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

 

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!

 

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?

 

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.

 

check out the 5.0 section. there are some guys in there with 86s that could help you out.

 

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.

 

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.