Buy a T-Top car even though the other options aren't ideal?

I haven't posted in the section in quite a while. I had an 87 Hatch and an 88 notch (if i can find some pics i'll post em) before getting into a couple different new edge rides. But I've always wanted a t-top foxbody and I saw one for craigslist that is very local. Here's the craigslist description and picture:

"1988 ford mustang, t-tops, auto, 2nd owner, 120k, runs and drives like new, ext & int is flawless, underbody is flawless, garage kept, asking $4500 "

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I'm hoping to see it tomorrow; it's bone stock with the porno red interior. I would def change the interior color and I'd like to do a 5spd swap. I guess the question is, should I be waiting to find a T-Top car with better options or jump on this one since it's apparently in great shape and I can basically change anything I don't like. What would you guys do?
 
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If the cars in great shape...go for it.


When I bought my car, I wanted a gt, 5-spd and anything but red interior. I bought an aod lx with red interior :). The condition and mileage were too good to pass upland best decision I ever made
 
Mileage is a little high... How long have you been shopping? If you say "2 weeks", don't buy the car and keep shopping for another couple months. I shopped for more than 6 months, and guess what. Stone stock down to the air silencer, 5 speed, t-top, in my color (black) and with 30K miles. That was my '86 eight years ago. :D
 
I wouldn't say I've been shopping actively, but I always keep my eye out. If this car is as clean as they are making it out to be, I think it'd be a good deal. Mileage is a bit high, but it's if bone stock and rust free, the mileage doesn't scare me. It's not a DD either, it'll be a weekend toy. I wish it wasn't maroon, but I guess i can deal.
 
i would jump on it if i were you especially if its clean.if i had to do it over again i would buy a clean one and change what i didnt like.it is very easy to swap out the interior if you don't like it.good luck
 
Mileage is a little high... How long have you been shopping? If you say "2 weeks", don't buy the car and keep shopping for another couple months. I shopped for more than 6 months, and guess what. Stone stock down to the air silencer, 5 speed, t-top, in my color (black) and with 30K miles. That was my '86 eight years ago. :D

+1

I have a similar story. I searched for my Black on black 93 GT hatch for almost 2 yrs before I came across it. I said I'd never buy an automatic mustang, but once I found this car I knew I had to have it. It was on craigslist also. I felt the same with regards to options, but to be honest, I've grown to love it. Mine had 40,000 original miles when I bought it and I only paid $2,000 for it. My car however hadn't run for years (The guy had told me three, but I figure it sat since about '96). It took about a years worth of tooling to get it running properly, but it was definitely worth the wait. Take your time and don't jump into anything to hastily is the best advice.
 
My $.02

If the only thing you actually do like about the car is the T-tops but you're looking at changing the int. trans. paint... etc. and it's only going to be a toy, then make sure the price is what you think it's worth to YOU. Don't even think about the price being asked. I know specific cars are hard to find, but you don't want 10k in a car worth at best 7-8k. Just make sure it's a great deal.
 
My $.02

If the only thing you actually do like about the car is the T-tops but you're looking at changing the int. trans. paint... etc. and it's only going to be a toy, then make sure the price is what you think it's worth to YOU. Don't even think about the price being asked. I know specific cars are hard to find, but you don't want 10k in a car worth at best 7-8k. Just make sure it's a great deal.

That's the key I've been thinking. T-tops is biggest thing I want on a foxbody and it's one of the few things you can't just install. If I want a different interior/trans/motor/suspension, I can do all of that, but I can't install t-tops. Also, the main reason I moved to new edge cars was that i was tired of messing with cars that had been hacked to pieces by previous owners. If this car really is bone stock and flawless, I can spend time making upgrades rather than fixing half a$$ work....
 
I paid 3500 for my ttop car, and it seems like all the previous owners had touched every nut and bolt on the whole damn car. Everytime I did something I found a hack job.

If its as clean and original as they said, I would be all over it.