Opinion B4 I Buy?

[Trey_85GT]

I've found an 85 GT just like the one I used to have. Owner claims 19k ORIGINAL miles. Couple of questions:

1. How can I run the VIN number to do the best checking?
2. It's got the original tires... What do ya'll recommend (I'll drive to/from work, about 5 miles.) for average driving, occasional racing...
3. Here are some pics... Look OK to ya'll?
http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/bc/treythompson/lst?.dir=/Mustang&.view=t
4. He's asking $10,500... Thoughts?

THANKS!

[Mick]

If the GT does indeed have 19,879 actual miles, a thorough visual inspection ought to be enough to verify that without resorting to "running the VIN". If you want the VIN checked(which is a topic for the "Decoding" forum), go to www.carfax.com. (http://www.carfax.com.) Look at the simple stuff like plug wires, assembly line stamps under the hood, condition of chrome tailpipes and entire exhaust system, dirt and grime buildup(or lack thereof) on wires, looms, corners in and around the engine and engine compartment, wear(or lack thereof) of seats, steering wheel, shifter handle and boot, gas, brake, and clutch pedals, carpet, instrument gauge paint brightness, struts and shocks(and tags or stickers), springs(and tags or stickers), paint condition of every painted surface or part on the car(including signs of overspray), wheel well covers, and the list goes on and on. The Goodyear Eagle tires will have a date code(will have to be deciphered) on the sidewall to indicate manufacture date.

Whether the GT has 19,879 miles and all original or 519,879 miles and restored to original condition, $10,500 is a fair price.

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1983 Mustang GT (http://www.mustanggt.org/photo/83tuttle.htm) 306/T-5(project in progress)
1994 Ranger Splash (http://www.geocities.com/mt83rd/index.html?986572015220) 4.0L/A4LD(daily driver)

[fomoco86]

Originally posted by Trey_85GT:
I've found an 85 GT just like the one I used to have. Owner claims 19k ORIGINAL miles. Couple of questions:

1. How can I run the VIN number to do the best checking?
2. It's got the original tires... What do ya'll recommend (I'll drive to/from work, about 5 miles.) for average driving, occasional racing...
3. Here are some pics... Look OK to ya'll?
http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/bc/treythompson/lst?.dir=/Mustang&.view=t
4. He's asking $10,500... Thoughts?

THANKS!
Hey, Trey ! I just recently bought an 86 GT with 19,000 original miles about four months ago. $10,500 is a little steep. I got mine for $8,400. It was all original including tires. The only thing changed was the battery and wipers. It only has 4 small chips in the paint and was only in rain a handful of times. The red color will bring a higher price, mine is white, but not $2,000. Try to wittle at the price a little bit. Also check Hemmings and the Mustang trader for other prospects. Don't be afraid to travel to get the right car. I don't suggest using this GT for a daily driver or racer unless you have money to burn. If this is what you want go for a higher mileage car. I surely would not use the original tires to drive hard. As for checking the mileage, go to carfax.

[Chris-90LX]

Trey, this thing really looks great. I'd find out as much as possible on the car's history. As mentioned above Carfax is a good bet. Also this car isn't too likely have had many owners. Ask for any maintenance records, and very the mileage to them as well as the Carfax report.
Also, check the car over to see that it was stored correctly. Things like the original tires are great, but be sure they are still safe by checking for sidewall cracks.
The price sounds steep, but what are people paying lately for the best GT's in the country?

[tedster]

I think you'd be paying waaay too much for the car. High 7000 to (very) low 8000 is as high as I would go.

[Red85GT]

10,500 is a lot to ask for the car, but from the pictures that you have provided it seems to be a very sharp car. But from your other posts, with you wanting to do power windows and door locks to an all original car has never been touched, if i were you i wouldn't buy it, for the reason it is not what you are looking for in a car( such as options)why gut a virgin car like that? I would take more time and look for a GT that has the options that i really wanted.
Thats just my .02 cents, i would never touch the car the way it is.
Joe

[Trey_85GT]

Originally posted by Red85GT:
if i were you i wouldn't buy it, for the reason it is not what you are looking for in a car( such as options)why gut a virgin car like that? I would take more time and look for a GT that has the options that i really wanted.
Thats just my .02 cents, i would never touch the car the way it is.
Joe

Thanks for those comments. I really don't think I could make any changes like that... I'd really have to keep it as stock as I could (with exceptions like exhaust, intake, etc..)

[Mick]

If you're going to purchase an all-original, 19,000 mile, 17-year-old car for as much as it sold for new for any other purpose than to show it in a Concours class, it's a waste of money. Paying that much money with the intention of increasing performance by changing exhaust, intake, etc. will only diminish it's market value. Buy something else if you want to modify it and leave cars like that to people that want to preserve them as is and show them. That's a beautiful original example and a definite show winner.

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1983 Mustang GT (http://www.mustanggt.org/photo/83tuttle.htm) 306/T-5(project in progress)
1994 Ranger Splash (http://www.geocities.com/mt83rd/index.html?986572015220) 4.0L/A4LD(daily driver)

[Trey_85GT]

DANG!

That's a very good point...

Seeing that it is my favorite car, year, color, etc..., I HAVE to get it, so, maybe I'll keep my current car, and rarely drive the stang... and not modify it at all...

I don't know what I'll do, but I appreciate your comment.