I'm new here, few questions...

[tommy_1812]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum in general, let me introduce myself.

I am no stranger to 5.0 mustangs. My dad bought a 1990 5.0 Mustang LX from the showroom when I was 8 years old.

I was never akin to cars at that time, saw no significance to their potential. Nor did I even know they could go fast. Pretty normal considering our vehicle was an 86 Toyota van with a 70 HP engine...LOL! That was slow!

Over the next few years though, he started modding it. Mainly smaller mods, but when I felt the raw power in my stomach when he punched it in 2nd and 3rd gears, I was hooked!

I was (still am) officially obsessed with 5.0 mustangs. Unfortunately, he sold it in 1998 for a ****ing Isuzu Trooper.

Now, being 23 years old. I am seriously in mustang withdraw syndrome. A bunch of people have em in this town, and I am jealous.

On to the questions. I am interested in a 1990 Mustang 5.0 notchback. It has 110,000 miles on it. It has a short throw shifter, 4:10 gears, shorty headers, (malley or mallory) ignition, flowtech mufflers, K&N filter, and sub-frame stiffeners. The cars paint is faded (light blue), interior is in good condition, the engine is in good condition, it stops well, it shifts good, and accelerates good...overall average to slightly above average condition.

Would this be a good buy for $2,500 dollars? I am estimating about 250 HP, and 315 LB torque for this slightly modded car. Would that be a fair estimate? Any comments or suggestions would help me in my quest to relive my childhood, per se.

Nice to meet everyone on here.

Tom in Texas

 

[JSSuper455]

No, thats probably not a good deal, I'd pass.....

And then tell me where it is....

 

[timewarped1972]

welcome........
no that doesn't sound like a bad deal. i suppose it depends on what the cars go for in your area. if you can find something that isn't a rust bucket, and that most everything works and it just needs some tlc, well you gotta start somewhere.....
if thats all the mods it has it's probably closer to 200 or 210 rear wheel horsepower but, makes no difference if it runs strong and you plan on modding it anyway.
post some pics of it if you get it.....and have fun.....there's some guys in here that really know their stuff and are very helpfull.......actually now that i think about it, if it's in fairly good shape over all with 110.000, should have alot of life left in it.....there is a post some where in here about what to look for when buying a used fox body.....try the search feature.or someone may be able to post it for you. actually here's one to check out..
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=573378
also, you can check out www.50resto.com as well to get an idea of what parts cost what for these cars.

 

[tommy_1812]

pics

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As you can see, it isn't a super cherry car, but it is an ok starter car. I am looking for something that runs good, and has plenty of power on command. I had thought of waiting to save 5 to 7,500 dollars for a mid modded 5.0, with a rebuilt engine and newer tranny.

Around this area, 5.0s in the same condition seem to go for 3 or 4 grand.

 

[JSSuper455]

I agree with timewarped, I suppose it does depend on your "Neck of the woods" as to the values of a Mustang. Out this way a pretty clean running fox with 110K that simply needs a little paint and other TLC is probably worth a grand more than that, especially an LX Notch.

I think you'll have a lot of fun with it. The only thing I didn't like about the Notch or Sedan model was the lack of trunk space. This is simply because I do haul a fair amount of stuff from time to time and the added cargo room of the hatch cars is welcome.

 

[timewarped1972]

I think you'll have a lot of fun with it. The only thing I didn't like about the Notch or Sedan model was the lack of trunk space. This is simply because I do haul a fair amount of stuff from time to time and the added cargo room of the hatch cars is welcome.[/QUOTE]

these cars have trunk space??lol.....

except for the paint and the carpet it doesn't look that bad.........if it's clean under neath and runs strong might be worth it.......is the owner firm on the price???

 

[SmockDoiley]

I dont know, the paint is crap, the roof is hideous, dont get me started on the trunk, and the front clip, fender, and pass. door have some body damage. With that many miles, and dirty interior, I wouldnt give more than $2k for it. Heck, your not even getting rims in the deal.

 

[tommy_1812]

I agree with timewarped, I suppose it does depend on your "Neck of the woods" as to the values of a Mustang. Out this way a pretty clean running fox with 110K that simply needs a little paint and other TLC is probably worth a grand more than that, especially an LX Notch.

I think you'll have a lot of fun with it. The only thing I didn't like about the Notch or Sedan model was the lack of trunk space. This is simply because I do haul a fair amount of stuff from time to time and the added cargo room of the hatch cars is welcome.

I agree, JSSuper455, it would be loads of fun for me! I am not thoroughly concerned with trunk space. It would mainly be a to work car, and to local towns to visit relatives and friends. Basically a cruiser car.

I am not looking to race with it, so mods aren't a major factor, but I do like the extra punch when merging on the interstate.

A few weeks ago, I was merging on the interstate and got stuck behind a slow truck. My wife and I own a 96 Acura (not a super source of power, but has decent pull for an LS engine and auto). I went to get around the truck in the left lane and saw a vehicle barreling behind me at possibly 80 MPH, I was only doing 45 or 50, so I floored it. I was commanding every extra pony that car could muster to keep out of harms way. I went up to redline at 7K rpm (undue stress on the engine and tranny). I would like to have an interstate vehicle where much less stress on the engine is reality.

I know for a fact, had I been driving a 5.0, I could have passed that same truck in 3rd gear and only got up to 4K attaining the same speed AND gotten up to speed much quicker. I don't plan on taking the 5.0 RPMs past the beginning of the yellow line mark (4,800 to 5,200 RPM), as this is the max power achieved. Anything more on the tach would be overkill and undue stress on the drivetrain. My dad told me the car would never need to go past 5K rpms regardless of the circumstances.

 

[tommy_1812]

I dont know, the paint is crap, the roof is hideous, dont get me started on the trunk, and the front clip, fender, and pass. door have some body damage. With that many miles, and dirty interior, I wouldnt give more than $2k for it. Heck, your not even getting rims in the deal.

If I were willing to invest some money to get a decent paint job, new front fender, clean the interior, refrain from racing, and other improvements, could it be a suitable investment and project car for around $2K?

I have a few friends who have 5.0's and a ton of extra parts, so I could probably have access to many of the above mentioned parts, and engine parts should the occasion present itself.

 

[tommy_1812]

I think you'll have a lot of fun with it. The only thing I didn't like about the Notch or Sedan model was the lack of trunk space. This is simply because I do haul a fair amount of stuff from time to time and the added cargo room of the hatch cars is welcome.

these cars have trunk space??lol.....

except for the paint and the carpet it doesn't look that bad.........if it's clean under neath and runs strong might be worth it.......is the owner firm on the price???[/QUOTE]

I think the owner will negotiate. I know 2 or 2.5 K might be a little too much. Depending on everything, I might have to wait for another car to present itself. I am seeking more advanced opinions, since I am relatively new to what's a good used 5.0.

 

[tommy_1812]

engine pic

Here's a pic of the engine.

View attachment 494035

 

[timewarped1972]

again it depends on what cars go for in your area and......i mean if it's going to be a project car, and it's a notch car that you want, and you can get it for maybe 2 grand or less.....hey you never know.....hey you have a wife, take her, and some cash, have her act a little concerned, and then maybe he'll take a little less.......never know, sometimes 2500 asking price can turn into 1800 cash real fast.....

 

[silentbullitt]

Make sure all the lines match up under the hood so that way you know if it was in an accident or not. And try to see if and how much smoke comes out them pipes. Other than that the car looks like a steal.

 

[tommy_1812]

Make sure all the lines match up under the hood so that way you know if it was in an accident or not. And try to see if and how much smoke comes out them pipes. Other than that the car looks like a steal.

Awesome. I will definitely negotiate, but will keep at 2K or lower hopefully. A friend of mine here in Kerrville has a 91 hatchback, and he drives it into the ground! But he loves his stang. I would also like to be part of the group. How much would a paintjob go for, that's decent and makes the door frame, trunk, and roof look even go for? The whole car might need repainting for sure.

 

[jrichker]

Paint jobs go from anywhere from $250 Macco special to a $6000 strip it to bare metal and paint it to show car quality. You have to figure out what your wallet and personal preference tell you is right.

If you are a patient and meticulous person, you can do the body & prep work yourself and save some major $$$. Once the prep work is done correctly, the car will look so good with just primer on it that it will be better looking than many cars with good paint.

 

[Dbeck002]

looks like a good car with a clean engine. get it.

 

[tommy_1812]

So it is agreed that it is better to get a 5.0 and do some mods yourself? The only thing that concerns me are the 4:10 gears. I have felt 2:73 gears and they feel stock.

With 4:10 gears, it wouldn't be a wise juncture to punch it too much right?

 

[Dbeck002]

is this car going to be a daily driver?


4.10 gears are fine, thats about the most you should get for street use.

 

[Mark89coupe]

I was buying a DD once and he would not bend with the price. I waved my offer in cash at him and he still said NO. Well his wife was in thier car and saw it. He then came running up to my car and said deal, the wife says deal.
Sometimes when making an offer wave the cash in thier face. Just make sure you have someone else with you. I would offer $1800 for the car your looking at. It has major potential.

 

[Busted07]

I am not looking to race with it

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