Looking for a new DD - She's home!

[sargentrs]

So, I've about enjoyed this '74 Dodge Dart as much as I can stand. Been driving it for almost a year now, back and forth to work, and she runs really good. At the time I bought it I was fascinated with it and thought it was a really cool car, and it is to a lot of people who talk to me at the gas stations, or give me the thumbs up going down the road, etc. But it's not a Ford. So, I've got a guy that wants it, is willing to pay my price for it, and is supposed to meet up with me next weekend and maybe buy it. With that said, I'm looking for a new daily driver and have a few options I'd like to run across you guys.

#1 '67 Mustang, straight 6, auto https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5081040953.html
#2 '64 Fairlane, 289, auto https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5075948825.html
#3 '62 Fairlane, 221/3 spd https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5051320351.html

I've also been talking to guy about his '66 Galaxie with a 289/auto that's been wanting to trade for the Dart. However, it needs electrical work and the trunk's rusted out. He's put a CJ5 fuel tank on a piece of plywood in the trunk. He's was asking $2500 for it.

I'm leaning toward the Mustang but that '62 Fairlane is really cool and the '64 would be a good commuter and grandkid taxi. This is going to be a daily driver, 100 mi round trip to work, and pick up the grandkids at school on the way home. What do you guys, think?

[HIO Silver]

I'd get the 64 Fairlane because it's a kin of the 427 Thunderbolts... and it'll also swallow an FE if you ever get the itch. Body and trim parts are more expensive but you're part of a more exclusive ownership instead of a lemming in a Mustang. ...Plus it can haul the family more comfortably that a weak 119 HP Mustang.

.. But I'd consider the Mustang for a DD.. especially a 200-1V because it can get like 22 MPG. But a six banger Mustang has four-lug drums and ya might want upgrade to discs at some point. Four-lug discs are available but they cost upwards of $1000 due to the lack of popularity. The rear end is a weak 7.5-inch ring gear. If you're okay with somewhat if a secretary's car then the Mustang is a good choice.. and that is a decent price - even for a six banger.

Mustangs are susceptible to cowl rust...... it has "hats" for fresh air and there's no way to fix it unless you drill out all the welds and open up the balloon assembly... just like a Bump's cowl assembly but our fresh air intakes are on the sides of the cab. Get a garden hose and flood the cowl sits to determine if there is any water intrusion at the heater box and above the fuse panel. .. and poke those floor pans to see if they are solid.

Good luck with your choice.

[flyboy2610]

I like the '64 Fairlane. That is one cool car.

[sargentrs]

Thanks for the input, guys! I really like the '64 too but leaning toward the Mustang because of the easy and inexpensive availability of parts. The REAL condition of the bodies would be a deciding factor. If the '64 sheet metal is not in good condition, repair/replacement could get difficult and expensive. If the 6 cyl or the tranny goes out in the Mustang, I can easily find a 302 or 351W replacement with either manual or auto trans for a very low cost. However, since the Fairlane already has the 289 in it, the same 302/351w drop in would be easier than swapping it into the Mustang. I'd also like to add AC to either car and the Fairlane has more room to work with but the Mustang already has a lot of aftermarket available. Decisions, decisions...

[MAK]

I agree with you on the advantages of aftermarket parts availability of the Mustang. It probably also would be quicker to get your money out of it down the road if you needed to just because of that popularity and familiarity. More people in the pool of buyers. You probably don't see a Fairlane every day on your way to work though like you would an old Mustang and that's nice too...
You will definitely want to make sure like you said that the body panels, trim and certain interior bits are in excellent shape and not something you would be looking to replace on the Fairlane. From my days of owning a 68 Mustang I seem to remember there being quite a lot of expense and work involved in going from a 6 to an 8. Much more than just a quick driveline swap. I believe you also have to deal with the suspension, rear end, brakes, radiator, etc.
Good luck finding what you want. The hunt is almost as fun as playing with it once you make the purchase.

[HIO Silver]

A five-lug driveline conversion on the Mustang is relatively straight forward. My 68 still runs a 200-1V but has V8 running gear with an 8-inch rear and power Granada discs. I did the swap back in the early 90s when I was in college and "student poor". Got it done though.. Mac n Cheese for months! It also has power steering which, on a 68, uses the same components as the V8. 67s are a touch different if I recall correctly. There are TONS of options for the Mustang due to their popularity and sheer production numbers. Its 200 cubes and C4 keep speeding tickets at bay.

I also have a 4-speed 65 coupe that is usually parked in the street and always find offers to buy it stuck under the wipers.

[sargentrs]

Thanks for the input guys! For now, I'm just looking for a good daily driver so the inline 6 Mustang fills the bill from an economical standpoint. I've had a couple of those 200ci sixes before so I know 'em pretty well. The bump's gotta come first from a project priority so the new car will take a back seat and only be worked on, outside of normal maintenance, when something needs fixing. Nice 'stang HIO!

[crazyhorse]

Mr Sargent, I like all of those , but my choice would be the Mustang.
I would drive it and make improvements as time goes on.

Everyone has their own likes/dislikes but for me I would eventually put a 5.0 Mustang motor & transmission in it and other mods that are popular.

I had a '62 Fairlane years ago and enjoyed it . Lots of room, drives good. It drove better on snow & ice than any vehicle I have ever owned. I still have the old 221 v8 motor that I removed and replaced with a 289.

The Mustang would be my choice .
I hope you make the choice that suits you and your situation the best.

Good luck.

[390bump]

For a DD Mustang I would see if I could find a clean 5.0. Here is an example from my neck of the woods in your price range:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5080410219.html

Had a 91 GT I bought new and drove for 8 years. Excellent car - light body (Fox body) and torquey motor. Here's a FOX body by you:

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5060730082.html

[1972hiboy]

I vote for the 64 mustang. the c4 with the 200 is a bit sluggish. the 289 would give you a better feeling of power plus exhuast work will give it a great sound. and its a 64. great body year.200 with a stick behind it is great , peppy lil thing. but the c4 seems to take most of the wind out of its sails.

[Ranchero50]

Really, which one has AC? You should also describe your intended use and duty. Daily driver is way too vague and none of those cars would survive a summer locally, much less a winter or two.

[sargentrs]

Really, which one has AC? You should also describe your intended use and duty. Daily driver is way too vague and none of those cars would survive a summer locally, much less a winter or two.

Always glad to get your advice, Jamie! AC? What's AC? I can't remember the last time I had a car with AC. This will be my daily driver, to and from work car. It's 37 miles one way to work then back, 5 days a week, and then an occasional trip up town on weekends. That's about all the driving I do. Anything else and we take my wife's car, she has to have a new one every few years. I buy old cars and drive them till they die, then scrap or sell/buy another. Normally I spend under $2000 and get a year or two out of one. My most recent DD is a '74 Dodge Dart with a 225 slant 5 and auto tranny. Bought it for $500, put $1500 in it and have driven it for the past year. Thought this time I'd come back home to Ford and spend a little extra to get something in better condition. I'm used to having to work on what I drive. At least with the '67 Mustang, parts are cheap, easy to find, and it's easy to wrench on. To put things in perspective, my bump was my DD for 7 years before I started rebuilding it. Since then, I've had a Honda, 3 Toyotas and the Dart and paid around $1500 for each one of them. But I hated working on the ricers.

[sargentrs]

Mr Sargent, I like all of those , but my choice would be the Mustang.
I would drive it and make improvements as time goes on.

Everyone has their own likes/dislikes but for me I would eventually put a 5.0 Mustang motor & transmission in it and other mods that are popular.

I had a '62 Fairlane years ago and enjoyed it . Lots of room, drives good. It drove better on snow & ice than any vehicle I have ever owned. I still have the old 221 v8 motor that I removed and replaced with a 289.

The Mustang would be my choice .
I hope you make the choice that suits you and your situation the best.

Good luck.

Thanks, crazyhorse. I'm leaning toward the Mustang too.

[sargentrs]

For a DD Mustang I would see if I could find a clean 5.0. Here is an example from my neck of the woods in your price range:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5080410219.html

Had a 91 GT I bought new and drove for 8 years. Excellent car - light body (Fox body) and torquey motor. Here's a FOX body by you:

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5060730082.html

First links dead now. Really not a big fox body fan after the 4 eyed gen. A little too much plastic and too complicated for my tastes. I've had a couple of '79s and my stepson has recently had an '85 and an '89. The '79 and the '85 weren't too bad to work on but that '89 was a PITA. The engine compartment was so packed I couldn't my big hands on anything in there. Thanks!

[DuckRyder]

I'd go with he 67 mustang myself...

Easy to get parts for, most likely won't lose value and will be easy to sell if you want...

And an FE fits...