Safe For Highway?

[2007_Crown_Vic]

So I have a meeting for work that is about a 2.5 hour drive to get there so a total of about 5 hours with a cool down in the middle. I bought my 1990 GT 5 speed (basically stock other than cat-back exhaust and timing, K&N filter, small stuff like that) late last year and only put a month or so of short city trips on it, then storage for winter, and have had it on the road for short city drives for about two and a half months with one trip that was about an hour drive.

So far no issues, no leaks, no dash lights other than a nagging air bag light and on really hot days once the car is warmed up the coolant light will flicker or come on solid, but I think it is a bad level sensor because it is full and has never needed to be topped up, as well the temp gauge has always been good.

The car now has 124,000KMS (about 77,000 miles) on it. Would you guys be worried about taking it on this trip? I just am a bit worried about getting stuck all the way out there and having to pay a huge tow bill to get it home. The car seems very reliable I guess it is just that I haven't had it that long it is old and been sitting a while before I got it.

What do you guys think, in your experience do these cars do well on highway trips?

Thanks

 

[90sickfox]

Ive driven my mustangs all over the place. 10 to 12 hour trips ( each way ) were never a problem. Stop and go city driving is when cars usually break...not a smooth highway cruise.

 

[Mustang5L5]

If anything, cruising on the highway is less wear and tear than ripping around town.

I guess the main question is what sort of shape is your suspension and brakes? Do you trust those on the highway? A 5.0 engine crusing for a couple hours wouldn't concern me. I think I had a buddy cruise for an hour with no oil in a 302 year ago, and then filled it when he stopped and the motor kept on going fine for miles after that.

Of course, that's not to say I wouldn't worry about driving a 30 year old car around. Highly recommend AAA for piece of mind.

 

[2007_Crown_Vic]

The front struts and springs are new as well as an alignment being done right after too. The brakes are OK, nothing special but they are fine. I think it should be fine, I just wanted to make sure these cars are not known for overheating issues or anything like that.

Thanks!

 

[General karthief]

How old are the tires?

 

[2007_Crown_Vic]

Well that is an interesting one - I have been told they are the original tires which would make them 27 years old. I am not too sure how realistic this is, but the story is that when new, they were taken off and stored and the car ran with aftermarket rims and tires. When the second owner bought it they put the original tires back on. So they apparently only have about 7000KMS on them. The tread depth is great and the sidewalls look new, but there are some small cracks between the treads.

Even if they are not original, they are the original brand and model which they apparently stopped making in 1996 or 1997 so at best they must be around 20 years old. New rims and tires are on the list, but that's all I got right now. I suppose that could make for a bit of a dangerous highway ride. Good point

 

[Mustang5L5]

I would not cruise at highway speeds for two hours on 20+ year old tires.

 

[General karthief]

Those tires are a wreck gonna happen, don't do it.

 

[mikestang63]

i'm surprised those tires haven't exploded. Get them changed asap.

 

[90sickfox]

Those tires are a no go....the tires get hotter the faster the spin on the road. Heat and 20yr old tires is calling for a problem.