Couple Q's buying a fox :)

[98BLKGT]

So the whole time I was in high school I wanted a fox stang but so far I've had a 98 GT and a 02 procharged gt. I have since gotten rid of both because I didn't have the money to have a second car and now I finally want my fox to be my second car.
I want to spend $5,000 with some mild mods on a 1987-1993. What should I look for in the car? Maybe a hatch over a notch but wouldn't care. I want the car to look clean and mostly stock except for the sound. I live around Chicago if you have one close. Maybe something like the one below which is sold

 

[FastFord58]

When you go to look at a car, this is what you should look for as far as structural is concerned.

Look at the frame rails in the engine bay where they connect to the strut towers. They tend to rot there.

Look at the floors from underneath, particularly the front floor where the driver's feet would sit while driving the car. Also look at the back of the drivers pan where the seat brace is. If it is cracked, the car has seen a lot of stress.

Look at the front window pillers for cracks near the top where the roof is welded to the car. If there are cracks, the car has seen a lot of stress.

Look at the trunk pan from inside the car for rot or patches.

Look under the decklid on the seams for rot or signs of excessive bondo.

Look through the plastic grille on the cowl for any signs of rusting inside.

If you can pull the carpet up at the front of the pans, do it. If there is excessive rust on the passenger side inside the car, chances are it leaks.

Look at the torque boxes from under the car. Stick your finger in the holes on the bottom. Some scabs inside are normal, but they tend to rot there.

If you can, poke your hand under the front fender where the plastic sits. Check the fender that sits under the plastic for rust.

Check the pinch welds that run along the bottom of the rocker panels. They should be intact with no signs of welding or excessive bondo use.