I'm looking to buy a cheap mustang that will be able to get me around town until i can get some money stored up but after that i want to make it a really nice car. Does anyone have any suggestions on what the best year/style would be to get some farely cheap but effective upgrades? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I say gas mileage is a big issue being young. My 84 Gt is reliable and fun....but it gets 10MPG (good ole' carbuerator fun!) some people with their Fuel injected 5.0's (86-93) have claimed(with the right setup) mileage of almost 20 city and a whopping 30 highway. I can see this with a few breathing mods to increase combustion effeciency.

I would suggest a lightweight Notchback(has a trunk rather than a lift-hatch) LX 5.0 from 87+ even though i prefer a 4-eye.

the 87-88 Speed Density ones are quick as all get-out and mods are a lil' tougher to do than the mass air 89-93's.

Well if you can get ahold of GT do so. You'll get all the little additions of a performance car. And don't forget to register it at www.mustanggt.org

It all depends on what your looking for. I suggest a Notchback LX 87-93 5.0 for a great power - fuel consumption ratio. Depending on condition i think you might be able to snag one for around 2K. the Notchback 5.0's are a little rarer, because drag racer's used em for their lightweight attributes.

-Chris

 

Thanks man,

Sometime in the new year i'll start seriously looking through the buy & sell. Any suggestions on what kind of mods i should look into?

 

what kind of setup are you going for? Just a little bit of extra power? or do you want 300+ horsepower?

 

10 MPG holy crap....... I'm getting 22+ with my 82 Capri, bone stock. One more thing to consider, Mustangs and snow. My RS with 5.0/4spd is a nightmare in the snow at least it was the only time it was ever in it.

 

I dont get a lot of snow up here though... just just fricken raining all the time so i dont think i really need to worry about it. Also i'd like it to have power but nothing thats gonna set competive 1/4 mile times Just something so i can obbliterate all the fricken ricers in town driving the turbo charged civics

 

yea, Mom said the 84' at best got 14 in the city when it was brand new. I was getting 7MPG when the fuel pump leaked .

Well first of all. Most stock 5.0's, depending on body will run 14's depending on body type and other enviromental factors. That alone beats half the Japanese cars out there, even some of their performance ones.

If your looking at keeping up with the Z28's of today, then your lookin at a Cam, new GT40X heads(the stock ones flow like crap, these are a 60HP bolt on).
Headers to exhaust system redone. 2.5 In. - 3in. is plenty, just make sure its all madrel bent. Intake manifold. Again GT40 works nice. Better fuel delivery, air intake. 1.7 Cobra roller rockers, pretty much building yourself a more potent Cobra motor. 3.73 rear end gears for an Auto and 3.54's for a Manual. Some beefier control arms in the back, wider tires and you gots yourself a mid- high 13 second car. Depending on your setup and calibration.

These are the general do it yourself mods. Takes some tweaking and proffessional help but it will wake up that 5.0 and she'll be throwin her torque around everywhere.

 

I'd say 88+, save your pennies and get a good rear suspension and some good tires for the car and then work form there (That is if your springing for a V8 car) - and I'm not talking drag race suspension either.

 

oh i can't believe i forgot the most important thing!!!

"Make her stop, make her handle , THEN make her go!"

there's a golden rule for ya.

 

I had an 83 5.0 4 spd 308 that got 22-25 mpg.I added an edelbrock intake carb setup and some longtube headers.

 

How about a nice 4 cyl. with a turbo kit and a 5 spd? That would be good milage plus power? Plus it would be cheap on insurance!

 

HMMM....^good thinking

ahh insurance, combined with registration is the only thing keeping me from buying a car. i should get a job...

 

u could get a 4cyl with a turbo but IMO theres nothing like an 8...even though the 4cyl. will be alot cheaper on insurance, thats a decision that you have to make.

 

exactly why i'm waiting

 

future9er24... in your case, you should def. get a 4 w/ a turbo. If you dont have a job than things are going to be a little rough with an 8. Gas, insurance, etc... but if you decide to get a 4 you should def. consider a 5spd. for that extra kick.

 

when i said "i should get a job" i was referring to the school year, as that is the only time i dont work. i do have a summer job, working at goodyear of all places :w00t:? plus i only travel a few miles a day to/fro skool.

plus how much does it cost for a turbo kit? i dont think i have enuff saved up from working for one of those.

the most alluring thing about 4's are their extremely low prices. like $300-500 cuz no one really wants em....

but i really wanna wait for the 8.

thnx for ur input ne way dude

 

around here insurance is killer, EXAMPLE, least possible legal coverage, for a 16-18 year old male, is between 3000-4000 PER ANNUM. If you really want something, as said go for the v8, i mean the 6 and 4 are still alright, but nothing like the 8. Dont get me wrong, there are plenty of 4 turbos that would kill a gt, but the v8 gt/lx are a little more common among power mongers.

 

Seems we're in the same boat, I've got a job but only in the summer too.
insurance is what keeps me from getting my own car (I really am tired of driving my parent's cars but I wouldn't mind driving my dad's stang if I could convince him to buy one. )


Nathan you are right about what It's like here, I live in Wolfville, N.S. and insurance isn't any better here.

I'd be happy with just about any stang that ran.

 

my parents were talking to me and insurance is so high for me anyway, that it wouldnt make that much of a differecne if i had a V8 or what not. so i think i'll go all the way. i could be wrong though. correct me if i am.

redwood city right here. plus it aint fair how guys hafta pay more

 

they just passed a law here saying that insurance companies can't discriminate genders so guys and girls pay the same now. :w00t: