6 Things I’ve Learned From Buying A V8 Mustang Convertible

I swapped my Infiniti I35 for a slow Mustang. And it’s pure ‘Murican V8 RWD tomfoolery! Thinking of buying one for yourself? Here's what you need to know...
6 Things I’ve Learned From Buying A V8 Mustang Convertible

I mentioned a few days ago that I bought another car after selling the faithful Infiniti I35 last week. I had $3500 into the Infiniti with the purchase price and maintenance all figured in, and it sold in just two days for my full asking price of $4000. It’s not my most profitable flip, but it definitely set a new record for being the quickest. It was a great car, but I didn’t give it enough credit for being the awesomely understated luxury sports sedan it was. In other words, I sold it too cheap.

That’s okay, because I came upon this little gem a couple of days later and bought it on the spot for $3500.

6 Things I’ve Learned From Buying A V8 Mustang Convertible

That’s right, CT’s muscle car fanboy got himself another Mustang. In this case it’s a 1995 GT convertible, packing the old-school 5.0-litre V8 with a five-speed manual transmission. It’s done 97,000 miles; the top was replaced a couple of years ago, the clutch only has about 500 miles, and it’s in good all-around condition with zero rust issues. That’s not a thinly veiled swipe at a certain MX-5 by the way. Well maybe just a bit. That’s okay though, because Phil gets his own back by being nearly as fast in a straight line stock, despite having less than half the motor - with the MX-5 turbo’d, the Mustang wouldn’t stand a chance.

6 Things I’ve Learned From Buying A V8 Mustang Convertible

That’s because a good condition 1995 Mustang GT still only packs 215bhp from the old-school V8. If I were to find myself in a race with the Infiniti I just sold, or a V6 Toyota Camry, or most pickup trucks from the last five years, I’d probably lose. It’s not exactly slow; 0-60 happens in about 6.5 seconds which is enough to best a Pontiac Grand Am. And with almost 300lb ft of torque I can hang the tail out for a smoky drift with a twitch of my right foot, so I’m happy.

Ford’s 5.0-litre engine is a legend with all kinds of aftermarket support for easy horsepower, so that makes me happier. The convertible top and clutch work alone amount to roughly $2000, so to score this car for $3500 (about £2500) makes me happiest of all.

This is my third used Mustang, so it’s not like I’m a rookie to these cars. But it’s my first SN95, so after a week there are some interesting things I’ve learned about this particular Mustang era. Tie that into everything I’ve learned about used Mustangs in general over the years, and you have yourself a list post…

1. Gas station clerks love them

6 Things I’ve Learned From Buying A V8 Mustang Convertible

I should clarify that by saying gas station attendants love the cheap slow ones. I never got a single comment on my 500bhp 2003 SVT Cobra, but my old 1992 automatic with loud exhaust and this one with loud-ish exhaust (the only mod I’ve been able to confirm so far) seem to be magnets for folks behind the counter who look like they had a few too many “special” brownies.

2. Parts store clerks want to buy them

6 Things I’ve Learned From Buying A V8 Mustang Convertible

My first trip to the parts store for this car went something like this:

Me: I need plugs, wires, cap and rotor for a 1995 Mustang, 5.0-litre.
Him: 5.0! Hey you wanna sell it?
Me: I just bought it.
Him: Oh wow. ’95 was the last year for the 5.0 in these cars.
Me: Well, except when they brought it back in 2011 with like double the horsepower.
Him: Yeah but those aren’t real 5.0s. This is the last pushrod; it’s way better.
Me (confused): Uh, okay. I’ll sell it for $6000. That’s alot cheaper than the new 5.0s.
Him: Aw man, I’d buy it right now if I could afford it. I used to have an ‘87 with the four banger, but it was still fast.
Me: Riiiight.

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Honestly, I’m not out looking for a street race. It’s a V8 Mustang that’s shiny and sounds throaty. That doesn’t mean I have the teeniest bit of interest in throwing down every time I come to a stop. Most car people know this era Mustang wasn’t terrifically quick, so I think some of the unwanted attention stems from that reputation. Also, guys like this crybaby Mustang driver don’t help the rest of us.

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I’ve clearly noticed a difference in other drivers on the road since getting this car. It’s a red Mustang that’s a little loud, so I guess they expect me to weave through traffic, cut people off, and crash at random - you know, all the things douchebag drivers do. So to make sure they’re not a victim, they go on the attack by cutting me off first. And once again, it’s not as if there aren’t plenty of douchebag Mustang drivers giving the rest of us a bad name.

5. Rev matching on downshifts is a must

6 Things I’ve Learned From Buying A V8 Mustang Convertible

I’m not just saying that because the V8 makes delicious burbles and pops with every downshift. This gearbox is the epitome of everything bad you’ve ever heard about American transmissions, so a quick blip of the throttle makes the whole process so much easier. Yes, you can shift this car without such efforts and still get down the road alright, but a quick blip of the throttle will make life better.

6. You always tempt Mother Nature to do her worst

6 Things I’ve Learned From Buying A V8 Mustang Convertible

I won’t say this happens every single time I buy a Mustang convertible. Actually, yes it has happened. Every. Single. Time. Two days prior to this photo it was 23 degrees Celsius, and now it’s -3 with a bunch of snow. That’s okay, just gives me more time to order go-fast parts and get them installed so I can race cars uphill. This is going to be fun.

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Comments

Anonymous

#6 when bought it was a lot less rusty than another certain red convertible owned by a member of CT…

03/25/2016 - 08:22 |
130 | 2
iCypher(Joel Chan)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Alex you mean, right?

03/25/2016 - 08:57 |
8 | 2
That Geo Metro Guy

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Lol! alex just can’t get away from rust.

03/25/2016 - 16:58 |
4 | 0
WCKDVNM

Some part of me thinks you miss the terminator the most. ;) jk that engine can make some decent power. I honestly never touched the 5.0 from the sn95 but if it didn’t have the gt40 heads and intake it would make a nice improvement on power.

03/25/2016 - 08:30 |
22 | 0
Christopher Smith

In reply to by WCKDVNM

I miss the Termi’s power, but honestly, I always thought the seating position was quite awkward. I’d have to lean back at a funky angle getting in so as to not hit my head on the windshield, and I’m short. This 95 is far more comfortable. It just needs more power.

03/25/2016 - 18:07 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Nice piece, thanks for sharing.

03/25/2016 - 09:24 |
0 | 0
Anton 3

Good post, Christopher. I’ve enjoyed reading it. Keep up the good work. Have fun with your pony!

03/25/2016 - 09:29 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Good read! I liked it

03/25/2016 - 09:42 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Thats the most idiotic car you could buy.

03/25/2016 - 09:44 |
2 | 26
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

And who are you to say that? I mean i’m more into jdm but i like someone enjoying his car! He likes this car maybe you dont but you dont have to be mad!

03/25/2016 - 10:05 |
4 | 0
InjunS2K

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

And what do you have? No your parent’s car doesn’t count.

03/25/2016 - 10:23 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Fcking douche

03/25/2016 - 10:29 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

1 Slow 2 It’s not one of the iconic models of mustang 3 It handles like sh*t 4 for something soo slow its fuel economy is just pathetic

03/25/2016 - 12:14 |
2 | 10
Engi-six

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Well he likes it, so what? Isnt your problem mate

03/25/2016 - 12:30 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Good read MURICA

03/25/2016 - 10:38 |
4 | 0
Drew Pera

I want it.

03/25/2016 - 10:44 |
2 | 0
North-Dakota

“0-60 happens in about 6.5 seconds”. Calling BS on you there. 215hp, massive old school heavy mustang and a faster 0-60 then some modern day sport cars? Prove me wrong yank.

03/25/2016 - 12:02 |
2 | 14
03/25/2016 - 12:51 |
4 | 0

They aren’t -that- heavy, the motor is incredibly torquey, and its geared pretty well for low end acceleration runs.

03/25/2016 - 14:28 |
4 | 0

well considering it only weighs 3560 lbs has 300 ft lbs of torque and has rwd its not BS at all. look up the specs on it. an mk6 gti does 0-60 in about 6.5 seconds, and it weighs 3300 lbs and has much less torque and FWD which is much worse from a dig.

03/25/2016 - 18:00 |
2 | 0

Clarkson is that you again? Have a Snickers, you’re not yourself when you’re hungry.

03/25/2016 - 18:17 |
4 | 0

Lol. Well I’ll be dammed. If it can actually run that then I’ll put my hands up and say I was wrong. Still highly doubt it though.

03/25/2016 - 18:23 |
0 | 4
Anonymous

The brilliant thing about the 5.0s is the amount of aftermarket parts available!

03/25/2016 - 12:28 |
8 | 0