Looking to buy my first Mustang
#1
Looking to buy my first Mustang
Hey everyone, I'm new here and this is my very first post.
Flame me if you like but at heart I'm a Mopar Guy, I actually like individual models from almost every make but I just prefer my Mopars. Well over the years I have considered buying a Mustang countless times and the other day I stumbled accross one that I think Iwant to buy, problem is I don't know squat about them. The one I am going to look at is an 86 LX 5.0 convertable, I have always had a soft spot for thease.
So what can you tell me about them?
The 5.0 is a solid platform but is there anything specific to the 86 I should know?
What should I look for when I go to see this car, any areas prone to rust or stress?
Thanks for your help, if it all works out I'll be a regular
Ken
Flame me if you like but at heart I'm a Mopar Guy, I actually like individual models from almost every make but I just prefer my Mopars. Well over the years I have considered buying a Mustang countless times and the other day I stumbled accross one that I think Iwant to buy, problem is I don't know squat about them. The one I am going to look at is an 86 LX 5.0 convertable, I have always had a soft spot for thease.
So what can you tell me about them?
The 5.0 is a solid platform but is there anything specific to the 86 I should know?
What should I look for when I go to see this car, any areas prone to rust or stress?
Thanks for your help, if it all works out I'll be a regular
Ken
#2
RE: Looking to buy my first Mustang
I had an 86 GT (hatchback), and really enjoyed it. The only problems I had were what I'd consider "normal" for a car that old with 6-figure miles - heater core, serpentine idler pulley, valve cover gaskets and rear hatch struts. The 5.0 does tend to burn oil after a while, but it was not something that ever got out of hand, and I never worried about it.
Maybe somebody else can add their experiences with the mid-80's Mustang convertibles.
The LX's have a great reputation for being a lot of bang for the buck - cheaper than a GT or SVO (in 1986), but same performance. Every once in a while I see a mid-80's 5.0 for sale, and it's tempting!
Maybe somebody else can add their experiences with the mid-80's Mustang convertibles.
The LX's have a great reputation for being a lot of bang for the buck - cheaper than a GT or SVO (in 1986), but same performance. Every once in a while I see a mid-80's 5.0 for sale, and it's tempting!
#3
RE: Looking to buy my first Mustang
By the way, this car is an automatic and has 115K on the clock. I would prefer a stick but the price seems reasonable and its been described to be in really nice shape. Asking price is 2900, does that seem about right?
#4
RE: Looking to buy my first Mustang
Sounds reasonable to me. Maybe you could get the seller down a little, but not much if it's in good condition.
1986 was the first year of a true sequential-port EFI on the Mustang. To sqeak a little mileage out of the engine, they changed the heads from 1985 and lost a few HP (5 or 10, I don't remember), in spite of the improved fuel delivery. The EFI is "speed density", if I remember correctly, which is not as precise as the mass-air variety we have now. The Ford 302 (5.0L)has got to bethe most modded Ford engine on the planet, and if performance is a consideration, I don't see that early SEFI setup a detraction.
1986 was the first year of a true sequential-port EFI on the Mustang. To sqeak a little mileage out of the engine, they changed the heads from 1985 and lost a few HP (5 or 10, I don't remember), in spite of the improved fuel delivery. The EFI is "speed density", if I remember correctly, which is not as precise as the mass-air variety we have now. The Ford 302 (5.0L)has got to bethe most modded Ford engine on the planet, and if performance is a consideration, I don't see that early SEFI setup a detraction.
#6
RE: Looking to buy my first Mustang
Where is the car located? The usual suspects in humid climates are the bottoms of the 1/4 panels in front and behind the doors, and if you can, check out the torque boxes underneath the car. Those are the usual suspects when it comes to rust.
#7
RE: Looking to buy my first Mustang
In stock form, an convertible, auto, 86 will be a pretty slow machine.
What are you looking for GTXken? A driver? project? drag car?
I've often found 86's and cheaper than 87's and up.
What are you looking for GTXken? A driver? project? drag car?
I've often found 86's and cheaper than 87's and up.
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