Hello Mopar friends:
I have always had an agreement with my daughter that I will pay 50% of any car she selects (with my approval). The budget is 6 grand (she has more money saved, but only wants to spend 3 grand herself). She is not really car orientated, but seems to not be too excited about 15 year old Hondas and Toyotas with 200K miles for 6 grand.
So she has gravitated towards Mustangs in her search. I have test driven many 3.8 V6 base Mustangs the past three weeks (2003 to 2005 mostly with 130K miles). These cars seem to be 'rental car trimmed', but over all not bad. What I dislike here is every one of these I drive have some issue that sort of stumps me, or questionable title, etc.
I test drove today a 2 owner 1995 Mustang 5.0 GT coupe, 133K miles, typical parking lot rash on each bumper corner, but otherwise very nice. Title shows the seller has owned it for 12 years and I can see evidence of maintaining it well. Drove nice, but brake booster may be on it's way out as the power assist seemed weak. No leaks, fluids looked good, and recent repairs are all new AC hoses.
The drivers power seat motor runs, but no movement. I found a gear kit on eBay that might solve the problem. Everything else seemed to work including AC, windows, lights, etc.
Anyhow asking price is $3900 and that leaves room for some future repairs.
So what are your thoughts as a first car? Should I recommend a Honda/Toyota with 200K miles, a Chevy Cruze with 100K miles, a 2011 Crown Vic Police with 130K miles, or this Mustang? Thanks for any and all opinions!
I have always had an agreement with my daughter that I will pay 50% of any car she selects (with my approval). The budget is 6 grand (she has more money saved, but only wants to spend 3 grand herself). She is not really car orientated, but seems to not be too excited about 15 year old Hondas and Toyotas with 200K miles for 6 grand.
So she has gravitated towards Mustangs in her search. I have test driven many 3.8 V6 base Mustangs the past three weeks (2003 to 2005 mostly with 130K miles). These cars seem to be 'rental car trimmed', but over all not bad. What I dislike here is every one of these I drive have some issue that sort of stumps me, or questionable title, etc.
I test drove today a 2 owner 1995 Mustang 5.0 GT coupe, 133K miles, typical parking lot rash on each bumper corner, but otherwise very nice. Title shows the seller has owned it for 12 years and I can see evidence of maintaining it well. Drove nice, but brake booster may be on it's way out as the power assist seemed weak. No leaks, fluids looked good, and recent repairs are all new AC hoses.
The drivers power seat motor runs, but no movement. I found a gear kit on eBay that might solve the problem. Everything else seemed to work including AC, windows, lights, etc.
Anyhow asking price is $3900 and that leaves room for some future repairs.
So what are your thoughts as a first car? Should I recommend a Honda/Toyota with 200K miles, a Chevy Cruze with 100K miles, a 2011 Crown Vic Police with 130K miles, or this Mustang? Thanks for any and all opinions!