Possible Purchase

[302@12psi]

Looking for your suggestions rather they are good, bad or indifferent.

I am looking at two local Mustangs. Both are in the early 90's and have about the same miles on them (under 80k). Both are within several hundred dollars of each other. One is a vert and the other is a hatch. They are both what I would consider "stock".

Both cars are AOD equipped. I am looking to use the car as a daily driver which is a key point. The car might end up with a five lug conversion and some 3.73's but that's it for awhile.

I know no one here can say which one will be more relible but what are you thoughts on which one I should get. I feel the vert will be cool but kind of impractical for me wanting to use it as a daily driver.

Also what kind of gas milege do these cars see in stock form? If I recall correctly my 86 used to get in the upper teens. Are the later 5.0's any better? I'd like to, in theory, get somewhere in the low 20's.

Please list your thoughts/views. I was going to get something crappy to drive around in as a beater car but I found for about the same money it would take to get into a mid 90's beater with decent miles I could get a early 90's Mustang and have something actually enjoyable drive.

 

[woodyy24]

get the hatch

 

[91 HATCH]

The hatch would be better

 

[Darkwriter77]

+2 for the hatch.

For one, it'll be more practical for a DD because sooner or later, especially when it's a DD car, you'll wind up needing to buy a new top for it, and that right away will run you some $$$.

Secondly, a hatch will be quieter and more comfy than a 'vert.

Third, a hatch had WAY more cargo capacity. The 'vert has an even worse trunk than my notch, and that thing barely has room for my toolbox, jack, and a couple of jackstands. Forget trying to cram any fair-sized piece of luggage into the back of a 'vert, especially if the top is down; unfortunately, this is why Ford elected to make the luggage rack on the decklid of a 'vert, which is not only ugly as all hell, but utterly useless, too.

Fourth, a 'vert is heavier and, thus, slower.

Fifth, a 'vert has a buttload of body flex, which is non bueno for handling ... plus, it just feels weird, especially if you're used to driving around in hardtop cars.

Sixth, a 'vert is easier to break into than a hardtop. Sure, any moron can bust a window to gain access, but an even bigger moron will cut a hole in your roof and either reach in there to open it or actually crawl right on in there (heard of it happening to other folks) to steal your stuff and/or the car, itself. Dunno 'bout you, but I'd sooner pay for a new window than a new 'vert top.

Seventh, it's harder to put any kind of a decent stereo into a 'vert without eating up what little worthwhile interior/cargo space you've got to start with. If it was strictly a weekend toy or play car, then it's a moot point, but since you said this will be a DD ... different rules apply.

As far as gas mileage, it'll be about the same for both. I've seen folks average around the low 20's on the highway with either a T-5 or an AOD-equipped '86 to '93 5.0 Fox. Add a set of gears, and that may drop to around 19 MPG at best (which is about what I get in my notch with 4.10's).

 

[302@12psi]

Valid points by the last poster.

Honestly I'm not really looking for anything insanely fast or great handling. I have a nice little Subaru if I ever get into the mood for that kind of driving.

I'd just like something I can drive back and fourth to work and not really have to worry about.

In an idea world I'd love to snag a notch but I havent seen any. I'm going to look at the vert and decide if it's really what I want or not. I figure worst case if I cant live with it as a daily driver I could probaly unload it for atleast what I'll have in it.

The more I think about it a 17 year old, convertable, v8 doesnt really sound like an great "daily driver" does it

 

[grey5.0beast]

I love mine

 

[302@12psi]

Just got done checking 3 web sites. I cant find a decent hatch or notch within 100 miles for sale. I dont want anything heavily modded and it needs to be in running order.

Who would have thought it would be so hard to buy a freaking Mustang.

 

[underdog225]

My 90 LX gets around 23-24 MPG. The only mods now are mufflers and intake.

 

[Darkwriter77]

Have you searched around on Craigslist? Dunno what the market is like in your area, but there's at least two or three quality 'Stangs for sale popping up every single day down in these parts. Hell, if nothing else, you could always find one for really cheap that's all Arizona rust-free, pay cash, ship it on up yonder, and then either fix up whatever needs fixin' and enjoy it, or turn around and sell it for a profit (since rust-free Foxes = $$$ ).

A 'vert is awesome as a weekend toy, pleasure cruiser, or road trip ride. But as a DD of any sort ... meh. Not such a good idea, IMO.

 

[302@12psi]

Yeah a hatch or notch is looking a bit more realistic.

I've looked on everything from here, corral.net, ebay, craigslist, local forums, local classifields and still cant come up with the right one.

Oh well the search will probaly continue.

 

[1.8kmint]

you will get better gas mileage with the hatch because its lighter. Verts fun and great in the summer but year round i would go with the hatch.

 

[grey5.0beast]

by 200 lbs if that!! FYI My vert with me in it weighs 3475. Subtract 160 for me and you get 3315, comparable to a GT hatch weighing around 3200!
A well kept vert is not the monster, terrible DD everyone makes it out to be. Some good SFCs will stiffen your chassis close to hatch specs.

Mine is well kept and pretty damn clean and fun to drive.

 

[SuperStang83]

My last Mustang which had only CAI and full exhaust got 29 pmg on the highway and 23 around town.

 

[foxmustangman]

My vert is a DD but if i had a choice i'd most likely choose the hatch. Alot more pracitcal...though the vert does come in handy.


girls may not know its a mustang, but being a convertible is enough to get them interested