Looking at a 1986 GT Today. Any hints...

[cleck673]

I have been here before for advise and will make this a new home (Aside from the 5-6 sites I run) when I finally decide on which Mustang to buy. I have looked at a couple but have not found one pulls me in yet. I DO KNOW I WANT A 1985-1993 Mustang. hehe


Anyhow, I am going to look at an 86GT today. He says it has 76k on a rebuilt engine, Mag Rims, blah, blah.... He is asking $3k, but I am sure cash can get him down some.

What do you recommend I look for when looking at it?

Thanks!

 

[93VertLX]

Look for rust at the bottom of the doors and at the bottom of the hatch. Also be sure to check the torque boxes under the car.

 

[ss93cobra]

Don't forget to look at the inner fenders to see if they are wrinkled like it's been wrecked too. Check out the wiring pretty closely too if you can to see if its been butt connected everywhere like somebody has been doing some cobbling and hacking of the harnesses. Its never fun to figure out what some one else has f****d up if you know what I mean.

 

[oldskolbus]

76,000 on a rebuilt eng. Ask how many miles was on it when it was rebuilt? Take a flash light with you and don't be afraid to get dirty. Look for rust or any signs it was wrecked. Ask alot of questions about the car to see if he is bsin or knows what he's talking about.

The 86 is my favorite year mustang. Good luck

 

[85GTlover]

They are good cars but I would take my carbed over the 86, that does not mean they are not great cars. Do what those guys said and check the floors and frame.......one bad spot I found on my car was the frame rail around the front tire area around the top of the spring area(the bolts that hold the upper A arm go through this area. Mine was really bad there. Also the roof of sunroof cars often goes bad. I would recommend standard. Good luck great cars.

 

[cleck673]

Thanks. I appreciate the advise. I will be leaving from work in a bit to give it a look.

Another ? - The 86 is Fuel Injected? I had previously thought it was 88 and up. Thanks.

Would $2500 or so be too high to pay if it is in average shape?

 

[TC93]

Also check out the aprons and the radiator support for signs of damage. That is a good indication if it has been a hard wreck or not..

 

[5.0guy]

86's pistons don't have valve reliefs, do they? this might not be a problem if it was rebuilt, or it may not be a problem at all, but that's j/somethin to think about. but yeah, like everyone else said, rust, torque boxes, wiring...

 

[jadedinpa]

86 was the first year for fuel injection and the 8.8 rear.

 

[SmockDoiley]

Hey ask him if when rebuilt if he used newer pistons with valve reliefs and if he used E7TE heads instead of the 86's E6 heads. This will help with your quest for more power down the road.

 

[z9_87]

i just rebult an 86. Yes it is FI, but it's speed density rather then mass air. And the damn pistons do no have valve reliefs so if you ever do a cam or head swap you'll need new pistons. That is if they guy didn't get new ones with valve releifs when he rebuilt it like said above.

 

[powershift351]

You should hold out for an 85 Carbed, but if you are serious about this car, do all of the above as well as a carfax

 

[cleck673]

OK. I did not make an offer on it... I wanted to think about it 1st. Before I left he offered it to me for $2700.

The Vin number matched the year make, etc
He mentioned that the mechanic that checked it out told him that he did not think the engine was the original. His mechanic told him that the engine looked like it came out of a 1992. I have no clue. If I took a picture, would anyone be able to tell?

What was wrong with the car?
-The hatchback was acting up.
-surface rust in a few places on the exterior edges. I did not see any big holes or real bad spots anywhere though.
-Engine cranked with no smoke and sounded good. I could tell he did not crank it before I arrived. hehe.. the battery cable was loose and initially would not crank.
-the interior was ok. the dash had some cracking. (all ok since I want to redo the inside alltogether.)
-both metal peices on outside below the window needs replaced.
-hatchback spring(shock) would not hold up.
-paint looked pretty good for now. Rust color with black stripe down the middle. Had nice directional rims. Some clear coat layer was flaking off.(buff job fix it?)
- A/C ( said he could not find the cable that hooks it up. Even if he could, he said he does not know he condition of it)


The seller said he bought it a month ago for his son, but his son wanted a truck anyway and the mustang fishtailed and scared him. (just turned 16)

Not sure what to do, If I can knock him down a good bit, does it sound like a fixer-upper? I also want to see if I can get a friend to check ot out closer too.

 

[1986LX2002]

I have an 86GT and love it, though the brakes and suspension components are crap "for now anyway"

 

[85GTlover]

I have an 86GT and love it, though the brakes and suspension components are crap "for now anyway"

I agree with your brake comment but the suspension.....when compared too earlier models anyway, is far better, meaning quad shocks, thicker sway bars etc. but yah aftermarket is the way to go, at least replace all the rubber bushings whare applicable(UCA's,LCA's) but If you go through the hassle to remove them, might as well replace them, I figure, but change bushings too in somee areas...cheap but beneficial.

To the potential 86 buyer.....all those problems seem minor and seems like a solid car......try for cheaper....remember there are millions out there, check some others out I hate it when I buy something and always see something " I wish I had seen before" plus you do not want to show that guy you are too anxious to buy so he might go less.

 

[cleck673]

Images

http://sectalk.com/86gt.html

These are some images I took of the car today. What do you think?

 

[Mavrick]

$2700? Buy that up, it looks like it's in great shape, i'd offer $2500 and consider it a good deal.

It has the same headers as 87-93 cars, im not sure if 86 used real headers like that or manifolds.

I notice it has a pedal assembly from a 5spd, with the clutch pedal cut off, looks like it used to be a 5spd car. The wiring on the interior is kinda scary...

 

[10HoleLX]

I think the entire wiring even under the hood looks scary!
Stay away from it!
HACK JOB HACK JOB

 

[Mavrick]

If a car in that good of body shape were in Ontario, it'd be sold pretty damn quick!

 

[MadMatt5oh]

I see a disruption in the body line along the quarter/hatch area. Couple that together with bad wiring and a hack job on the petals? Um no, looks like theyre having a garage sale as well. I wouldnt buy it