Gdbyrd

I originally had my mind set on buying a 89-95 GT..But after looking for what seems like forever..They're all beat to hell, have 150K+ miles, rusty..and they all seem to be overpriced. I particularly like the SN95 body style.

So after looking around, the 96-98 Mustangs are super cheap in comparison. But before I even go look at these cars I'd like your guidance on purchasing.

I have about 5K to spend on just the car. Mods will come later and boost is probably in my future(most likely turbo as I have experience there).

Are they a good platform to build on? What are the weakpoints. When purchasing, are there things I should try to avoid?

Thank you.

cliffyk

You are comtemplating purchasing a 12 to 14 year old automobile, and that IS the major weakness. If you live in the rust belt then you are only buying yourself a couple/few years before the cancer strikes.

IMHO, Your best bet is to look here in the south and find a lower mileage '02-1/2 to '04 in the $5.5k to $10k range.

lilcrate

96-98 are weak, buy a fox

avlon06

or wait to get the 2011 mustang?

SVTeeshirt

^ lol 5k budget.

I agree with cliffy, i'd say go for a 96-98 cobra but for 5k you will just find molested and beat to hell ones.

budders

mine wasnt beat to hell and i got it for 5k

0949er

Your limiting factor (power wise) is non PI heads/cams. Then once u get those replaced, you next hurtle (if u want to boost) is the block itself. Due to high miles already, if you ever want any kind of real power without spending a **** ton of money is to save of the side for a new block/head combo

Gdbyrd

The issue isn't so much money as it is choice in body style. I prefer the 95-98 to the 99-04. I can't justify spending a ton of money on a toy either. THis is a second vehicle for me and will be my play thing. I'm OK buying an older car..looking forward to a project honestly. If I wanted to buy a new car I could, but I want a second car that I can screw around with and won't be SOL if I can't get it back together again by Monday.

I have 5k to spend on a car. And I have about 3 or so thousand to spend getting it back to stock.

IF the cars really have that little potential then I will avoid them. But they're a hell of a deal for the money. I could buy one of them for almost 3K pretty easily and have 5 or so grand to invest into it...whereas most of the foxes I've seen are around 4-5K and have rust/body issues...some have engine problems and several had electrical problems.

I'm not looking for a 10 second car. Just something that'll push me back in my seat and be fun to drive.

WannaBeGearHead

Buy a LS1 and enjoy betting full bolt on New Edge GTs. Then down the road add exhaust, lid and a cam and enjoy 400rwhp.

Oh wait, I can't say that on a Mustang forum. Sorry.

conejo172

Have you gone to any auctions? You can find good deals! Look also on craigslist if I had 5 grand in cash I would be looking at a 91 5.0, I'm on my blackberry so I don't know where you live but pennsylvania has a lot of great deals and not a lot of rust