95 5.0, What To Look For

[SgtNick_PSD]

Hey I'm new here, looking for advice before buying my first mustang.

Looking at this one tomorrow night:
https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/d/1995-mustang-gt/6253884949.html

I would really appreciate guidance on what to look for in one of these, I've got him down to $2700 on it. Is that a good price for this? I feel like it's not bad, especially if I can maintain it properly and not beat on it all the time. He claims roughly 300 horsepower output but it hasn't been dynoed.

Previous owner had the work done so he doesn't know all the details.

Cruise doesn't work and the a/c needs a recharge, other than that sounds like it's solid.

Thanks guys,

Newbie

 

[Dan02gt]

$2700 isn't bad for that. The car doesn't look to be beat up or anything. That not repainted red engine bay would drive me crazy!

Check the normal stuff, like the oil for signs of water. The rear main seal likes to leak in these cars so look for leaks at the bell housing. T5 transmissions aren't known to be indestructible so make sure it shifts OK and doesn't pop out of gear.

Ask about the wear parts like suspension and brakes as more than likely they will need to be freshed up.

No way in hell that car makes 300hp. Looks like it has a stock intake which means most likely the rest of the motor is stock. That's not a bad thing. People have a tendency to butcher these cars so the more stock the better in my opinion.

 

[SgtNick_PSD]

Thank you! I'll check those spots and ask about brakes and stuff.
Good to know about stock parts, I had hoped that he was wrong because I'm looking for a daily driver. That way I can do stuff with it and be confident it was done right!
Anything else you can think of?

I hear ya about the engine bay, looks goofy. But for that price, I'll live with it haha

 

[90sickfox]

I can't see that car making 300hp

It could have a can but usually a can would have roller rockers installed also....they wouldn't fit under stock valve covers without spacers on the intake and valve covers.

There could be a can in it but it'll only make a little power with all the other stock parts.

He could've at least detailed the engine bay.

For the price it isn't bad....if the transmission shifts driving through all gears...and there's really no rust.

 

[SgtNick_PSD]

Do you mean a cam?

 

[SgtNick_PSD]

Duplicate post by mistake

 

[Mustang5L5]

Yeah, that engine is stock. Maybe 210-220HP or so.

The red engine bay would drive me nuts though.

 

[CarMichael Angelo]

Do you mean a cam?

Yes,...he meant CAM..... ( And he meant that all 3 times) Evidently he thinks that is what that long steel stick w/ the oval bumpy parts is called.

 

[SgtNick_PSD]

Haha OK OK, I don't want to start strife between anyone in my very first thread here on stangnet

I'll be looking at it in a couple hours, I'll post what happens. Thanks guys.

 

[General karthief]

Haha OK OK, I don't want to start strife between anyone in my very first thread here on stangnet

I'll be looking at it in a couple hours, I'll post what happens. Thanks guys.

No strife around here
Some of us just have a magical way of describing things.

 

[old_blue]

The door jams and engine still being red are horrible. Suspension looks stock as it sits real high. They're rated at 300tq but I agree with everyone else here, seriously doubt it has 200hp.

 

[SgtNick_PSD]

Thanks a ton for your advice guys. I had to walk away from the deal. I didn't trust the guy, it needed a lot of work. there was oil everywhere underneath. Grinding into 5th gear, smelled like coolant while driving, pulled REALLY hard to the right, and the paint was atrocious. It would have been worth it at $1000 but not $2700.


Anyways he had a guy come right after me and he sold it haha.

Thanks for your willingness to help! I may be back, if I find a mustang I like.

 

[Mstng93SSP]

Keep looking. You will find something if patient. You (foxbody) should really (foxbody) hit craigslist every day (foxbody) at least 3 or 4 times. You never know (foxbody) when a deal is gonna pop up. Have you considered a foxbody?

 

[SgtNick_PSD]

Haha! Love it.

I have actually. Honestly trying to decide if the 5.0 is the way to go for me, or if I should consider going with a newer 4.6. I'm unfamiliar with the pros/cons of both.

 

[90sickfox]

There's no other single car with as much aftermarket support as a fox 5.0 mustang.


I'm jus' sayin'

 

[Dan02gt]

Haha! Love it.

I have actually. Honestly trying to decide if the 5.0 is the way to go for me, or if I should consider going with a newer 4.6. I'm unfamiliar with the pros/cons of both.

I've owned Mustangs with the 5.0 H.O., non PI 4.6, PI 4.6, 3V 4.6L, and the Coyote 5.0L. The thing I like about the old Foxes with the 5.0 H.O. is how much fun it is to tinker on. They are easy to work on and the head, cam, intake, and stroker combos are almost endless if you are into making more horsepower. Suspension combos are endless if handling is your thing and you don't see 5 at every stop light.

Now if I was buying a daily driver it would be a S197 or S550 as they are reasonably fast, handle good, and are comfortable right out of box.

 

[SgtNick_PSD]

I want a daily driver that I can have fun with when the weather is good and roast my buddies on Saturdays haha. I have my powerstroke for lousy weather days. I'm still looking...

Found this one:
https://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/d/83-mustang-50-ho-4000-obo/6274868084.html

Looks pretty sweet. These don't have much power tho do they?

 

[General karthief]

Looks pretty sweet, kinda old school fast.

 

[imp]

For the old farts like me, the days of cracking 9" carriers in two down the middle, are a memory; therefore the HP has become less of an issue. My '94 GT bought in May seems to have had mods done by amateurs, nothing really aimed at importance, bypassed smog pump, vapor canister gone. My wife smells gas.... I found the vapor tube from the tank hidden in the fender apron..,...

But, it runs like a raped ape, T-5 shifts smooth enough, no frigging CELs, brakes good, 245-45-17s BIG tires, I'm pretty happy with it. imp

 

[Dan02gt]

I want a daily driver that I can have fun with when the weather is good and roast my buddies on Saturdays haha. I have my powerstroke for lousy weather days. I'm still looking...

Found this one:
https://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/d/83-mustang-50-ho-4000-obo/6274868084.html

Looks pretty sweet. These don't have much power tho do they?

It's a shame the guy didn't list any of the mods, but that car looks to have some good go fast stuff on it like aluminum heads.