should i buy a classic

[shipwreck17]

Hey everyone. Well I've got a problem because now im without a car. I had a 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII that i loved.
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/9/web/489000-489999/489742_9_full.jpg
Anyways to make a short story shorter i was hit head on by a careless driver not paying attention to the road while i was sitting still in my lane. That car is history and i have a lil bit of cash sitting in the bank now courtsey of his auto insurance co. Now my origional plans were to buy another mark VIII but the other day i was driving home from my hockey game and i went buy a used car delarship and did a double take. I turned the truck around and went to see a dark green mustang mach 1 fastback. Now the delarship was closed but after looking at the car i found that the passenger door was unlocked so i looked around for a little bit.
The cars paint is in pretty good condition however the interior is not. there are tears in the door panels and dash etc and its not too clean but the seats look new. I took the info off of the sticker in the door and used a decoder to find that its a Dk Green Mach 1. Im still not sure of the model year it has 2 inlets in the hood but no scoop in the middle and no shaker. From me looking at countless pics i think its a 72 or 73. It has the 351 2V and the FMX i believe auto tranny. Thats a 3 speed right, and is 3rd gear 1:1? Now it was dark when i stopped actually it was around midnight so i didnt get a good look under the car i didnt notice any rust on the body but under the car and the floor could be a different story. The odometer was registering 89K and the engine compartment looked fairly clean. there were crome covers bolted onto the engine but everything else looked pretty stock.

So now for my questions.
How practicle is a car like this for my daily driver. Im not a mechanic but im willing to learn and i plan on spending lots of time on any car i own. Now this car would be a daily driver and if im home i can take the truck out in bad weather but when im at school thats not an option. Also how much will it cost to maintain this car. I know not to expect much gas mileage wise but besides that. I looked on NPD at prices for new interior pieces and they seemed reasonable. But what about a 30 year old automatic transmission. That doesnt sound to good or reliable to me. Now im not looking for a dragster but i like having a fast car. So what will one of these cars run say in the 1/4. Anyways im just toying w/ the idea of having a classic mustang and trying to decide if its anywhere near practicle. Thanks for all the help guys this board has so much info.

Also is there a search feature for the message forums i couldnt find it.
-Gavin

 

[65straightsick]

Look into it. If it has a 351-2V in it, i wouldn't worry about power...it had plenty of it. With a few adjustments it could run very nicely on the dragstrip...depends on how deep your pockets are....like everything else in this world. But if it is in good condition and priced fair...go for it!

EDIT: didn't see the last sentence...look at the blue bar at the top of the page....inbetween new post and quick links is a search tool to search the forums for past threads

 

[mfp4073]

I drove my 67 for 11 years as a daily driver...got me through highschool and college and everything in between. Gas was a big one.... On the up side, these older cars dont have much to em so there is not alot to go wrong. on the down side, they are mostly 35 year old parts and technology. Now if I look at the distributor for my 94 mazda MX 6 I can get one for like $150. For the mustang a stock on is like $30. Mastercylinder for mazda, $60...for mustang $20.

Depending on the car and its history, it may take a little time to get reliable. Things like the brake system, and suspension may need to be addressed. But most of its stuff you can do yourself with mostly basic tools.

In all cars top gear is a 1:1 unless its overdrive. So yeah, even if its a 3 speed it will be that.

 

[mfp4073]

Oh, and by the way WELCOME TO THE BOARDS!

 

[shipwreck17]

How about that 30 year old auto tranny?? We have a 94 F-150 automatic thats in need of a rebuild really bad. So how expensive and complicated is matience and parts for this transmission. Also next time i see the car what should i look for. Any big problem areas? I know rust is a biggie with a car this old but what else.

 

[mfp4073]

There are too many variables to guess at the tranny until you find out the actual year and setup of the car. My 70 mach 1 has a c-6 auto in it. That coupled with various degrees of the possible condition of the car make it hard to tell. First things first...get the vin number and some pictures for us. Take pictures after hours...dont want the car lot to think you are too interested when you start bargining. Also, get the VIN number and lets look at what the car should be. The vin will be stamped into the left fender under the hood. Should look something like this: 9AO1D181014 (I made this one up)

 

[65racecoupe]

I may someday have a classic mustang for a daily driver. Only if I live in Phoenix where the weather is nice.

If you are young and this is your ONLY car, then no. Do not buy a classic car. You will regret it. You live in Kentucky, right? I would bet it snows a bit there. Mustangs aren't too capable in the snow.

On the other hand, my mustang is my toy. I love it. I am glad that I saved up the money to build it, my second car. I could drive it every day, but EVERYTHING has been done to it. I know all the parts that are in it, no mysteries really.

 

[65fastback2+2]

If you are young and this is your ONLY car, then no. Do not buy a classic car. You will regret it.

dont listen to that, its totally wrong, my only car and daily driver for my youngself for 2 years now has been a classic stang.

 

[65racecoupe]

Yeah, but you are in Houston. I know that, in Utah, one would have to be insane to drive any classic in the snow. We get crazy storms here, not to mention the terrible drivers. I would drive a classic every day in a place like southern Texas, Arizona, California, etc. But this guy lives in Western Kentucky. It has to get pretty nasty in the winter there I would imagine.

I don't have parents supporting me, and I don't have access to a garage (without paying labor) for when something breaks, so it would be hard for me.

But, if you can pull it off, what better to drive everyday then a classic mustang.

 

[gt/cs]

Also consider that a 35yro car may very well be a tad... tempermental at times. I drove my '68 on my daily commute for the first three years I owned it. I've never had anything major break, but small stuff tends to go out on a fairly regular basis if you're putting that many miles on an old car. I had a steady job at the time so it was no big deal for me, I could drop it off at the shop and get a ride with a friend then pick it up the next day no worries, but now that I've gone back to school I've got a little 2nd gen VW Golf (those things are virtually indestructable) to putz around town in. The Mustang doesn't come out of the garage except on weekends.

Basically, it all depends on your situation. Parts are cheap, but can you afford the time to install them, and if not can you afford the money to pay someone else to do so?

 

[Rent-A-Racer]

Hey shipwreck! where in KY are you? I'm in Bardstown. If you need any help wiht anything LMK!

 

[shipwreck17]

Hey im near Henderson but i know where Bardstown is. Anyways yes i plan on taking pictures of the car i was by there today (forgot my camera) and it was the first time ive seen the car in the sunlight omg its gorgeous. I just wish the interior was in that good of shape. Ill try and get that vin number. I got a number out of the door jam but its not a vin i dont think. Its 2F05H108040 i used a decoder that i found on the board to decode it. also col: 4Q DSO: 24 trim: Gr Axel: 2 trans: x bod: 63R
Im leaving for a week which kinda sucks but when i get back (if the cars still there) I plan on finding out more about it and talking to the dealer. Even if i dont want to buy it i so want to take it for a test drive. Ive never driven anyting like this, several fast cars and lots of old trucks but nothing like a classic mustang. And good point about the winter. We get some snow here but this fall ill be a freshman at Purdue and there they get lots of snow. How much would a good set of snow tires in the bak and maybe some more weight in the trunk help this car out if i got into a situation where it had to play in the snow. I cringe to think of this car getting road salt on it but right now i can only have one. When im home i can borrow our 4x4 F 150 whenever i want so thats nice but not at school. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[mfp4073]

Heres what I got out of the decode:


Year: 2 1972
Plant: F Dearborn, MI
Body Series: 05 SportsRoof, Mach 1
Engine: H 351 2v V8
Unit: 108040 108040


Miscellaneous Vehicle Data
Body: 63R SportsRoof, Mach 1
Color: 4Q Dark Green Metallic
Trim: GR Green All Vinyl, Mach 1 Luxury
Date:
D.S.O: 24 Jacksonville
Axle: 2 2.75:1, Conventional
Trans: X FMX Automatic

 

[Hack]

Please oh please don't drive that in the winter snow!!! They put salt on the roads and that car will rust away to nothing SOOOOO fast! You won't believe how fast a car can dissolve, and it is a real pain to fix rust damage.

I don't drive my car in the spring until we've had at least one good long hard rain to wash the salt off the roads. My car has big holes in the bottoms of the doors and the chassis is horrible, because it was originally sold in Minnesota and someone drove it during the winter at one time.

I'd like to see you buy the car, though. Maybe you can figure out a way to get a $500 beater winter car in addition to the Mustang. Or get a place on campus and do without a car during the winter.

 

[65fastback2+2]

Yeah, but you are in Houston. I know that, in Utah, one would have to be insane to drive any classic in the snow. We get crazy storms here, not to mention the terrible drivers. I would drive a classic every day in a place like southern Texas, Arizona, California, etc. But this guy lives in Western Kentucky. It has to get pretty nasty in the winter there I would imagine.

I don't have parents supporting me, and I don't have access to a garage (without paying labor) for when something breaks, so it would be hard for me.

But, if you can pull it off, what better to drive everyday then a classic mustang.

ya tru, didnt think about winter, we only have spring, summer, fall, spring, summer, fall here hahaha.

 

[65straightsick]

Alabama....meaning no snow ever......meaning driving the stang year round....which means much fun to be had by me. I will be roughing around in my car for a while until I can get it rebuilt just the way I want it...meaning when money permits. If you can have the car for summer fun and still have a winter car...then go for it....but not many of us have the same problem as you. In the words of Lynard Skynard...."Sweet home Alabama"

 

[flyer351]

Shipwreck, how funny. Our situations are exactly different. I had a '65 but sold it b4 I left for Korea. Now that my tour in this hole is up, I needed a car back in the states. I ended up going with a Mark VIII. Here are my reasons for not going back to a classic right now.

-SAFETY, I know this sounds weak, but it was probably my main factor. That '72 Mach 1 will be fairly safe because it will have a collapsable steering wheel, hazard lights, padded dash, and shoulder belts, but if you go with a model made b4 '68 all those safety features will be missing. Advantage- MarkVIII

-Ride, this is no contest. The Mach 1 will feel sluggish compared to the air ride, IRS Mark VII. But drive the Mach 1 for yourself, you might like it's handling.

-Power, this is a tie. 280HP Mark VIII vs. ~200-300HP Mach1. The Mach 1 will have more torque, but the 4.6DOHC will be much smoother and get better gas mileage.

-And finally --> Cool Factor, no contest.... a '72 Mach 1 is way cooler than a Mark VIII

Another thing to think about is the winter driving everyone has mentioned. Even though the Mark VIII is RWD it does have a crude traction control that will help in the snow.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Classic mustangs aren't for everyone, but if you decide to go for it, feel assured that you have an entire forum ready to help you out.

 

[geegee]

So now for my questions.

Everyone has an opinion...I've got mine so here it is...

1. How practicle is a car like this for my daily driver.

In today's traffic and road conditions, not very practical. You will give up a lot of what you expect from a modern car.

2. Im not a mechanic but im willing to learn and i plan on spending lots of time on any car i own.

Thats a good reason not to own a classic. They take a lot of tender love and care and you're the only mechanic in your town that wants to work on it.

3. Now this car would be a daily driver and if im home i can take the truck out in bad weather but when im at school thats not an option.

If you're thinking of going to college and think this could be a good car for college transportation, you're crazy...best college cars are econoboxes. More fun, less gas, cheaper repairs.

4. Also how much will it cost to maintain this car.

Highly variable depending on a number of factors. How much are you going to invest in it to get it in condition for modern road use. Note that it's easy to spend $20K on restoring a classic and you can get a low mileage 2001 or 2002 for less.

5. I know not to expect much gas mileage wise but besides that.

About 14 or 15 mpg. The bigger '71-'73's were real gas hogs.

6. I looked on NPD at prices for new interior pieces and they seemed reasonable.

Yes, for the basic kit...but what about all the little detail stuff? You don't really know what you'll spend until you get the car and start into restoring it. I thought I could do mine for $14K. I spent $26K.

7. But what about a 30 year old automatic transmission. That doesnt sound to good or reliable to me.

Chances are everything on the car needs refirbishment, meaning engine, transmission, rear axle, wiring, brakes, suspension, etc. (Car IS 35 years old!)

8. Now im not looking for a dragster but i like having a fast car. So what will one of these cars run say in the 1/4.

Don't expect miracles...even though these cars have big engines they also are heavy and inefficient compared to modern cars. Unless rodded, they are 14 second cars at best. Any modern Honda has quicker acceleration. Now if you do all the correct modifications, one can be fairly fast but the same money in a modern car will go faster.

9 Anyways im just toying w/ the idea of having a classic mustang and trying to decide if its anywhere near practicle.

Practical?(NO) Fun?(YES), Good hobby?(YES), Economical?(NO).

Good luck! Hope this makes your decision more informed.

Jeff

 

[pabear89]

Well put you convinced ME.
Guess that I will sell mine.......................Not.
I think it should help him with making up his mind.

PB

 

[Pakrat]

It sounds to me that even though you may be ready, your current situation is not. There will always be a Mustang around the corner waiting for you, but now is not the time. While emotion is in direct conflict, the smart move is to wait it out until you are better prepared and ready to handle the responsibility that does come with it. Because you would not have a daily beater, you need to think about it as having a kid almost and a mechanic is the expensive babysitter. Unless you can see yourself being able to drop everything for a few days when the car needs attention or having the cash ready to let someone else tend to it, then I say sit it out for now and continue drooling over auto traders until the time is right. Sure, many have kids when they aren't ready for it, but their lives are usually miserable and spent working only to support it. It can easily make what should be one of the best experiences in life one of the most regretable.