DD'ing a 4beater stang??

Makdaddymac

New Member
May 28, 2005
323
1
0
orlando
hey guys, i was thinking about getting another fox, a coupe 4 cyclinder:D

i know the 2.3l is a legend if maintained. and these 4 bangers are a dime a dozen, well maybe not the coupes anymore,but i found one for 1200 auto coupe with a/c.

what i want to do is buy one, but i want to know if it is worth it. like if they are reliable, and how are the auto's in those things......im sick of driving stick and my VW is stick, my 5.0 is almost converted to stick, and i would love to have a auto.... i also have a good aod thats coming out of the 5.0, could it slap right into the 4 cyclinder if needed??? or is it two much shiot to do.........
i want to sell my 00' vw gti vr6 and dd the 4 banger mustang cause i cant have 3 cars....
RWD!!!!!! plus more MPG!!!!!!,PIP insurance!! COUPE!!!!!= :neat:
the only thing is i will have a 88 5.0 for balls, and a 2.3 for mpg , i would just like to slam it, dont worry no 20's or altezzas, just slam it with some pony's and low profile tires, some tinted windows, and tune-up!!!!!!!!:flag:
im just looking for ideas, gas prices are rising and my vr6 gets almost 20mpg and 27 highway.... i figure the 2.3 would be 22-25 and 30 highway. which might not be too much better, but i would love to see a coupe in my yard,lol.... slow or not!!!!

opinions wanted and appreciated:jaw:
 
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I was just on Autotrader. Most coupes 2.3L's were 1,200-3,600. Remember...that is asking.


What one asks is much different than what one sells it for. Start low, and work up.
 
The four-banger Foxes don't get THAT good of mileage, usually. Some folks can somehow squeeze out 30 MPG, but more likely you'll be doing good to see 25 MPG from one, especially if you're running an auto (the 5spd will, of course, get better mileage, maybe 27 MPG). Around town, you're looking at 19 MPG, at which point you may as well be driving a 5.0 anyhow.

I wouldn't pay more than $1,500 for a pristine four-banger Fox, myself. Most of them go for between $500 and $1,500 down here. I'd avoid getting an automatic four-banger if at all possible, too, because not only does it cut into your mileage but it REALLY saps what little power these things have to start with (I think they're only rocking a whole 88 horsepower).
 
I started out with my first car, 1990 Mustang LX Notch 2.3, 5 speed. Great car, I beat the piss out of it and it never gave me a dime of problem.

i will recomend the manual tranny though, the auto's are a sluggish and hurt the MPG
 
If you get one, I would recommend putting a timing belt on it right away. These guys on TV did a special on the 2.3L Mustang engine. It was very interesting because even though it ran good, they found a few horsepower by doing this because the belt actually jumped time because it was so worn. They also found MPG doing this as well because the engine was more efficient.
 
im kinda in the same boat. Ive also been considering a taurus SHO. should get the same mileage as most 4 banger foxes, but be able to hang with a stock 5.0. plus you have 4 doors, a nicer interior, and the complete aggravation of constantly feeling like its being dragged by the front wheels. seriously though, for the tradeoff of rwd, i'd rather have that V6. its a really sweet engine.

just something else for you to consider.
 
My 1993 with the 105 hp motor was pretty slow but not "that" bad. Mpg was actually so so. Got low low 20s around town, middle 20s on the highway. The issue is you always have to be in the throttle to pass, merge, or just keep with traffic. 3000 lbs is 3000 lbs no matter how small the motor moving it is. I liked the idea, decided on it, and then changed my outlook and got something better and more comfortable (although a lot more money).
 
my 93 vert got about 15-18 in town and 26 on the hwy. a 5.0 gets that kind of mileage if you treat it right.

of course I had the gas peddle mashed to the floor the whole time too.
 
my best mpg in my 5.0 has been 23 mpg city, 31 mpg highway

worst has been 16.7 city (had a huge exhaust leak and a gas tank leak, plus it was cold) and 21 highway

usually average about 20 city and 25 highway
 
i DD a 2.3 coupe everyday and love. it its economical (20-25 highway depending on driving habits) reliable and rides way better than aby V8 car ever will. i love it. to bad im swapping in a v8. :D
 
I dd'd my 93 till about 3.5 weeks ago. never had a problem with the motor but the DIS has been giving me crap for about 6 months and it finally gave up. VatoZone wants like 120 bucks for the damn thing. so I yanked the 4 banger out and now I am prepping the engine bay for the exploder motor I am dropping in. I'll be getting an extra 200hp and I bet my gas mileage stays the same to boot.
 
I daily drive an older, beat-up, fox. It's an '81, with a 3.3 liter straight 6/automatic combo. It's totally beat but runs like it's brand new. I love this car because I don't have to wash it too often, don't have to worry about dings in parking lots and invest hardly anything into it. When I'm done with it, it'll get stripped down to the unibody and I'll have extra EVERYTHING for my '79 Cobra.

The wiring harness, heater box, heater controls, guages, windows, screws, etc.... will all be saved and the carcass will be hauled away.
 
Well i don't know how my experience with my Merkur will help you but i absolutely love it. Of course it's got quite a bit more pep than a typical 2.3 being that it's turbo, and the ride and interior is a bit nicer but overall it's a solid DD. I get an average of 25mpg, and i do probably 85% city driving. A non turbo 5 speed car should do much better.
 
hey guys im going to go and look at a 88lx 4 banger(well maybe),,,,but i just thought about it and i realized i know ship about the 2.3ls, not the car that intimidates me it is the computer and maf, speed density..?? what are these things.....i think i want to slap a turbo on my 4 cyclinder project eventually and want the easiest way to do it!!!! do you cocnvert these tings just like the 5.0's:shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: should i be patient and just hunt for a 89+ 2.3L:shrug: :shrug: