The 2008 Ford Mustang lasts around 200,000 miles with only some paint and interior issues. At $5,989 to $9,452, it’s a great choice for shoppers looking for an affordable sports car.
Is the 2008 Ford Mustang a Good Used Car?
- Yes, 2008 is a good year for the Mustang. Owner reviews enjoy the performance, stereo system, and fun driving experience.
- Interior quality is poor on entry-level models, but the higher-end models come with much better seats and trim. The infotainment technology is outdated for its age.
- Reliability ratings are above average for a sports car. We recommend avoiding models from 2005–2006 which have a lot of mechanical problems.
- Performance is average from the V6, but the larger V8 options offer excellent power.
- The Mustang is a safe sports car getting a perfect 5-star overall rating in government crash tests, but it gets a 4-star rating in the rear passenger side barrier tests.
- Fuel economy is okay for a performance vehicle, getting up to 20 MPG, and drivers get about 288 miles out of a single tank of gas.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Mustang?
- Consumer Reports says the Mustang offers great performance, with high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the 2008 Mustang a 4.6/5, praising the powerful V8 engines, but Edmunds doesn’t like the soft seats.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Mustang 4.7/5 enjoying the refined driving experience, but owners dislike the lack of practicality and space.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Ford Mustang Have?
Common problems found on the 2008 Ford Mustang include paint defects, a failed harmonic balancer on the engine, and door panel trim peeling off. Overall, these problems are not very serious for a car that offers the level of performance that the Mustang does.
Paint defects, including bubbling paint, are the most common complaints from owners at around 45,000 miles. The only way to fix the problem is to repaint the affected areas, at about $1,000 per panel.
A worn out harmonic balancer on the engine is another issue reported by owners at around 70,000 miles. The parts simply wear out quickly compared to other vehicles, and it has to be replaced with a new one which costs about $350.
Leather door trim peeling off is another problem that shows up on some Mustang models at around 60,000 miles. Having the leather replaced costs about $650 per door panel, or having it repaired is around $200 per panel.
There are 9 recalls, which is more than some of the competitors from 2008. The most serious recall is for the headlamps, which can increase the risk of an accident at night.
How Long Will the 2008 Ford Mustang Last?
A properly maintained 2008 Mustang should be able to last over 200,000 miles, which is almost twice as long as other muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger. Regular annual maintenance costs are reasonable for a performance car, at $544 per year, according to Repair Pal.
Since most 2008 Mustangs have over 100,000 miles owners should be prepared to replace items including the A/C drier for $250, throttle body costing $380, and the voltage regulator which costs $180.
Yes, mine has always been very reliable. And it has never had any major problems. Just the usual wear of daily driving.
It has a few problems. It burns gas pretty fast and I have been stuck a few Times. But through it all I still love my car.
Very reliable I have not had any major problems with it. Just the normal brakes tires and things like that.
It is not reliable in the winter, as the engine has a hard time starting at times and tends to hard start. In the summer, things run much smoother and there are not as many issues.
It's pretty reliable. I have not had any outstanding issues with it. My only complaint is the low gas mileage.
It is reliable, but as of right now the air conditioning on the Ford Mustang does not work. It is not a great situation.
It is very reliable. I have had only one major problem in the 10 years I have owned it. But I have taken care of it.
How Much Is the 2008 Ford Mustang Worth?
Blue book values range from $5,989 to $9,452, making the Mustang thousands less than other sports cars like the Chevy Corvette and Honda S2000. When new, the price range was $19,650 to $32,245. Depreciation is similar to other cars, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Mustang?
There are five models of the 2008 Mustang available. The Mustang was last updated in 2005, there was a major redesign in 2010, and a new generation introduced in 2015.
Deluxe is the entry-level model and has:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Keyless Entry
- Power Windows & Locks
- Cruise Control
- AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX Jack
Premium is next in the lineup, adding:
- Upgraded 16-Inch Wheels
- Power Driver’s Seat
- Shaker 500 Stereo System With 8 Speakers
GT Deluxe adds features including:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Sport Seats
- Premium Cloth Seating
- Rear Spoiler
GT Premium is a step up and adds:
- Unique 17-Inch Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Improved Suspension
- Optional Shaker 1000 Stereo System
Shelby GT500 is a high-performance model with:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather & Suede Interior
- High-Performance MacPherson Suspension
- Limited Slip Rear Differential
What Engines Come In the Mustang?
- The base engine is an average 4.0L V6 which makes 210 horsepower and gets up to 20 MPG combined. Performance is average, taking 6.7 seconds to reach 60 MPH.
- A step up is the stronger 4.6L V8 which produces 300 horsepower and gets up to 18 MPG combined. Performance is good, taking 5.3 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
- The flagship engine is the very powerful 5.4L V8 which makes up to 500 horsepower and gets 16 MPG combined. Performance is great, taking only 4.4 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Mustang Come In?
How Big Is the Mustang?
The 2008 Ford Mustang is an average 2-door sports car offered as a coupe or convertible, and similar in size to the Dodge Challenger or Chevy Corvette. Passenger room is good in the front seats, but the back seats are laughably small with very limited legroom.
Cargo space is okay for a sports car with 13.1 cubic feet of room in the trunk of the coupe and 9.7 in the convertible. That’s enough room to fit 2-3 suitcases in either.
How Does the Mustang Compare to the Competition?
The Dodge Challenger is a competitor offered in the same price range. Performance is better in the entry-level Dodge Challenger models, but the Ford Mustang’s handling is more secure on twisty roads. We recommend the Ford Mustang since they last longer and have fewer mechanical issues.
The BMW 335i is another rival which costs about $3,000 more. Interior materials and technology are both better in the BMW 335i, but the Ford Mustang’s V8 offers more power for the money. We recommend the Ford Mustang since it’s more affordable to own, but both are great sports cars.
Do Owners Recommend the Ford Mustang?
Yes, mine has been very dependable and we've never had any major problems or had to make any major replacements.
Yes it is good because I love it and it rides so smooth. I love speeding down the highway and blasting music from my great system.
Yes good gas mileage few repairs but as you get older difficult to get in and out. Not great in the snow.
It is fairly good. I live in a cold climate which has caused a lot of issues with the vehicle. It is not extremely expensive to fix. The gas mileage is not the best, but better than a lot other ones.
I enjoy it. It's a really nice looking car. It's comfortable to drive. I have not had many big issues with it for the 5 years I have owned it.
Yes it is a good vehicle. It has been very dependable so far even with all I have put it through. I would recommend to others.
Yes but seats are not comfy if you have a bad back. Also you can fit a lot in this sporty vehicle. I always wanted a mustang.