Should i buy a 4 banger??

Hi i need some tips. Should i buy a 4 cylinder 1990 mustang LX?? I am just a 16 year old kid, and the car i usually drive is my moms 1999 ford escort. Yea it has more HP, but i think the mustang should be a fun car. But hey for $500, its atleast pretty good right? Thats canadian dollars by the way. Do any of you find it fun to drive?? It is a five speed. Is it reliable? I need to know some stuff before i buy.

too many factors to say, go look at them and drive them around, make sure there's no outstanding problems. that way it'll last you at least until you drop a 302 in (which you will =) ). they are definitely fun cars tho.

I'm looking for a similar car, but I can't even find one near me... Seems like no one bothers to sell them. All the Foxes I see are 5.0s.

for $500 canadian...my guess is the thing is a rag.

ya i just picked one up a few weeks ago, same year and every thing (but auto :(...) for $900u.s. even though its a 4cyl i still think its a fun lil car and was worth it. i think it could use a bit more hp to match the tq a bit better. but for you only being 16 (im 18) it would be a great 1st car. stangnut86 is right though...make sure and drive it around, take it to hw speed, and inspect as much as you can get away with (or as much as you know how) and ask questions. but if you do end up with it you will have a really good time...and save some gas lol

duplox...when i was lookin for a stang i found a bunch of 4cyl on autotrader.com for a good price

yes a agree with everyone here, please ask alot of questions. the last thing you want is a mustang that working on more then driving. we wouldnt what you to bet a bad opionion of mustands because some shmuck sold you a lemon. BTW when your older and your ready, droping a 5.0 in will be easy and cheap, heck you can even reuse the 5 speed that youve got in it now

yes a agree with everyone here, please ask alot of questions. the last thing you want is a mustang that working on more then driving. we wouldnt what you to bet a bad opionion of mustands because some shmuck sold you a lemon. BTW when your older and your ready, droping a 5.0 in will be easy and cheap, heck you can even reuse the 5 speed that youve got in it now

that's not entirely true... a 4-banger t-5 has a bellhousing that uses a different pattern, a longer input shaft, requires a smaller pilot bearing, and has a first gear that's far too tall for use behind a 5.0. much better off buying a TKO or even a beefed up t-5.

Yaa i work have experience working in an auto shop before, so i can take a look at it or take it to the shop i work at to have a better look using the hoist or something. I will take a look as soon as I can, my mom isn't letting me right now because I want to insure it under her name and i still haven't got my full license, i have the partial one that allows me to drive with an experienced driver beside me. So she thinks that after i get my license we can get it. I want to mainly check the underbody, powertrain condition, rusting on the body, and if everything is in solid condition.

hey can someone tell me the majour areas that can be worn out on this type of mustang? and frequent problems?

4bangers are notoriously weak engines

rust happens on hatches, quarterpanels, a little under the hood, and near the rear wheel wells.

suspension problems in the back happen, for instance my '89 gets bad wheelhop form bad quad shocks.

What could be wrong wit it or a problem area..... Anything and everything, it's a 15-year old car!!!!! :2cents:

What could be wrong wit it or a problem area..... Anything and everything, it's a 15-year old car!!!!! :2cents:


thats true, but i love my 86 4 cyl stang!!!

i agree with that suspension problems in the back.
i've always had fun with my car.
I say try it.

heyy im the new guy here and i would like to put in my 2 cents..I personally would never get a 4-cylinder Mustang unless it was the ultra-rare SVO Turbo or if it had the venerable 4.9L(5.0 BTW...) swaped in...88HP isnt gonna get you far and it would be more of a hassle to other motorists because you will not be able to safely merge or compete in high-flow traffic.....My mom had one of those poor excuses for a muscle car way back in 93' and the only thing that was good about it was its good gas mileage..instead of getting the 4-banger..save up some more money and look around for more potent Mustangs

remember now...hes only 16

I have no problem wit 4-banger Mustangs for 16-17/first car people. It's cheap can be fixed easily turn into a good project car and basically get your teeth wet on Mustangs in some fashion and usually 4-banger people catch the GT(V8) Stang bug soon enough.

I bought my first Mustang when I was 18, an 83 GT 5-speed for $500. If it wasn't for that car I may be a Mod in a honda forum instead of here you never know.

I have no problem wit 4-banger Mustangs for 16-17/first car people. It's cheap can be fixed easily turn into a good project car and basically get your teeth wet on Mustangs in some fashion and usually 4-banger people catch the GT(V8) Stang bug soon enough.

I bought my first Mustang when I was 18, an 83 GT 5-speed for $500. If it wasn't for that car I may be a Mod in a honda forum instead of here you never know.

or you could have been an LS1 mod! :lol: :nono:



i agree, a 4-banger is great for a young guy to have, plus mustangs are so easy to modify (e.g. drop a v8 in). a properly maintained 2.3 will last him until he can't stand it, blows it up, and finds a junked GT to get a motor from. i blew my 2.3 up and don't regret it, ran it with the header open and an exhaust valve burned :lol: ... but that cylinder wasn't firing before i did it, so i figure it was wrecked to begin with.

edit: i have also decided that i will never own a 4 cylinder car again, gas milage be damned.

Hmmmmmm...now i am thinking. A used 4 banger costs around 500-1000 canadian here, while an 95 V6 costs 1500-2000. Now does the 95 V6 sound like a better deal?? It is kind of more updated, and features a more powerful 6 engine, and the V6 has more aftermarket support(as far as i know). What do you think??

Personally, I would buy the 4 cylinder fox and save for a good ole' V8 conversion. :)

that 6 only has 150 hp stock :frown:

Personally, I would buy the 4 cylinder fox and save for a good ole' V8 conversion. :)

much easier to convert a 4-banger fox to a 4-8 than it is a v6 sn95 to a v-8. more room to work with, less complicated electronics, fewer parts to replace, etc. can't beat the weight and aerodynamics factor of the fox either, and they look awesome to me.

My opinion is that since you're just starting out, you'll be just fine with a 4cyl. Its what my kids will have when they get old enough to drive. You can always sell it later or put in a bigger motor. I have one 4banger myself, a 92 Ranger with a 2.3L, and its just fine. 24-27mpg and no trouble getting on the highway. lol

cool. i guess ill just buy the 500 inline 4 then hehehe. by the way...are parts plentiful?? i guess i would need to replace lots of parts since the car is so old and ill be looking to junkyards cuz im on a budget. Does anyone know any good aftermarket manufacturers?

remember now...hes only 16

how about straight 6 1972 auto is this a less maintenance car?

how about straight 6 1972 auto is this a less maintenance car?
Those are darn good motors, 200 or 250. Stock, milage around the 4cyl., similar horspower, but woth much more torque. Plus built right, you wouldn't have to swap to a v8 later for more power as they can put out very good power modified.
Easy to maintain, all sparkplugs in easy reach, possible to change the oil without getting under the car. Parts easy to find, though some can be expensive. Very smooth, good motors.

My frind of mine has a 98' Mustang LX witht the 2.3L I-4 and that bitch takes soo long to get to 60...Getting and merging into the highway is really rough and its mad hard to pass people....I advice u get at least a V6 or once you get it immediatly drop a V8into that bad boy

its not that hard to drive... i had a 90 escort LX for a year b4 i got my stang and that thing had like 80 hp and it was a auto. that 4 banger will be fast enough for all normal purposes

I have a '83 mercedes 300D with a good 70hp and 97tq. You have to floor it just to accelerate at an acceptable rate. Then, since it's diesel...it blows out black smoke at WOT. Ahhhh.

Well like me my dad gave me his 5.0 Gt. Im only 16 and i havent gotten a problem with it. well then my dad crashed it damn lol. now i need a job 2 fix it.

AdRiAn