kjandir

I have seen a few mustangs before, and did not have any luck in running into a good deal. So now that I am in dire need to buy a car, I found two postings:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/3814491241.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/3842215096.html
Which one is a better car and deal?
Are there any issues I should look for?
What kinds of problems would I be facing with mustangs at this mileage?
I would really appreciate any advice, as this would be my first car out of high school.

Matt's 95 Stang

Looking at the two I would go with the red one. Althought the blue one has leather seats in Cali, leather is not always your friend but you can fix that somewhat by getting the windows tinted to help keep the sun off it. Also the red one looks very clean with upgraded wheels and a CAI. While the blue one looks like it has a nice dent on the passanger side door. Miles I would not worry about to much as these 3.8s can last a very long time if taken care of.
As for the problems to look out for -
ask when or if the clutch has ever been changed (with that many miles both should have had a clutch job done, or will need one in the future)
look on the passanger side exhaust manifold to see if it is showing signes of cracking (comman problem with these years due to water leaking down onto them from the A/C)
turn it on and make sure you dont hear any knocking or weird sounds, besides that they look clean. Dont believe the KBB price for that blue one as that is a "trade in value" and not a "private sale price" which tend to be lower.

Good luck,
Matthew

Daehawk

Think you have the trade in value vs personal sale price reversed. Usually trade in value is less than you can sell on your own. And I like the red one more too cept for that engine rebuild. But Id still choose it.

jthorn9

Being from Louisiana I can chime in more on this car. The first link doesn't work and I'd honestly pass on the blue on. That body needs some nice work to restore the paint and work out those dents, and despite his wishes, it seriously effects the value of the car. The value of the car for private sale shouldn't be higher than $3800, a dealer may get $4500 on a lucky day.

http://www.edmunds.com/ford/mustang/...e-results.html

Unfortunately a lot of people use KBB and all those other retailer based books to determine a value, but as far as private sale goes they're near useless. In the end it's a 10 year old car with a good interior (not perfecta) and a fair condition body with a motor thats approximately 1/3 through it's life.

kjandir

Hey guys thanks for the input. I bought the red mustang. So what should I do to it. The engine bay is really dirty what would be the best way to clean it. What fluids should I change? Any other work I should do on it?
[IMG]file:///C:/Users/Kulvir/Desktop/20130602_200951.jpg[/IMG]

jthorn9

Best way to clean the engine bay is with an old towl/rag and dawn/water mix.

As far as fluids, depends on how they look.

The radiator fluid should still be green, if it's brown/red change it.

The oil is always a good idea.

Power steering should be bright red/red if it's burn looking/black change it.

Transmission fluid should be red, same as above.

kjandir

The engine bay has a lot of grime built up on it, will the dawn cut it? So do I rinse off the dawn with a hose or wet rag?

Daehawk

For a fee you can have a detail shop steam clean the engine bay I think.

Mobiusone stang

i might be wrong feel free to tell me I'm not lol but I think most dealers clean the engine bay with just a a pressure washer.

Daehawk

I wouldn't want my engine flooded like that.