My wife is getting her Tbird replaced before June. It's too far gone to fix. The front suspension is loose as a goose, the interior is about worn out including the headliner and the gas tank leaks when full. Plastic gas tanks are just way too expensive. Half the drive train has to come out to replace it and the tranny is getting iffy. Choosing a car isn't simple anymore. I'm old enough to remember the 50s. There was one Chevy in several trim levels. One Ford in several trim levels, same for Chrysler. Now it's crazy between the US, Europe, Asia etc. We are looking for 2-4 years old low milage. Now there's hundreds to choose from. It's nuts. Way too much research to do. That's why I like In and Out Burger. Three choices on burgers, single double and triple with or without cheese, one choice on french frys and a handfull of drinks to choose from. Simple.
....Don't you have an awful long way to go to get to in In-N-Out? Anyway, I've always wanted to 'special order' a new car - never have. Mostly because most of the time I buy used. Back in the mid 80's we had some extra money and wifey wanted a new Nissan 300ZX. I was all set to order it just the way we wanted (which was a bit unusual due to things we wanted / didn't want). Don't you know, we found the exact car we liked at a local dealer........
Hey, Steve - That's why Auto Trader.com is so good at this. Instead of driving around to a hundred dealers, you can set your parameters in 'search' and find your exact car (or the closest thing to it) and go right to it. Hey - I like doing this. Tell me your specifics and I'll do it for you, send you the results...)
Steve, I am currently working at a dealership, way too far from where you are located, but I can get you updated values on anything you are looking for. If you have something in mind and want some good info on them let me know. If I can help I will......
I don't envy you Steve. If it was me, I'd focus my range to something before the big 3 started bleeding money (pre-2007) so bad or models with the fewest recalls. Good luck.
I feel for you as you are looking for a newer car, you almost have to pick the least of all evils as they clearly don't make them to last any more.
As always I keep going back to what I know. Fords. My old friend at work has a 93 Town Car with 74,000 miles. It's a beauty. White with blue leather. Not a mark on it. I was thinking of offering $3K.
Sounds like a nice car, Steve. Enough sheetmetal to protect the wife, and enough room for the groceries in the glove box!
If it did the Tbird would be getting redone. I have the 160 hp non-turbo V6. What I really need to do is figure out how I can put that EFI V6 in the wagon with the AOD tranny. The engine has 20k miles. If I was a welder that IRS rear end could go in the wagon too. As it is it would cost me about $4,000 to get the tbird fixed and that doesn't include paint. Just the front end, gas tank and interior work. The main problem is the fuel leak. It'll take a couple of days to figure that out. Most of the exhaust and drive shaft is in the way or removing the tank.
Haven't the Fox Mustangs had those V6's? I'd measure the TBird Crossmembers (Eng. and Trans.) and go from there. Scoop all the wiring though. You can use an aftermarket fuel pump for the EFI. If I had more time and money, I'd go down and help you out. That sounds like a nice upgrade for the Cougar.
Tada!!! Here's a 3.8 V6 Swap DIY! http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/3_8_Conversion.html The rest is measurement, a shoehorn, and maybe an oilpan.
