THRUST_

I'm 17, have a bit of money saved up, have been driving my parents car for over a year now and I think it's time for me to find one of my own. Ive always thought my first car would be a mustang, not too expensive, RWD, and look good. I'm posting this in the Fox forum because even though it may not be my favorite bodystyle, I like them more than any other car that I've found for the same price.

The perfect car I'm looking for is a black 85-6 with a 5.0 and a 5 speed. The problem is that they aren't exactly as common around here as maybe a honda civic would be. I don't mind it not being the color I want but I really would like it to be either of those years and a manual transmission.

I've found a couple that weren't nearby and wondered if they would be worth getting if they were an exact match. I live in Nova Scotia, Canada and I've found some in Ontario or Quebec which would be perfect. A plane ticket from Halifax to Montreal is about $200 taxes and fees included. Then it would have to be driven home and add on the cost of gas. If it was almost what I want then would it be worth it instead of buying one here and swapping transmissions, engines, or giving it a new paint job? Should I just buy one here and get some experience working on cars while Ifix it up? or hope I find one here that is perfect? As you can see, I have a lot of questions about my options.

I don't really know what kind of price to pay for one either.

Any advice would be helpful, even if you told me not to waste my money on a car, or to look for something else.

Edit: there's a few things I would like to do to it (only if there is money in the bank) I'd like to do a five lug conversion so I could put some bullitts or similar wheels on it, possibly add disks to the rear and maybe a few engine/exhaust mods.

THRUST_

example of what I'm looking for here

conv_stang

i would try to find one that is as original as possible. that way you know what you are working with. i had an 86gt convertible right out of highschool. i loved that stinking car. the one in the pic seems pretty nice. id say go for it. they are easy to work on for the most part. and are great for learning to do your own maintenance

ScottyBoy302

In my opinion (which is probably biased) I'd say go for an 87 if you can, theyve got 40hp more and look a little more "modern", unless you're partial to the 85/86 bodystyle. They shouldn't be priced too differently. And mainly, BE PATIENT. I looked around a lot for about 4months before i got mine, but i ended up gettinng a smokin deal, itll be worth the wait

PS: the 87s are fuel injected too, so they will be more fuel efficent than the cabeurated 85 or 86.

THRUST_

hmm, although I am partial to the 85/6 bodystyle, the engine in the 87 does sound a little bit tempting, I also like the dash a little more from the later years. I'm a big fan of four eyed foxes especially with the grill from the 85/6.

yeah, I have been looking around for a few months, but now I'm starting to get a little bit more serious.

mr-mstng

A carburated 85 would be a nice find. BTW, only the manuals had carbs I believe. If I'm not mistaken, the 85 auto cars had throttle body injection. Also, the 86 5.0s had a different head design than the 85 or 87. I had an 87 GT, and loved it. Great car for the money. The T-5 trannies through weren't up to dealing with a lot of abuse. The synchos have gone in a few I had.

ScottyBoy302

Ya, if you have another car that you can drive in the meantime that's good, cause the worst thing that can happen is to buy one and then a week later find one you like a lot more or a similar one for a way better deal. So don't just settle on something, wait till the perfect one comes along, and like I said before, it'll be worth it. Good luck, and im not sure if you already are, but make sure to look on buysell.com

MustangFanatic

I owned an '86 GT and I loved that car!!! I had to sell to purchase my '93 Cobra but I still miss it!!

The '86 was an EFI car but it had closed chamber small valve heads and a smaller TB. The pistons were flat top without valve reliefs which makes swapping heads more difficult unless you cut valve reliefs in the tops of the pistons.. '86's were also Speed Density cars like the '87 - '88's (non-CA). '86 was also the first year of the 8.8 rearend.

Manual '85's had Holley 4 barrel carbs but the automatics came with a Throttle Body Fuel Injection system that was only used a couple of years and has no performance applications.

If you like the four eye Foxes, I'd say be very patient and find an '86 unless you just want the last carb'd Mustang produced. Happy hunting and let us know how it turns out!!

THRUST_

I'll have to check that out, does anybody else know of any others?


Thanks for pointing out the differences in the '85 and '86, I don't think I'd worry too much about not being able to swap the heads off an '86 easily. I don't want an auto, I know that, but I'm not sure about whether I want a carb'd or EFI engine, what would be the benefits of either?

MustangFanatic

Since it sounds like you will be driving the car primarily on the street, EFI is the way to go. More low speed torque (long EFI runners) easier to maintain and has better driveability. Go with an '86 manual with EFI.

Daysleepin

OK

Redbaron93

Couple of other differences between the '85 & '86 is the '86 had true dual exhaust and even though the '85 had 10 more hp the '86 had 10 more pound feet of torque, and don't forget the third brake light. The '86 had a truck motor in it. I bought an '85 GT 5 sp. new and loved it. I also got the bug when the '87's came out(ordered a new GT) because of the increase in hp. Sometimes I wish I still had that '85.

THRUST_

Sounds like an EFI '86 is the better choice right now. I like that it's easier to maintain I don't think I'd miss the ten extra horsepower if I get an extra ten pound feet of torque. True duals is nice, I didn't know the '85 didn't have them.

I don't really have a preference with the third brake light, but I forgot about the '85 not having them.

Thanks for answering my questions guys! Now that I know exactly what I'm looking for, it just depends on what I can find, and if I can afford it.

livininthe70s

Hey there,

I have just decided to sell my car to finance a 65 289 4 speed fastback and it doesn't exactly fit your description but I'll throw it out anyway: 1990 Lx notchback, 5.0 automatic, red outside, mostly black inside, the paint outside has a few imperfections but 90% of it is good vibrant red and it has the 10 hole wheels and I added the 93 running horse grill and brand new clear lights. If it sounds interesting at all let me know and I can send pics. Thanks!!

THRUST_

where is it located? it isn't exactly what I'm looking for but if it was close to me for a good price I would be interested.

Thanks for the offer and congrats on the 65

if anybody else has anything like what I'm looking for, please post it too.

Fordracing200

the 87 does not have 40 more hp.

ScottyBoy302

Oops, 25, sorry Andy. Either way though...

Fordracing200

the 85-86 GT's are hard to come by and very beautiful, probably why he wants one. I personally like them alot better than the 87-93 even though i love the 87-93s. I guess i'm trying to say, its probably just his preference.

MustangFanatic

I agree Doug, love the '85 - '86 GT's. And I was stupid enough to sell a beautiful black '86 GT several years ago. When I think about it now, I just want to kick my own [censored].

Autotooner

if it is just the nose clips that you like, couldn't you just but and 86 front bumper cover and the lights and do the switcheroo yourself?





... just a suggestion.