1986 Ford Mustang GT Convertible 5.0 from North America

Summary:

High Performance Fun In The Sun!

Faults:

Water Pump

Heater Core

Radiator

Lower Intake Gasket

O2 Sensors

Leaking Header Seal.

General Comments:

I bought this car while in college, with little money to fix it. Thankfully, the fixing was very minor, and very routine! Due to very neglected coolant, most of my cooling system has been replaced! Aside from that, knock on wood, this car has been very reliable! Only the O2 sensors needed replacing thanks to our government and its emission policies! The engine, after 220,000 kms runs just as strong as it did when I purchased the car! The interior needs attention, but that is purely cosmetic. Aside from a top replacement, some paint and 2 sets of tires (lead foot), I have had no problems to worry about! now that it is my toy and only sees the road for about 5-10k per year, I can start adding the mods! If you want a Budget Rocket, look at the older 5.0 liter mustangs for sure! Easy to work on, and fun to drive!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th April, 2004

1986 Ford Mustang LX Convertible 3.8 V6 from North America

Summary:

Fun car to drive and fix

Faults:

I live in the Pittsburgh area and found this car for sale on the other side of the state. I went over to get it. I drove the PA turnpike to get it home.

When I bought it the window was attached with velcro and it quickly fell out. I had a roof for my previous Mustang so I had it put on. That cost me about $400.00.

Shortly after the roof was replaced I sprung a leak in my water pump. I went to fix it and snapped a bolt. I had to remove the timing chain cover to get the bottom of the bolt out. In doing this I muled up my timing pulleys threads up with a puller which I improperly used. I had to search out a 1.5 metric tap to re-tap the threads. I also noticed that the timing chain was extremely loose. I went and purchased a replacement chain. I reinstalled everything and had trouble getting the engine to start again. Apparently the timing was off because I did not mark the top dead center correctly. So I had to tear everything apart once again and put it all back together.

I finally had the car running good, but had a reoccurring transmission problem. I did not check the fluid level before I drove it to my house when I bought it. It was very low. This screwed up the transmission and it was slowly falling apart, slipping terribly. I took it to a transmission specialist and he replaced a part inside the transmission. It ran fine for a day and started to slip again.

Giving it on last try, I changed the transmission fluid. This was a mistake. When I got it all back together, the transmission would not work at all. The car now sits at my parents house waiting for me to swap my good transmission from my old Mustang.

General Comments:

I live in the Pittsburgh area and found this car for sale in northern Philadelphia. I drove the 300 plus miles on the turnpike to get it.

The car is really powerful, handing me 4500 RPM's plus. The old mustang would not go over 3000.

Comfortable seats, fun to drive.

Lots of problems, but lots of them were self inflicted because I tried to do stuff myself.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th October, 2003

1986 Ford Mustang LX 2.3 from North America

Summary:

This car is unbelievabley tough.Dependable

Faults:

Alternator do to heavy stereo equipment.

Gas tank leaked.

General maintenence oil brake pads.

General Comments:

It was a great tough 4 cylinder, it was a truck and a car id haul heavy loads by day and cruise the strip at night. The 4 banger was good, but liked the gas to small for car. She now sports a 302 with a custom flame paint job so no more truck work.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th June, 2003