[03 R Code]

I've got an opportunity to get a 1995 5.0 to use for a daily driver and I wanted to know if there are any really bad quirks that I need to know about the car before I buy it.

It's got 112,000 miles on it, and when I test drove it yesterday it seemed pretty weak for a 5.0 car. As far as I can tell it's completely stock right down to the factory mufflers and paper filter. There were a couple of things that caught my eye though. First off, the idle is extremely rough, as in it'll shake the car really hard at a red light. It doesnt' feel like a miss because acceleration is smooth all the way through. I want to say it's a cam, but maybe I'm not used to a pushrod motor anymore. I had a 5.0 about 6 or 7 years ago, and I don't remember it being this rough on the idle. The other thing that concerns me is the running temp. When idling, it will start to creep up on the hot side of the temp gauge, but when I accelerate, the temp drops back down to normal. Is this becasue of belt speed on the pump, or maybe something else like a thermostat starting to stick?

Please, any input on this car would be helpfull, good or bad. It's got a decent price, but I don't want to own another money pit.

[94' Cobra 351]

IMO I wouldn't do it. For a daily driver I would buy a 4 door, front wheel drive, that gets good gas mileage.

[03 R Code]

Not really my style. Fuel mileage is not a problem, and 4 doors... I don't have more than 1 passenger at a time anyways. No wifey or kids to hold me back.

[5-0stank]

umm...idk, but i have had pretty good luck w/ my 1995 gt (even tho its slow, lol)

[1911A1]

I use a 94 Gt for a daily driver only complaint is traction in snow and rain.

[03 R Code]

Does anyone know of any issues that these cars have? Any inherant problems with the cooling systems? That is my main concern, cause when test driving it the car's temp. gauge was acting crazy...

[5-0stank]

i have heard that the senders go bad. i have the stock and an autometer and they vary A LOT sometimes. i have had no problems with mine.

[03 R Code]

What do you mean senders?

[FaStStAnG5-0]

in my 94 the temp will never get near the red area, but it will creep up a lil warm but when i take off it usually goes down & i have never had a single problem.. i know the gauges act really funny sometimes in my 94, especially the oil pressure/temp.. i hear a lot of bad things about these gauges so i dont trust them & i just keep a really good eye on all my fluid levels & will be getting them in autometer form soon!

as far as it being slow & idleing rough, the idle may just be a sign that the car really needs a good tune up plugs, wires, cap, rotor ect.... as for it being slow, when i bought my 94 i was kinda dissapointed when i bought it but then i started modding it & it really woke the car up.. how much is it going for??? hows the paint/interior ect? engine work is really easy to do on 5.0's.. the paint & bodywork is what sucks!

here's what i would do & what i did with my 94 GT.. take it to a good mechanic, someone you know, have them put it onto a lift, look at it underneath drive it & ask him what his honest opinion is on the car & not to BS you! if it checks out, try to talk the guy down a lil & then buy it!

& if the owner of the car wont let you take it over to a mechanic that you know to take a look at it look for a different car because he is most likely hiding something from you...

[5-0stank]

Originally Posted by 03 R Code What do you mean senders?

Temp. gauge senders

[03 R Code]

I appreciate the responses guys. The shittiest thing about this car is that it's on one of those buy here/pay here lots. He wants 5,000 cash or finance 6,900 and 2,000 down. I know it's not worth that much cash, and deffinantly not worth almost 7,000...

I'm getting my tax return back soon and I plan on using that extra cash as a wagering point to buy it. What do these year models usually go for?

The interior is in pretty rough shape for 5k. It has a huge rip in the drivers seat side support, and it just looks old and beat up on the inside. When I test drove it I tried to see how it gets up and goes, and I noticed a big cloud of black smoke pouring out. A few more high revs and it started to get less and less. Maybe just pushing out some built up soot? The paint is pretty faded, and it's yellow. Let me know what you think.

[FastBack71]

ur gonna pay 5k for a sn95 with interior damage?

maybe.. 3k tops?

[FaStStAnG5-0]

well mine had 83,000 miles on it & needed paint bad when i got it.. the interior was in really great shape & everything was mechanically sound & i paid 4500 bucks for it.... if the paint is just faded you will probably be able to buff it out....

the black smoke could have just been a carbon buildup i guess... could just be from sitting or it could be bad valve guides... i wouldn't pay a cent over 4000 for it though. you can really find better cars for 5-7 grand.. do you have any plans for it?

[MustangMatt96GT]

You deffinatley can find a better deal than that. Take ur time on searching and buying. I searched for over 8 months until i found one that fit all my needs. Good luck and be extremly patient.

[5-0stank]

mine was in good condition all around (minus the front bumper needing paint) with a full exhaust, 130k miles, and i paid $3200 for it...i would keep shopping if i were you.

[03 R Code]

I found one from a private seller yesterday that wants something like 3,000 for it. He said the front bumper has a crack on the bottom of it but other than that it's perfect. I think I'll be giving him a call today to go and see this one.

As far as plans, mainly just a second car for daily driving incase I blow up my Mach or do something drastic like put it under the knife for extensive engine work. I would probably have to do something to get some more giddy up out of the poor old 5.0 like H/C/I and exhaust at least.

[jasperstang308]

Originally Posted by 03 R Code I found one from a private seller yesterday that wants something like 3,000 for it. He said the front bumper has a crack on the bottom of it but other than that it's perfect. I think I'll be giving him a call today to go and see this one. As far as plans, mainly just a second car for daily driving incase I blow up my Mach or do something drastic like put it under the knife for extensive engine work. I would probably have to do something to get some more giddy up out of the poor old 5.0 like H/C/I and exhaust at least.

thats how it starts off and then u get hooked

[94cobra320]

I bought my car, which was a cobra with 149,000 miles for 5,500. It was very clean once i worked on the paint and upgraded everything. 10,000 dollars and two years later, I am extremely happy with it. the only concern i have is that i keep having 1,000 dollar repair bills creeping up, most recently the radiator, then the clutch, and then the computer and mass air. And the list goes on. But the car will probably run forever how it sits.

[94GTD1SC]

I bought a 94 GT Vert last month for 3K. All stock except off road exhaust w/ flows and 2000 GT wheels. It did need a new top, but that was only $130 on ebay.

[03 R Code]

Originally Posted by 94cobra320 I bought my car, which was a cobra with 149,000 miles for 5,500. It was very clean once i worked on the paint and upgraded everything. 10,000 dollars and two years later, I am extremely happy with it. the only concern i have is that i keep having 1,000 dollar repair bills creeping up, most recently the radiator, then the clutch, and then the computer and mass air. And the list goes on. But the car will probably run forever how it sits.

That's what I was sorta afraid of is major problems with computer systems. I don't really want another money pit... I may just keep saving money for a motorcycle.