Thinking of going with an 88 'Stang ...
 

First off: I'm NOT thinking of getting rid of my 84 Z. I doubt that I'll ever part ways with that car.

I am thinking of getting an 88 Stang LX 5.0 vert, 98K, good condition all around, leather seats, fully loaded. Under $3000.00.

What I do know about these cars is that they come with factory dual exhaust, factory tube headers, and have a beefy rear end, the same I have in my Bronco.

From what I've read they don't handle as well as a 3rd gen F Body, and I don't like the look of the Fox body as much as my Z28.

The reason I'm thinking of getting a 'stang is b/c I want something to drive around town daily that has fuel injection and still is fun to drive.

Any input. Yeah, I know Ford SUCKS......blah blah blah. All makes have their advantages and disadvantages. The biggest disadvantage for me is that I'm unfamiliar with Fords, but am learning a little more since I own an 83 Bronco.

Well, the 1988 Mustang isn't that bad. They are quick and there is a big aftermarket for them. The converts are slow as hell though. If I was going to get a late 80s Mustang I would go with the 5.0 LX with the 5-speed transmission. Those are quick cars and are easily upgraded. Go with the notchback to keep the weight down. I say go for the one you were looking at after you just take a peek to see if there are any cheap LXs for sale. That way you can drive the stang around and keep the mileage off the Z:cool:

When i was in the market for a Z, i too was considering a stang. I think the 89 and older stangs are MAF cars, 90-93 are speed density? One of the selling points of a stang for me was that the back seats when folded down went completley flat, which is nice when you have a dog!

i think the 90+ mustangs had sfi, too.

I have a ragged out '87 and it's great. I've dumped alot of parts into mine but it was used before I got it. The OEM 302 keeps going and going and going....

I like having it as a second car...that way I don't go into torque withdrawals.

like previouslly stated get an lx, autos are slow(buddy has one that went like 14.9) get a 5 spd.(same buddy swapped to five speed and added headers and went a 13.9) converts are slow. auto plus convert = something that my bicycle will hang with. but the 302's are like the energizer bunny....


david

for a daily driver.. i don't think you'd worry about how fast it is (as long as you can kick out the rear every now and then) and living in Az (must be nice) a vert would be sweet..
parts are plentifull if ever something goes astray, but the ford 302's (in my opinion) are a pretty reliable motor.. keep your 84 Z for all that other addictive speed stuff..
your plan sounds good to me..
(why would you want to have two fast cars?.. how'd you go around picking which to drive?.. one would become your fav. and the other would barelly ever be used..)

Well, I'm thinking it would sure be nicer than driving around my Bronco or my Dodge Dynasty all of the time. I'm gonna ditch the Dynasty I believe, but I do use the Bronco for camping, hunting and fishing, and of course 4 wheeling.

I would go with the vert myself. Altough the vert may be slower I would much rather have the drop top and be a little slower. Plus if you ever want to sell it you will get your money out of the vert easier than a hard top. Just my opinion of course..

The 302 is a solid base (much better than the modulars). There is a huge aftermarket if you ever want to modify it, and loads of suport for normal maintenance items. The older Fjord automatics are fairly reliable if you don't constantly beat on them, and the rear axles are very solid. One thing to be aware of is the poor weight distribution, thus the poorer handling. The ragtops may be a little better with the frame stiffeners adding weight. I'm guessing that rust isn't a serious issue in the southwest, but take a close look at the front spring towers just for gins. Around here, the "seasoning" on the roads eats them apart in 6-8 years.

Giving up on the Dynasty? Get the rear spring mount stuck in there yet? Selling it while you can is probably a good call. Get out while you an...