1987 Ford Mustang 5.0 GT 5.0 V8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

One word: FUN!

Faults:

Nothing... Except clutches. This car made a hooligan of me and I got through two of them!

General Comments:

This car put a grin on my face for seven years.

Neck-snapping performance. Changing down from fifth to third gear when overtaking was like a rocket boost.

Enormous fun to drive. Great handling, although you have to watch out over-steer in the wet especially. I had owned a 2.8 V6 Mustang before, but I wasn't prepared for the power of the 5.0 V8! A much better car than the Toyota Supra I had before it, particularly from a driver's perspective.

Not as good on fuel as a V6, but what do you expect? At 21mpg it was reasonably affordable though, and well worth it for the kicks!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th October, 2003

1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 from North America

Summary:

The best bang for your buck

Faults:

The fuel pump went bad, but was a very easy fix.

Also the tires seam to wear quickly. I wonder why.

General Comments:

I recommend this car to anyone who wants amazing speed to pass those girlie Camaro's or imports and for anyone just looking to enjoy a good ride. This car is great, reliable, handles like its on rails and is very fast. I owned a 1988 Chevy Camaro with a 350 V-8 before this car and it can't even compare.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st July, 2003

1987 Ford Mustang LX 2.3 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Bulletproof reliability

Faults:

Muffler rusted out.

Engine burns a bit of oil. Soon the cylinder head will require replacement.

General Comments:

This is the most reliable car I have ever had. It is extremely reliable and durable, even after a very long and hard life.

I bought it from a relative whose teen age children drove it very hard. They really thrashed it, including rolling it over into a ditch when it was only 6 months old. Even then, it needed only brakes and exhaust while he owned it.

It was rust proofed it religiously. It is totally rust free, even after 16 Canadian winters.

This car always starts and runs very well, no matter how cold it is. The steering and brakes are still excellent.

The suspension, shocks and springs are in very good shape, but the ride is a little harsh, possibly due to cheap tires.

The engine always starts and runs properly. Its power is good, but there is little to spare for highway passing.

The engine does drone and resonate more than other engines, but its not really objectionable.

The interior is a little cramped, especially the headroom.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th May, 2003

3rd Feb 2005, 09:05

I myself own a 1987 LX 2.4 liter engine. I have owned it for a little more than three years. During that time I have had a few problems, but all around its still a good car. The exhaust has been cut off right after the first cat and for a four cylinder it is one of the loudest vehicles in my city. The motor has around 173,000 miles on it, but it still starts up and runs like a champ. It has a couple of dings here and there, but its nothing a little body work wouldn't fix. The care has a couple of faults like the moon roof leaks a little, and my fuel gauge has messed up. But for how old this little car is its still one of the best vehicles I have ever driven.

20th Jan 2007, 23:28

Here is an update on this car, almost 4 years later.

It now has 241,000 km, and still running well.

The engine develops good power still, but there are signs of engine wear, including some blow - by and a wrist pin knock. I fear this engine will fail within the next few weeks.

The suspension is pretty loose now and contributes to some sway and wander on the highway. The steering rack now gets stiff in cold weather, a sign of extensive wear. The chassis shows considerable flex and bending around the firewall area when braking and hard cornering, likely due to metal fatigue and lots of miles. The floor pan and the windshield A-pillar, passenger side, show stress fractures in the metal.

Other repairs.

At 213,000 km I rebuilt the cylinder head which solved a bad oil burning problem. The engine showed significant cylinder wall wear at that time.

In the last 20,000 km, I replaced th brakes, master cylinder, ignition module, water pump and alternator.

IMO I got my money's worth out of the car. It has been reliable, cheap and easy to repair and maintain, and excellent on gas. No regrets.