Issues to whatch for in a 94/95 convertible?

lamrith

Founding Member

Jun 7, 2000

1,386

2

38

Tacoma, WA

Mar 2, 2006

#1

• Mar 2, 2006

• #1

Hey all, after a long time I am selling my project and buying an SN, specifically a 5.0 I am going to buy a convertible with 5spd.

Now I am not familiar with these cars, and I know each model has its quirks. So I was wondering if there are known "problem" spots?, things that wear out, break, cause problems??

 

Caldwell

New Member

Apr 27, 2004

528

0

0

Ontario Canada

Mar 2, 2006

#2

• Mar 2, 2006

• #2

The only thing I've ever had a problem with was my release/throwout bearing.
Other than that, I don't think there are any problems... maybe a synchro issue with the tranny... i just replaced the original top after 12 years... seats should be recovered... but nothing abnormal with a vert compared to a coupe.

 

Joes95GT

New Member

Jan 23, 2003

3,132

1

0

Delaware

Mar 2, 2006

#3

• Mar 2, 2006

• #3

Don't go too fast and cut the wheel without your seat belt on.

You will be ejected from the car.

Joe

 

Z

zZsKyZz

Member

Dec 1, 2005

503

0

17

Mar 2, 2006

#4

• Mar 2, 2006

• #4

Make sure the top is in good condition.. I just replaced mine and it's a PITA. even though the top was only 200 bucks.... Still took about 30 hours to complete the install

 

TripleBlack95

Member

Dec 14, 2003

153

1

16

Burke (Fairfax), VA

Mar 3, 2006

#5

• Mar 3, 2006

• #5

Yeah somebody keying your new top (??) is going to piss you the f**k off. Watch out for that rather rare scenario...grrr.

 

S

sage2k

Member

May 23, 2005

645

0

16

Baton Rouge, LA

Mar 3, 2006

#6

• Mar 3, 2006

• #6

TripleBlack95 said:

Yeah somebody keying your new top (??) is going to piss you the f**k off. Watch out for that rather rare scenario...grrr.

Click to expand...

happened to me, bought a new top with glass 950$ installed, 2 months later...slashed

 

DougNuts

Founding Member

Jul 11, 2000

2,596

0

47

Georgetown Ky

Mar 3, 2006

#7

• Mar 3, 2006

• #7

Leaky water pump
Leaky radiator
I'd also remove the grey trunk panel on the passenger side and check for water down in the corner. My car had a water leak around the gas filler that let water get in there and caused some rust.

With 196K miles, my Mustang convertable has never left me stranded on the side of the road.

 

ES Stangin

New Member

Apr 6, 2005

132

0

0

Erie, Pa

Mar 3, 2006

#8

• Mar 3, 2006

• #8

zZsKyZz said:

Make sure the top is in good condition.. I just replaced mine and it's a PITA. even though the top was only 200 bucks.... Still took about 30 hours to complete the install

Click to expand...

:OT:
30 Hours??? What made that take so long? When I did mine it was about 8 hours with a lunch break. Of course I did already know how to take the interior apart from the time I left my top down and it rained

 

'94ChickStang

Member

Sep 27, 2004

301

0

17

northern ca

Mar 3, 2006

#9

• Mar 3, 2006

• #9

get subframe connectors right away....something that will help the car not be pig slow would help too

 

Z

zZsKyZz

Member

Dec 1, 2005

503

0

17

Mar 3, 2006

#10

• Mar 3, 2006

• #10

ES Stangin said:

:OT:
30 Hours??? What made that take so long? When I did mine it was about 8 hours with a lunch break. Of course I did already know how to take the interior apart from the time I left my top down and it rained

Click to expand...

Well, I didn't know what I was doing and that was the time included to go out and buy the extra parts and such.. It took me a good weekend.

 

Slow5.0

Active Member

Feb 13, 2003

2,554

0

46

Portland, OR

Mar 4, 2006

#11

• Mar 4, 2006

• #11

This may help http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=511620&highlight=issues , i hope i didn't push you away from buying 94-95

 

lamrith

Founding Member

Jun 7, 2000

1,386

2

38

Tacoma, WA

Mar 4, 2006

#12

• Mar 4, 2006

• #12

Would take some MAJOR issues with the bodystyle to get me to not buy one. In Fact I already locked one down and go pick it up tomorrow!!!!

 

Slow5.0

Active Member

Feb 13, 2003

2,554

0

46

Portland, OR

Mar 4, 2006

#13

• Mar 4, 2006

• #13

lamrith said:

Would take some MAJOR issues with the bodystyle to get me to not buy one. In Fact I already locked one down and go pick it up tomorrow!!!!

Click to expand...

Its nice too see people buying 94-95 5.0s ,not one of those 96-98 4.6s that has no TQ

 

lamrith

Founding Member

Jun 7, 2000

1,386

2

38

Tacoma, WA

Mar 4, 2006

#14

• Mar 4, 2006

• #14

I love the 5.0 and the car I just sold had a 94GT powerplant in it.

 

Gibbo97

Founding Member

Apr 20, 2001

92

0

7

Macon, GA

Mar 6, 2006

#15

• Mar 6, 2006

• #15

Just a thought-

The used car market is going to be "flooded" with a ton of flood damaged cars from Rita/Katrina, if you are looking to buy a used car, even if you don't live in the affected areas of damage you should still be weary. A lot of unscrupulous sellers are taking these flood damaged cars out of state and getting them retitled and resold as good used cars so just make sure you use some common sense and carfaxes will be a good help (but not fullproof).

As for convertibles the most obvious thing would be to check the condition of the top- check the backglass where the glass seals to the fabric, also check the corners for telltale cracking (it happens to all vinyl tops) near the rear quarter glass where the top folds when retracted.

Also check for recall issues (the fan relay is the big one that comes to mind).

I guess the bottom line is to do some research before committing to buy any used car- look for signs of hidden damage (checking framerails in the engine bay, and also check in the trunk as well for signs), new paint, any signs of flood damage, etc.

Taking a few extra minutes and getting a carfax could mean the difference between getting a good used car and a nice lemon lawn ornament.