Shopping for a Mustang

[twetzel]

Hi.

I finally have enough money to buy a decent car, and I want a Mustang. Not brand new, but as new as I can afford - around $20k +/- 2k. Of course, I want the 4.6L and a 5-speed, and a coupe. My question is this: what kind of things should I be looking for when shopping for a Mustang? Are some years better/faster? I recall someone telling me once that some cars of the same year had different gear ratios in the rear end, making some cars faster than others. What things like that should I pay attention to? Like everyone, I want it to go fast, but I don't have a million buck to spend. I would like to get into the new body style, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to afford it. I shopped for a Mustang a few years ago and found that it was difficult to find one that hadn't been driven into the ground; guys who take care of their cars do so because the like their car and want to keep it.

Any info, suggestions, places to research, or comments are appreciated. I will be cruising this forum for a while, because I will be buying the car in January 2002.

Thanks.

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Tim