Should I buy....

[phrozen]

Hi, I am new to these forums and think they are awsome! I am 18 years old and currently drive a 96 grand caravan. I recently found a 96 mustang gt at a local wal-mart and they are asking $4000 for it and I was thinking of selling the van and buying the stang. The mustang is fairly beat up, seats are ripped, few paint scratches on hood edges and door edges, I think it has 19" wheels (they are fairly big) and the wheels are worn. These observations are all from just looking at it but it looks like a fun car to have and fix up a little. It has 133k miles I wanted to know if you guys think this would be a good deal thanks. I am also sort of new to cars and this would be my first own car that I would take care of and be responsible for.

 

[Dragstr05]

I'm going to say its not worth it...if on the outside its already a lil beat up, and the interior is severly worn, plus that mileage. Look for one in much better condition unless you feel like putting alot of money into it. It's a good platform, but its going to take alot of work just to get it in good shape, then if you really want it to be "fun" you're probably going to need alot of work performance wise. 96 wasnt a good year for power, unless you're looking at a Cobra.

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/PricingReport.aspx?ManufacturerId=15&YearId=1996&VehicleClass=UsedCar&VehicleId=NS8xOS8yMDA3fDg5NTQ%3d&PriceType=Private+Party&ModelId=93&Mileage=133000&SelectionHistory=8954%7c3503%7c22554%7c0%7c0%7c&Condition=Fair&QuizConditions=0

Sorry for big link. KBB values it at 3200 based on what you provided.

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

Think he's in the same boat i was, yes it may not be a performance machine, but i certainly couldnt afford new edges when i bought my car. Now it's fast enough for what i want and i prefer the looks

 

[phrozen]

Thanks for the replies.

I am really thinking about getting it if it does not have very many mechanical problems. I am looking for a car that will basically run and that I could put some work into to make it mine and make it special. Im also looking for something cheap and I think I can work them down on the price of it. It does look really nice, just some worn off paint on the edges of the hinged items. I did not see very many or any scratches on the main parts of it. For now I do not really care about a performance machine, I just want something a little cheap and that I would be able to maybe put time and money into and make better.

 

[BurningRubber]

If you want to buy that car dont pay 4k for it.

It doesnt sound like its been taken well care of, its probaly seen alot of abuse. Keep in mind, those 19's will be expensive to put new tires on as well.

You may want to keep looking, ive found some nice deals around the 4k range.

But if you want to get it to fix it up, and you talk them down then maybe you should get it if its mechanically solid.

 

[thomas91169]

you can prolly find a 94-95 5.0 in that price range. you get the same looks (if youre into the 94-98 styling) and you get the 5.0, which is way better if you want to do stuff down the road, than the non-pi or even pi motors, especially if youre on a budget.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

If you buy it you will have to spend $1000 on tires and $1000 on maint and repairs so factor that into the cost.

 

[gnat]

lol where are you located? I see beat up mustangs in the walmart parking lot around here ALOT.

It's not yellow is it? lol

 

[streethorse]

Keep driving the van. Spend a little more on a better stang, it will save
you some $ in the long run. I cant stand a beat up stang.

 

[Crzyhrse]

96 grand caravan.

No offense, but that made me laugh. I would'nt pay $4K for a 133,000 mile Mustang that's torn up. I've only bought 2 cars that were near 100,000 miles when I bought them. They were a money pit. Something broke EVERY month.

 

[geoffsgt]

Just keep looking. Thats a lot of miles on what seems to be a very abused car.

You could offer 3000... then polish up the rims, take nice pictures of them, and sell them on eBay (as is).