The Journey To Find A Fox. Found A Cobra Instead.

Tubbster66 · Aug 29, 2017

Well I'm about 90% sure I'm going to sell my '66. Once I sell it I'm going to be looking for a 1990-1993 LX 5.0. I've never owned a Foxbody, but have always been intrigued with them. Of course I'm always looking at them on Craigslist and EBay. I'm not buying it as an investment, I'm buying it to have fun and drive. Although from what I've read they are going up in value.

I know what to look for in classics as far as inspection for rust, crash damage etc. Any tips on what to look for in foxes? Problem areas?

I've never bought a car off of eBay. Kinda scares me to be honest. Have any of you done it? I've bought cars on Craigslist and I don't mind a day trip to buy a car, but it's a waste if it was misadvertised. There are not very many foxes here in Washington state, well the ones that I do find are either beaters or 93 Cobras (which I would love!) and they are out of my price range.

So I started this thread to ask questions and make a fool out of myself as I look for a fox. I apologize in advance, I'm a total noob when it comes to these Mustangs. I did however own a 98 GT at the end of high school, but again these are different monsters. Any advice/help is much appreciated!

USCGunner · Aug 29, 2017

I just picked -up a 91 LX in Northern Idaho, it was pretty thin pickings good luck.

imp · Aug 29, 2017

USCGunner said:
I just picked -up a 91 LX in Northern Idaho, it was pretty thin pickings good luck.

My guess would be pretty thin pickings anywhere in Northern Idaho. When I was in a realtor's office in Twin Falls in the '90s, he responded to the question, "Do you have drive-bys here"?, by looking puzzled, then responded, sure, we have McDonalds, Burger King,......imp

Dan02gt · Aug 29, 2017

Definitely check them over for rust and body damage. Look for cracks where the A pillars meet the roof, cracked floor pans under the seats, and cracked torque boxes as these are signs that a car has been beat on.

A lot of these cars were hacked up by kids trying to make them go faster so getting one close to stock is always a plus. If a car is modified a lot of time you can tell the quality of the work done by looking at the details like wiring and vacation routing. If it looks neat the guy probably did a good job on the other stuff.

Run for the hills from hacked up wiring. Also run from any car that has been converted from EFI to carb.

Tubbster66 · Aug 29, 2017

Dan02gt said:
Definitely check them over for rust and body damage. Look for cracks where the A pillars meet the roof, cracked floor pans under the seats, and cracked torque boxes as these are signs that a car has been beat on.

A lot of these cars were hacked up by kids trying to make them go faster so getting one close to stock is always a plus. If a car is modified a lot of time you can tell the quality of the work done by looking at the details like wiring and vacation routing. If it looks neat the guy probably did a good job on the other stuff.

Run for the hills from hacked up wiring. Also run from any car that has been converted from EFI to carb.

Ahh didn't know that about the cracks where the pillars meet the roof and the floorboards under the seat.
Good advice about the wiring, can't stand random wiring and splices that don't have shrink tubing on it!
I won't ever have another carbureted car, I put FITech efi on my '66 and never looked back.

90sickfox · Aug 29, 2017

The most important places to check are the strut towers in the front. The area where the k member bolts through over to the tower by the headers. This area is known to rust. There's a sheet metal piece that's spot welded to the actual strut tower that gets rust in between it. If there's any rust or the sheet metal doesn't sit flush there is an issue.

The floor behind the drivers seat ( at seat frame bolts ) is known to crack. Another place are the areas where the upper control arms bolt up in the rear. Its a difficult place to see without getting under the car.

Also, check the door hinge bolt areas.

These cars are perfect toy cars. There's not a single car out that can be personalized as much as a fox.

Good luck with your search

Tubbster66 · Aug 29, 2017

Dan02gt, just checked your thread out on your lx! Nice car! That's about perfect for me, prettt original car and you made tasteful upgrades with quality parts. How long did it take you to find yours and did you find it locally to you? If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay for it? Pm me if need be. Gorgeous car dude!

Tubbster66 · Aug 29, 2017

90sickfox said:
The most important places to check are the strut towers in the front. The area where the k member bolts through over to the tower by the headers. This area is known to rust. There's a sheet metal piece that's spot welded to the actual strut tower that gets rust in between it. If there's any rust or the sheet metal doesn't sit flush there is an issue.

The floor behind the drivers seat ( at seat frame bolts ) is known to crack. Another place are the areas where the upper control arms bolt up in the rear. Its a difficult place to see without getting under the car.

Also, check the door hinge bolt areas.

These cars are perfect toy cars. There's not a single car out that can be personalized as much as a fox.

Good luck with your search

All good advice, would have never known to look at the k member area. Are the hinges know to rust or just check for wear?

Another reason to buy a fox, tons of parts available!

Tubbster66 · Aug 29, 2017

I like this but it's out of my price range unless he's negotiable
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/1993-ford-mustang-cobra/6282541148.html

89ripper · Aug 29, 2017

Tubbster66 said:
I've never bought a car off of eBay. Kinda scares me to be honest. Have any of you done it? I've bought cars on Craigslist and I don't mind a day trip to buy a car, but it's a waste if it was misadvertised.

I bought a 95 impala ss off of ebay about ten years ago. I believe there are protections in place when you buy a car off of there so you dont get ripped off.
My experience was great. It boils down to the type of person you are dealing with really. I had the car shipped to my front door for about 900. Ny to IL.
You've bought off of Craigslist before and have reservations about ebay? I would think that is riskier but what do i know.

Tubbster66 · Aug 29, 2017

89ripper said:
I bought a 95 impala ss off of ebay about ten years ago. I believe there are protections in place when you buy a car off of there so you dont get ripped off.
My experience was great. It boils down to the type of person you are dealing with really. I had the car shipped to my front door for about 900. Ny to IL.
You've bought off of Craigslist before and have reservations about ebay? I would think that is riskier but what do i know.

Well I can't test drive and inspect a car in person over eBay.

89ripper · Aug 30, 2017

Tubbster66 said:
Well I can't test drive and inspect a car in person over eBay.

Who says you cant? I mean its kind of the same thing with Craigslist aint it? You can find a lot of those cars listed on other sites as well. You know there are other sites besides those two you mentioned right?

Tubbster66 · Aug 30, 2017

89ripper said:
Who says you cant? I mean its kind of the same thing with Craigslist aint it? You can find a lot of those cars listed on other sites as well. You know there are other sites besides those two you mentioned right?

Well I'm not gonna fly to another state to inspect a car. If I did that and not buy it, I'd be pretty upset cause flying ain't cheap. But as you said eBay has protections. What other sites have you used?

89ripper · Aug 30, 2017

I misunderstood your post when i responded. It seems like you want to find a good deal, and close. Therin lies the catch. I didnt necessarily want an impala from ny, i wish i could find one closer but it was a good deal.

If you have to absolutely inspect your car, which i understand, and it has to be somewhere close i would try an auto trader mag that they sell at gas stations. That may seem outdated but every now and again you'll find cool cars that are near you.
Another option is a site that caters to the type of car, like here at stangnet in the classifieds. The corral? I hope this helps

Mstng93SSP · Aug 30, 2017

You can also have someone check out a car for you. If for example it's in California, I bet there are members here that live in the cars area that would inspect it for you. I know I would. I just sold my 1991 hatchback lx tonight. Zero rust. 5 lug, 4 wheel disc, gt 40 aluminum heads, cam, 5 speed, black interior, half decent paint. Sold it to a friend for 5k. Point being there are still good foxes out there at decent prices. Patience will be your friend.

Davedacarpainter · Aug 30, 2017

There are local Facebook clubs also that you should look into, those guys will have a decent idea what's in your local area.

Sometimes the local classified will have ones that someone is selling. These can be trash or treasure adds. You might have an older guy or gal that has one that has been treated really well, but they never drive it anymore and aren't involved in the local mustang community, so they don't really know more than just to advertise it that way.

BTW, that Cobra is pretty sweet! He might come down a little on it, but you won't get it dirt cheap.

90sickfox · Aug 30, 2017

The hinge area rusts. Loose door hinhe pins isn't a big issue. Those can be replaced cheaply....but rust in that area is a complicated fix....usually involving a donor car, a sawzall, torch, and a welder.

Steel1 · Aug 30, 2017

Took me over a year to clean Fox here in CT. finally found my 93GT in 2006 about 1hr. away.
Be patient you may have to sift through a lot of crap before you find a good one, but there out there.
I can tell you first hand that the amount of false advertising with used cars is ridiculous. I used to sub-contract for a company who offered pre-purchase vehicle inspections, I would review the ad prior to going on the inspection and quite often the vehicle was greatly misrepresented. So if your thinking about one that you can't see in person I would definitely suggest spending the $ on a third party inspection, could save you in the long run.

92Apocalypso · Aug 30, 2017

what are your plans with this car? you doing a complete restoration? want turn key ready? do you want it to be a street car, or show car, or drag car or what?

Ryuk · Aug 30, 2017

If you have a 66 and knew what to look for with that, a fox body (rust wise) has mostly the same issues. Fenders, bottoms of doors, around windows. The seat pans seem to be a bit less of a problem than they used to be.

I can't stress enough to check the wiring. People thought they knew how to install stereos and alarms and really just hacked up the harness.

Be patient and find the right car for the right price or you'll end up with a money pit.

The Journey To Find A Fox. Found A Cobra Instead.

Tubbster66

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USCGunner

Active Member

imp

Mustang Master

Dan02gt

mazing how much gas smell came from that tiny hole

Tubbster66

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90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

Tubbster66

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Tubbster66

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Tubbster66

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89ripper

Tubbster66

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89ripper

Tubbster66

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89ripper

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.

Davedacarpainter

Chicks can make things hard if they’re inspired...

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

Steel1

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92Apocalypso

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Ryuk

I love your drawers

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The Journey To Find A Fox. Found A Cobra Instead.

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mazing how much gas smell came from that tiny hole

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Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

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You have a nice rear end there Dave.

Chicks can make things hard if they’re inspired...

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

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I love your drawers

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