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Posted by square (Member # 1826) on :
 
Hello all, I have been more of a shadow or lurky to the forum for the past few years rather than an active poster.


Anyways I have been keeping my eye for a clean 89-93 Gt/Lx for use as a fun daily driver. I don't plan on doing any major hotrodding to the car just maybe the usual bolt ons. I will be pulling the trigger in a month or so once a clean example crosses my path.

I was wondering what is difference in gas mileage for a stock 5spd to auto.

Also what to look out for with wear and tear items. I'm a car guy and can tell the difference from a good maintained vehicle from a POS. But I know each car model always has its quirks to look for.

Thanks!
 
Posted by 92stangLX (Member # 3252) on :
 
You will get better milage and better performance out of a 5 speed. I would not get an auto.

Here are some things to look for when purchasing

- run a car fax and make sure the title is clean.
- make sure the heater works and the heater core isn't leaking (not cheap to have it replaced)
- look for oil leaks in front and back of motor
- make sure the seller will take care of smog
- check to make sure the body is straight (look at the inner fender aprons, check the sub frames, make sure the torque boxes aren't fucked, etc)
- listen for transmission noises and make sure it doesn't grind or pop outa gear.
- make sure the check engine light isn't on
- Look at the oil and radiator fluid and make sure it isn't milky
- do a compression test on the motor
- verify that the car is not a 4 cyl that has been converted to a 5.0
- Make sure the tires (front and back) are not worn un-evenly.
- Check for rust

These are just a few things I can think of. I'm others will have more.

Welcome to the site [patriot]
 
Posted by square (Member # 1826) on :
 
Thanks, General used car check list
 
Posted by 1bdpone (Member # 6708) on :
 
Also, take a look at the drivers front seat. The seat back will look twisted or the right side will lean back more than the left if the car has been beat on. It is easy to see when looking from the back of the car through the back window or an open hatch.
 
Posted by kingmoochr (Member # 5834) on :
 
thats not necessarily if theyve been beat on, the brackets brake under anything but the most gentile treatment.

common issues
broken drivers handle (not hard to fix)
broken speedo/worn cable (needle bounces or doesnt read right)
fuel level sender
ash tray door broken
worn center console and armrest mats
saggy door pockets on later models
heater core (if it hasnt been replaced already itll need to be, count on that @3-400 bux from a member 7 plus from a shop)

if you find one that doesnt have a single one of those items, BUY IT, cause its truly been well taken care of. mechanically they are quite sound in 5spd format. do NOT buy a modded auto, its a ticking time bomb. they dont generally need major services like valve jobs or timing chains or internal items, even with abuse, that is a nice thing about them. everything external, however, is fair game to failure, thanks ford [Smile]

ive got a mechanically sound one with a substantial list of mods, however, its not the easiest on the eyes. a grand at a decent body shop and youd have one of the cleanest around though. dark green lx with gray interior if ur interested.

[ February 28, 2008, 10:52 PM: Message edited by: kingmoochr ]
 




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