dbg@ihldt.UUCP (06/22/83)
I hate to post a negative article about anything but I used to
think that Mustang was the car for me. I've seen recent articles
with similar attitudes so here's my experience.
I looked seriously at Mustangs 2 yrs ago. I went to a Hertz
buy-a-car lot and drove just about every Mustang and Capri they had.
They ALL drove like rattle traps. (I was unhappy)
In fact of all cars I tested, the Mustangs drove the worst.
Every recent article I've read where a Mustang was compared to
other cars rated Mustang as the worst handler at high speeds.
I thought I would own a Mustang back then -- no way!
I bought a Supra for many reasons. The short of it is that, in
my opinion, the Mustang doesn't compare to the Supra overall.
Supra handles better at ALL speeds and will continue to do so
(hopefully) long after the Mustang has reverted to its inevitable
rattle-trap state. (Remember those commercials where the Granada
was compared to a Mercedes?)
Anybody want to argue about whether a Hertz buy-a-car lot is a good
place to buy a car? All articles I've read rank "fleet" type
cars as the best consistent buy for used cars. You're assured of
regular maintenance. Abuse tends to be to the INTERRIOR of the car
(i.e. cigerettes put out on the dash, coffee dumped on the seat, etc.)
The only better place is the occaisional great deal from classified ads
by private individuals.
ihldt!dbg
p.s. An interesting article this month in R & T about the ten best
cars for under $5K. wsm@mh3bs.UUCP (06/23/83)
Having at one time traveled a lot in connection with my job, I rented
a lot of cars from Avis, National, and the like. I was never impressed
by the maintenance level of these cars. It once took me
three tries to find a car which ran properly (like not revving up to
2000 RPM in neutral at a stop light...) I think what they meant by
a "fleet car" is one that has been used by some corporation as a
shuttle/delivery/general-purpose car, and NOT your average rental car.
I never recommend using rental cars as models to choose which you'd like
to own.
By the way, the new Camaro Z28 with the High-Output Fuel-Injected 5.0 L
is leaving Mustangs in the dust.
Walt Morris BTL-SF {mhtsa,allegra}!mh3bs!wsmesj@ihuxl.UUCP (06/23/83)
I've got an '81 Mustang and I have to confess that it acquired its fair share of rattles within a few months after it arrived from the factory. The main source is the bindy-fluking dashboard and the console. Anybody ever try silicone bathtub sealant squirted in behind the dash? I have no complaints re: handling, mileage, etc.
berry@fortune.UUCP (06/24/83)
#R:ihldt:-170700:fortune:1500018:000:853 fortune!berry Jun 23 16:37:00 1983 RE: Mustangs, and used rental cars 1. As far as Mustangs are concerned I have always enjoyed the feel and driveablility of my '82 Mustang GT. Yes, it is an american car and therefore will inevitably degenerate at a fairly quick pace to a rattle trap. However, are you thoroughly convinced your Supra won't? I'm not. The problem of cars deteriorating quickly is not just one the american cars have. 2. Yes, fleet lots used to be an excellent place to buy used cars, back when the companies used them 6 mos., and the sold. Now, however, the trend is to keep cars longer, up to 2 years in some cases. Obviously this yields a much more broken in (read down) car. 3. The impression I got from your letter is that you were comparing 1 yr. old Mustangs and Capris to new Supras. Given that choice, yes the new Supra would be a better decision.