more upside and I won't feel bad actually driving it. If I end up with it I'm sure I'll get lots of "lol not a Terminator" though haha.

  17. Where to shop for a clean Fox

    in Passing Lane

    Posted · Edited by excell

    A toy to do what though? I can see the appeal of a Fox body as a budget street strip car but you seem to be looking for a nice stock one to preserve? To that end I think taking the time and looking for a really rare or interesting car benefits you (a dark green LX 5.0 5 speed, or a mclaren, or an svo turbo 4 or something like that).

     

    From a "collectible" or "special" toy standpoint where you just want to keep it mostly stock (maybe some bolt ons) and still stand out - I think the SN95 Mach 1s are the real bargain right now. I see a lot of them around $10K (and a lot of them riced or ragged) and they are unique, sharp, and a pretty decent car. I mean, if you are considering a terminator then you probably don't hate the sn95 platform. I mean I wouldn't expect a 20k mileage original for that price but with modern cars 100K miles isn't as "scary" as it used to be.

     

    for example:

    http://wheeling.craigslist.org/cto/5592761312.html

     

    http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/ctd/5570093256.html

     

    http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/5567360132.html

    http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/5561427581.html

     

    you could also look for an SN95 bullett:

    http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/5600952175.html

     

    You and Clay do have a point. "Toy" as in something I can beat on, put kids in and not care if they spill shit in the back seat, etc. but still a nice cruiser. Then get rid of it in a few years and start over. The late model SN95/new edge cars are dirt cheap. I wish they made the Mach 1 cars in a convertible, always liked them. Warming to the idea of picking one up with some miles and tossing a blower on it. Or hell, now that I look, the 99 and 01-02 Cobra's are a pretty good deal too.

  18. Where to shop for a clean Fox

    in Passing Lane

    Posted

    LS chassis is overselling it a bit don't ya think clay? The only thing it kept from the DEW98 platform was the floor sheet metal, the trans tunnel, the fuel tank, and the front frame rails. All the suspension stuff is different (with the front struts and rear trailing arms coming from the C1 ford focus platform).

     

    It's still fat and everybody seems to hate the 4.6 but it isn't like it's a bad car. They are just getting into 3rd and 4th owners which means high school kids right now so the likelihood of getting a ragged out one or deferred maint is high.

     

    If you feel like you need to pay more than $15K for a s197, go try and buy a Bullitt edition. Nothing really "special" beyond a stock GT but still over $20K for one.

     

    Helpful. :) I don't need/want to pay more than $10k. I'm looking for a toy. If I wanted to pay more, I'd get a Terminator and be done with it. I paid so little attention to the evolution of the Mustang since 1995 that I'm trying to re-cover my bases while looking.

     

    I don't really get they appeal of the fox body but then again I remember them as new cars driven by guidos from queens, low grade coke dealers, and vanilla ice wannabes.

     

    I laughed out loud. I had an 88 LX, my family has always had them and I just like them. In my ideal world I end up with a decent 85 or 86 GT t-tops or convertible, but I'm not limiting options yet hence why I asked about the 05-10's.

  20. Where to shop for a clean Fox

    in Passing Lane

    Posted

    So why are the 05-10 cars so cheap? Is the 3v 4.6 that undesirable? I'm finding these things with less than 50k miles for under $15k. Never considered them because I thought they'd be out of my desired budget, but unless it's a GT500 they seem like good deals. What am I missing? Did the quality suck or something?

  24. Where to shop for a clean Fox

    in Passing Lane

    Posted

    Why the eff would that Pittsburgh one need a new interior? Did they leave the top down in a leaky garage?

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

     

    Strangely enough, I've been asking myself this. I don't know if it's age or what, but a significant amount of really nice exterior four eyes have the interior replaced for what appears to be no good reason. I'm sure there's a reason... shitty materials that don't age well or something. But I am very surprised how many have replaced interiors...

  25. Where to shop for a clean Fox

    in Passing Lane

    Posted

    10k with that description? I wouldn't give him a bucket of warm piss.

     

     

     

    Then again, I did buy that 69.....

     

    Yea, I asked for more pics, history, VIN, and what spare parts/original wheels he/she has. I'll bet I don't get a response. :) But it's in Pittsburgh, so not a loss if he/she does send and I go up to inspect it. Also, wouldn't offer 10k unless it was a true diamond in the rough. But I would pay it, if it is.

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