2006 Mustang GT Auto - What to look for?

[Slick_89_Hatch]

Going to look at one this week, 135KM. Other than the hood bubbling, and asking if the plugs have been changed, anything else to look out for that's specific to this car? I am well versed in repaint and accident repair and general mechanical.

[Laffs]

Cam phasers like to fail on those I believe.

[ZR]

^
Suggest, hear it fire from dead nuts cold to fully warmed up.
If it's been properly serviced from day one, non issue.

[ZR]

Check for water leaks on passengers front side / pull kick panel n check carefully.
Also prone to rear axle seals (venting problem).

[Uncle Buck]

Alternators can be troublesome

[ZR]

^ Yes they can.

[Screw]

All the above

[Slick_89_Hatch]

The axle seats and alternator don't worry me toooo much lol...but good to know! Where does the water get in on these cars?

[ZR]

Just so you know, if alt should fail, easy to get burned as it can present as anything from not charging to cam sensors failed to running so badly n making noises that would suggest the engine has let go.
Google search S197 water leaks and or Smart junction box failures.
Cars are basically solid, water leaks n electrical issues (+ of course spark plugs) are the most common problems.

[Screw]

Treed

my new OEM Alts been fine , rick fixed my axel seals and I think added a vent .
There's a tsb re water I can dig up Ed sent it to me and I gotta give it another go , first Ford attempt was a fail . There's worn or missing grommets , pinch welds that may req sealing , gaskets around window trim

[ZR]

Yes vent is a factory fail (forced on them by EPA).

[ZR]

Lots of good info here / several threads to read though.
Best thing to do is as suggested, pull up the carpet plus RH kick panel and physically look for signs of leakage.

https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=S197+water+leak

[Slick_89_Hatch]

Looks like some serious issues...should I stay away since it will be a daily driver including winter?

[Screw]

Not if it's fixed or doesn't leak , I wouldn't worry , just a heads up .

[ZR]

Agreed, most never have a leak issue.

[Slick_89_Hatch]

Rick, are you aware of where the areas for leaks are other than the 2 drains on the cowl? Perhaps if I pick up the car I may need to pay you a visit.

[ZR]

On some it's more involved, drip rail sealing issue. Pull the kick panel n take a close look, no water and your good to go. Great driving cars.

[Uncle Buck]

My 06 has never leaked and I drove it in plenty of wet weather before it became a garage queen.

Generally speaking I think these years are good reliable rides. In the nearly 60k I've driven it, axle seals and an alternator is all I've done outside of maintenance and mods. It needs an abs sensor now too but that's not common and I think a spirited track day had something to do with it.

Oh, one last thing. The drivers and passengers window seals also deteriate over time. Fix is cheap and easy.

[ZR]

+1 on the above.

[Screw]

On some it's more involved, drip rail sealing issue. Pull the kick panel n take a close look, no water and your good to go. Great driving cars.

Can I get you to dig into mine in the spring or when your slow ?

[ZR]

Absolutely.

[NickD]

I'll admit I've got caught in the rain a time or two as well and mine being an early 05 wouldn't have any of the fixes yet, I've never seen a drop of water inside. As I mentioned before the only leak source I see discussed on s197 forum is from the firewall behind the cowl when the drain gets full of leaves

[Slick_89_Hatch]

Thanks guys. i have high hopes for this car as the price and condition seem to be great....but we'll see what happens when I see it in person. I looked at 2 already that were "original paint" ...lol....I looked at one for 30 seconds and basically walked away....the other had been re ended hard.

[NickD]

Hope it works out then we can roll in style!

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[allicedout]

Hope it works out then we can roll in style!

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You say that like Norm's Fox has no style!

[NickD]

You say that like Norm's Fox has no style!
Nah, I love his fox, I've ridden in it though and know it's a rocket, he'd be at the destination before I left lol

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[Slick_89_Hatch]

LOL!!! Nick, your car is not far behind mine....but ill be turning up the boost a weeee bit this year :)
I hope it works out, I should be checking it out tomorrow but still haven't heard from insurance about what im going to get for mt 96.

[NickD]

LOL!!! Nick, your car is not far behind mine....but ill be turning up the boost a weeee bit this year :)
I hope it works out, I should be checking it out tomorrow but still haven't heard from insurance about what im going to get for mt 96.
I am planning to get the money order tonight for my blower so maybe we'll be close

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[Slick_89_Hatch]

With a blower your car will probably be faster!

[RedSN]

I should be checking it out tomorrow...
Update?

[Slick_89_Hatch]

It was pretty clean. Can tell it never saw winter and was pretty well taken care of. Hood is painted....which I expected or would expect to paint. Front bumper painted....ok job and RR Qtr painted...pretty good job. No signs of really bodywork that I can see....and is straight with no waves. So all repaint is pretty minor...from what I can see no accidents. All power options work perfect including the shaker 1000 subs so no SJB issues that I can see. This car is currently top of the list. I still havent heard from my insurance so I don't want to pull the trigger yet....and I still have the rental.

[Mellow Yellow]

Looks like some serious issues...should I stay away since it will be a daily driver including winter?

Had my water leak fixed on my 05 no issues since (3 years ago).
In my case it was water coming in through the cabin filter - result of plugged drain on engine side of firewall.

The only issue I felt was major was the corrosion of the aluminum hood. After replacing factory hood with another, finally replaced second hood with a fibreglass one.

[Uncle Buck]

I must be lucky, original hood with original paint 2006. It is flaking on the underside a little but that's it.

[RedSN]

I still havent heard from my insurance so I don't want to pull the trigger yet....and I still have the rental.
Sorry to break it to you, but unless it was insured for agreed replacement value, you aren't getting anything for a 20 y/o car.

[Screw]

That would hurt

[Mellow Yellow]

I must be lucky, original hood with original paint 2006. It is flaking on the underside a little but that's it.

Could also be improved production methods as yours is a 2006 and mine a 2005, built in November 2004.

[NickD]

Could also be improved production methods as yours is a 2006 and mine a 2005, built in November 2004.
My 05 has no flaking in the hood and as far as I know was never repainted.

The 99 your looking at looks pretty nice but the s197 is a whole lot more car in my opinion

[Slick_89_Hatch]

Sorry to break it to you, but unless it was insured for agreed replacement value, you aren't getting anything for a 20 y/o car.

You are never going to believe what they are giving me.....lets just say with tax its almost enough to buy this 06GT I want (before tax on this car)

[ZR]

As you know, doesn't work out that way very often.
Cool it has for you.

[Screw]

Good to hear

[NickD]

Great to hear, pick me up when you get the new wheels I'll buy you a beer.

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[Slick_89_Hatch]

I may try and pull the trigger on it today or tomorrow....unless something else comes up lol. There is a uber clean 97GT on kijiji but I think the 06 would probably make a much more comfortable daily.

[NickD]

Newer one will probably be safer (optional side curtain airbags etc) and has about 100hp more

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[Slick_89_Hatch]

Very true. I am more than likely going to pick it up.

[Harbinger]

I would go for a 2011 or up. Coyote engine is far superior to the 4.6 3v and also what nick said

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[Slick_89_Hatch]

Budget is keeping me in the 3V territory. I made a deal on a car and I am picking it up tomorrow :) It's my daily driver so the 300hp will be more than enough :) Although ive read the 3V auto with CAI, gears and tune will run low 13's which IMO is fantastic for a DD.

[Uncle Buck]

Congrats, lets see some pics

[Slick_89_Hatch]

I should have some tomorrow when I pick it up!

[NickD]

Congrats, can't wait to see it

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[Mellow Yellow]

Budget is keeping me in the 3V territory. I made a deal on a car and I am picking it up tomorrow :) It's my daily driver so the 300hp will be more than enough :) Although ive read the 3V auto with CAI, gears and tune will run low 13's which IMO is fantastic for a DD.

Mine ran 13.2 with CAI and tune with 3.55 gears.

Haven't had it out since I went to 4.10 gears, but it "feels" quicker.

[newbiestangowner]

Budget is keeping me in the 3V territory. I made a deal on a car and I am picking it up tomorrow :) It's my daily driver so the 300hp will be more than enough :) Although ive read the 3V auto with CAI, gears and tune will run low 13's which IMO is fantastic for a DD.

just reading up on your thread Norm, sorry to hear about your car ( my wife even commented on your car when she saw it at Lowes) - glad you are ok and insurance worked out.
Congrats on the 3v- its plenty fast! Coyotes are over rated anyway :friendly_wink: mine probably runs 15's- 16s lol! Like I said " power problems" lol

[Slick_89_Hatch]

LOL thanks guys! Can't wait to pick it up. I look forward to the improved ride quality and power over the 96GT. I already have mods planned....just need the money lol.

[TC86GT]

My old '05 GT auto had 4.30's, C&L Racer intake tube and tune as well as secondary runner delete plates. It ran 13.1 @ 104 on too tall (28" tall) street tires. The fellow I sold it too put on some 26" Nittos and pounded off a string of 12.80's @ 105.

The old 3V is/was a good running engine.

I don't miss the car, I'm old school and like rough around the edges but my wife sure missed the comfort of it. LOL!

[Slick_89_Hatch]

That's awesome! It may find the strip at some point for fun, but it's my DD and I still have the Fox :) Those are impressive numbers! I may not do a gear in it, but it'll definitely get a CAI and tune. It has a Pypes Axle back system on it and may try to pick up a midpipe. It'll also eventually get lower control arms and relocation brackers, lowered and all the items to go with that.

[bluetoy]

Mine is an 07 Auto convertible. (So it's a heavy pig). I have Roush CAI, mail order tune, 4.10 gears and FRPP hotrod cams. It goes like hell and is faster than my 96 Cobra with 4.10, C&L cai, MMR Intake plenum spacer, Aluminum flywheel, king cobra clutch, steeda billet adjustable lca's and underdrive pullies.

[Slick_89_Hatch]

Im excited about the potential of this car even though it's only my DD. Makes me want to eventually do gears in it as well lol. My 96GT Auto with the 3.73 was nice.....I think if I did this car id probably go 4.10.

[newbiestangowner]

Im excited about the potential of this car even though it's only my DD. Makes me want to eventually do gears in it as well lol. My 96GT Auto with the 3.73 was nice.....I think if I did this car id probably go 4.10.

careful Norm- this is not sounding like a " daily" anymore- you'll have to explain to wifey that you need to pick up a " real daily" ;) ie some older smaller gas efficient car as well