Things to watch out for in a SN-95 ('99 Mustang) Convertible? Fun/Simple improvements?

So after lots of searching and bouncing different ideas back and forth with SWMBO, it seems we have found our topless toy: a silver '35th Anniversary' (not the Limited Edition one though from the looks of it) V6 Ford Mustang convertible (automatic, unfortunately). It apparently needs a new alternator so I'm going into it expecting to replace that and the belt, but from what I've seen and been told it's otherwise in quite good shape. Will of course be giving it a good going-over when we head up to look at/buy it tomorrow, but wanted to find out of there are any particular problem areas that I should be paying extra attention to.

Though it is intended more as a 'cruising' car for SWMBO and I to enjoy with the top down- I can't help but also want to see what I can do to simply/cheaply improve the 'driving experience'. What all can/should be done to a seemingly stock SN-95? Thanks!

Ummmmmmm you lost me at automatic V6 cruising car....clearly that's a typo?

In reply to Enyar:

Has to be. I mean, he couldn't possibly, really, truly want a V-6 auto Mustang, right?

GT rear sway bar, lowering springs, and decent tires go a long way to improving the handling characteristics of a V6 New Edge. 05+ GT wheels always look good on them, and a Mach 1 grille kit along with a GT rear fascia, true dual exhaust, and a tune will transform the car.

Do -I- truly want one? No, not really... but this is as much if not more SWMBO's car, and I'm picking my battles- and she really likes this one so far. Once the garage is organized (hopefully shortly) I'll have the Elky in there working on it so don't need another real 'project' at this point, and we've wanted a convertible to enjoy driving around in the nice Bluegrass evenings here ever since I sold my FC 'vert some time ago. Of course I'd prefer one of the V8's with a stick, but SWMBO has been in no hurry to learn to drive stick and the V8s are (unsurprisingly) more expensive.

G_Body_Man wrote: GT rear sway bar, lowering springs, and decent tires go a long way to improving the handling characteristics of a V6 New Edge. 05+ GT wheels always look good on them, and a Mach 1 grille kit along with a GT rear fascia, true dual exhaust, and a tune will transform the car.

Hard to disagree with these suggestions.

I would also look into chassis bracing. It certainly couldn't hurt anything.

But if you do buy it I would suggest simply giving it a very thorough detailing, make it really clean. Fix the alt and anything else that jumps out at you. Then just drive it for a while. Make a list of what you want to improve, realizing the end goal of the car which is fun, top down cruiser and then start working on that list and see where you end up.

I learned this with my many years of MG experience. If you want an old car to feel like new, go through the thing from front to rear and replace every piece of rubber, and every wear item in the suspension.

Until you do, you wont really have a baseline for any improvement you think you are doing. Just starting with a clean slate is often good enough.

As to the proposed vehicle specs..."Happy wife, happy life." Voice of customer rules.

It sounds as if all she wants is a convertible.

I wouldn't waste my time changing a thing.

Save your $ for another project.

I second what G_Body_Man said. Also, pick up a Trac-Lok LSD for the 7.5" from an Aerostar, Ranger or another V6 Mustang. The 17" Bullitt style wheels are all over and pretty inexpensive. Also, the Mach 1 chin spoiler is like $60 and makes the front a bit more aggressive. 2001 and up Mustangs got the factory smoked headlights. Being a convertible New Edge, chassis bracing will really help since the convertibles have the torsional rigidity of a wet noodle. Subframe connectors from Steeda and Maximum Motorsports are probably the best choices.

My now ex-wife had a 2004 V6 Mustang that was Screaming Yellow. I once got 30mpg on the highway one time driving to her parents house. It was pretty comfortable, quiet and had good A/C which was the exact opposite of my Cobra.

Also, they are pretty reliable. The 3.8L PI V6 is pretty damn tough. It's not a refined engine by any stretch of the imagination but as long as basic maintenance is done, it will run forever. The 4R70W is pretty tough as well. Look up the "J-mod" if you feel like tinkering with it.

I just threw gabirel ultras in my moms 2000 gt convertable and having owned the car for the last 10 years it hasnt ever felt as good as it does now, very nice upgrade in handling and feel but still comfortable but they costs about $100 shipped from rock auto which is awesome. Also be weary with wheels a lot of those mustang wheels are EXTREMELY heavy and can quickly make a v6 car even more boring, case in point my brother had 18" cobra wheels that weighed 30lbs each and it was slower than an sn95 v6 (brothers was 04 v6).

Pretty much..shocks bushings better brake pads and enjoy the top down.

Also, I'm pretty sure the supercharged top end and drive pulleys from a Thunderturd will fit. To make the thing run, you'll want an SCT tuner with a BOC tune.

I'll echo the chassis stiffening, and add a strut tower brace. Also, I always thought that the bolt in roll bar/hoop (Classic Design Concepts maybe?) looked good.

In reply to JFX001:

I like those for some reason. Just get it from AM because cheap, and free shipping.

Is this the one up in Ohio?

eastsidemav wrote: Is this the one up in Ohio?

Yes. Though I'm a bit worried as I've not heard back from the seller since yesterday when I asked for the address we'd be heading to...

Thanks for all the advice!

G_Body_Man wrote: Also, I'm pretty sure the supercharged top end and drive pulleys from a Thunderturd will fit. To make the thing run, you'll want an SCT tuner with a BOC tune.

Superturd m90 wont fit a new edge. Only fits the sn95 single port heads whereas the new edge is split port...you can always swap heads but its easier to just swap the whole supercoupe motor but then if your swapping motor might as well v8..you see where this is going. If you want something fun to drive get a gt otherwise let your wife be happy with a stock v6 drop top

Honestly I would steer her toward something else, either a newer Mustang or a different car all together. '79-'04 Mustangs have extremely E36 M3ty suspensions (as I'm sure you know) and the convertibles have the rigidity of a cooked lasagna noodle. Plus that one has the craptastic 7.5 and a headgasket popping v6.

In reply to The_Jed:

I think the headgasket issue was fixed in 99 with the new head design.

Honestly, a v6 auto Mustang sounds like a drag. A Sebring or a Camry Solara Droptop might be a better option

Only if the Sebring is a 4 cylinder. Avoid the 2.7 V6 at all costs.

I had a '95 GT convertible and, well, they're not very good cars. A nice E36 convertible, a Solara, I'd even look hard at a Volvo C70. The S197 that followed seems a lot nicer as well. I don't know what the later V6 is like to drive, the earlier ones were pretty awful. I don't know about the S197 wheels onto an SN95 as the offsets are different. I'd love to sell you my set of 17" RFP1's though. In any case, I'd get something else.

On the overall issue, SWMBO seems to like the look and idea of the SN-95s a lot, and they're one of the more plentiful convertibles out there in our price range. Given how much negative I've heard about the Sebrings they've never been skmethkng I've remotely seriously considered, and SWMBO hasn't expressed much interest in them herself.

So far though... this particular purchase isn't going anywhere- tried calling to get th address and info but get the message that the number is not valid. So we're not going anywhere until I hear back and confirm where we're going...

1100.00 top every 5 years... the rear window part of the top starts leaking on most of them. I own a '98 GT and that's why it's parked. Definitely a cruiser and fun enough if you keep the fact that's it's pretty much a "girl" car in perspective. A/C on full and top down, sucking up miles down the coastline is what they do best. It's a plush ride, cowl shake and flex is noticeable if you're pushing on it. Don't forget to invest in sunscreen.

The '05 up wheels need a 1" spacer to really fit right.

Beagle wrote: Don't forget to invest in sunscreen.

I learned that lesson on the first long drive I took in the FC3S- ouch!