So, in my Welcome Wagon thread, I mentioned that I had gotten miffed that my wife got to drive our '05 GT, while I got to drive a Toyota. Getting something as nice (or even somewhat nice) wasn't in the budget, so after watching Craigslist for a while, I found my project in mid-October: a 1989 Mustang GT hatchback that had definitely seen better days.
I managed to drive it home, but am not sure if driving it back then was such a good idea. It's since had some work done, and is now driveable, though not terribly pleasant, and I know it's slowly tearing itself apart in spots. The body has turned out to be worse than I thought rust-wise. But the engine runs mostly smooth, and pulls strong; I think a tune-up should fix up the last bits, as well as a run-through of one of @jrichker's awesome checklists.
For now, here are a few pics. Here it is in the parking lot just before purchase:
And here are a few pics in the driveway, after getting it home:
I have no idea how far I'll be able to get with it, between my noobishness and the state the car is in. But it's already been fun. I've learned a *ton* since getting it, fixing a bunch of things in the process. And when I let out the clutch, hear the engine roar, and feel it lurch forward, I can't help but smile.
I'll follow up soon with more history, current state, and plans. Then you can all have a chuckle at my expense.
I managed to drive it home, but am not sure if driving it back then was such a good idea. It's since had some work done, and is now driveable, though not terribly pleasant, and I know it's slowly tearing itself apart in spots. The body has turned out to be worse than I thought rust-wise. But the engine runs mostly smooth, and pulls strong; I think a tune-up should fix up the last bits, as well as a run-through of one of @jrichker's awesome checklists.
For now, here are a few pics. Here it is in the parking lot just before purchase:
And here are a few pics in the driveway, after getting it home:
I have no idea how far I'll be able to get with it, between my noobishness and the state the car is in. But it's already been fun. I've learned a *ton* since getting it, fixing a bunch of things in the process. And when I let out the clutch, hear the engine roar, and feel it lurch forward, I can't help but smile.
I'll follow up soon with more history, current state, and plans. Then you can all have a chuckle at my expense.