1989 Mustang Convertible Safety Concerns?

Question

Hello,

I've been considering buying a 1989 Mustang LX, 4-Cylinder Convertible. It's the right cost, has the Mustang Name behind it, etc., but I'm concerned with the overall safety of the vehicle. I did a little image searching and the pictures I've found are grim, but all I could find were pictures involving 60 MPH+ crashes. Have any of you out there wrecked your foxbody, what was the speed of the collision, or the opposing vehicle, and if so, did you sustain any injuries, and to what degree? Thanks in Advance.

Answer 1

I know a few people who have been in accidents in Fox body convertibles, and they came out alright.  Honestly, it really depends on the circumstances, and some luck.  I've heard of people being in severe accidents in Fox Verts and surviving, and I've heard of people who haven't made it.  The Fox convertible was never designed to be a convertible, it is a notchback with the roof cut off, which definitely weakens the chassis.  If you've ever driven one you can tell from all the squeaks, rattles, and groans, especially with age.  

My buddy had a '91 GT convertible that was really loose until he installed a 6 point roll bar.  That is not an option for most people, of course, especially not for a daily driver.

The SN95 (94+) had MUCH better safety ratings, and the Verts were designed from the ground up to be topless, from the factory.

It really depends on how risk averse you are/aren't.  I know MANY people who owned Fox Verts with no problems, but they definitely are the least safe of all the Fox bodies. (Side impact especially). Good luck and remember to drive safe.

Answer 2

My friend drove off a 15 foot cliff in san jose and hit a tree (big one) directly on the passanger side. There were 5 people in the car, the driver was driving aggresively, and no one was injured. Except for the poor F-Body!!! Oh and no one in the back seat was wearing a seatbelt.

Answer 3

I have never been in an accident in a convertible but the ones that I have seen and read about, the outcome is the same, either the driver and passenger were killed or severely injured...