scootchu

Might buy an 85 Mustang vert. and would like to know the common problems to look for. I know the first generation problems pretty well, but not the 3rd generation. The one I am looking at is a 85 GT Convertible. Any input would be appreciated.

my94pony

check for rot on floor boards and strut tower is it auto or 5 speed auto is cfi and 5 speed is carb big difference

scootchu

It's an auto and I have read that the CFI is a dog. I took a look at it today and it's green with a green top. Not my favorite combo. The owner was a no-show, so I couldn't hear it run. Floors looked good from underneath. Oh and it had the single into dual exhaust. I'm sure there are better cars out there. The interior was trashed. He wanted $2600.

capri debris

Places to look for rust:

1. shock towers
2. under battery tray
3. rocker panels
4. floor pans (mostly near where they meet the firewall)
5. bottom edges of doors/hatch/trunk

Floorpans also like to crack at the rear bolts of the front seats, driver side seat brackets like to crack/bend, middle console lid is usually junk, dashes like to crack just to the right of the radio, dash pads are usually junk, heater cores like to leak and AC equipped cars require removal of the dash to replace... non AC can be changed through glovebox, steering shaft rag joints rot away, rear bumper covers like to sag over time, fog lights usually rust on the inside and last but not least... vert tops like to leak/tear/stop working and cause lots of body flex that result in a fairly squeaky/rattling ride.

scootchu

Thanks for the insight. Not dead set on a convertible. 85-86-87 seem to be the years I would want. Want to make it my daily driver.

pettyblue440

sent you a msg. hope you got it. jon