To Part out? or naww?

stang415 · Aug 28, 2014

I've recently been contemplating parting out my 97 laser red gt vert, 5-speed, 151k miles.

It has cosmetic damage to the hood and right front fender, also the top is ripped.
Link to pics: http://www.sn95forums.com/showthread.php?66956-New-here-My-Laser-Red-97-Vert-with-tan-top-(ripped)-(

Im just wondering if i could get more money by parting out, due to the lack of value these cars seem to have in the SF bay area.

Anyone have any experience parting out a stock stang?

Tony · Aug 28, 2014

shiit if it runs good i'd wait till ya blow something up to part it out.

RichV · Aug 29, 2014

Why not have the dent fixed, and get a top? Pretty minor IMO if there's nothing else wrong.

familytruckster · Aug 29, 2014

I wouldn't part it unless it's got a bunch of mechanical issues. Doesn't look that bad.

stang415 · Aug 29, 2014

Reason i dont want to fix it is money. I over-payed for it when i bought it at $3900 a year ago with 138k miles, less the front end damage.
I was about to get the car smogged and sold, as ive been doing a lot of searching on the internet, which led me to the conclusion that ****! I bought an npi 4.6 with a ripped top and 138k on the clock!?! What was i thinking!?!?

its at least 1000 for the top, and another 1000 for the front end.
Not to mention the valve seals, and the stock t45, which needs to be granny shifted, especially on yhe 1-2 shift,and of course the npi top end, which is another 500 at least, to swap.

All that work adds up to more than an sn95 gt is worth around here, as i see them going for 4k max
Dont get me wrong i like the sn95, but i cant help but feel like i shouldve bought a cobra.

Racsirx · Aug 29, 2014

I part out a lot cars and I am in the San Francisco Bay Area and you should sell it as a whole car, there is no money if you parted it out on this one.

white95 · Aug 29, 2014

Don't part it out!! Buy a cheapie beater car (mid to late 90's civic, corolla etc) take the GT off the road and slowly fix the issues you're having. Don't do anything irrational like blowing your wad on a blower kit cuz :handz: Fiz the most pressing issues, valve seals, manual transmissions are easy to rebuilt yourself. Ask MadStang how easy it is..

i just bought a '98 GT with 122k miles and burnt clutch. Why? All of my modular buddies assured me that the 4.6 2V is damn near hard to kill. Consider the amount of taxis, Police Interceptors, etc still running the roads.. They run forever if maintained.

KingOsiris · Aug 29, 2014

I wouldn't part it out for the simple fact that this is what we all here get into these cars for. We already know that have issues when we buy them but we buy them anyway and dream about the feeling we will get in saying that I fixed this car up. Take your time and plan your build or at least the things you want to fix. I would start with the top http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/ET-CTK4-BLK/9-95-To-2000-Mustang-Convertible-Top-Kit
Do the work yourself and in time you will have the ride the you originally dreamed about.

DropTopPony · Aug 29, 2014

It doesn't look that bad at all.

Save for a new top, if you have some friends willing to help you could try and swap it yourself and save @ $500 in labor.

A few guys here have done it and could off some tips I am sure.

96blak54 · Aug 29, 2014

Sn95's fixed up, pimped out look nothing like anything else out there and really stand out! Reconsider dumping the car.

stang415 · Aug 29, 2014

Thanks for the advice guys. I wish i wouldve found this forum much sooner, if i did i probably wouldnt have bought my stang due to the fact that it had the factory pos intake manifold, and what do ya know, 2nd day of owning it, it cracked on the thermostat housing.

I may keep the car and buy another stang, 94-98 cobra. Or get a fox and build that up

stang415 · Aug 29, 2014

In terms of the dohc cobras, what should i look out for when buying one?
I understand they have B heads. and imrc that gets clogged easily, but other than that what should i look for under the hood and under the car

stang415 · Aug 29, 2014

Here are to cobras i may go check out over the weekend.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4641983455.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4616680120.html

96blak54 · Aug 29, 2014

Perhaps keeping your car now to learn repairs and builds. Owning a 15yr old vehicle is going to need repairs regardless what make it is. Those cobras are like any other car and have problems with age or milage. With this said, learning how to work on cars can save you a bunch of money with labor cost and you fully explore the hobby taking on new challenges. We are all here with answers when you decide to tackle anything Mustang.

Racsirx · Aug 29, 2014

Sorry guys I am not a fan of 4.6s, seen too many rod knock problems, why don't you look at 94-95 Cobras? They are easier to work on and more reliable

stang415 · Aug 29, 2014

94-95 cobra would be nice, but the are hard to find.
I do have some experience working on cars, hardest jobs ive done were, heater core, and the intake manifold on my 97 gt, with no help. Everything i learned about working on cars comes from high school auto tech, but mostly the internet.
I know its not an sn95 but this is the other stang i consider
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4638565583.html

DropTopPony · Aug 30, 2014

4.6 and rod knock problems is news to me...

They have other issues that are well documented such as the POS intake manifold but for the most part these engines live very long reliable lives.

You can find a replacement FoMoCo PI Intake for @ $125 to fix that issue, most other stuff is minor.

Racsirx · Aug 30, 2014

DropTopPony said:
4.6 and rod knock problems is news to me...

They have other issues that are well documented such as the POS intake manifold but for the most part these engines live very long reliable lives.

You can find a replacement FoMoCo PI Intake for @ $125 to fix that issue, most other stuff is minor.

I have been seeing the rod knock problems for years, that's why I stay away from 4.6s

stang415 · Aug 30, 2014

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4616680120.html

Strongly considering this one as it has low miles, new parts, including the transmission and clutch.
It could just use some cosmetic work.

I am also unfamiliar with the rod knock on the 4.6, mine has 151k miles and purrs like a kitten. Ive know people to easily take these motors past 200k miles without and major failures. But as far as the 4v 4.6 goes idk? Is it about the same reliability wise