When it comes to the world of classic cars, some people subscribe to the belief the “fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” Others believe that “he who hesitates is lost,” and I’m not sure which of those philosophies is the better by which to live. It is a question that potential buyers will need to consider when they look at any Fox-Body Mustang GT. Market indications suggest that values will continue to skyrocket, and it won’t be many years before they follow many 1st Generation examples as becoming beyond the reach of the average enthusiast. However, the market has also been wrong on occasions, and that is a risk that will always be present with any classic buy. That brings us to this 1991 Ford Mustang GT. It is an extremely tidy survivor that needs very little if its overall condition is going to lift to the next level. It is located in Toledo, Ohio, and the owner has listed it for sale here on eBay. The bidding has been healthy but not spectacular. It has pushed the price to $9,000 in a very tempting No Reserve auction.

Finished in a combination of Medium Titanium and Titanium Frost, this GT is an attractive car. The owner describes its exterior condition as 9/10, and it is hard to argue that claim. The paint holds an impressive shine, with no significant chips or marks. Even the damage-prone leading edge of the hood and the front spoiler look remarkably clean. It seems like there may be a rub mark on the rear bumper, but that is one of the few visible flaws on this exterior. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and all of the plastic and aero additions appear as impressive as the panels themselves. There is no evidence of dings, dents, rust, or prior accident damage. The original alloy wheels are as clean as the rest of the exterior, and the glass appears flawless. Interestingly, the listing indicates an odometer reading of 158,000 miles. If this car has never received any form of restoration work, that makes its condition impressive. It also tends to indicate that the GT has been treated with respect throughout its life.

When you consider this car’s age and mileage claim, it would’ve been fair to expect the interior to look tired and worn. The owner describes it as a 10/10, and while I might not go that far, it still looks impressive for a car with a six-digit odometer reading. It is upholstered in a combination of red cloth and vinyl, and there’s little in the way of physical damage or other problems. There’s some slight wear visible on the outer edges of both front seats, but it hasn’t reached the point where the buyer may consider spending money on new upholstery. However, if I were to buy this car, I would probably invest in a set of high-quality slipcovers to protect the seats from further damage or deterioration. It looks like the owner has taken to the interior with a detailing spray, and this has given some of the plastic trim pieces a patchy appearance. I don’t think there is any deterioration in those parts, but that could only be determined by an in-person inspection. There are some scuffs on the kick panels, and the carpet might be slightly faded, but the overall impression is that this interior would seem to need little. It is also unmolested, which is a bonus in a car of this age. The original AM/FM radio/cassette player is intact, with nobody yielding to the temptation of slotting in a CD player. Other luxury touches include air conditioning, power windows, a power driver’s seat, power mirrors, a remote hatch release, cruise control, and a leather-wrapped wheel.

After the performance hit that the American V8 copped during the 1970s, the 1980s marked a decade where manufacturers embraced new technologies and lateral thinking to claw back some of that lost ground. By the time this GT rolled off the line in 1991, the signs were that the numbers were heading in the right direction for performance enthusiasts. That means that thanks to innovations like fuel injection and engine management technology, this car’s 5.0-liter “HO” V8 pumps out a healthy 225hp. That figure marked an enormous leap forward compared to what buyers expected a mere decade earlier and was the indication that better things were on the horizon. Bolted to this V8 is a four-speed automatic transmission, while this Mustang also benefits from power steering and power brakes. Pointed at a ¼ mile, the journey should be over in around 15.3 seconds. If the driver kept the boot to the floor, this Mustang should eventually run out of breath at about 130mph. The owner states that the GT runs and drives extremely well, but he says it has a couple of issues for the buyer to address. He indicates a leak from the power steering system, but it isn’t clear how severe this is. He also says that the shocks are giving up the ghost due to lack of use, so the buyer might need to go shopping for a replacement set. If that’s all that is required, getting the car to perfect health should not be an expensive exercise.

Fox-Body Mustangs, particularly later examples, are increasing in value at an impressive rate. This one looks like a bit of a pearl, and addressing its few issues should not be complicated or expensive. That raises the question of whether enthusiasts should consider buying cars like this now or if they should wait to see where the market takes them in the coming months. That’s a hard call to make, and there are no iron-clad guarantees in the classic car world. If a buyer rolls the dice and values continue to soar, that person can look like a hero. If the opposite happens, they could be left with egg on their face. However, there is one other factor to consider, and it’s an indefinable one. Sometimes it’s not a case of whether a purchase will appreciate in coming years, but whether the buyer feels a passion for that car. We have all bought daily drivers because they logically fulfill our requirements for that type of vehicle. Those are the ones that we buy with our heads. Classics fall into a different category because they are the ones that we buy with our hearts. If your heart is ruling your head and you have the funds in place, maybe you should give this Mustang more than a passing glance.