[kromestatus]

So I have a big question, or should I say questions...

My parents got my Mustang at around ~35,000 miles back in 2005. To the best of my knowledge they didn't have any "real" work done to the car besides brakes, oil change, and new tires. I took ownership of the car from them when I got my license at about 75,000 miles and long story short I replaced the back tires at 82,000, and at 85,000 I hit a curb in the road and got a flat so replaced the front tires at 85,000.

I had regular oil changes, about every 3-4,000 miles. I changed the front and back brakes at 90,000 as well as the front rotors which were bad (I couldnt get the bolts off the back rotors or I would have changed those too).

So basically my question is, based off that info is there anything I NEED to do or that I have missed in my car care? This is my first car and I have had A LOT of problems in the past 10,000 miles with it. I am debating on selling it but I would really rather keep it because I like it. But I dont want to keep putting $$$ into it and it "die" shortly down the road.

RECAP
- I now have 95,000 miles on it
- Tires replaced at 82,000 (Back) and 85,000 (Front) with tire rotations at appropriate times.
- Brakes at 90,000
- Front Rotors at 90,000
- Regular Oil Changes

Some of the problems I have had were
- Cracked Exhaust Manifold on Driver AND Passenger side (Had them welded at 93,000 miles and passenger side has cracked again. Debating getting it re-welded for free by same mechanic or getting my money back and buying new manifolds and installing them myself. Also I can only choose 1, he said he will only re-weld it once, but if I went the route of doing it myself I don't know how to do it or if its easy or not?)
- When I got my flat tire on the front from hitting the curb at 30 miles an hour I bent my front driver side wheel inward at a slant. Kinda like this [(/)]---[(|)] Its only a small slant, nothing too bad.
- I checked my fluids a few months ago and I didn't have the money at the time to do the flushes I needed but for my coolant, and power steering I got a Siphoon and sucked out the fluids as best as I could and replaced them lol. The power steering was literally BLACK! After about a week of driving I checked the power steering again and it turned black AGAIN. I sucked it out and replaced it again but a few months later same thing, black. I was told by a mechanic I need my transmission and power steering flushed but I had a feeling he was ripping me off so opted not to at $119.99 per flush.
- My brakes squeak on the front where I replaced the rotors and the brake pads. I replaced the pads again after 1,000 miles but after another 1,000 they squeak again.

Should I keep my car and put money into fixing it up a bit? What should I fix if I do? And what usually goes out first to look out for?

PS- I believe the manifold cracking is due to my A/C dripping because after I run the A/C and turn off the car you can hear a hiss and crackle after the car is off. Kinda like water drops hitting a hot stove.

SORRY FOR WRITING A NOVEL

[kromestatus]

Thats my car for reference.

[BML99]

The A/C dripping sound is normal, I use to think my car was shitting itself too (04 GT) but that's normal, I remember making a thread about it. It's normal to have condensation drip onto the exhaust, it's just burning.

I have little puddles sometimes in the garage after a hefty day of A/C use, so that' s a bit of good news!

The brakes being squeaky could just be rain? Not sure your weather conditions O.o

For the other stuff I couldn't tell you a whole lot, but have you looked into the windstar instake swap perhaps? WOuld be a slight performance gain and I've heard it isn't THAT difficult..

I'm sure 6er and some of the others will chime in to help, knew I could at least help with the AC sizzle.

[Synyster06Gates]

I quit replacing the manifolds with stock/aftermarket manifolds after each one cracked twice. Go long tubes and call it a day. They are routed differently and the drips from the AC don't crack the LTs.

Windstar intake is a great choice too if you're looking for something new on the car.

[dgt_mustang]

^I dont know about the GT longtubes or what-not but my Mac Longtubes still have the a/c drip on them. It will be fixed later on when i find a solution as to how to do it. I need pictures because i just dont see how anyone can get something in between there.

[Synyster06Gates]

It still drips, but they don't crack. On mine, the AC was dripping RIGHT on the flange weld, which caused the entire manifold to break where the weld was WHILE I WAS DRIVING. Since long tubes obviously have the flange a lot lower, and generally, are much better constructed, they don't crack from the drips.

In short, your LTs aren't going to crack from the AC drips. Shortys will.

[dgt_mustang]

Good to know. The sound is the only thing that gets me, people think my car is going to blow up.

[walt1120]

Whens the last time youve replaced the air filter and fuel filter. also might wanna change spark plugs if you havent since you got the car

my car is also a 3.9l 04 with 95k on it. BTW

[ag11hockey]

in all honesty you haven't really done much to your car other than general maintenance. and you seem to be persistent with it so drive the car. you still have to expect some stuff to go wrong. every car needs replacement parts. it will be fine.

[kromestatus]

Thanks for the advice guys, I changed the fuel filter not too long ago and got a K/N air filter recently so im good there. Also I think I might just go with a new manifold with long tubes like you suggested. Whats a decent price for both sides? Also is there a video or anything to get an idea of what im jumping in to? Im not mechanically declined, I can usually figure stuff out I just haven't done and engine work before.

[kromestatus]

I found a set of mac long tube manifolds for $350 is that a good price? Are there any cheaper options?

[6ER THEN I 8ER!]

Originally Posted by kromestatus I found a set of mac long tube manifolds for $350 is that a good price? Are there any cheaper options?

that's average....

as for your car having issues...it has 95k miles...it's normal for things to wear down...just maintain, replace, and move on when needed...

i didn't read a lot of your post (cliffs would of been nice lol), but i saw others had answered your major questions on the a/c drip...

also....welcome to the site