80's Mustang or camaro?

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eljefino

eljefino

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Please don't let this explode into a brand war.

I want a mullet mobile.

Veh 1: 88 Mustang convertible, 2.3 4 cyl, needs windscreen and clutch. I can do the clutch, would farm out the windshield. $600 plus parts. Seller unable to come up with pictures. Slight rear fender rust claimed.

Veh 2: 85 camaro T-tops. Unknown engine. Stick shift. New clutch. $1200 out the door. Shadetree mechanic put in. Seems like a guy like myself-- creeps me out. Looks okay in pictures. Could be a 2.5 iron duke, 2.8, or 305.

I'm not concerned about power, just want to look cool. Which is better?
laugh.gif
 
That right there is a huge red flag, to me at least. I'd say no on that factor alone.

Who can't get a digital picture of some sort these days? And you're selling a car and can't provide pictures?!?

Originally Posted By: eljefino

Veh 1: 88 Mustang convertible, 2.3 4 cyl, needs windscreen and clutch. I can do the clutch, would farm out the windshield. $600 plus parts. Seller unable to come up with pictures. Slight rear fender rust claimed.
 
What's the top like on the Mustang?
4 cyl Mustangs of that era have weak brakes and are prone to locking up the rear wheels prematurely.
With the automatic, the 2.3 is a snoozefest. With a manual, they can be kinda' entertaining. Just don't get into a hurry. It will take awhile to accelerate and then it will not stop well if you need to.

With T-tops? the Camaro is definitely at least a 2.8 MPFI. It's not particularly quick with the 2.8 but coupled with a 5-speed, it is more entertaining than any non turbocharged 2.3 Mustang. 5.0 carbureted makes all the right sounds and will light up the 15" tires like it's a quick car. It's not by today's standards, but it was okay in its day. 215 hp TPI 305 was usually just IROC-Z....to date I've seen just one 1985 Z/28 with a TPI 305.
The 3rd gen F-bodies aren't bad cars at all. Doors will be sagging. That's almost a guarantee. But otherwise it's a pretty solid car.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Please don't let this explode into a brand war.

I want a mullet mobile.

Veh 1: 88 Mustang convertible, 2.3 4 cyl, needs windscreen and clutch. I can do the clutch, would farm out the windshield. $600 plus parts. Seller unable to come up with pictures. Slight rear fender rust claimed.

Veh 2: 85 camaro T-tops. Unknown engine. Stick shift. New clutch. $1200 out the door. Shadetree mechanic put in. Seems like a guy like myself-- creeps me out. Looks okay in pictures. Could be a 2.5 iron duke, 2.8, or 305.

I'm not concerned about power, just want to look cool. Which is better?
laugh.gif




Lost me at 4cyl Mustang
 
fact of the matter is there is only one true "mullet" mobile and thats the camero. as far as the two cars mentioned, the stangs have more of the cult following and would have more access to "more" aftermarket..

Ive owned both and the mustangs are easier to make go fast, and the fox body style is the cats meow.. the Camero is still a awesome car and as far as "going mullet" the Camero is the obvious choice.

two pennies
 
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Find a LeBaron turbo convertible.

I thought those suffered from lousy FWD components and weak head gaskets. Also, you would have to be sure of how the previous owner used it. The turbo would probably be oil cooled only, so you would need to idle the engine for a minute or two or else get engine sludge or turbo failure. Also, would those have analog gauges or digital ones? Sometimes digital gauges are more trouble than analog ones, especially during the 80s.
 
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Find a LeBaron turbo convertible.


I'd love one (had a dakota and spirit with 2.5) but they're all mitsubishi 3.0s and they all leak oil and reek of gasoline.

At least the doors are falling off the hinges like a proper camaro.
lol.gif
 
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Didn't maybe the 1979-80 or so Mustangs have t-tops as well?


They were offered right up to 1990 IIRC. My '87 had T-Tops.
 
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Find a LeBaron turbo convertible.

I owned 7 yes 7 different turbo Mopars from the 80's...
Skip the Lebaron

Get a Camaro or Mustang with at least a V6. Either one will do. At this is age condition is important.
 
Originally Posted By: OtisBlkR1
fact of the matter is there is only one true "mullet" mobile and thats the camero. as far as the two cars mentioned, the stangs have more of the cult following and would have more access to "more" aftermarket..

Ive owned both and the mustangs are easier to make go fast, and the fox body style is the cats meow.. the Camero is still a awesome car and as far as "going mullet" the Camero is the obvious choice.

two pennies


i'll give you the latter points, but i think you are ignoring the KING of the Mullet mobiles, the one i wish GM would bring back, The El Camino.
Mullet = business in the front, party in the rear.
El Camino = business coupe up front, Pickup in the rear.
and, aside from the obvious cool factor, it's more practical than the other two( you can haul more stuff)
 
Mustang hands down.

Had an 86 LX sedan with the 2.3 and 4 speed stick. Bought it with 58k in 1992 and junked it in 2005 with 178k. Was my high school and college car and got me a couple years out in the real world.

The 2.3 was gutless but with the stick, while it wouldn't win any acceleration races, it was durable and would run all day and night. I'd imagine with a 5 speed it would be better than my 4 speed. Fuel economy was abysmal as it was either idle or WOT.

It was fun to drive and I always thought of dropping a turbo 2.3 in it. Sadly the body rusted away.
 
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Find a LeBaron turbo convertible.


Now that's an interesting choice! Very effective and simple mods you can do to those turbo fours. But yet.... it falls short of being an EPIC MULLET-MOBILE!
grin.gif
 
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Didn't maybe the 1979-80 or so Mustangs have t-tops as well?


They were offered right up to 1990 IIRC. My '87 had T-Tops.


That was the last year...and I wouldn't own one if you gave it to me. They leak, rattle, flex, and ROT!
 
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