1988 Ford Mustang LX 2.3L

Summary:

Excellent daily driver

Faults:

My rear main seal started leaking. shortly after I purchases this car.

The heater-core also went at 110000.

Radiator went at 125000.

Replaces all tires at 125000.

Replaced all brakes at 125000.

Both transmission lines blew out at 127000.

At 127500 miles the transmission started to have shifting problems to the point you have have to manually shift between gears.

At 130000 the transmission started overheating and would blow fluid out of the front main seal.

At 135000 the car went on to a better place and is going to be converted into a drag car.

General Comments:

This was an awesome first car and to be honest it was beat and took the beatings with remarkable durability. This car was my baby and was a very reliable car until it hit its last days and even in its last days it still served me very well around town. My friends told me the way I drive they'd be surprised if I put 5000 miles on it before it got major damage and they were all wrong. The more this car was pushed the better it responded and it even adapted to my driving style and was an excellent handling car and fast for an automatic 4cyl. These cars have received many bad reviews, but I can assure you if you want a car that will last if you find one with low mileage and aren't looking for a sports car, but a sporty daily driver this is the perfect car. This car was also extremely easy to work on and the majority of the work I had done I was able to do myself. Also the problems I had were not the results of a poor built car, but the results of aging on a vehicle that was designed like most to last 10 years. The gas mileage was also poor with a heavy foot and automatic transmission.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th November, 2004

1988 Ford Mustang LX 302

Summary:

The 5.0 Mustang is a great everyday driver and a great weekend racer

Faults:

Gas gauge is not working.

General Comments:

For the money this is the fastest car you can buy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st October, 2004

1988 Ford Mustang GT Convertible 4.6L

Faults:

My '98 GT Mustang Convertible with 56,000 had a stalling problem in random intervals. After further research from this website and others, I came to this conclusion to remedy the problem.

1st, I went out and purchased a K&N filter for 50 bucks, and Gumout Air Intake Throttle Body Cleaner (follow directions).

2nd, I adjusted the idle screw with vice grips about 4-6 turns, so that the car would idle a little higher than 500 RPMs. Now it's like 800 RPMs (be careful not to strip the double threaded screw).

I checked the airflow sensor as well, and it's working correctly.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th October, 2004

1988 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 H.O.

Summary:

The H.O. stands for HOLD ON!

Faults:

The starter relay and battery were cooked when I bought her, and I have to replace them again, but she sat for two years and I blame that.

I just rebuilt the alternator at 284,000 km, again because she sat.

The radiator just blew at 284,000.

The tranny mount and engine mounts need replacing, again because she sat.

Considering the miles, I am very pleased with the lack of repairs in the 4 years I have owned her.

General Comments:

She is the best car I have ever owned. She is very good on gas, if you are not standing on the gas pedal all the time.

She stops on a dime, less than 30 feet, at 100km/h.

Mine is a low-rider, with other custom work, so she handles great on the highway, a lot like grown-up go-kart racing. But she sucks in the city, between the bumps and pot holes, I can't even drive the limit, and the cops are always watching and tailing me, and she is so peppy and low torqued that it is hard not to make noise.

I agree about the seats, mine are worn out too. Just goes to show you, once you have sat in one, you don't get out!

The only problem I have found is there are too many ways to empty your pockets customizing them, on a plus side, NO TWO ARE ALIKE!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th July, 2004

26th Oct 2006, 12:25

I have an 88 GT with a 93 cobra engine. Those GT40 heads make a huge difference, highly recommended.

Although the hyperteunic pistons cannot handle over a 75 shot of nitrous, that is OK. 11.3 quarter mile on an engine with 65,000 miles is not bad. The 14inch mickey Thompson's help quite a bit, and the QA1 coilovers work out real well too.