Knock on wood, but so far my '05 GT has not had a single problem, and has not been back to the dealer since it was new. I've had a lot of cars in my life and this is the best one as far as being trouble-free, well-designed, and great bang for the buck. Every once in a while the forum needs success stories to balance the many posts talking about problems and issues, so here's mine.

I kind of baby the car actually. I do drive it hard occasionally, but am definitely not in the habit of slamming shifts, doing holeshots, etc. That's not say I never have. In fact, I took the car to Lime Rock race track in November 2007 for an HPDE event, where I drove the car as close to the limit as I dared for about 40 laps (1.5 miles each), and the car took the punishment with no problem at all. It seemed to like it in fact (despite getting only 6.8 mpg during the session). And I really baby the car when it comes to its appearance - it's always washed and waxed, and doesn't have a single parking lot nick on it, or even a swirl mark in the paint.

To this point, I've done all the maintenance myself. I changed the oil at 1500 miles with the factory Motorcraft synthetic blend, then switched to Mobil 1 5W-20 at 3000 miles, and have continued with the Mobil 1 full synthetic every 3000 miles since. I always use the Motorcraft FL-820S oil filter. The only other thing I've done was to rotate the tires. And most importantly, I think, I've recorded of all the maintenance in an Excel file (PM me if anyone wants a template), and kept all the receipts for the oil and filters.

I also should point out that I am plenty happy with the car being stock. For the most part anyway. I replaced the shifter with the Hurst (mostly for looks, because I had no real problem with the stock shifter), and replaced the factory 6x8 speakers with four Pioneer speakers.

To be completely honest, my car does have the fuel filler issue. However, I use the reliable workaround of pulling the nozzle out about an inch after inserting it, and that works for me every time. I didn't feel it was worth bringing the car to the dealer for this issue with no guarantee of actually fixing it.

So now with 30,000 miles, I just went to the parts department at the local Ford dealer, and totally got ripped off on price of the Motorcraft air filter ($32.20), cabin air filter ($21.47), and fuel filter ($23.24). Still, as I mentioned above, I want to keep the car mostly original and don't mind paying a little extra for the Motorcraft parts. Next Tuesday I'll leave the car with my trusted independent mechanic and have him replace the fuel filter, and do the other checks that are recommended at 30,000 miles like the brakes, suspension, etc.

To repeat, the car has been awesome for 3 years and 30,000 miles, and has not given me a single problem to this point. Did I mention I like this car a lot?

 

I like hearing success stories like yours. "Baby-ing" your baby is paying off. Congrats!

 

I agree, get sick of reading the negatives. My car, other than the strut popping issue, aluminum door sil and the shaker 500 has been flawless. All but the shaker were fixed no problem. I never bothered to take it in for the shaker. And according to all the threads my car is rare indeed, no squeeking and still have the origional battery. Owned her since dec. 04. Also, I have never babied this car, it was built to run and I intend to get my moneys worth out of her

 

I'm with you my car is over 3 years with 26000 miles and not one trip to the dealer for repair service. My last car was a 99 cobra I had for like 4 years and I didn't have one problem with that car either. Mustang fan for life here!

 

excellent. love to hear about stuff like this

 

My car is almost at 30,000(28,900) in just under 2 years, no problems other than the strut popping noise. A few squeaks and rattles here and there, but for a DD, I'm not complaining!!! Oh, and I'm NOT babying her, either!!

 

I've had my car for two years, driven it daily and had no problems. It's well built.

 

21000 at just under 2 years with no major problems. Has only been to the dealer once for the brake cable freeze issue and will take it again before the warrantee is up to replace the pitted horn button. All in all, a very reliable car.

 

Im with ya man. These cars are definently reliable. The only problems I've had are one taillight bulb went out and a plastic piece in the truck got replaced. Other than that it has been smooth sailing

 

My 05 was flawless when I got it and still is with 27000 miles no rattles or anything.
But I do have to put gas in it

 

Ok, I'll chime in. 3.5 years, 65k miles. I had the rear gear whine but that was fixed. Same with the strut popping. Other than those two issues, which were both fixed under warranty, I've had no issues with the car. It's been a very dependable and enjoyable vehicle.

At 22-23 MPG there is no incentive to take out a longer loan on another vehicle either. The gas saving wouldn't make up for a longer car note(assuming I bought new). The kids, 6 and 3 now, both love it and the wife enjoys date nights in it. While there are other cars out there that I wouldn't mind purchasing, none of them tempt me to sell my Mustang in order to get them.

So I'm in the same camp as the OP. I love my car!

 

2006 GT here, 21000-ish miles. I've had it for 2 days, no problems...



Actually, I came in here to say the OP by wjones was inspiring to me and helped me get the thing. Thanks, and that goes to all who post good vibes as well!

 

2006 GT, Two years owned in September, Daily Driven, 32,000. Dealer replaced fuel pump for stalling problem (under warranty). No other problems... Need I say more?

 

+1 No issues, Mobil1 and 93 octane only for my baby.

 

Awesome, I'm glad my post provided your inspiration!

The fact is, people post on forums when they want answers to their problems, or they want to vent some frustration, but rarely do they post to say they don't have any problems. Even if you look in the Honda and Toyota forums, you will find the majority of posts are from owners seeking answers to their problems - so if you didn't know about their reputation for reliability, you might assume the cars are nothing but problems. That's just the nature of forums.

And just to clarify my point about babying the car for those who replied that they're getting their money's worth out of their cars... I really meant that I don't abuse the car regularly. I am definitely getting my money's worth out of it. I've done burnouts with and without the Traction Control; shifted hard into second and third leaving nice dual strips of rubber on the road in each gear; braked hard enough to engage the ABS; practiced heel-and-toe brake/throttle application when coming hard into corners; and exited corners at full throttle with the rear end breaking loose in a controlled power oversteer condition. So I've driven the car hard at times, and I don't consider that bad for it at all. The main reason I don't do these things regularly is because I don't need a reckless driving ticket. About the only thing I draw the line on, where probably a lot of people would disagree, is that I doubt I would ever attempt a standing, smoke-engulfing burnout with the brakes applied. That looks like a ton of fun, and definitely is impressive, but I do think that is not good for the car.

Anyway, good luck with your car, and hope it provides you with many miles of trouble-free fun!

 

I'll add my 2 cents here. 3 years and 23K and zero issues with my car other than the Ford P.O.S. battery.

 

Some people have no idea how good these cars really are. Euro and Asian car lovers continue to bash Ford. Put a Ford (Mustang) next to one and compare, you'll be surprised at how good the Ford is!! No matter how well Ford does in owners survey, they will never be as good in the eyes of the bashers, unless they are called Fordamoto or Fordenvagen.

 

I can say the same, 3.5 years, 23,000 miles and not a single problem (minus the shaker cutting out on me once) and when I received the car the steering wheel had a chip on the alumin inserts (they replaced right away). I love this car and get on average around 18mpg mixed city/highway with hard and soft accelerations. I love it.

 

I have a Screaming Yellow '06 GT vert. I an going on 44,000 miles and I drive it every day, summer and winter. Other than a bout with the dreaded broken spark plug syndrome (6 of 8 broke) I haven't had any repairs. It has been the best car I've ever owned, and the first & only car I ever ordered from the factory. I love it.

 

3.5 years and 49k miles and no problems. Original battery, and brakes, only have an AirHog filter everything else is stock. I only have one fear and its the sparkplug breakage problem. Any suggestions what to do and when to do it? I plan on keeping this car and drive it a lot. I think the dealers, ie..Ford should eat the cost of labor and replacement of a plug if it breaks. Has Anybody had their dealer step up to the plate and do the right thing? Its a poor design and choice for a plug that won't come out without breaking.