These great classics aren't the right car for a student for everyday driving. Consider the fuel mileage, insurance worries (getting hit and not getting what you think its worth), safety, repair costs of a 30+ year car. I suggest you get a newer car for your time in school and parttime work. Then after college when you are a working stiff and getting a decent reliable paycheck, then get that classic car, as a second vehicle.
I know many out there drive them daily but would you really advise someone with limited cash flow to do it?

 

Tough choice, in 72 (in college) I was driving a 69 Mustang that had 9000 miles on it. I saw a 94+ Mustang convertible today for $4800 and it looked good. Get one like that, with an air bag for safety. At your age you need to live long enough to get through college, then get your vintage Mustang for college graduation. I say this because I bought my daughter a Saturn because it has good side impact rating. She was T-boned by a pizza delivery and the door did not even push in. It was worth every penny I spent on it, she only had a bump on the knee and not a crushed pelvis or broken arm or worse.

 

Im a college student with a '71 mustang. But, i dont think $5000 is going to get you that 67-68 v8 rust free mustang in great running condition, especially fastback b/c of the high market for these 67-68's due to the Eleanors (which i do like). You're going to have to settle for something less if you want a 67. Straight 6? Some rust and work to do? Or maybe even another model mustang (66?). While i dont think its bad and a very solid v8 or straight six is really pretty reliable. I have other friends w/ old cars that use them as dialy drivers as well.

BTW, why not just get your mustang now? YOU'VE BEEN SAVING FOR IT! What if something happened to you and you never got your mustang? Live life to the fullest :: But, i do think you're going to have to settle for less (unless you come up w/ some more $$$).

Ask for questions, and u shall recieve,

Chaz

 

I have to agree with Mike on this one. I drove my 66 coupe every day in high school and 1 year of college. In college I was so worried something was going to happen to it I paid $100/month for a parking spot on campus in a gated lot. Most college kids drive beater cars for a reason... they are careless and don't have much $$. I used to see cars get hit all the time in the lot and the jackass would drive off...

After seeing this it was obvious a college campus was not the place for a nice classic mustang. I ended up buying my '94 GT conv. to drive everyday. Not only for the safety features but it was more reliable for everyday driving.

What if your truck breaks down more than once, will you sell it too? Things happen, maintenance is required... a car having problems is not a reason to sell it. You've got a lot to learn if you look at cars this way.

 

My advise would be to wait, I hate to say it and I know it is hard to resist, but trust me you will be better off. Finish school with your reliable car that gets good mileage. Im 22 and purchased my stang when I was in college, now im out of college pretty much because of my stang. They CAN get expensive quick. The reason that I say CAN is because in my case, it was entirely my fault I could have driven a 66 289 auto and got around just fine. Instead I built it into a 65(different car), and built the 289 into 347 stroker, then I needed a Z-spec T5 tranny to handle the new motor, I still need a 9 inch rear to handle the motor too, and about $4500 in paint, and a 90 5.0 but I had to get a full time job and not go to school anymore. Moral of the story- cars are an expensive hobby, I would finish college and then when you have some extra money, pick up a vintage stang. Dont let me totally discourage you though, if you just buy a nice stang with a 289 and just take basic care of it and maintain it properly, go for it. Just don't get a case of the "while im at it" like I did. The one thing that I will say though is to know your crap when you go looking for a vintage stang, or take someone with you who knows their stuff. Nothing will discourage you more than buying a car and later finding out that there is hidden rust or some other suprise. Also, do you best not to fall in love with a car when you are just out looking(I am young too, I know how it goes). If you fall in love with a car before buying it, you can overlook certain things that will later cause you grief....or money....or both, trust me. Been there, done that. Good luck

 

thanks. i would be getting a 15 a week job at around $8 an hour. i would not have to pay rent, and i would pay for insurance and gas. i would have a hundred dollars or so extra a month for the stang if it breaks down or entertainment i want to do on the weekend(if i have any time). i WILL NOT go crazy upgrading the power of a stang i would get. i will take everyones advice, and i will have to think about it more. btw 6T6mustang, you said "a car having problems is not a reason to sell it". you dont understand what i was saying. im saying if there is a major problem that is keeping me from getting to school, i would fix the problem, if within a couple hunred dollars, and possibly sell it IF it would definately be too expensive for me to keep. thanks
alex

 

if it breaks down

The question is not if, but when and how many times. It will "break down." But...don't let that stop you...learn how to work on it each time it breaks. Half of the fun of having an old car is driving it...the other half is working on it.
Dave

 

I really don't want to be Scrooge but "Bah, Humbug". Unless you are experienced or have the talent to work on your own car or a friend that is willing to help you all night so you can go to work or school the next morning, a mechanics flat rate of about $70.00 per hour plus parts in your area will take that $100 bucks a month oh, real fast. Reliability is what you need now. If you find a 67 at the price you can afford get it and keep it in your folks garage til you can afford to fix it up right. (not cheap). You will enjoy it much more when you have time (no studies, plus p/t job) and a realistic budget for your project (or wife with a real job). Shop wisely and save. I've heard it called delayed gratification.

 

Hey, don't listen to all these old farts. Get the Mustang! Your only young once, college will be an incredible experience you'll always look fondly back on, and having a cool car in college makes the whole experience so much better. My college car was a beater Porsche 914. It was an absolute piece of $hit, broke down constantly, totally impractical, but it was cool and that outweighed all that other stuff. That car played a big part in my great college memories. After college graduation you'll have to get serious about life, for now have fun, buy the Mustang!

 

Double check on your insurance before getting one. I was paying $125 a month for LIABILITY when i was 18 with my fastback. Not sure if it is any cheaper for you but i didn't have any tickets or anything. Definitely wasn't in my small college budget. Will you be living on campus or driving many miles? if on campus then gas won't be a prob, although they don't get too great of gas mileage in city driving. Get what you want (that's what i did) but do plenty of research and inspect the car FULLY! They will break down more often so you may want to have a back up plan just in case (like a buddy to pick you up ) I kinda liked having a classic mustang cause if something goes wrong then it was a cheap fix. If you buy a newer car then it has all the hi-tech parts that cost and arm and a leg and half the time you have to take it to a mechanic just to find out what is going on. Good luck and it is your money so get what you want. Just consider the consequences of a classic car.

 

I'm with 66CoupeNW on this one --- get the Mustang! Not a "collector car," but a daily driver. Then just have some fun. Become a serious car collector after you become rich and famous.

 

i like that advice, lol. i would love to learn how to fix my stang on the side of the road quickly, and know what the problem is. im just worried about, what if it breaks down on the way to school, and i have to have it towed and find another ride? thats my only concern. thanks

 

I've got a semester left in college so I know what its like. Personally I would never think of having my Mustang as my only driver. There are too many things that could happen to it. Luckily I bought my Mustang in high school and fixed it up before I got to college. You need a reliable car if you plan on driving it a half hour to and from school. This might be feasible if not for the poor school student budget, something else I know about. If I were you, I would keep the vehicle you have and keep saving until you have enough to buy a Mustang. Justin

 

i was also thinking about maybe getting an automatic 80's mustang for cheap but reliable. because it would have a reasonable amount of horsepower so it wouldnt be a drag to drive. my truck is a 4cyl and isnt the most fun to drive. that may help me to wait for a 67 mustang. just a thought. thanks

 

I think you should keep saving bucks and adding it to your Mustang war fund and in the mean time learn all you can about Mustangs. Keep the Toyota, it's slow but it will get you there.

Plus, when you do have more bucks and find a good Mustangs, you could keep the truck and use it as your parts chaser. Even a Toyota PU comes in real handy for hauling stuff - like 5.0L engines pulled from a MK VII Lincoln LSC for $114 at the local Pick-Your-Part (same engine as the '87 Mustang 5.0L).

My two cents. My college experience is unapplicable since '65s were newer back then!

Regards,

Dean T

 

No one has come up with this suggestion.... If you already have saved up the $$$$ for the mustang, why not get it? But don't use it for a daily driver. Keep the toyota for that. Then, on weekends and special occasions, take the stang out to show off that cool factor!! Now you have the best of both worlds, a daily beater (toyota), and your "collector" car/ weekend warrior (mustang).

 

Twotoots2, don't forget about the cost of insurance on two vehicles. I think it is possible to get a classic stang while in college; however, i wouldn't buy it in the first year. Your first year of college tends to be a bit challenging. After that you start learning the game and suddenly have more time. Keep saving your money, work during the summer and by your sophmore or junior year buy the stang. Someone mentioned delayed gratification earlier, this is an important point. The reason your going to college involves delayed gratification. Take your time and do things right, you'll thank yourself in the future.

 

the money i have saved would be added to selling the truck and my parents helping with $1000. i do not have $5000 just saved up. i would do that(two cars) but like mj390 said 2 car insurance is not possible. thanks