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

gm, ford, gm, ford, can't make up my mind

  • Thread starter Thread starter evrythingsux151
  • Start date Start date Mar 4, 2004
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
E

evrythingsux151

Founding Member
Sep 14, 2002
68
0
0
Mar 4, 2004
#1
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #1
I have 2 82 camaro's, and an 84 mustang, I want to sel them all, but I can't decide if I want to get a nicer camaro or a nicer 5.0. I realize that this is a 5.0 forum, so ....I am looking at this 85 302 carbed hatch t-top, in decent condition for $500, The guy needs $$ bad so he's selling it dirt cheap, but all I have had is trouble with my 2.3L stang. It's been hastle of hastle. but at the same time, I got this 82 z28 and within a month of driving it, the tranny pretty much just blew up. I know I will neverbe happy driving anything but a V8...but I also know I would rather dump my money into upgrades, not maintence repair. so, what kind of trouble have you all had with your 5.0's?
 
8

87_GT_Vert

New Member
Dec 6, 2002
117
0
0
Winnipeg,Mb,Canada
Mar 4, 2004
#2
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #2
Sounds like a pretty decent find. 85's are harder to come by cause they are the last year of the carb'd 5.0's. As far as problems, I have had NONE with my car and i've owned it almost 2 years. I maintain it well but still drive it hard. I used to have an 83 T/A T-top car that I thought was fast til I got the stang. On this board you will have everyone telling you to get a stang. I say go with whichever one you like most, just keep it a V-8!. Good luck.
 

BlackGT89

Member
Dec 16, 2002
774
8
18
Huntsville, AL
Mar 4, 2004
#3
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #3
evrythingsux151 said:
so, what kind of trouble have you all had with your 5.0's?
Click to expand...

Close to 170,000 miles or relatively trouble free driving. Maybe a water pump here, or an alternator there. Okay, a clutch but I consider that a maintenance item. The aftermarket is great now for 5.0 Fords, buy a few new toys to stick on it every now and then to play with performance gains. It's not a perfect car, but it's got to be the best car I've ever owned which includes a long list of all Fords (exception being a hand-me-down Dodge) in over 30 years of driving. All of them were good cars but this one takes the cake. It very much depends on what 5.0 you start with and how well it's been treated. All I can say is let your conscience be your guide, drive what you like, and like what you drive. BTW, I wouldn't even count the 2.3 Stang, completely different animal.
 

Greenracing

Founding Member
Nov 13, 2000
109
0
0
Puerto Rico
Mar 4, 2004
#4
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #4
Ford All the way, i don't have any problems with my 89 LX (it was a 4 banger now it has a 351) is a very docile car and you got the biggest aftermarket in the world.
 

jikelly

20+ Year Stangneter
Jul 9, 2003
872
53
99
Lubbock Tx
Mar 4, 2004
#5
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #5
Sell um all and get a vette I really like the C5s. Just kidding I'd go with a stang, I just like the way the look a whole lot more than the camaro.
 

IndyBlk5.0

New Member
Nov 24, 2003
1,122
1
0
New Whiteland, IN
Mar 4, 2004
#6
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #6
fox all the way. no aod, get a t5, and mod it =)
 

GMstomper

New Member
Jan 30, 2004
71
0
0
Blackwood, NJ
Mar 4, 2004
#7
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #7
evrythingsux151 said:
I have 2 82 camaro's, and an 84 mustang, I want to sel them all, but I can't decide if I want to get a nicer camaro or a nicer 5.0. I realize that this is a 5.0 forum, so ....I am looking at this 85 302 carbed hatch t-top, in decent condition for $500, The guy needs $$ bad so he's selling it dirt cheap, but all I have had is trouble with my 2.3L stang. It's been hastle of hastle. but at the same time, I got this 82 z28 and within a month of driving it, the tranny pretty much just blew up. I know I will neverbe happy driving anything but a V8...but I also know I would rather dump my money into upgrades, not maintence repair. so, what kind of trouble have you all had with your 5.0's?
Click to expand...

Where is it located because if you don't want it I'm all oer it. My 86 has about 170-180 and is still going with an engine rebuild. Tranny was rebuilt but thats only because AAA dragged it for 50mi w/o removing the driveshaft. They payed for it...and paid to have it beefed up even though they didnt know. Just so happen they did the same thing to the shop owners brother's car so he was more than happy to stick it to them.
 

GMstomper

New Member
Jan 30, 2004
71
0
0
Blackwood, NJ
Mar 4, 2004
#8
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #8
Oh an something to base your decision on...

chevy=cheaper parts
ford=easier to work on (and a hell of a lot better than some lil boys bowtie)

there are pros and cons to both...
 
4

4eyed5.0

Member
Mar 4, 2004
33
0
6
VA
Mar 4, 2004
#9
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #9
Stay with a stang, mine is an 86 with 204K miles on it and it is still very strong and i drive the hell out of it, it does leak a quart of oil between oil changes though, i'm probaly the only one here with valve cover gaskets leaking
 

GMstomper

New Member
Jan 30, 2004
71
0
0
Blackwood, NJ
Mar 4, 2004
#10
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #10
4eyed5.0 said:
Stay with a stang, mine is an 86 with 204K miles on it and it is still very strong and i drive the hell out of it, it does leak a quart of oil between oil changes though, i'm probaly the only one here with valve cover gaskets leaking
Click to expand...

Its ok...One time I let mine leak for almost a year before I replaced them. But that was because a head busted off one of the bolts and I didnt feel like playing with it to get it out. That was when she was still my DD
 
S

sleeper89

New Member
Nov 18, 2002
388
0
0
Toronto, Ontario
Mar 4, 2004
#11
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #11
have you considered puttin' a 5.0 or 351 in your current stang? what kind of shape is it in.

btw- i've had minimal probs, probably none that i didn't cause.

-steve
 

bmo37

Founding Member
Jun 27, 2001
2,368
2
46
New Jersey
Mar 4, 2004
#12
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #12
get a camaro i need some more guys to stomp on, not many more around here
 

GMstomper

New Member
Jan 30, 2004
71
0
0
Blackwood, NJ
Mar 4, 2004
#13
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #13
bmo37 said:
get a camaro i need some more guys to stomp on, not many more around here
Click to expand...

Yeah I havent seen many around lately either. The occasional Italian Retart Out Crusing....but thats it. Havent seen any newer model 8's in quite a while.
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Mar 4, 2004
#14
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #14
I say sell ‘em both and buy something A LOT newer....(preferably a Stang). Not intending to flame you at all, but you're knowledge of either vehicle seems limited and I’m guessing your overall automotive technical knowledge is in the same boat....Which is fine, there's nothing wrong with that, but an '85 GT is only one year newer than your '84 and the last think you're going to want to do is buy another 15-20 year old, high mileage car to give you headaches. Yeah, the 5.0L roller motors last forever, but it’s the little nickel and dime things with the rest of the car that are going to kill you. If I were you, I'd keep my eye out for a really low mileage '93 (if you absolutely have to have a fox), or a later model SN-95. It may cost you more up front, but over the long run you’ll keep your sanity and your visa in check when all is said and done.
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Mar 4, 2004
#15
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #15
If reliability at a decent price is what you're after - buy a used Corolla, Civic or Accord.
 

MustangMuscleV8

New Member
Dec 2, 2003
173
0
0
Stangnet.com
Mar 4, 2004
#16
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #16
dude seriously...your coming to a Ford forum...your pretty much going to get all FORD comments...if you go to a GM or Chevorlet your going to get all good GM comments
 

The Shape

Founding Member
Jan 11, 2002
2,224
8
49
East ARKANSAS Delta
Mar 4, 2004
#17
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #17
If you have a long commute to work and want something extremely reliable I wouldn't buy a car that is nearly 20 years old. But when I bought my '87 I didn't know anything about cars nothing at all. I am no expert now , but have lerned alot. I will say if it wasn't for this web-site I would have probably sold my GT along time ago. It has only stranded me once (bad TFI module) but as someone else mentioned it is the nickle and dime stuff that wears out and it is almost never ending. I don't care if it is a chevy , a ford or a VW at the age these fox body cars or getting to be some things are just bound to wear out. The flip side of that is even if I had to replace a 100 dollar part every month on my car (which I don't) it would still be cheaper than making car payments. And like I said even with my limited mechanical knowledge I have yet to have a problem that the guys on this board didn't help me fix myslef in the driveway. No trying to convince you to buy the car or not to buy it. I am just saying condsider if you are willing to do the extra maintenace work that an older car is gonna require.
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Mar 4, 2004
#18
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #18
Hey GMstomper - just what is an 'Italian Retart'? I'm dyin' laughing.....
 

SuperStang83

Founding Member
Mar 21, 2001
1,693
0
49
Boyertown, Pa
Mar 4, 2004
#19
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #19
No doubt get the Stang!!

Jakob
 

NeQX

Founding Member
Sep 30, 2002
904
0
0
Infront Of You, NY
Mar 4, 2004
#20
  • Mar 4, 2004
  • #20
I have had problem after problem for a while, finally now everything is good, just dont be messing with stuff if you are unfamiliar with it.

 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F
Ford driver for 60 + years. Just bought a 1978 Blakely Bearcat 2.3 L ford
  • freesailor
  • Aug 18, 2025
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
1
Views
207
The Welcome Wagon Aug 18, 2025
General karthief
R
Exhaust Exhaust smell in cabin
  • Rcdgl
  • Oct 16, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
15
Views
896
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 20, 2024
nickyb
New Member with a 1992
  • Clutchfork
  • Oct 18, 2025
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
5
Views
304
The Welcome Wagon Oct 19, 2025
Clutchfork
G
New Owner: Very Clean 1991 GT Convertible. All original with 21k original Miles. How to make it better?
  • gvanginkel403
  • Oct 30, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
31
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 17, 2025
Jarhead67
J
S
Drivetrain 8.8 Pinion and 302 rear main seal leaks after replacing. 93 5.0 with t-5
  • Steigy4827
  • Jun 23, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
667
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 1, 2026
Steigy4827
S
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?