[stikystikyricky]

Hey. So I have never owned american muscle and the sound of some of the 5.0's send chills down my spine. I am in love with the drop top 89-93's. I would like to have a nice project car to work on. I found this 89 GT 5.0 mustang for sale for 2500. It def needs work, but seller says it runs and drives just fine. This is what Im looking at..

-Top needs to be replaced. From research seems I can buy it for under 200 but need a professional to install it. Anyone know what that might run.. ball park?

-Rear small windows have bad motors, seller says just replace the motors. Difficulty?

-Car has 180k miles on it.

I am thinking about dumping maybe 3k-5k into it in the next year to re-do the interior all black with black leather, get a nice spoiler, new rims, hood scoop, paint job, and do some engine/exhaust work to make it sound mean and turn heads. Do you guys think its do-able and would it be a good buy for the price? Things to look for? Really want to pick it up tomorrow and would like it to someday be shinny, murdered out black with clean interior and beefy sound. Thanks in advance and please fill me in on anything I need to know as I have never owned an older american car before.
Thanks!

[jessemachone]

i bought an auto lx in the almost the worse condition for 800. Needed paint, fenders and door skins because they were wavy (original parts tho) i bet a top installed runs you every bit of 750 unless you get a pro to help you on the side for cheap.

i didn't restore the vert - took what i wanted - 800$ worth and gave it to my neighbor.

If he'll sell for 2k, do it. it will be 3k by the time you put a top on it and spruce up the interior.

edit: i see that it is a stick - if he won't go for 2k, throw a little more on top of it if you really want the vert. I would do 2500 if I wanted a vert and that car was available.

After fixing it up, do sub frame connectors, lower control arms and gears and you'll have a sweet ride.

OLD school wheels FTW!!!

[Jaa1456]

180k on that motor is a lot, And why is the radio missing? Any electrical problems at all with it? Just my opinion but I would personally pass on it and look for something in better shape. Take that 2500 and the other 3-5 k and you can find one on better shape with lower miles and most likely some of the mods you are seeking.

[ryanw]

I agree....pass. make sure you have $4000 and find one thats almost complete with lower miles on the engine. In the long run you will save money

[jessemachone]

Originally Posted by Jaa1456 180k on that motor is a lot, And why is the radio missing? Any electrical problems at all with it? Just my opinion but I would personally pass on it and look for something in better shape. Take that 2500 and the other 3-5 k and you can find one on better shape with lower miles and most likely some of the mods you are seeking.

<- has a motor with 180k plus on it. No worries. I abuse it but no track. I't be worried about the condition of that t-5 way before i'd worry about the engine.

[jessemachone]

Originally Posted by ryanw I agree....pass. make sure you have $4000 and find one thats almost complete with lower miles on the engine. In the long run you will save money

but dood, look at those wheels!!!

[Silver2000GT]

180k is way too high, I would never consider buying a Mustang with miles that high. You just have to do some searching around. Craigslist, cars.com, autotrader, etc.

[SloMo]

Seriously? 180k is TOO many miles for a fox?? People want ungodly amount of money for lower mileage foxes. I picked up an '88 GT with 200k for 1,600 and it ran like a champ. To the OP, its all personal preference, if you can see this car being your "endgame" and it's exactly what you would like to start your build...buy it. Just make an offer and then start your process.

[Dap1991]

180k is not what concerns me at all, thats fine, its the price, I helped my dad put a top on my sisters car, a 98 chrysler sebring, and it was a bitch it took him all day, so i would imagine if you dont do it your self labor would rape you, I would also say pass unless hes willing to lower the price quite a bit, like 1800 ish. Its to bad about the top cause it seems like a good looking car other wise

[ryanw]

Originally Posted by jessemachone but dood, look at those wheels!!!

lmao

Originally Posted by Dap1991 Its to bad about the top cause it seems like a good looking car other wise

I agree

[stikystikyricky]

Originally Posted by Jaa1456 180k on that motor is a lot, And why is the radio missing? Any electrical problems at all with it?

Not sure about the radio but thats whatever. Im sure I would end up ripping out the stereo anyways.

Thanks for the advice guys. I guess i'll check it out tomorrow, drive it around and see what happens.

[cleangtvert]

i'd say $2000 or walk.i'ts about $350 for a top kit from LMR but if you need to get new moldings "hockey sticks" and such it's going to be anouther $2-300 more plus labor. the rear quater windows are pretty easy to replace the motors. if you can hear them clicking you may only need to repair the bushings inside the motors. if so they are really cheep,but a little difficult. if you have floppy rear quarter windows and need to replace the base and guides than thats a bitch! i did the whole deal to mine, and it wasnt fun,but it was wort it to not drive around with the top down and the windows up in the back!good luck if you get it i love my gt vert,but i would try to talk him down.

[Jaa1456]

I just think 180 is high since you don't know the history of the car and I would say that trans most likely has been rebuilt once or twice. I looked on ebay yesterday after reading this post and SA cars with half the mileage and in your price range.

[Dap1991]

as long as it feels and sounds good when you drive it i wouldnt worry that much about the mileage

[shamrock81887]

I payed 4500 hundred for mine it has 84000 miles 93 gt 3dr, showroom interior all it needs is paint save your money and shop around first never jump on the first thing you see honestly i wouldnt pay a penny over 1500 for wat your lookn at i dont really care wat ppl say its worth all i kno is wat im willing to pay cuz 9 times putta ten ppl are gna take wat they can get

[shamrock81887]

[shamrock81887]

[Dap1991]

Originally Posted by shamrock81887 save your money and shop around first never jump on the first thing you see

this is also true, i jumped on the first fox i actually went to see and test drive and kinda regret it now, dont get me wrong still a super fun car but its really rusty, next time ill know more what to look for.

Another thing is try not to get to excited when you drive it and stuff lol that might hurt your judgement

[shamrock81887]

I keep a towel ready when i drive this thing becuz i blow load everytime i turn the key its completely stock minus flowmaster exhuast and a kn air filter im going to put a bbk intake and throttle body on it followed by new headers, exhaust, new heads, high energy cam, 373's, all new shocks and struts, and a new transmission. Not that it needs any of that but i love this car so much it deserves to be brought up to date. Im hopin to keep all the upgrades around about 5 gs but ive got plenty of room to play. I will be ordering the majority of theze parts jan 1 i can hardly contain myself til then

[Dap1991]

ya every time i drive mine im stunned by the power and feel it has at almost completely stock level, all it has is exhaust and a crappy intake and i did the suspsension but i cant imagine what alot of these guys feel pushing 400+ horse