[Fox Body]

Hey Atari, those are good and intelligent questions you posed. And yes, you already pretty much narrowed it down for yourself. I will just add my little advice to you.

What kind of Mustang you buy will, to a degree, depend on what you plan on doing with it. GTs are better at high speeds b/c of ground affects and hatchback (more aerodynamic) but are heavier than the LXs. However, most guys I know are more into 1/4 mile setups than high speed setups.

IMO, the best combo in a Mustang for 1/4 mile acceleration for me is:
---AOD or 5 speed manual (depending on what you want--either one will cost you if you want them built up),
---hardtop (less weight, stiffer body, less chance of someone cutting the top and stealing your stuff),
---LX coupe (not hatchback) (less weight),
---'79-'93 (b/c I'd build it the way I wanted and it wouldn't really matter what engine it had).

It seems though that you're gonna get your first car and need something reliable-- something, though that you can still build later without putting too much money into. Therefore, I would suggest you get an '88-'92 Mustang LX coupe (with AOD or T5 tranny). I wouldn't really worry too much about getting one with really low miles. When you go to buy it can make a difference who you buy it from (some young punk who looks like he abused the car or someone who looks like they took care of the car. B/c it may only have 80,000 miles on it, but at the same time, it could be beat down to trash). If you can get one with less than 160,000, than that may be okay. But hey, if you can get one with less than 100,000 miles, in great shape, and $4000, go for it!

There are many other considerations but this pretty much answers the questions you asked. Hope it helps a little.