• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

160,000 Miles to much on a Mustang?

  • Thread starter Thread starter UpRise_5.0
  • Start date Start date Sep 21, 2005
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
U

UpRise_5.0

Founding Member
Jun 16, 2002
664
1
16
Canada
Sep 21, 2005
#1
  • Sep 21, 2005
  • #1
Hey,

My buddy in has is willing to sell me his 1991 5.0 mustang to me for cheap $1600 US it has 160,000 Miles (250,000 kms) on it. Nothing has been rebuilt or anything.

THe car is in good condition just the high miles.

So anyways what I would do if I bought it was rebuild the engine with better heads and intake,rebuild the rearend with 3.73's, and mabye even the tranny.

And I would only drive the car 3 months (summer) a year.


I just want another (would be my 3rd) mustang to blast around in.

So would it be fine with all those miles still, or is it not worth it?
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Sep 21, 2005
#2
  • Sep 21, 2005
  • #2
It really depends on how well the car was taken care of.

For $1600 it sounds like you really can't go wrong.

If you are going to put money into the heads and intake and such what's another $1200 on a new shortblock?
 

sgarlic

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2001
3,085
1
56
Sep 21, 2005
#3
  • Sep 21, 2005
  • #3
Definately depends on how it was treated. I've heard of foxbody's well over 200k.. most on rebuilds though.
 

ALMOST STOCK

Founding Member
Sep 23, 2000
1,250
41
88
CA.
Sep 21, 2005
#4
  • Sep 21, 2005
  • #4
UpRise_5.0 said:
Hey,

My buddy in has is willing to sell me his 1991 5.0 mustang to me for cheap.

So would it be fine with all those miles still, or is it not worth it?
Click to expand...

If he's your buddy then you know better than anyone else how hard he's run the motor, but 160K isn't that many miles IMHO.
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Sep 21, 2005
#5
  • Sep 21, 2005
  • #5
I have 160k on my daily driver...
 

afast93stang

Founding Member
Jan 6, 2002
1,407
4
39
North Texas
Sep 21, 2005
#6
  • Sep 21, 2005
  • #6
Just hit 180k on my daily driver and its still going strong
 

DTT92LX

New Member
Oct 28, 2003
185
1
0
Downingtown, PA
Sep 21, 2005
#7
  • Sep 21, 2005
  • #7
Yup, 170k on my DD and no signs of weakness... Well, maybe a little blowby but nuthin' to worry 'bout!
 

PuterAmI

Member
Mar 29, 2003
513
0
16
Madison, Alabama
Sep 21, 2005
#8
  • Sep 21, 2005
  • #8
244K
195K
198K

*shrug*
They are getting their second wind.

But, a car can have 20K on it and be about to throw a rod. Again, it's all in how it was cared for.
When I turned my last motor in for a rebuild, it only took a 2000 dry wire hone and a polish of the crank. Everything else checked out good. 188K.
 

slow5poh

Senior Citizen
Jul 6, 2005
273
3
19
Citrus Heights, CA
Sep 21, 2005
#9
  • Sep 21, 2005
  • #9
157,000 on my stock 92 gt block. running strong! uses a little oil, but did compression test and it had good compression.

 

ALMOST STOCK

Founding Member
Sep 23, 2000
1,250
41
88
CA.
Sep 21, 2005
#10
  • Sep 21, 2005
  • #10
I had over 180K on my motor and it was still running strong. But since I was re-doing everything else why not re-do the old engine was my thought .
 

Musclecarfan88

Member
Dec 30, 2002
184
0
16
Indianapolis, Indiana
Sep 21, 2005
#11
  • Sep 21, 2005
  • #11
my buddy has 2 90 gt's. one of them has 165k miles on it. all stock. the other has 148k on it with a few mods (3.73s, edlebrock intake). the stock one is still running. the modded one... well lets just say we were cruising along at about 1600rpms and heard a loud bang then felt a bunch of vibrations... i had to tow it back to his house with my beater blazer (with 188k miles on it ) the modded one obviously had a HARD life. the motor didnt even make it to 150k miles while the stock one is strong as new. if the cars been taken care of then you shouldnt even worry about it. 160k is just broken in on some 302s
 

Darkwriter77

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy
5 Year Member
Jul 1, 2005
314
281
134
Apache Junction, AZ
Sep 22, 2005
#12
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #12
I'm in the vicinity of somewhere well over 200k on mine (unknown due to the wrong speedo gear previously being installed for the 4.10's, made it read 10 MPH high). I gave $2000 for it. It looked like a turd when I picked it up, but I was only concerned about the mechanicals - rebuilt motor and T-5 swapped in about 20k ago, 4.10 gears w/rebuilt LSD, A/C delete, battery relocated to trunk, and seats from what appear to be a fancy-editioned '86 GT (hoop headrests with fishnet material in the middle, supposedly a Recaro seat, I dunno). I've spent the past few months polishing this turd - yeah, I'm a chronic turd-polisher, I'll admit it - and it's coming along nicely, aside from the occasional annoying issue that's arisen ... namely that demonic possession incident, the floormats that almost killed me (got jammed under the pedal at WOT and wouldn't let it up), and now the front tranny seal that's glazed a fairly new clutch by gradually, over the past couple of months, spewing DexIII all over it (and everything underneath the car clear back to the rear axle).

It's my favorite turd, and I've no intentions of flushing it anytime soon ... though I worry some stupid old geezer will pull out in front of me and destroy it, just as soon as I get everything just the way I want it (which happened with my previous car).
 

stangbear427

Active Member
Nov 11, 2002
2,401
1
49
New England
Sep 22, 2005
#13
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #13
I paid over $4K for mine with 155,000mi. on it, and it had been pounded. It's over 255,000mi. now and runs better than the day I bought it, never rebuilt.
If you know this car, it should be fine.
 
S

SteedaChaos

New Member
Jun 13, 2004
10
0
0
S. AL.
Sep 22, 2005
#14
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #14
My 87' LX performed very well for me purchased for $2.5k at 97k mi. in 96' and ran her up to 201k mi by 98' she consistently pulled 12.90-13.0's, had 110 passes most on slicks at 5K launches, countless street racing.

Only problems she had was one waterpump replacement, very small tiny amount of oil smoke out the pipes on the interstates around 190k. mi (with 4.10's RPM's at 3200) and she mauled up 5 T5's ( i had ample supply to keep T-5's built for her plus they out accelerate Tremecs). Sold her since i had/still have my 92' LX for $1500 with no trans.

My 92' has performed great also lost her first motor at 187k mi.(a nut actually backed off the connecting rod *boom* while i was driving down the I-10 wondering why from the sound i had a T.O. bearing going out). Put in a 85' motor w/ 125k. on her, lost that motor otw back from Wa. St. at 183k mi on it. Bearing failed on it understandble since that motor always ran 32-3500 rpms on the open roads with some 6000 rpm spurts during it's tenure.

Her next motor was a used 92' with 76K mi on it which lasted for 221k mi. and was in great shape but i didn't never get that vibration totally cured and while running the guts out of her on the interstate the crank finally gave an broke.

In short ford built a good motor just keep good tune, fresh oil, and deal with any vibrations associated with the motor or drive-line. Gonna to see what kind of use i get out of a brand-new DSS, larger oil cooler, pump, and pan, go to 3.55's from 3.73's to cut down on the open road RPM's( i run close ratio 5th trans on my cars).
 
8

89lxsport50

10 Year Member
Feb 25, 2003
550
5
39
Franklin Tennessee
Sep 22, 2005
#15
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #15
192,000 on my basically stock daily driver, never been rebuilt, original clutch (not slipping at all). Runs great, my mechanic said the driveline is solid as a rock. I am the original owner.
 

ninety1gt

New Member
Aug 27, 2005
162
0
0
san antonio
Sep 22, 2005
#16
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #16
lol weaksauce, i have 26x,xxx miles and i still rag the beast out, runs strong
 

mattkimsey

I've compiled a list to recap this thread:
Jan 22, 2004
346
0
0
Bessemer City NC
Sep 22, 2005
#17
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #17
I think these motors are rock solid for the most part.
 

stangnutlx

New Member
May 24, 2005
242
0
0
Coventry, RI
Sep 22, 2005
#18
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #18
265000 on my stock engine 90lx
still goes to the track and runs low 13's with a 1.74 60ft time

EDC has my freshly built 306 waiting for me!!
 

88 Fox GT

Active Member
Nov 18, 2002
1,674
0
36
Iowa
Sep 22, 2005
#19
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #19
I have a little over 160k on the engine in my '65. It came out of a '94 GT. It runs very strong and doesn't blow one bit of smoke. Tranny is also in great shape for 160k. Shifts very smooth and doesn't grind.
 
M

Mark89coupe

Member
Apr 5, 2005
206
0
16
Sep 22, 2005
#20
  • Sep 22, 2005
  • #20
Ive got 193,000 and can still rip the tires going into 3rd gear.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Engine Suggestions on an engine rebuild. Stock cam/GT40Ps or aftermarket on both for a fun weekend driver?
  • MadSquirrelTech
  • Apr 28, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
833
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
MadSquirrelTech
Z
Progress Thread zeth194 - New Guy on the Block
  • zeth194
  • Mar 19, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
10
Views
572
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 26, 2026
LILCBRA
New Member with a 1992
  • Clutchfork
  • Oct 18, 2025
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
5
Views
306
The Welcome Wagon Oct 19, 2025
Clutchfork
J
For Sale [FOR SALE] 1991 Mustang Notchback / 90,000 Miles / ~15,000 mile motor / Lots of Upgrades
  • Johnnie_Casino
  • Apr 2, 2025
  • Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93)
Replies
0
Views
1K
Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93) Apr 2, 2025
Johnnie_Casino
J
Who the hell puts the wrong spark plugs in a 3.8L?
  • snowstang
  • Mar 25, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
444
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 3, 2026
LILCBRA
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?