2Fast4Yea

My Friend Is Offering Me A 86 Mustang 4 Cylinder, I Just Wanted To Know What Did People Think Of Them, Are They Go Motors, And How Fast Would You Say They Go? Thanx!

My89Ford

I used to have a 2.3L. The engine kept on runnin long after the odometer stopped, but she's gotta be approaching 200,000 miles, and she still runs pretty well. Granted, I have taken it to the shop a few times, with timing belt problems and such, but for the most part it was a very reliable car. However, mine was a 1991. My 2.3L hatchback was a pretty good car. I bought it in high school and used it to get me back and forth to work while I saved up for the pristine beauty I drive today (89 5.0 convertible that's in excellent condition).

A Mustang with the 2.3 liter engine is not exceptionally fast, though it has some pep to it, and it is capable of doing a brake-assisted burnout (though chances are you're only going to spin the driver's side tire: it takes a bit of practice and positioning to get the passenger's side tire to belt out the smoke, too.) Realistically, there is not much you can do to make it fast. Speed and acceleration are about comparable to an explorer, from my experience. It won't kill you in gas milage: you can expect about 25 miles to the gallon. As an '86, it will lack airbags.

I'm not sure about your age bracket, but I can attest that as a teenage male driving a 2.3L mustang, I was paying about $233 per month in insurance. Not too good, not too bad, really. The fact of the matter is that at that point in my life I could not have afforded to keep a 5.0 insured, as well as pay for all the other things that were bound to come up in a highschooler's life, such as trinkets to appease irritable girlfriends.

Once again, I'm not sure about your age bracket, but if it's going to be your first car, or if you're hard pressed for transportation, go for it; provided the car is in good condition and the price is right. However, if you plan on doing work on the car, I strongly advise you hold out and buy a V8. It will be far more costly to replace an inline 4 with a V8 than to just hold out a bit and find a V8.

If you're going to go for the car, make sure it can pass inspection first. Make sure that it is in good working condition. Ensure that it's not a money pit. It would probably be best to pass it up if it's got excessive rust or a decaying paint job, or is in need of work to get it up to good running condition. Listen to other people's advice: don't make an impulse buy.

Depending on milage, location, the car's condition, whether it's a convertible, coupe, or hatchback, whether it's auto or manual, what options it has, what stuff he's put into it, etc. the price will vary, but generally, if he's asking for more than $750, keep on lookin. Chances are, you'd be able to land a 5.0 for about $2,500. I'll try to answer any other questions you have on the subject.

mr-mstng

I had an 86 LX 4-cyl. Its not really a go car. Its more like a 'just about making it' car.

2Fast4Yea

Its A 86 LX and the interior is mint and its got a few tiny rust spots and under the car theres no rust and the guys askin $ 450 Canadian so is that i good deal?

My89Ford

That sounds like a pretty good price.

mr-mstng

Sounds like a fair price to me. Stick or Auto? How does it run? 2.3L engines seem to last forever, so you should be fine there, but its best to have it checked out by a good mechanic to make sure you're not getting a money pit.

The tranny in mine was on the weak side. I actually managed to park the shifter 'between' 1st and 3rd. I had to get the car towed home, drop the tranny, open it up, pop the slider back in place and throw it back in.

-Brandon-

I had an 86 GT and i miss it, wish i had it back

bsu legato

I'd jump on that deal, and I'm not even in the market for another 'Stang. Good condition Foxes, especially the older 4-eyes, are getting harder and harder to find up here in the Great White North. If it's as mint as you describe it, I think it'd make a great project car someday.

DanS.02GT

For a clean, rust free car, $450 sounds like a darn good price. Just don't expect to go fast.

2Fast4Yea

Well I Bought The Four Cycinder Then I Sold It Now I Have An 87 Mustang GT 5.0 302 With A Custom Orange Paint Job, Body Kit, Flowmaster Exhaust And Headers And Chrome Rims And I Bought It For 4900, I Think Its A Good Deal, Its Fast As heck And Its Standard, It'll Be My First Car

conv_stang

yeah i had an 86 gt conv. wish i had kept it. oh well. had a 90 lx w/ 2.3 got great gas mileage had no major problems. drove it everyday except when i drove the 86. i say ge that as you daily transportation especially to sav eyou some gas money

oops didnt see your last post my bad