1988 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 litre V8 from North America

Faults:

A word on reliability: this car never refused to start. Ever. -40deg or +40degC, didn't care, it would always start on the first or second try, even with the dubious battery.

Valve cover seals leaked (20K kms); transmission synchros failed (30K & 80K kms); oxygen sensor (90K) not under warranty; catalytic converters had to be replaced twice (under recall orders); new clutches every 40K kms, but that's probably as much my fault as it is the dealership taking me for a ride; driver's side seat back broke; battery had 2 touching electrodes that would drain it (I still got 3 years out of it though); new mufflers every 3 years.

But the rust, oooh the rust. In Canadian weather conditions (where salt is used on frozen roads) the Mustang has a well deserved nickname: Rustang. Within a few years, rust started pouring out of the hood lip, the rear wheel wells, the lip of the rear hatch. It got worse from there on.

The brakes are sadly underpowered. Trying to haul this car to a full stop from 100km/h is a highly concern provoking event. It'll slow down in a very straight line, but as to whether it will ever come to a full stop is debateable. Expect very serious brake fade when going too fast.

General Comments:

The 5.0 litre Mustang is simply an awesome automobile. It is loads of fun, has gut wrenching power AND is docile to drive, all in one tidy package. It pulls like a freight train from 2500 through to 4800rpm, shift, do it again. Fun. Much fun.

I'd buy another Mustang in a heartbeat.

But probably not any other Ford product, after a lousy experience with a 1993 Mercury Sable GS and contemptible Ford "so-called" customer service. I've not driven a Ford in the past 5 years, so this may have changed for the better...right.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th July, 1999

18th May 2001, 20:59

Three words for ya. Garage-in-winter!

1988 Ford Mustang LX 5.0HO V8 5.0 litre from North America

Faults:

Clutch sensor switch broke down at 120K.

Air conditioning gas should be replaced.

Still a reliable car even after 10 years of running, often in severe conditions.

General Comments:

A truly brutal and powerful car. The ride is truly impressive: the howling sound of the engine, the torque pushing you in the seat making your breathing difficult, and the killer looks. A must buy if you live in North America, where fuel is cheap (this car burns up about 18 litres/100km). The tradition is still alive

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th February, 1999

1st Jun 2001, 09:12

I would like to agree with the comments of brutal and powerful, for that a Mustang is. However for someone like myself working a $5.90/hour job though school, the 5.0 L engine eats up gas faster than I can buy it. I suppose this page hasn't been updated in a while as gas in Canada right now is 78.9 cents/L and in danger of rising. But I simply solved the problem of eating up gas by buying a 4.0 L.

But overall, I completely agree with you, except for buying another car from Ford... the Mustang is one of their ONLY good cars, the rest - in my opinion - are horrible. Yeah they look great, and run great, for the first year. Also the previous page made a comment on Ford's "customer service". I would have to have to say that Ford is one of the worst car companies ever. Near impossible to fix and after the first year, performance, looks, quality etc go straight downhill.

But as far as the Mustang goes, it's rather surprising that Ford made it seeing as how it is the exact oppsite of everything I've come to expect from Ford. Would I buy another Mustang? Yes. Would I buy any other Ford car or truck? No.

27th Sep 2001, 02:06

I see your "attack" notice and wonder why you allow a person to print such as was said about the Ford car maker. All cars have problems over time and this is why a warranty is valuable. My friend from Canada appears lost in his evaluation and this is a kind way to put it.

27th Sep 2001, 15:14

steven@carsurvey.org:

The comment from Canada was a sensible and balanced comment about the Ford Mustang. It is personal attacks, or comments designed to stir people up that are removed. This post may have some negative things to say about Ford, but it doesn't attack the previous reviewer and it agrees with the review in some areas.

12th May 2002, 03:34

Just to be clear, I was meaning that I work as a mechanic for a non-dealership repair shop; I am just relating some of my experiences. Thx.