What year 5.0 to buy

If you like to modify then buy a Mass air system instead of speed density - I think mass air arrived in 89 for most of the country - different in California.

Merc Mach1clone

There are no years to avoid, given the parameters of your search.

dwight

It basically depends on the body style you like and what you're going to be doing to it.

As Merc said, if you're looking to go modifiying the car, look for something '89 and up ('88 in California). These cars will have Mass Air systems which meter the air that comes into the engine and adds fuel accordingly. Pistons were switched to cast (weaker than the forged pistons) in 1993, so if bigger power gains are your bag (supercharger, nitrous, etc), then I'd probably stick with something from '89-92.

Your other option (if you wish to avoid fuel injection) is to go with something '83-85. '83 was hard to come by in a 5.0 convertible, and '84 + '85 require a 5-speed to get the carburetor, otherwise you get stuck with CFI which is the worst induction option ever put on a Mustang.

That said, if you're just looking for a cruiser, then you have a wide range of cars to choose from. 5.0 convertibles started back up again in late '83, continued through the bodystyle change in '94, and ended in '95. The 4.6 appeared in Mustangs starting in '96.

Things to look for....

Either the car is a garage queen or the top's been replaced, regardless of what year 5.0 you buy. Ensure that it functions properly and that it lines up well with the glass. Put it down and then back up again, check for broken hinges, latches, etc. Broken latches are fairly common (a broken latch will only pull the hook up, not forward as well to meet the windshield) and are about $150/ea from Ford to fix.

Open the doors with the roof down and check for broken door hinges and vehicle sag. Though most of these cars were braced a little extra from the factory, they're still prone to sagging and twisting due to the lack of a roof structure and the fact that a 5.0 isn't usually babied all of its life.

Hope that helps... any more questions, just drop by...

JS

Unless you plan on moding it (which rules out the 88's due to the speed density system), you should not worry much about what year it is and buy based on what you can find in the best overall condition. I suspect you will have a hard enough time finding a Vert GT in good shape at a good price without worrying about what year it is.

The only other factor I can think of that could influence your decision would be whether or not you want an airbag. Around 92 they added airbag.

----------------- Jim '88 LX 5.0 (now in car heaven) '89 LX 5.0 vert '99 GT 35th Anniversery Edition - Silver Mods to date - Relocated trunk release to drivers side, shortened throttle cable.