$1,000
I’ve always liked the idea of a muscle‑car that still feels like a classic. When I was younger, I owned a Mustang and fell in love with its raw power, but unfortunately I crashed it—an event that left me with a mix of nostalgia and caution. Many lifetimes later, I found myself scanning the market again. I found a listing for a used 01 Mustang GT Convertible that I thought I would be buying based on messages with this particular seller, but the listing disappeared before I could even look at it, and when I confirmed with the seller that it was taken down, I was left with a burning hole in my pocket and a nagging “what if.”
A quick search on Facebook Marketplace revealed a handful of options, but it wasn’t until I showed my girlfriend the options that I was looking at and we both decided the white convertible with black accents was the best pick out of the bunch. I reached out to the seller and he responded quick, asking me to give him a call. The call was good because it showed we were both serious. He gave me the full info, no red flags for me came up and we agreed to meet in the morning for a test drive.
After the Saturday test drive, I signed the papers, shook the owner’s hand, and left the lot with a feeling I hadn’t had in years. The 2005 Mustang GT Convertible I’d found had 123 k miles, an original paint job, and only a few minor body‑work issues that were easy to fix. A few gauges, such as the gas gauge, were dead—a character defect I didn’t mind because it was something I could patch up.
I’ve never wanted a fancy, fully‑digital cockpit or a monthly payment that never ends. The moment I spotted this car, it became clear it was a project I could get my hands on. With a 4.6 L V8, a 5‑speed manual transmission, and an exterior that was a little rough around the edges but otherwise solid, it was exactly the kind of Mustang I’d been looking for.
Below is a “before‑and‑after” story of everything I’ve done and everything I still plan to do.
I’ve included dates, mileage, cost, and part numbers so you can see exactly what’s gone into making this car feel like it’s truly mine.
| Date | Odometer | Service | What I Did | Parts Used | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/21 | 123,610 | Air filter | Replaced with K&N RE‑0870 clamp‑on filter | K&N RE‑0870 | $66.98 |
| 7/23 | 123,610 | Rear side‑marker wiring | Installed new harness (6R3Z‑13411) | 6R3Z‑13411 | $12.99 |
| 7/23 | 123,610 | Rear side‑markers | Upgraded to iJDMTOY smoked‑lens LED kit | iJDMTOY kit | $30.99 |
| 7/24 | 123,610 | Cabin filter | Replaced with PHILTOP CF10370 activated‑carbon filter | ACF062 (CF10370) | $15.92 |
| 7/24 | 123,610 | Cosmetic/Exterior | Short antenna, wheel caps, headlight restoration | 3M kit, 12‑pc valve caps, HAOBO antenna | $30 |
| 7/25 | 123,610 | Convertible top | Replaced control switch with Ford OEM (AR3Z‑15B691‑AA) | Ford AR3Z‑15B691‑AA | $45.69 |
| 7/31 | 123,860 | Key fob | Replaced battery | — | $0 |
| 8/8 | 123,902 | Body & paint | Minor dents & bumper work; Performance White + clear coat; headlight restoration | Paint & prep | $1,700 |
| 8/8 | 123,902 | Rear spoiler | Swapped factory GT pedestal for GT500 spoiler | GT500 spoiler | $284.99 |
| 8/8 | 123,902 | Front chin spoiler | Installed 2005‑09 Chin Spoiler (black) | Chin spoiler | $149.99 |
| 8/9 | — | Interior | Shifter boot replacement (manual transmission) | Shifter boot kit | $54.99 |
| 8/9 | — | Exterior | Replaced broken cowl fasteners | Cowl vent kit | $4.99 |
| 8/18 | — | Underbody | Replaced missing push‑pins on front inner fender liners | Fender splash shield kit | $14.99 |
| 8/18 | — | Exterior | Replaced radiator cover pins | Radiator cover kit | $8.99 |
| — | — | Reverse lamp upgrade | Diode Dynamics 921 HP36 LED bulbs | LED bulbs | $56.17 |
| 11/1 | — | Battery | Replaced with fresh battery | — | $250 |
| 12/13 | 124,788 | Oil change | New oil, filter, synthetic blend | 6.0 qt mobile synthetic | $40 |
| 12/13 | 124,788 | Oil change | Additional filter & air filter | — | $16.43 |
| 12/14 | 124,788 | Tires | Replaced & balanced 4× Michelin Pilot Sport 4S; 4‑wheel alignment | 4× Pilot Sport 4S | $1,124.62 |
| 12/19 | 124,911 | Exhaust | Welded in two Borla Touring mufflers; checked hangers | Borla 11752 | $950 |
| 12/20 | 124,911 | Lighting | Replaced rear brake & turn signal bulbs | Sylvania 3157 | $18 |
| Category | Item | Details | Rough Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Fluid service | Drain/fill; replace washers; road‑test | $75 |
| Suspension | Comfort refresh | Replace shocks/struts; add adjustable panhard bar; new upper strut mounts; alignment | $1,500 |
| Brakes | Full stock refresh | Front/rear pads & rotors; brake fluid flush; pad bedding | $400 |
| Electrical | Backup camera | Install license‑plate camera; run wiring; integrate with mirror display | $150 |
| Interior | Front seat upgrade | Aftermarket seats; transfer seat‑belt receivers; verify airbag connectors | $1,000 |
| Lighting | Light‑bar repair | Diagnose wiring; replace LED strip; reseal lens | $60 |
| Cooling | Coolant flush & thermostat | Drain; replace thermostat & gasket; refuel with HOAT | $150 |
| Engine | Spark plugs & belt | Replace all 8 plugs; check coils; replace serpentine belt; clean MAF | $120 |
| Differential | Fluid service | Drain/fill; RTV seal; add friction modifier | $85 |
| Fuel | Inline filter | Replace frame‑rail filter; check for leaks | $30 |
Just a little photo shoot at home
First time cleaning an engine for me.
Facebook market place photos before I bought this car.
Published: 12/24/2025
Last Updated: 12/24/2025
