No go? 2003 3.8 Sn95 Automatic Convertible

[KoreanMustangMan]

My friend is interested in purchasing a 03 3.8 Sn95 convertible with an automatic transmission. It has approximately 90k miles on it. What should my friend look out for in this year and model? With some quick reading it seems that the 3.8L Essex has some issues with headgaskets? Is this one of the common problem? :shrug:

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[Kevin08]

Headgasket issues are only on the single port 3.8L from 96-98. The split port 3.8 is fine, and probably the most durable part of the car. I have a 2000 3.8 with the 4R70W (same trans used in V8 Mustangs and F150s). The engine has held up fine with much neglect (such as oil changes every ~10k miles, maybe) and hard driving.

There aren't really any known "super common" issues with these cars (eg panel alignment and crooked rear windows on S550s). They're just old and fall apart. The wiper cowling will probably be cracked, and if it isn't, it'll definitely crack when it has to be removed. Easy cars to work on, though.

In the 10 years I've had mine, I've replaced...

- both front wheel hub assemblies
- one front control arm (just did that Sunday!)
- steering rack
- water pump
- alternator
- x3 ball joints
- PS sending lines
- transmission dip stick tube o-ring (went bad and caused obnoxious fluid leak)
- transmission shifter cable (thanks to interstate road debris that destroyed mine)
- multiple rubber exhaust hangers
- the whole rear end swapped to an 8.8 (open-diff SUCKS and once the axle bearings go out - which they will, there's no point in keeping the 7.5)

 

[KoreanMustangMan]

Wow i appreciate the detailed response! May have a new convert within our midst.

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