I am 16 years old and looking into buying a Mustang and my budget is pretty much $5,000 and under. From what i've heard and read a fox 5.o seems to be the best choice. Im looking for a daily driver for school but something i can also work on and build up that isnt going to cost a lot. My top choice now is probably a 88-89 5.o but i was wondering if anyone has any other suggestions. Also, what are some good sites to look for used mustangs for sale? To find stuff thats cheap and local it seems like craigslist is a good site but are there any others?
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- Thread starter Ben Olsen
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JordanB21
Active Member
I'm going to be straight with you because when I was 16 (oh the good ole days [8 months ago]), I started with a beater mustang and I fixed up the interior a bit and sunk probably 1700 or so before it was acceptable. That was of my own money, not to mention what my parents did to get it inspection ready.
Anyways. as far as each car goes this is what I have to say
Foxbodies:
79-86 more than likely not for you, unless you like four eyes (I do) and carburetokIHOERH:OIERH:EWOr engines
87-93 all great cars, I prefer the 87 to 89 for interior reasons, they all respond well to horse power upgrades because of non-strict emisson controls at the time. The down side to these cars is gas, if you plan on driving a lot, then don't bother with a 5.0, it'll burn a hole in your pocket fast(I have a 20 mile round trip going to school).
Sn95s:
94-95. There are 5.0s you can go with which make decent power and have nice styling cues, down side is that strict emissions, bad gas mileage, unresponsive engine ,lower selection of parts because of the different set up compared to foxbodys. I like my 95, but it's really a love hate relationship.
96-98 changed to the 4.6 still make as much power as before, modern engine, uses OBDII scanners now, plenty of parts ready to you.
99-04 not my cup of tea, I don't know much about these cars, but you can afford a few of the older ones.
I think your best options that I know about are 87 to 93, the risk is gas and that anything can be wrong with a 20 or so years old car. Or the 96 to 04 sn95s/new edges. Most 99 to 04s are better kept from what I've seen since they're not dated yet, and the sn95s just look better than the ned edges.
It really depends if you want a cool looking car, gas efficient or not, high performance and so on.
Anyways. as far as each car goes this is what I have to say
Foxbodies:
79-86 more than likely not for you, unless you like four eyes (I do) and carburetokIHOERH:OIERH:EWOr engines
87-93 all great cars, I prefer the 87 to 89 for interior reasons, they all respond well to horse power upgrades because of non-strict emisson controls at the time. The down side to these cars is gas, if you plan on driving a lot, then don't bother with a 5.0, it'll burn a hole in your pocket fast(I have a 20 mile round trip going to school).
Sn95s:
94-95. There are 5.0s you can go with which make decent power and have nice styling cues, down side is that strict emissions, bad gas mileage, unresponsive engine ,lower selection of parts because of the different set up compared to foxbodys. I like my 95, but it's really a love hate relationship.
96-98 changed to the 4.6 still make as much power as before, modern engine, uses OBDII scanners now, plenty of parts ready to you.
99-04 not my cup of tea, I don't know much about these cars, but you can afford a few of the older ones.
I think your best options that I know about are 87 to 93, the risk is gas and that anything can be wrong with a 20 or so years old car. Or the 96 to 04 sn95s/new edges. Most 99 to 04s are better kept from what I've seen since they're not dated yet, and the sn95s just look better than the ned edges.
It really depends if you want a cool looking car, gas efficient or not, high performance and so on.
If i were in the market still id be looking for a reasonably clean 89 or a cali 88. first years for mass air, 89 was the last year for tilt steering and the first for the 140 speedo. Do the cheep mods first and suspension stuff first and learn to drive before you start getting crazy with it.
JordanB21
Active Member
what he said, perfect year car.
My 95 was given to me from my parents, it was my mom's that she picked up back in 2000, it was a fixier upper because the engine had blown, tranny was trashed, and sat for a while making it even harder to bring back, and wasn't well taken care of....moms...
I wasn't fortunate enough though to be handed a 5.0 and not a 3.8 and got my start. Picked up a foxbody 7 months later from a police arrest for 800 and now I have 2 5.0s.
My 95 was given to me from my parents, it was my mom's that she picked up back in 2000, it was a fixier upper because the engine had blown, tranny was trashed, and sat for a while making it even harder to bring back, and wasn't well taken care of....moms...
I wasn't fortunate enough though to be handed a 5.0 and not a 3.8 and got my start. Picked up a foxbody 7 months later from a police arrest for 800 and now I have 2 5.0s.
My first car was a 82 capri, 2bbl 5L, 4 speed. 150 or so of pavement punishing horsepower. had lots of fun in that car.
This last adventure in buying a car kinda taught me a lesson that sounds weird but has some truth. I quit looking for the perfect car and found the car that was perfect for me. For what I paid for the Saleen I could have bought a low mile fox in great shape but I didn't really want that. I wanted a car that I wouldn't be afraid to drive but was in good shape, plus I wanted a fox Saleen for a while. Be patient, you'll find the right one.
This last adventure in buying a car kinda taught me a lesson that sounds weird but has some truth. I quit looking for the perfect car and found the car that was perfect for me. For what I paid for the Saleen I could have bought a low mile fox in great shape but I didn't really want that. I wanted a car that I wouldn't be afraid to drive but was in good shape, plus I wanted a fox Saleen for a while. Be patient, you'll find the right one.
JordanB21
Active Member
It's a risk with auctions, you don't get to look at the car sometimes, it's sold as is, but can be very cheap. I was lucky to add gas, new ignition cylinder, and turn the car on like that.
When you pick your car and if it turns out to be a fox keep us posted
When you pick your car and if it turns out to be a fox keep us posted
If you find a stock 5.0 (which is pretty hard but possible) the gas won't be horribly bad as long as you're not doing burn outs and rev'ing your engine at every stop light. I have 100% stock 92 LX and a n/a 93 LX w/ some bolt ons & gears and the gas mileage is quite different.
I don't like the interior of 87-90's. Mostly b/c of the cloth on the door panels...just like the look of the 91-93 interior. Oh, the seats too...I hate those high seats in the 87-89's. There's some subtle differences but most ppl wouldn't catch them.
I don't like the interior of 87-90's. Mostly b/c of the cloth on the door panels...just like the look of the 91-93 interior. Oh, the seats too...I hate those high seats in the 87-89's. There's some subtle differences but most ppl wouldn't catch them.
JordanB21
Active Member
welll... if you don't want your 87-90s door panels, ill take those off of your hands, i'll even pay for shipping to show you how good of a friend I am
Exile
Active Member
What all difference is there between the 87'-90' and the 91'-93' mustangs/interiors?
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/3238267951.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/cto/3232964590.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/3238177065.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ctd/3229298452.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/cto/3237133513.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/3236917023.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/3236856551.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/3236792822.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/cto/3236040491.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/3235055429.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/3234986033.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/3234647392.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/cto/3234521900.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/3221249229.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/3233777733.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/3232996815.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/3186795152.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/3185581330.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/3218538979.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/3232450328.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/3232135271.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/cto/3208548112.html
Here ya go, not all my taste but lots of different options for ya
50FoxBodyGT
Member
I've owned nothing but verts. Not idea for racing but fun to put the top down when you want on a nice day.
Im on my second. If you want the body to be stiff and handle well be prepared to spend a little on suspension mods but its hard to beat putting the top back on a 75 degree day or better a warm summer night.
The thing about verts is that they are decent/nice or trashed. Tops are cheep but labor to have one put on is not, some of the interior trim is hard to come by. At some point they changed the top frame (I think in 90) so that it folds back flat. The 88 I had the top sat above the back seat about 6 inches when folded down, the 91 it sits about flush with the back seat.
The thing about verts is that they are decent/nice or trashed. Tops are cheep but labor to have one put on is not, some of the interior trim is hard to come by. At some point they changed the top frame (I think in 90) so that it folds back flat. The 88 I had the top sat above the back seat about 6 inches when folded down, the 91 it sits about flush with the back seat.
JordanB21
Active Member
I prefer that hatch that i have, great for friends at bonfires, more cargo space, lighter car, slightly less mechanics and repair since there's no extra motor and roof to replace, but some verts look really good, I considered one for the longest but the price of my hatch got me. lol
yeahhh. if anyones been reading my thread with my horn, i'm going to need to see if I can switch in a non-airbag steering column to possibly get the steering wheel kit to work fully functioning. for now im adding a button.
freaking people putting airbags in cars to protect me. sheesh!
yeahhh. if anyones been reading my thread with my horn, i'm going to need to see if I can switch in a non-airbag steering column to possibly get the steering wheel kit to work fully functioning. for now im adding a button.
freaking people putting airbags in cars to protect me. sheesh!
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