Honestly shocked I still remembered my credentials for this forum, I could have sworn I had more posts than I do...

Anyway, I used to have a pearl white '92 RS 25th Anniversary edition that got stolen probably ten years ago. I think I'm having a mid life crisis (Just turned 37) and I got the bug badly for another Third Gen that I'm looking in my area at several that I can fix up and drive. So much that I'm looking at selling my '14 Mustang just to get another one.

Anyone got any tips on what to look out for? Favored years and trims? It's been awhile and I'm not as knowledgeable on these as I was in my 20s.

 

Just don't buy anything with a bunch of rust, or that has been extremely fornicated by previous owners...

 

I personally would avoid anything that's been modified. 90% of the people who touch cars are absolute hacks

I'd also personally look for a hardtop car seeing as I mentally can't handle fixing another rotted out t-top car again.

 

Rust! No rust. Check the foot wells/fire wall. Options are personal preference. My car was a low option stripper. It literally had no options other than the trans am(no hood scoop) and delay wipers. I've swapped in some things using stock harnesses. It was nice to not have a bunch of non functional stuff to fix. Adding stuff in was easy. No T tops, they leak and decrease the structural rigidity of the car. Buying a car no one messed with is always key. There are so many half finished/poorly executed projects out there.

In the end I think it also depends what your goal is. I wanted something fast and light. But I have no AC/power locks or any other pretty/nice things in the car, I'm cool w that. If you want a car to mod then know what you're getting. If you're looking for something all original then go for it. There are still nice unmolested cars around but they're getting few and far between.

 

I agree with finding one that hasn't been molested too much. Doesn't mean it needs to be a cream puff, -worn out and old is fine. But if it's original, that's just part of the game and generally you can have a good idea of what you're getting into, you can look up costs and decide if it's a fix you can tackle yourself. The ones that have been modded are where the real headaches start. -and that's assuming they're not hacks. If they ARE hacked together, it's even worse.

 

A couple of things come to mind, but are mostly just general items/common sense:

*Rust, especially in the T-top area (if so equipped). If it's rusty there, the A-pillars and cowl will prob also have rust. Get under the car and look at the floorboards also. If the car was originally (or recently) undercoated, it will make inspection that much harder and may be concealing extensive rust.

* Modifications to the engine and/or suspension. If you live in a state that has smog-check inspections, engine mods will be critical, and a reason to walk away. If the car has been lowered, check to make sure it was done correctly/safely.

*Wiring (under hood and under dash in particular) This goes along with modifications, but if the factory harness has been hacked, especially if you see those terrible little blue 'scotchlock' connectors, beware.

*Odometer. Does the accrued mileage seem correct based on the car's appearance (especially the interior)? IOW, if the seller is telling you the mileage is "50,000 miles," (rather than 150 or 250K) but the interior looks like a wildcat has been living in there, reconsider everything else he tells you.

*If the car has a SPID label, it would be a good idea to review it compared to what's actually still on the car.

* Previous owner's service and maintenance records.


Finding a really good, unmolested 3rd gen (or any 30+ year-old car) is getting more and more difficult. Don't rely on word-of-mouth about anything; check it out for yourself---in person.


Good luck in your search.