3.8 Fox or MN-12

Topic: 3.8 Fox or MN-12 (Read 3197 times) previous topic - next topic

3.8 Fox or MN-12

December 13, 2005, 11:15:30 AM

Well my brother will be getting his license in the summer and driving to school in the fall. I'm thinking about giving him my daily driver 93 3.3 V6 Buick Century to use. I figure if he screws it up there's no loss. Any ways I won't need to drive a car to school next year because I'm transefering to a school where I can use public transit to get to but I'm going to need another car to go to work and for hanging out on the weekends. I don't drive my 5.0 Tbird daily/in the winter because it's too nice and I don't want it to get screwed up. I've been considering getting a 3.8 V6 Tbird or Cougar for a daily driver in the fall. I've driven a 88 V6 Bird with 37,000 (that's right 37,000 :eek: miles) on it before I bought my Buick and it was a nice car, slow but nice. I didn't get it because I didn't want to ruin it because it was too nice. Any ways what are some good/bad points of a 3.8 Fox vs. a 3.8 MN-12? Any one who's owned one/owns one if you could chime in it would be appriciated. I just want to get an idea of which one would make a good daily driver and what I should look out for when I go looking for one. Thanks :D

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #1 – December 13, 2005, 12:47:39 PM

The MN12's are nice cars, but they have their own specific problems, and lots of different tech. If i were you, id stick with a fox, so youd be able to work on it, know what youre doing, and not have to have two different sets of spare parts and whatnot.

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #2 – December 13, 2005, 02:03:00 PM

I would get a fox. Personally, I think theyre easier to work on. Ive never liked workin on mn12's. I had to put head gaskets on a 93 bird w/ a v6 one time. Ill never do it again.

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #3 – December 13, 2005, 02:31:22 PM

i just like the foxes better

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #4 – December 13, 2005, 03:44:32 PM

Quote from: Blck85TBirdV8

I would get a fox. Personally, I think theyre easier to work on. Ive never liked workin on mn12's. I had to put head gaskets on a 93 bird w/ a v6 one time. Ill never do it again.

I have the opposite opinion. The MN12 3.8 is easier to work on. The accessory brackets bolt on directly to the head (not the water pump) and there is less "" in the engine bay.

The MN12 is quieter in the interstate, rides better, and is just more refined than the Fox. In mixed driving, I got better gas mileage with the Fox, but the MN12 edged out the Fox on the interstate. Keep in mind I've only driven 89-91 MN12s.

To me, it is a toss-up. They're both nice RWD cars.

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #5 – December 13, 2005, 04:00:30 PM

MN12 are known for the rusted out rocker panles and weak half shafts.

You won't have to worry too much about the half shaft with a 3.8 unless you do nuetral drops and stupid stuff in them.

I would have to agree about being easier to work on due to a little more room. But the fox is easier to find parts for.

On another note where do you plan to goto school, this is where I would start to look for a car.

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #6 – December 13, 2005, 05:15:41 PM

Quote from: JeremyB

The MN12 is quieter in the interstate, rides better, and is just more refined than the Fox. In mixed driving, I got better gas mileage with the Fox, but the MN12 edged out the Fox on the interstate. Keep in mind I've only driven 89-91 MN12s.

To me, it is a toss-up. They're both nice RWD cars.

Agreed. If I were getting a 3.8 (never again, mind you) it would be the MN-12. Both will be gutless, so you'd best have the more refined machine, with better manners. I absolutely loved my MN-12, other than the lack of power.

Then again, if I ever do get another modern T-bird, it will most likely be a SuperCoupe.

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #7 – December 13, 2005, 07:13:40 PM

I would not reccomend a 3.8 Ford period...

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #8 – December 13, 2005, 07:14:34 PM

I've owned four Fox T-Birds, a Fox Cougar and an MN12, and after that MN12 I swore I'd never own another one. It was a '91 V6 model. I had dozens upon dozens of problems with that car, including the more memorable ones listed here:

At 40,000 miles both upper ball joints gave out (at $300 apiece, back then - I understand they're cheaper now). At 50,000 miles the head gasket went with no warning other than the heater started blowing cold air (leaving me stranded on the side of the road on a cold December night). $600 was what that set me back. At 55,000 the stabilizer links ped out ($70 apiece). At 60k the ignition switch caught fire, leaving me stranded 1000 miles from home. Stupid me put the fire out. At 70k the #4 rod bearing spun, taking the crank to hell with it.

After rebuilding the engine ($1700, including a new crank, bearings, one new rod, full gasket set, oil pump, timing gears, head bolts, a mild porting of the heads and intakes) I had enough and sold it to my father. He drove it for the next three years, replacing the starter, two alternators, rear shocks, and water pump during that time, but by then the body was shot - rockers,doors, quarters - all swiss cheese. He gave it back to me so I could use it as a beater to keep my '88 Coug off the road in the winter and I drove it until the AOD finally ped out at about 130k miles.

I've owned several Fords, two Pontiacs, a Chevy, a Saturn, a Daewoo, a Volvo, a few Hyundais, three Nissans, two Jeeps, a Toyota and a Dodge, and all of those vehicles together did not give me the trouble that ol' MN12 did. I loved the way it drove (when it drove), but it was an outright lemon. I cannot vouch for other MN12's, of course, but based on my experience with that one I'll never own another, regardless of engine or model (except maybe a Mark VIII to use for a DOHC donor car).

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #9 – December 13, 2005, 07:21:52 PM

Just curious: was $300 per balljoint the rate for a shop to do it? Thats about what we charged at my former workplace.

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #10 – December 13, 2005, 10:23:21 PM

The only problem I had with my '91 was in the tires. I only had to change the ignition set.

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #11 – December 13, 2005, 11:26:58 PM

The $300 each was for the parts, and that was dealer cost. Being a mechanic, I installed 'em myself. As I said, I think they're much cheaper now

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #12 – December 14, 2005, 01:09:22 AM

Hmm I'm thinking I'm going to go with a Fox. I'de rather get a V6 because I would feel bad ruining a Turbo Coupe or 5.0 car by driving it in the winter (incase you don't know they LOVE to salt in the winter in Chicago) because there aren't too many of them in my area. Now I just have to find a Bird/Cat that isn't rusted beyond belief and that's still in good shape. That might take awhile.

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #13 – December 14, 2005, 02:52:54 AM

I have a 87 v-6 cat, and it isnt bad at all. It is parked because of a bad waterpump. Its just to cold to work on it.

Other then the water pump that only lasted 180,000 miles, I dont mind it. it dosent have the power, but unless all you do is climb big hills it isnt that bad.

as for the mn-12 chassi's, I would stay away from them. My freinds sister has a 94 9.4, and the alt just went out for the second time, as well as the MAF for the second, and it has lots of wiring problems. the speedo shows 9,400 miles. (Obviously wrong). Bought it from an old grandma about 4 months ago. I had the alt go out while I was driving it home for her. I got stuck in the middle of the split freeway with a dead battery and no alt, less them 2 miles from my door. I had to wait for my dad to drive out and help me push it further out of traffic and jump me. I ended up trading batteries with one of my cougars to get it back to her house.

Would have been fine with me, if it didnt take 4 hours to get home, and I was about to go to sleep for my 8 hour graveyard shift

3.8 Fox or MN-12

Reply #14 – December 15, 2005, 05:07:36 PM

Hmm just wondering when I'm looking for a 3.8 Bird or Cat should I go with a CFI car or a EFI (88) car? Which one seems to have the least ammount of trouble?