Question about 2006 4.0L

James Morse

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Hi, I'm looking at an 06 4.0L with 200k miles. Ton of service records. Car is real clean, not perfect, but very sharp, I don't see body or frame rust, and no major accidents on record, no huge dings or dents, things look straight. I'm concerned about the mileage - it's probably about average for the year, but still. On the other hand I read good reps about them, and here's the thing, I like the lines of it a lot, and I don't want to get swayed to get a car that looks great but might be a lot of headaches later. It's inspected, so at least I know that. New Firestones or next to new - full tread, that's worth something for sure. It looks like someone took care of it - last owner had it 9 years. I guess what I'm thinking is they are charging a premium because it does in fact look great, and that's important, but I also need something that runs. I hear they are pretty easy to work on, so that's a plus. I had an '85 GT way back when, but that's a different car. This one has automatic trans. I know you can't really say a whole lot from a post as to its value, but what I wanted to ask is, if I take it out for a try, what should I look for? I mean, I know how to feel how it drives and how brakes work etc, but are there any particular things I should watch out for, like how the tranny shifts, etc? I looked at a bunch online and it's hard for me to know what is a good price because most '06 4.0L I see around $5k (what the guy is asking) are wrecks, but on the other hand some places (e.g. carfax) are valuing it around $2.6k even clean. True that they detailed it and everything looks nice - engine compartment clean - interior clean, not perfect, but for its age very good. Doesn't look like anything changed from stock. Anyway, I sure would appreciate any comments about this. Obviously I can make him any kind of offer, but I'd like to get thoughts from you guys who know more than me about it. Right now I just need a daily driver, down the road I might do some mods, but for now just something to drive. I have a shop, no lift (yet), but I can do a fair amount of my own maintenance. Thanks very much for any comments and suggestions you may have. Basically I just am trying to know will it probably last a while or not. I feel like I'm being swayed by the looks of it, and wondering how much premium price I want to pay for that. On the other hand, looks are important, just, not everything. Thanks very much.
 

MrAwesome987

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I had an 05 V6 from 142,800 miles to over 190,000 miles. I beat it to death and never had any major problems. I bought it for $4,800 and sold it with 190k miles for $4,500. Mine was the premium edition with a manual transmission. Black with red leather interior.

First thought about the one you're looking at is the price seems a bit steep with 200k miles. I don't know what the V6 cars sell for near you, but I don't think you should have too much trouble finding a car with lower miles for about the same price. Good luck!
 

Tman

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I love 05 -09 mustangs. Many will tell you to stay away from the 4.0 v-6 because they feel it’s under powered. I disagree I thought it was a fine motor with plenty of power for what it was intended. I mean after all there’s always something faster out there right. Anyway I think they’re great motors however they do have two timing chains one front and one rear. I have heard of a lot of them failing between 150 and 200,000 miles. Most of the people that I know of that had to deal with this problem chose to do a motor swap at that point.
That being said I have also seen super charged 4.0’s with over 250,000 miles on them. So I guess you just never know. Either way I think you should be prepared for potential motor replacement with that many miles. On the bright side if the car is in great shape you could always do a coyote swap if you had to replace the motor. But I would just try to buy it at a good enough price and be prepared in the event you had trouble. They are great platforms and look fantastic. There are tons of aftermarket upgraded parts options as things were out. Let us know how it turns out and good luck.


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Juice

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It is the timing chain tensioner issue that is the weak part in those 4.0 engines. If the passenger side needs work, engine has to come out.
Not seeing the car, can't really offer advice on price. But they are not very valuable.
 

Dino Dino Bambino

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It sounds like that car was very well cared for.
The Cologne 4.0L V6 is a pretty robust unit that can easily go past 250k miles with good maintenance. The main areas to watch out for are the crack prone plastic thermostat housing (easily solved with an aftermarket aluminum replacement), and the rear timing chain/tensioners whose replacement requires removal of the engine. If you hear any rattles from the rear of the engine on cold start up and at idle, walk away.
The 5R55S automatic transmission has a tendency to fail between about 120-150k miles so it'll be a near miracle if it's still on the original transmission and it hasn't been cracked open at some point. That would be my main concern on that car. If the fluid is clean and the tranny shifts smoothly, you can reasonably take a gamble on it and cross your fingers that it lasts.
Just be aware of when to cut your losses and avoid the temptation to turn the car into a money pit.
 

James Morse

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Drove it - started right up, did not hear any rattling (chain) at all. Couldn't trans fluid level check to see if it was clean or not. Shifted smooth, no jerk or clunk. Downshifted fine on FT. Plenty of power.

Stuff not good: e-brake very tight, does not even go up one notch (can't move it) - frozen? Too tight? Missing door lock cover driver side, that's cheap. Missing front bumper's lower gill, also cheap. A/C very cold, fan not noisy on 4. Couldn't find anything else not working. Thermostat looked ok, didn't see any cracks or leaks.

Kind of seemed like, standing still or low speed I hear like a rumble - not tire noise - but that could be just the nature of the car? Or something in trans? But like I said, shifts 1-2-3-4 for the auto were very smooth, reverse is fine. Going down the highway, car is pretty quiet, no rattles or crap banging around. Really rode pretty sweet.

Anyway - probably going to make some kind of offer. Car looks great; went out on freeway, cruise works, car drives totally straight with hands off the wheel, brakes good and strong - couldn't find anything else weird. I think, if I could get it for 3500 that would be a quite good deal, but doubt I can talk him down that much from $5k, but worth a shot. There is the advantage of lower taxes and registration on an older car.

I know no one can "tell me what to do" - but I wanted to update and to thank everyone for the really helpful advice .
 

MrAwesome987

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e-brake very tight, does not even go up one notch (can't move it) - frozen? Too tight?
The cables that go to the rear wheels (there's two) are most likely corroded and locked up inside the cable housing. My 05 had this problem, Ford eventually fixed it in later model years, but I'm not sure when.
 

James Morse

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Thanks everyone. I'm offering him 3500, or, 4000 if he gives me 1 yr/10k miles drivetrain warranty. That seems pretty fair, and if he takes it, which I doubt, I wouldn't have a ton of cash in it, so, if he took either of those offers I think I'd be ok - as much as one can ever be with used cars. I took it out on the freeway, a/c was cold as can be, put the radio on, set cruise, and I was like, yeah, man, I could see driving this a few hours on the freeway, no problem. Tools around town real nice. Hard to find cars under 5k that I can get a little excited about. Will let you know the outcome.

Assuming I ended up with it and kept it a while, and had to swap out stuff, I should be able to do it. Shop is getting lift etc pretty quick. I'm saving up for FFR coupe, and will need lift etc in the shop for that, so right now I'm trying to just get something decent mechanically and cosmetically to drive around town at this point.
 

DieHarder

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Offer him lower than what you're willing to pay and negotiate from there. You both gain from the interaction which usually ends up at a compromise you both can live with. As far as the engine goes there are used engines that pop up now and then. This one seems to be a good example though already out of the car so you can't hear it run first.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2941070447...eds&brand=Ford&_trksid=p2060778.c100276.m3476
 

James Morse

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Yeah... you hit it on the nail. Has to work for us both. Maybe I offered too much, the thing is, 3500 is a 30% knock off on the price so I was kind of reluctant to go lower than that, at some point it's an insult (if that matters). I guess bottom line is I'd probably go 4k with no warranty, or 3800 or something like that. So I left a little wiggle room. Anyway, it's done... will see what I get back.

Plus I can always say, that was my offer, can't move from there hardly at all - a few hundred maybe.

And if it doesn't work out then at least if I look at other ones I will know what to look for. Really appreciate all the help.
 

stkjock

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for future... please read tech posting rules... this isn't a tech topic, but it's a V6.... so........
 

James Morse

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SORRY i sure got good answers though. will try to follow rules better in future, thanks.
 

stkjock

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No problem and thank you.
 

James Morse

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Just to kind of end this thread up, since it's here already - the guy won't move an inch from 5k. Claims it's worth 6300. I felt like saying, then why didn't you price it 6300 and negotiate to what you want which is 5k.

Never heard of used car sale where there wasn't negotiation. So - done with that, but, now I know what to look for if I look at other ones. I think there are lots of 05-09 out there with fairly low miles, they will be a little more money, but in the long run probably worth it. I liked the feel of the car, felt solid on the road.

Thanks again for all the help.
 

dhrmx5

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I have many of the S197 Mustangs. We raced the 4.0 cars for years. I love these cars. Having said that, if the seller can't show me a receipt showing a new trans and timing chain replacement that is a 2500 dollar car...
 

Juice

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Nada value:$4175 best case, $2125 average value.
 

MrAwesome987

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Nada value:$4175 best case, $2125 average value.
When has that ever been what cars actually sell for lol

I just spent a few minutes looking on Facebook and Craigslist in James' area, and the V6 Mustangs are certainly higher priced up there than I was expecting. But as we all know, everything is expensive right now... Wish I still had my 05, it'd probably sell for 1500 more than I sold it for!
 

JimC

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The 4.0 is a very stout engine. My 2006 I ran nitrous for 2 years and with 90,000 miles on it pulled the nitrous off and put the Xcharger Xtreme supercharger on it. Sold it with 203,000 miles on it, still running strong. The guy I sold it to put another 45,000 on it and sold it. As far as I know it is still running.

One common failure on the 4.0 is the plastic thermostat housing. It isn't a question of "will it fail", only "when will it fail". It usually splits on the back side, and is often misdiagnosed as a failed water pump. Many have replaced it multiple times within a short time. Best bet is to get the aluminum housing (ebay and amazon usually can find it).
 

stkjock

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used car prices are up 15-20% in the last year
 

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