90, 91, 92, 93 Mustang GT?
 

I am planning on buying a Mustang GT and I need any advice on these years concerning any advantages of one year over the other? Basically, which year is better than the other and why? I am not looking for super power. I just need a decently powered Mustang GT for a daily driver that will last a long time. I am looking to spend at the most $4500 (think that'd be too little or just right?) Let me know what you think.

Thanks.

mmm 90,91,92 were the same engine wise ...but the 93's had hypo pistons which arnt as good as the forged pistons in the other years...and the 91,92,93 years had the five spoke pony wheels and the 90 had the turbines

I personaly like 89's myself. But here's a site with info by year so you can decide what best suits you! Mustang GT registry

I like the 89's as well. First year for Mass air, no airbags, in 1990 they started putting them in. 140 speedo, another first for the year. I love mine! ~Brian

It breaks down like this

87-88 are Speed Density, Tilt Steering, Turbine Wheels
89 is Mass air, Tilt Streering, Turbine Wheels
90 is Mass AIr, AIR BAG Does not tilt, Turbine Wheels
91-92 is Mass Air, Air Bag does not tilt, Pony Rims
93 is Mass Air, Air Bag does not tilt, pony rims. Also has Hypo Pistons.

For a daily driver, Hypo pistons are not a big deal. Mine has them and the car has just shy of 100K and runs 109 MPH in the 1/4, and make 300 RWHP. Just remember about the about the steering and get the one that you will be comfortable with.

my personal opinion is 90-92, that's not bias or anything!!!:D

I had a 91 before I bought my 89 and I like the tilt wheel and no air bags in the 89. [B]However[/B, if I were buying a daily driver, I think air bags would be VERY important in my decision. Good luck on finding what year you want! :)

I have a 93
 

with hypo pistons, and a 6lb s/c and no problems. I have 101,000 on my car and I got it with 97,000 on it. So far, the hypo pistons havn't been a big deal. There's some good info on that site.

Useful info
 

Hey, thanks a bunch guys. I guess that narrows it down to '91-92 for me. I don't mind the '93 except I don't think I'd be able to get one for under $5000 and didn't they lower the hp from 225 to 215 from '92 to '93?

I use to be concerned about it too when my buddy was looking for a GT, but it seems most 5.0's out there are not near stock form. He was looking for a 87 for the extra hp rating it had but in the end those power adders werent even on the ones we looked at. Considering how much they had been tampered with. But it was a good thing you could say, with new mass air ect. But I'm sure my opinion on many 5.0's being modded is differed from region to region. hope this helps! Just dont get too set on a year from my expierence.

surprized nobody mentioned this ,....if your looking into getter a manual trans car then go with 90-92...........they started using the world class t-5 in late 89 and up models ......better transmision in them definatly

i would still steer clear of the hyperutectic pistons ......i haven't ever heard of anybody experiencing any catistrofic failures from modifieing the hyper moters ,but i have heard of the hyper moters not holding there ring seat and bore quality as well ,or as long as the forged ones........... i also have never seen any of the hyper-5.0s last for 200,000 miles like the forged piston moters do
.............if your planning on using any nitrouse then the hyperutectic pistons aren't supossed to hold up to spray as well either

i'm not trying to flame the hyperutictic guys, just stating what i was lead to believe ,no disrespect meant :)

none taken
 

to tell you the truth, before reading this post, I was unaware that I had hypo pistons. It makes me think a little harder about getting a built shortblock really soon.

I didn't know mine has factory forged pistons!! Hmm..in another year, nitrous ahoy! ;)

Ha, I knew you guys were gonna start getting into performance mods.... :D

...but I already have a project car so I need a good daily driver. I won't be putting in lower gears, or anything that'll subtract from gas mileage. BTW, I want an auto not a manual. The GT has tons of space b/c of the hatch, a decent amount of power, looks great, and I can work on it myself with no major problems cause it's a stang. Thanks again for all the info, I appreciate it.

92

jmo

Re: Useful info
 

The advertised HP was lowered, Just the way FORD decided to measure HP. It is the same as the other engines.

In my experience, exactly the opposite is true, and in theory it should be exactly the opposite.

My forge pistoned 5.0 starting burning oil after around 105K, and my hyper pistoned 5.0 never used a drop extra.

The hyper have tighter tolerances, so they should hold thier ring seat longer. The hyper pistons dont expand as much as forged pistons when hot, so they can be made to run tighter clearances.

And...
 

For the T-5 guys, the 92 was the first year wth a synchronizer for reverse. Any Fox body guy before that knows about putting the car in a forgear before backing up...what a pain!

Re: And...
 

Tell me about it! Pain is the @ss in my 90 GT, getting into 1st is a lil tricky sometimes too, how expensive to fix?

you may be intirely correct ,i'm by far not an expert , i based my opinion on heresay and what i've been told from engine guru's

from what i was lead to believe ,the forged moters will start burning oil earlier ,looser claerances ....more dependant on the rings ,but the rings stay seated longer cause the bore quality lasts longer
the hyper motors won't hold there bore quality as well ,the tighter clearances wear the bores shape and hone faster causing the rings to loose there seating eventually

i could be wrong ,i don't have a massive amount of experence with both moters .......,maybe some body else with more experience running both moters can chime in and correct me if i'm wrong