Maybe about time to retire the Mustang

[Mustangfan2003]

So the car is a 2002 and I have about 174k miles on it.  Had the car get a little hot while sitting stuck in traffic.  This only happens in traffic and not traveling at highway speed.  Was going to fix the thermostat today along with the rack and pinion, brakes, and getting new tires.  On my way to the tire shop the fitting that the heater core hose goes into breaks.  Oh yeah I also need to get new shocks/struts and get an alignment on the car.   So yeah a shitty weekend. 

[Rupert]

Shoulda bought a Camaro.

[Mustangfan2003]

Shoulda bought a Camaro.

Yeah so it would be harder to work on. 

[Beav]

We fixed up our 99 Mustang GT a few years ago, I think we spent $1,600 or so on struts and brakes and such and a month later a tornado totaled it.
As much as I like Mustangs, it sounds like your car may have reached the "money pit stage".

[Mustangfan2003]

Also, it's due a paint job after years of having to park outside in the sun and dealing with tree sap.  I've considered maybe keeping the car and finding a 2nd car to commuting.  It would need to be new or close to new since I don't want to dump money into fixing 2 cars at the same time. 

[Rupert]

Strip it and race it?

[Mustangfan2003]

Just daily driving it. 

[hotrodalex]

But you should strip it and race it.

we spent $1,600 or so on struts and brakes and such and a month later a tornado totaled it.

Ouch...

[Mustangfan2003]

I might be hitting the $1,600 mark when it's all said and done.  I did order some Akebono pads and some new Powerslot rotors for the front.  They were expected to be here Friday but UPS had some delay with one of their trucks and now they won't be here till Monday.  I went ahead and bought the cheapest pads at Advance since my old pads were about shot.  Now since I can't go anywhere in the car I guess I can take those pads back and get my $25 back. 

[12,000 RPM]

Yea money pit stage. Cooling, brakes, suspension, tires, paint, you crossed the threshold long ago. I junked my last Accord with less issues. Sell it to a sucker and buy a Sentra

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Is it a V8?

[hotrodalex]

Is it a V8?

If so, use it for a donor car for a FFR.

[280Z Turbo]

24 hours of lemons

[GoCougs]

IMO the key to avoiding "money pits" is to fix stuff as it reaches the end of its service life, which is usually well before it brakes.

KBB says even a 2002 Mustang GT in "fair" condition with 174k is only worth ~$2,700. All the stuff listed above (brakes, tires, struts/shocks, radiator/cooling system, steering) if fixed professionally is going to be at least $2,000. 'Tis financially more prudent to roll the repair money into new(ish) car.

[SVT32V]

I Hope it isn't the heater core hose fitting at the firewall. Getting to the heater core in a fox/SN-95/new edge mustang is an extremely painful exercise.

If most of it is DIY, just get through it. The 4.6 is extremely robust in terms of longevity, as is the rest of the drivetrain.

Then again, you might be getting bored of it and want something new.

[Mustangfan2003]

Well I got the car running again.  Turns out the hose was attached to the intake manifold.  So new stuff I have on it include a new intake manifold, Cooper Zeon tires, rack and pinion, Powerslot rotors, Akebono pads, and a front end alignment.  Will likely have to do the rear brakes in another month or so and I also need to do new shocks and struts sooner or later.  After all this I might as well keep it till it gets to 200k and it will likely need new spark plugs by then. 

[MexicoCityM3]

Well I got the car running again.  Turns out the hose was attached to the intake manifold.  So new stuff I have on it include a new intake manifold, Cooper Zeon tires, rack and pinion, Powerslot rotors, Akebono pads, and a front end alignment.  Will likely have to do the rear brakes in another month or so and I also need to do new shocks and struts sooner or later.  After all this I might as well keep it till it gets to 200k and it will likely need new spark plugs by then. 

[Mustangfan2003]

Drives like a totally different car as well.  Engine runs really good so it's possible that the intake might have had a problem for a while. 

[AutobahnSHO]

sounds like its time for an Italian tuneup