Even with hours aside, thats not a lot of money. Its a great car. Pushing on 160K with 5 owners and no carfax history here.
50,000-Mile Update
As I just hit the 50,000-mile mark, I thought it would be nice to reflect on what I have done so far, and how much it cost (approximate amounts to the best of my recollection).
This car has been wonderful to own, makes me feel great driving it, and just feels like it's made for me. Knock on wood, it'll continue to do so. Or make for a decent sale as I am considering returning to my home country of Germany.
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Did I miss anything?
Comes to a total of $2,410. Considering that this is a budget operation, that's a lot of money; but I realize many people spend way more.
This car has been wonderful to own, makes me feel great driving it, and just feels like it's made for me. Knock on wood, it'll continue to do so. Or make for a decent sale as I am considering returning to my home country of Germany.
- New TRW upper and lower control arms: $1,200 (parts and labor; don't judge...I know I overpaid, oh well; all others are parts only, plus my own labor)
- New fuel filter: $12
- Two oil changes: 2x $40
- Transmission fluid flush with Valvoline Mercon V: $75
- New air filter: $12
- New plugs, wires, and Motorcraft coil pack: $180
- New belt: $25
- New Continental Reliant tires: $400
- Passenger side mirror: $20
- Front valence panel: $15
- Door striker bushings: $0
- Passenger side door weather seal: $10
- Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror: $16
- Faux suede trim, incl. adhesive: $70
- Genuine walnut wood pieces: $40
- Leather-wrapped door release handles and shift knob: $15
- Leatherette-wrapped armrest: $15
- Leather headrests with custom stitching front and rear, tilting in front: $60
- DRL with Zevo LEDs and relay: $35
- Zevo LED taillights and LED-friendly flasher: $35
- Cornering lights: $25
- Door panel and center console ambient lighting: $10
- Door courtesy lights plus interior LED bulbs: $40
- Center console cubby (repositioned 12V outlet): $10
- Center console armrest support (using pre-97 cupholder plus custom support): $10
- Silencer removal with custom mesh rodent guard: $0
- O2 sensor connector reposition (which cleared P0156 code): $0
- Various interior cleaning/shampooing exercises
Did I miss anything?Comes to a total of $2,410. Considering that this is a budget operation, that's a lot of money; but I realize many people spend way more.
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My '97 Sport just clocked 68K miles, with very little ever needing to be done during all the years I've owned her. She's my daily and been garaged her whole life.
The only 'major' repairs I've done are replacing the belt tensioner, turn signal assembly, the window regulator gear plugs, and a couple of coolant temp sensors when I replaced the hoses. Other than that, it's just been the usual maintenance items, such as fluids, filters, tires, etc. I don't mod her at all, because I like to keep her as close to factory as possible.
Sure, they've got their quirks, but I'm always impressed at how well Ford designed these cars, their general ease of maintenance/repairs, their overall high-quality, and the beating they can take & keep going (I also had an '89 Bird that had the hell beat out of her over the years, but just wouldn't die. Finally sold her after I bought the '97).
Love these cars...except for the location of that damn oil filter...because I can't get my arms into there without tearing them up.
Photo: My Bird in her natural habitat...LOL
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The only 'major' repairs I've done are replacing the belt tensioner, turn signal assembly, the window regulator gear plugs, and a couple of coolant temp sensors when I replaced the hoses. Other than that, it's just been the usual maintenance items, such as fluids, filters, tires, etc. I don't mod her at all, because I like to keep her as close to factory as possible.
Sure, they've got their quirks, but I'm always impressed at how well Ford designed these cars, their general ease of maintenance/repairs, their overall high-quality, and the beating they can take & keep going (I also had an '89 Bird that had the hell beat out of her over the years, but just wouldn't die. Finally sold her after I bought the '97).
Love these cars...except for the location of that damn oil filter...because I can't get my arms into there without tearing them up.
Photo: My Bird in her natural habitat...LOL
Could you import it to Germany ? You would probably be one of the very few on the road. Rumor I have heard is the suspension on these cars was modeled after the 6 series BMW.
**Edit meant to put 6 series
? You would probably be one of the very few on the road. Rumor I have heard is the suspension on these cars was modeled after the 6 series BMW.**Edit meant to put 6 series
Theoretically yes...but I think it would be cost prohibitive.Could you import it to Germany
Is that so, likely in partnership with Jaguar?Could you import it to Germany
It's early. You can't expect me to read good this early.
Ford benchmarked the performance and styling of BMW but the mechanical executions were way different, no BMW 5 or 6 series had a front suspension anything like these, they had L arm lower control arms and MacPherson struts, our cars use SLA with strut rods which frankly is more of an evolution of what Falcons and early Mustangs used for front suspension way back in the 60s. The IRS is different as well since it to is SLA with a lower H arm, rather than trailing arms like the Germans tend to, I don’t know for sure but I’d speculate it’s probably more influenced by the classic Jaguar IRS.
The DEW98 platform may have some MN12 DNA in it, it’s not well documented but given the MN12’s structural similarities it was likely used as the starting point, certain things like the shock towers besr an uncanny resemblance between the platforms. Tbirds were even used as test mules for the suspensions and drivetrains, there’s an old article somewhere titeled “Dewbirds” that goes into it a bit.
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The DEW98 platform may have some MN12 DNA in it, it’s not well documented but given the MN12’s structural similarities it was likely used as the starting point, certain things like the shock towers besr an uncanny resemblance between the platforms. Tbirds were even used as test mules for the suspensions and drivetrains, there’s an old article somewhere titeled “Dewbirds” that goes into it a bit.
They got it from Detroit in 1961 😉
Wash day pics...
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Meanwhile, I finally followed the workshop manual procedure to adjust the trunk lid torsion bars (using the self-made tool). I did manage to move the LH bar from notch 1 to notch 2, but...it's seriously a suicide mission which is why I won't post any directions here. I'm glad my trunk lid doesn't self-close anymore, but it was pure luck.
Meanwhile, I finally followed the workshop manual procedure to adjust the trunk lid torsion bars (using the self-made tool). I did manage to move the LH bar from notch 1 to notch 2, but...it's seriously a suicide mission which is why I won't post any directions here. I'm glad my trunk lid doesn't self-close anymore, but it was pure luck.
Oh my, yeah, definitely lucky.I've never had a problem with the trunk lid, even after adding the spoiler to it. I can leave it partially open and it will stay there, maybe it's luck on my part!
Before I fixed mine, the slightest amount of wind would shut it. Even worse, when driving the front wheels up my ramps, the lid wouldn't stay open at all.
Mine too, frankly my trunklid was a little too eager to open before I added the sport wing. I thought about pulling the torsion bar to the next notch since it was kind of a fun party trick shooting straight up with a touch of a button but it stays up fine as is.I've never had a problem with the trunk lid, even after adding the spoiler to it. I can leave it partially open and it will stay there, maybe it's luck on my part!
Joe
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