1990 Ford Mustang GT 5.0L 302ci HO

Summary:

Best Mustang built since the 1967 Shelby GT500

Faults:

Had to replace the clutch at 153,000 miles.

Replaced the heater core at 149,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car is fast, when you want power, it's always there.

Performance is cheap too, you spend about $40 and you can get a good 10-15 horsepower. Where you would have to spend like $100-$150 to get about 8-10 horsepower out of a little rice burner (import cars), and that's on sale! Ha Ha.

It's gotten me one ticket, but never lost a race. It could eat Honda's all day long.

The rides a little bumpy, but handles like a champ.

It's actually a small car and everything is visible because of the big windows, so it's pretty easy to drive.

It also gets pretty good gas mileage for a V8. I get about 220 miles to the tank in town, and 300 miles on the freeway. And that's not grandma driving it either. I love opening her up, it's a beautiful sound.

Other than that, I love my Stang! And I have big plans for it in the future.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th August, 2002

1990 Ford Mustang LX 2.3

Summary:

Disgusted with poor quality

Faults:

1) Alternator

2) Timing belt slipped

3) Turn signals went out

4) engine runs hot

5) paint peeling off

6) passenger side window sticks

7) transmission problems

8) car misses

9) Red seats faded to pink/orange

10) car vibrates/ shakes when driven

11) door panels have come loose

12) passenger side door handle exterior and interior need replacing.

General Comments:

This car runs so badly its good for nothing, I've kept this car up just like the owners manual says and it still has fallen apart. I never knew Ford was so cheap-

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th June, 2002

6th Jul 2002, 14:57

This year was known for faultiness. There were a number of lemons. I have a friend that recently hung up his '90 Mustang due too many similar problems you've got listed. It's always a shame finding yourself with a lemon and being scarred from a potentially good product forever.

15th Jul 2002, 01:04

I have an 89 LX convertible with the same anemic 2.3 liter turd. I haven't had any of the problems you have mentioned except the costly one. The A4LD 4 spd automatic transmission. This is a truly crappy transmission from the Ford Motor Company. Mine died at exactly 103,000 miles. I also had to put a front seal in it at 68,000. The one in my dad's 92 Ranger blew seals at 98,000. The 2.3 liter is a great engine. My brother's 88 LX had 256,000 miles on it when he sold it and it had never been opened up. His was in front of a 5 spd manual. (The only way to go if you buy the 4 cylinder.) As far as I'm concerned. Steer clear of the A4LD. Ford's AOD and Borg-Warner T-5 found in the 5.0 liter cars are much better.

31st May 2003, 20:21

I also have a 1990 Mustang and it has almost all of the same problems right down to the ugly red interior fading.

1990 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 V8

Summary:

Best bang for the $$

Faults:

I replaced the water pump, belt, hoses, brakes, tires, heater core, starter motor, alternator and some other odds and ends. All in a 2 year span.

The stereo started giving me static noise toward the end of my ownership of the car.

General Comments:

My Mustang 5.0 was a fine performance car. The motor was very responsive, especially at low and mid-ranges. It does start losing steam after 4,500 RPM, but you rarely need to go beyond that. A true thrill to drive in any given situation.

On the freeway, the motor is above idle speeds due to the tall 5th gear. At 120mph, the engine speed was around 3,000 RPM. I clocked 140mph on occasion with ease.

Around the town drag racing in this car was quite a blast, and so are the curvy roads in the country, although if pushed too hard, the back end would come around. On rainy days this car can be lethal! I managed to get into some nasty spins.

The suspension is firm and feels sporty.

Overall, a good thrill for the money.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th May, 2002

3rd Jun 2004, 19:35

Of course the back end is gonna come around its called horse power! I would be really disapointed if it didn't. I love when it does that!

As for the rainy days, there fine to drive as long as you're not driving crazy. If you take it easy then its fine.