Tips on buying an SN95 mustang?

[Tomsriv]

I'm thinking of buying a 96 Mustang with the 2 valve 4.6 and a 5-speed for a commuter car. I hear they get 26mpg on the freeway and they run on regular gas. I know a lot about cars, but I don't know the common trouble spots on these Mustangs. I'll probably look for mustangs without many mods, or just exhaust so the mileage won't be affected. Also, is their a way to tell what rear-end ratio the car has? I hear they had 2.73, 3.08 and others. I would probably want the 2.73. I'm not looking to race, I just need my V8/RWD. I'll be driving about 120 miles a day round trip to work.

[StangNut86]

gear ratio is on a metal tag fastened to the diff housing.

as far as the body goes, look at and near the wheel wells, the bottoms of the doors, the trunklid, all the exhaust, etc. for the motor, just listen for all the normal crap. make sure it has good fluids, drive it if you can, smell the exhaust a little to see if the mixture is good. see if it has a good clutch.

but the biggest rust trouble spots are near the wheel wells, especially the wheel wells, and the bottom of the doors.

[StangNut86]

i meant to say 'especially the REAR wheel wells'... that's what i get for typing right after i got off work.

[Tomsriv]

RUST? On an 8 year old car!?!

Sorry, I forgot to mention I live in So. California. No rust, but $2.15 for 87 octane.

[StangNut86]

Originally Posted by Tomsriv

RUST? On an 8 year old car!?!

Sorry, I forgot to mention I live in So. California. No rust, but $2.15 for 87 octane.

heee hee, s'ok. ouch on that gas price, it's about $1.80/gal in southern michigan.

hell, around here it's not uncommon to see traces of rust on relatively new cars, just cause of all the salt they throw all over the place.

i'm so glad i found my notchback, it's in such good shape for an 18 year old car =)

anyway. probably the single biggest problem you'll find in Stangs is just abuse... people drive 'em fast and for good reason. just look for all the normal signs of abusive driving.

[HiFlow5 0]

$1.64 for 87 octane in good all New England.

[eillob]

$1.89 for premium St. Louis MO.

[thunderbird muscle]

$1.55 for regular in south GA. I have a 95 t-bird with a 4.6. They don't have normal problems so to speak like the 3.8 with head gaskets. Great motor strong for its size. Nice little punch when you want it!!!!!!

[SikNingStang]

$1.53 for regular in central Arkansas

An easy way to tell if it burns oil is to wipe your finger on the inside of the exhaust pipe... see if it comes away really black or if it's clean.

[rdawg999]

Its about $2.20 a gallon for 87 octane here in San Francisco. Sucks. All of California has insanely high gas prices.