Asking advice from 'Stang Experts...

[RX7_4_Eva]

For my whole life I have been into imports. But I recently sold my 1993 RX-7 and have about $8k to spend. I have never owned an American car, although I'm as white as they come . I have done a little research, and have narrowed my year choices down to 1995-1998. Really though, I still am clueless about these cars. Can someone tell me about their reliability, performance, modifying ability, etc... Also, what is a Cobra, GT, which years are 5.0, are the 5.0's faster than their V-6 counterparts... This type of information would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[Blackbird01]

1995 was the last year that the 5.0L V8 engine was offered.
All years after got the 4.6L V8.

The 5.0 is usually preferable only because of its HUGE aftermarket support. They can be made EXTREMELY FAST.

The 4.6 SOHC V8 (came in the GTs) are....well, they're not much.
They can be made somewhat fast, but if you're going to get a 96+ you'd want to look for a Cobra.

The 4.6L DOHC (came in 96+ Cobras) are a very well built motor. They respond EXTREMELY well to power adders like a Turbo or Blower. They can be modded very nicely and made damn fast.

[Chris]

I would recommend a Camaro Z28. It has a 5.7L engine, with 265(??)hp in 96, to currently 310 hp. Add a blower, and it will be hella fast.

Either way, a Camaro or Mustang offer great bang-for-the-buck. You can also get chassis mods for them, to make them turn to. The biggest drawback is insurance.

[98cobraconv]

what's the deal with the pros and cons of putting NOS on a mustang? I saw a show the other day where some guys put a NOS kit on a Corvette and had a 120 HP gain (295 to 415). However, I heard from a few people that american cars aren't built to have nitrous so you shouldn't do it... info anyone?

[milktasd2000]

Cool. I would get the Cobra. Just me, though. Insurance was cheaper for my Cobra than a GT or a Z28 was. SO look into every aspect of the car. It might be cheaper to mod a Z28 but the insurance might kill ya.

If you want any other mustang info let me know what.

[HiFlow5 0]

for 8 Grand i doubt you can find a cobra unless its beat to hell. you will probely be looking in the 87-95 range for that amount, all the newer SN95's if seen are usually 8 grand and above. you could pick up a nice FOX body mustang for about 4 grand, and have another 4 to modify it with. there is a plentiful amount of aftermarket for the fox and you should have no problem getting it to be very fast with little with what your budget allows.

as far as nitrous goes american cars can handle it well, i would just be careful on juicing a higher millage car. any car has it ups and downs with nitrous.

[RX7_4_Eva]

Thanks for the awesome info guys. I think I will get a 1993 5.0. I was leaning toards a Civic (Yuk!) because of cheap insurance and huge aftermarket capability, but I decided that the Mustang is a better choice. I am 22, but have a 16 year old friend looking into a Mustang 5.0 as well. I keep telling him insurance would kill him, but was wondering how accurate I really was. Can someone give me a yearly figure based on an educated guess? That would be greatly appreciated.

[Blackbird01]

Don't get a '93.
Their "hyperPATHETIC" pistons suck.
Try to find a nice CLEAN '90-92 LX or Notchback.
They come STOCK with FORGED PISTONS!

[Chris]

UM, he's 16, and for me to insure a Camaro (1988) was about 5000 a year, Canadian. So it can be very pricey (but, an 88 Topaz was 1900 a year, to)

[RX7_4_Eva]

Originally posted by Blackbird01
Don't get a '93.
Their "hyperPATHETIC" pistons suck.
Try to find a nice CLEAN '90-92 LX or Notchback.
They come STOCK with FORGED PISTONS!

Really? Thanks for telling, me, I would have got it in about 4 days. I don't really like the 1991-92 bodystyles(they have the same, correct?). How are the pitons on the 1995 5.0?

[RX7_4_Eva]

Also can someone tell me if the 1993 Hatchback LX is a 5.0?

[miker]

I've owned several fox bodies (84 - 93 body style) and believe that they are real value and there are still some good one's out there even today. If you've got $8,000.00 to spend this is the way to do it, but your choices are limited for the money.

I'd recomend a 93 Cobra to anyone, but a good one goes for 14 grand (low miles, execellent condition).

Try to find a 91 - 93 LX (GT's look a little outdated and the body cladding doesn't age as well) with a 5.0 with around 80,000 miles on it. With regular maintenance, these go for 200,000 miles with little problems.

This will set you back about 5 grand. Look for a car belonging to someone older with minimal mods. There is no such thing as a Mustang that hasn't been raced.

95 - 98+ cars are more refined, but the 96 and new feature the modular engine which was a dog until 2001. Cobra's are nice, but out of your price range.

With the left over money, go straight for cam and matching intake, gears and exhaust. Don't waist money on pulleys, loud mufflers or ram air kits.

Did I help? Feel free to email me direct for more info. and good luck!

[HiFlow5 0]

personally i olike the 89 the best! I say DO waste you money on pulleys, loud exhaust, and ram air. well maybe not ram air! pulleys are a great bang for the buck mod you can do, and will take about 20 minutes to install. why would you not want them. as far as exhaust they don't need to be load to create power, but the stock exhaust system will have to go cause its too restrictive. and whats the point of having a mustang thats quiet anyway????? as far as getting a cam and matching intake, make sure you either get a head job of new heads to match you cam. installing a cam with stock heads wont amount to much of a power gain at all, and is pretty much a waste of money. also a larger TB and MAF metter would be a good idea when a new intake, cam, and heads are put on. gears are the first thing every mutang owner should do for performance, its a great seat if the pants improvement!!!

[AlexB]

A 1998 Mustang GT for me is $2000 a year on insurance and I'm 16. And that had 225hp and is worth a lot more than the older ones. Right now I'm looking for a 1995 because that was the last year for the 5.0 yes it has the newer body style. I hate the pre 94 ones! They look like crudely sculpted dinosaurs and econo-boxish. That's just my opinion though.

If I had 8k (which I do) I'd get a 95 5 speed fully loaded from a private party. I would then throw some good heads, intake, and exhaust on it. And drop it an inch... their interiors are styled very well. The pre-94's were all boxy -- true culture shock from an RX7!