To buy or not to buy?
 

ok, there is a 1988 Mustang for sale.
Chrome Wheels
Hatchback
Fog lights installed
4-cylinder
4 speed manual
nice condition except some rust on the hatch
$800 cash--should i get her and install a new tranny and engine? what do u think?

$800 is cheap if the body is in decent shape...

take a look under the car too, just to be sure the floor and subframes are'nt rusted out..

2.3 to 5.0
 

The price is right but remember, the 2.3 Mustang has a lot of weaker parts that need to be swapped out if you intend to put a 5.0 in it.

The best way to go is to buy a wrecked but mechanically intact Mustang 5.0 and swap over the rear, engine, transmission, wiring harness and anything else you need - such as the computer.

If you have to buy all these parts one at a time, it's slower and tedious - but possible, of course. Just don't bite off more than you're able to chew at one time.