The mass appeal of the third-generation Mustang is certainly understandable, and Ford must have realized they had a winner on their hands, as this incarnation had a long lifespan of 14 years. I remember when these cars used to be everywhere, and though the Fox body pony has now been out of production for more than three decades, spotting one on the road used to be about as common as seeing an Accord or a Camry is nowadays. When manufacturing ended after the 1993 run, it took some time for demand to catch up with supply. However, values for nicely preserved V8 examples appear to be on the rise. This 1989 LX model here on eBay scores high marks for its condition and having the 302 engine, but it’s also priced at what sounds like a premium, with the seller hoping for $39,900. It’s possible he may be willing to negotiate, as a make offer button has also been included.
This isn’t the highest cost LX we’ve featured recently, as this 1993 model here on Barn Finds from last month was priced at $55,000. This one also had the make an offer opportunity, and while it’s unknown if it commanded that entire amount, I’m guessing it probably sold for more than would have been expected not all that long ago. People seem to dig this body style and the V8 power, and the good drivetrain news here is two-fold, as not only does the engine have only 37,000 miles of operation, but there’s also the coveted 5-speed manual transmission. The seller says the car runs and drives like new, plus states that there are lots of maintenance records present.
The positives continue on the outside, as the body looks about as good as any eighties Mustang I’ve spotted recently. The dark red color and black moldings work well for this style, and although it’s never confirmed that this is still the original paint, if it has gotten a respray, the workmanship seems to have been of very high quality. Those wheels are new, with the tires they’re wearing stated to have fewer than 100 miles, but the original rims also come with the sale.
The red interior appears about as well-preserved as the rest of the car, and there are some favorable accessories inside, including power windows, door locks, and the factory AM/FM/Cassette Stereo system still intact. This 1989 Ford Mustang LX is certainly a fine example, and it’s got plenty of the right equipment to make it desirable in the marketplace. I’m just not quite sure if it’s nearly forty thousand dollars worth of enticing. What do you think?
Very sharp Fox. A good example of why a clean, unmolested, 5-speed LX coupe is such a desirable Mustang. They have this sort-of crudeness about them, likely because of their roots which date to the 70’s, which people find appealing. Much different from the computers-on-wheels feel of today’s cars. I’ve not seen the ten-hole wheels in 17″ form, they look great. I don’t follow prices but I know that nice versions aren’t cheap.
I like everything about this one. If I was in the market, this would be it. Great color too. I like BOTH the LX and the GT but I lean more towards the LX like this one. While I usually prefer stock rims, I LOVE these!!! I’d keep them. In fact I wouldn’t change one thing about this one…… Except for the name on the title. Great write up Mike!!! And very nice Mustang.
Dave I’d love to have a 1990 white GT convertible, 5sp, turbine rims, luggage rack.🧳 😎 🏁
Sweet wine 🍷 colored sedan right here. 👍
Drop tops are fun too Stan…..
Hey……. our pictures are back!!
What do I think? I’m sure people are tiring of my “heater core” comments, I, um, it really, um, ding dang diddly, I can’t do it, it was the worst car I ever had,,,there,,,and my obvious history of vehicles should garner some credibility, and I have little, if anything good to say about them. They did well at the drag strip, but that’s about it. Yeah, some of the cops disliked them too, so I’m not alone, now, my ’95 Mustang, I can’t say enough GOOD about that car, probably the best car I ever had, so go figure. Heck, for these prices, go buy that 1st gen Bronco, at least you have something there.
Something is clearly wrong here.
Give it a rest Howard. We know you had a Fox and you hated it, because it had a leaking heater core which was difficult to fix. You’ve told us a million times. You don’t need to remind us every time a Fox shows up. Clearly tons of people bought them, and loved them, and still love them today. They have a huge following. And this is an outstanding example.
Well Bob, I won’t. If I can save ONE person the anguish of going through that, my mission is accomplished. A lot of people bought Pintos and Vegas too. It wasn’t just the heater core, it was a miserably designed car, and I’m not an idiot, I know a quality car when I drive one, and this wasn’t it.
How can you possibly compare these to that ’69 Mach 1, heck, I liked the Mustang ll better than these.
With a similar problem on a similar car I just bypassed the heater core and bought a little portable hand-warmer. Problem solved.
I had a foxbody1980 4 cylinder non ac merk capri. You took the glovebox out then two screws for the cover plate. Undid the two clamps in the engine compartment and the heater core slid out. EASIEST HEATER CORE I EVER DID!! Have you ever done a SABB 9000 heater core!!?? Or even a Sabb 900 alternator? The long bolt wouldnt even slide out because it hit the firewall!! They would come in and ppl would knock a hole in the firewall to slide the alt bolt out!!
Have you ever done a heatercore in a Sabb 9000?
Have you ever done a heater core in a Sabb 9000?
The 5.0 Fox body was the performance car for a generation. Five speed LX notchbacks are probably the most sought after other than the 1993 Cobra. It appears to be really nice, even if its price is ahead of the market, it won’t be forever since quality lightly modified versions are thin on the ground. The biggest drawback for this particular car is there’s interior, it looks like a blood clot.
Steve R
All of us that follow BarnFinds would love to see more Ford Mustangs on the roads instead of Japanese Toyota and Hondas
How do you figure that, Dave?
Bid to $32,750 on BaT back in March. Always interesting to see what the owners really want for their cars when reserve is not met.
Memories cost money, now days. For a lot less, you can buy a 2019 Mustang GT that will flat out blow this car into the weeds.
Even the 2019 Mustang with the 310 HP 2.3L Ecoboost would probably do the trick against a 30 year older car, but I guess that’s not the point when buying a car like this. At least for the people interested in them.
I like them, but not at 40K.
No contest in a race. Still rather have the LX ❄️ 👍
As I have said before. I used to work at a Ford dealership in the mid ’80s and early ’90s. When ever there was a Fox body car traded in that I could buy for $500 or less, they sold it to me. Many times I would come back from lunch there would be an invoice on my desk showing that I just bought another car. Consequently, I have had 25-30 Fox body cars. I generally would spend a couple of nights after work and a weekend or two, fixing them up. I again usually decide to drive them and after a few weeks someone at a gas station would make me an offer of about 3 times the money I had in them and would sell it. I still have 3 Fox bodies today. (’88LX 5.0 hatchback, ’84 SVO, ’81 Ford Duango) Of all the Fox bodies I’ve had. (Remember, most of these were originally “beaters” and all were 5 speed cars ) only 2 required a heater core. One of my techs, told me the short cut and I could replace one in less than 2 hours. I’m not sure I can do that any longer because my back will complain alot. As most of the time is spent in the passenger seat with the dashboard in your lap. But there are alot of other cars where the heater core is alot more daunting.
Sharp Mustang. I didn’t think that color was OEM until I looked it up. Love it but a white interior would look better IMHO, or grey.
32 years living in Phoenix I’ve barely had to use the heater, now air ,that’s a different story.From looks of that driveway and garage its looks well taken care of.
Wow, nearly 40 grand… meanwhile there were TWO Sportsroof Mach 1s on BF this week with lower asking prices. I know which I’d rather have. I was a teenager in the ‘80s and remember these well.
Very nice LX. Top dollar, but probably not far off.
I’m generally hesitant about commenting on collectible cars on the market, but I’d like to add my two cents worth. While I appreciate the desirability of a clean Fox-body Mustang, and this one is desirable, let me say this:
A couple years ago I purchased a 1993 C4 Corvette coupe for less than half the asking price on this car. It has 50 more horsepower, four-wheel independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, a six-speed manual transmission, and gets 27mpg on the highway if you drive it easy.
Granted, it doesn’t have a back seat. But given the need for a couple more seats, I could buy another Corvette C4, and still be under the asking price for this car.
I think Fox-body Mustangs are overpriced compared to other cars readily available on the market. I’ll grant you they’re cool…but I’m happy with my C4. It’s a proper high-speed GT/sports car on a budget.
By the way, my C4 has 24K miles on the clock and is nearly pristine.
timwig, I raced a bunch of C4s in my 89LX and got my doors 🚪 blown off every time…. The Vettes had even more than 50hp advantage and more tq also.
ZF 6sp. And steeper 3.45 gears.
Great year for the Corvette, a real sweet spot for a true drivers car 🏁
Rob D in SC, Yes the non-a/c cars were a piece of cake to change the heater core. Just like a non-a/c Ranger. BUT most a/c cars and trucks are a pain to change.