The appeal of an enthusiast car can not always be distilled down into transmission and engine options. Sometimes, the collective whole must be considered, and in the case of this one-owner 1989 Ford Mustang LX convertible listed here on eBay. the appeal goes far deeper than its 5.0L V8 engine. Looking at the decals, the wheels, and the luggage rack, we see an original Fox body convertible dripping with authenticity, and that’s a rare find in a market often over-saturdated with modified examples.
The seller has listed this Mustang LX with no reserve, and bidding sits at just over $6,000 at the moment. It shows under 90,000 miles and looks like it has simply been used like an everyday driver over the years. It’s not a rolling monument to preservation, but it also doesn’t have to be since it hails from the Pacific Northwest where ordinary cars are able to survive to an impressive degree. The seller does need to take a class on presentation, however, as the photos don’t do this car suitable justice. The interior appears to be in excellent condition with little discernible wear on the seats.
Underneath, we see absolutely mint exhaust and suspension components, along with floors that look like they could pass for new. This is one of the most remarkable things about vehicles from this part of the world: they simply survive in amazing condition even while being used like any other daily driver. Go visit Oregon or Washington State and marvel at the vehicles we treat like classics and museum pieces in the midwest and northeast states being driven to work and on errands. It’s incredible, really, to those of us who live in places where the roads get salted and sanded in the winter months. This Mustang may seem ordinary from an equipment standpoint, but its condition certainly isn’t.
The decals going down the sides are quite charming to me – I can’t explain why – but it just makes this Mustang seem even more honest than it already is. Some dealer probably thought they were a good idea and that it would make the car stand out on the lot, and years later, they’re still proudly displayed. With an automatic and a 225 b.h.p. V8 under the hood (coupled with 300 lb.-ft. of torque), this Mustang will make someone an excellent, honest, cruiser, and likely for a fair price thanks to the no reserve listing. Would you keep the old-school decals or remove them?
Claims that the seller purchased the car from the original owner but the car history report on eBay shows 5 previous owners?
Nice write up Jeff and wow this Mustang certainly is one of the best daily drivers I have seen. The 5.0 even paired with the slush box would still be an awesome grocery getter and more. I have a ’78 MGB that I bought as the second owner from my Uncle that is brown with orange and yellow pinstripes above the belt line. When I first bought it 18 years ago I just wished it was just BRG. Now, I love it and it gets so many compliments for being original and screams ’78! Wrong coast for me or I would be a winning bidder on this one!
Anyone else notice that none of the interior pics show the shifter? It’s as if the seller intentionally did that.
I was saying the same thing to myself like he was trying to hide something until I scrolled down to the bottom of the listing where there are pictures of the shifter.
Seems like all the clean, survivor Fox-body Mustangs are automatics. I suppose it makes sense, since Ford’s AOD wasn’t built for fun. Its main mission was to get into overdrive as quickly as possible. I swear, after the traffic signal turned green, my ’89 LX 5.0 was in overdrive before I crossed the intersection.
Agreed. The automatic takes all the fun out of these in terms of performance while the manual has an extremely heavy clutch that is murder in stop and go traffic. You’ll dread freeway traffic jams with the manual, or least I did. The 5.0 sounds great with some Flowmasters but I’d just go with something newer (or older) these days. But whatever floats your boat.
Thanks Jeff, good write-up. Looks like a clean, straightforward Fox. I’m not sure I’d call the stripes “charming” but I’m fine with them, they give the car a bit of a different look. You may be right, they may have been on the car from back when the new car sales manager decided that they would help move the car.
Love this car. Were I not on the east coast, would likely be putting in my bid(s).
Can’t say that I’m a big fan of graphics but it’s very 80s and 90s to see them. We used to have them applied to base Caravans and Voyagers and people liked it. Was a good way to spruce up a plain van. This is a nice looking Mustang that’s probably a joy to cruise around in.
I’ve owned 2 of these, both convertibles, both 5.0, 5 speeds. Great cars, fast, comfortable, fun to drive, both had A/C for the hot days when the top was up. This car for sale looks like a keeper, the eBay photos show a car that has been cared for, kept clean, and original. The only change I’d make would be to install a set of 16″ Pony Wheels and proceed to enjoy “open-air” motoring.
Good comments. For the AOD fans, no money better spent to fix all your issues look up Lentech. 🍁
I may have put those decals on back in the day. They are periodically correct dealer add ons. Keep them! At least it didn’t get the shiny rockers and wheel well fender trim! Could be worse. Nice car