1988 Ford Mustang Reviews - Page 6 of 11

AC went out around 165,000 miles.

Shocks went shortly after bought.

Thermostat went out around 170,000 miles.

Gas pump went out at 180,000 miles.

Alternator went out around 200,000 miles.

Gas gauge doesn't work.

Speedometer registers faster then your really going... so it's broken, but it gets the job done.

The cover over the lighter won't stay closed so a penny is used to keep shut and also the latch is gone on the console where tapes are put.

Car is amazingly fast for a 4 cylinder.

Gets great gas mileage of approx. 330 miles to the tank (15 gallon tank)

Most people think it is a 5.0 because of the body style... so it's easy to trick people haven't a clue of cars.

I forgot to add on my other entry that there is a recall on the ignition switch for the 1988 mustang, I just though that is some good information for everyone to know.

For about the first 50,000 miles of ownership it was super reliable.

The only thing I can remember major going is the fuel pump a couple of months after I bought it.

Soon after hitting 100,000 things began to wear out such as the radiator, front suspension, alternator, heater core, window motor, lock solenoid, various switches, clutch cable.

The Mustang specific problems I have had are my fuel injectors started leaking at 120,000 miles, the pins in the door hinges wearing out and it developed a small crack in the floor pan which I had promptly welded up.

As of right now the only things it needs is a new rack and pinion and shocks and struts.

Also in 1988 the 5.0 LX models came with the very cheap base seats. They look like they came out of a Tempo or Escort. They are not that uncomfortable, but after 13 years and almost 150,000 miles the driver's seat is beat. I am pretty much sitting on the floor and the seat back creaks.

In the late 80s the 5.0 Mustang was one of the fastest cars on the road. With the exception of the Buick Grand National you would have to spend close to 3x as much to match the power of a 5.0 Mustang. People have to remember it is a cheap, light car with a V8 engine.

Yeah the body has some creaks and people complain about the brakes. The car is a little over powered for the suspension and brakes (easily fixed through the aftermarket) but if you don't drive like an idiot it is not a problem. The car was designed in the late 70s and I am sure they never dreamed it would end up with 225 hp and 300 lbs.-ft of torque ten years later.

I have been extremely happy with my Mustang. I consider it to be reliable and cheap and easy to fix when things do go wrong. For being a "muscle car" it is very good on gas. I have been able to get 29 mpg cruising at 80 mph. City driving it gets down to about 16 mpg. Having 2.73s might have something to do with that. Also there is a lot of aftermarket support for the 87-93 Mustangs. I don't think you will ever have a problem getting parts for these cars.