Pre-purchase walkaround
2021 Ford Mustang (S550 facelift)
18,000 miles · asking $85,000
Five-year cost to own, maintenance and fuel
~$15,000
The sixth-gen Mustang in its facelifted form, offered as a turbo four or the 5.0 V8, both solid platforms with generally good reliability. Money tends to go toward transmission quirks (especially the 10-speed and the GT350/GT500 dry-sump systems), occasional oil consumption on the Coyote, and driveline clunks.
The roadmap
18k → 78k mi · 12k a yearYear 1Brakes and consumables.~$2,485
Year 2The quiet year.~$2,388
Yrs 3-5Tires and the ordinary rhythm. · Brakes and consumables.~$10,157
Five years, all in~$15,000
typical parts + government labor rates (national labor rates) · an estimate, not a quote
What to look for on this one
Every used example of this chassis has the same questions. The bands show when each tends to surface; the gold line is this car at 18,000 miles.
5.0L Coyote oil consumption$350-$1,250 if not done
0typical window 10k-60k · this car: 18k, inside the window150k mi
Some Gen 3 Coyote engines burn oil, particularly cars driven hard or tracked. Ford acknowledged consumption patterns on this generation. Low oil between changes, occasional lifter tick.
2.3L EcoBoost coolant concerns$550-$1,600 if not done
0typical window 20k-80k · this car: 18k, ahead of it150k mi
The 2.3 EcoBoost is prone to coolant intrusion into cylinders on some units when driven hard. White exhaust smoke, coolant loss, misfires.
windows from 55 owner complaints on file with NHTSA and community service data · · profile researched with cited sources, review pending
6 recalls + 147 service bulletins →
Recalls (verify completion by VIN)
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN · 21V980000
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER · 22V083000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM · 23V727000
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · 25V442000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · 25V455000
Service bulletins by area
POWER TRAIN (49) · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (37) · UNKNOWN OR OTHER (30) · EQUIPMENT (29)
Hand this to your inspector
A $300 inspection against this list is the best money in the whole deal.
01Pull the dipstick and check oil level against last documented change on a Coyote car, look for consumption.
02Test drive at low speed to feel for harsh or delayed 10R80 shifts and any flare between gears.
03Rev-match downshifts and roll on/off throttle to check for driveline clunk from the IRS.
04On EcoBoost cars, inspect exhaust for white smoke at startup and check coolant level and condition.
Walking into a negotiation?
This roadmap as a PDF, priced for your zip code, with the inspection checklist, a fair price for this example, and the negotiation sheet. Saved to your garage the moment you pay.
$29
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Just keeping tabs? , no account needed.
typical parts + government labor rates · an estimate, not a quotecheck another car →