Unexpected Timing

For over a year now, I've watched and received notification from Bring a Trailer anytime a new 1990's Mustang is listed. I've seen some incredibly original cars go for significant money. While it has been interesting to watch, I've seen very few that sparked my interest as they were a GT, coupe, high dollar - exceptional low mileage car, or Cobra. After searching for so long, I felt I needed to find other places to look or reset what I was looking for to be more reasonable.

I began checking Craigslist and eBay but had not really considered Facebook Marketplace until recently. This past Sunday, I checked Facebook Marketplace for only the second time and found a 1993 Mustang that met my relatively restrictive set of requirements (90-93 LX Mustang, V8 engine, manual transmission, hatchback, and preferably not white). The timing is bad as I found it the day after purchasing a new Traverse for my wife. Unfortunately, you can't pick when the right car will be available and this one was just listed the day before a little over an hour away.

After about a 30 minute delay to think it over, I sent the owner a message by Facebook. I received two responses from him that day hours later which was unexpected.  Ultimately, I learned he was touring colleges with his son which had him a little preoccupied. He stated he would get back with me on Monday so I counted the hours and waited more.

On Monday, he responded to my request for the VIN and I ordered a CarFax. I found the Mustang was purchased and then first registered in Glen Flora, Wisconsin on 04/30/1993 with only 624 miles. The car remained in Wisconsin, although in different cities, until 06/08/2012 when registered in Eau Claire. There was nine years of no activity and then it was registered again in Wisconsin.  Then the following year on 08/01/22, the car received another registration in Wisconsin followed by the first registration in Texas on 11/14/2022.

I ordered a rushed Marti report to ensure this was produced with a V8 and manual transmission versus being added at some point over time.  I received the report back that afternoon confirming it was indeed an original Reef Blue, V8, manual transmission Mustang.  With those items confirmed, I started asking a few more questions by Facebook and ultimately had a call with the owner on Monday evening.

On the call, the owner stated he had a car identical to this one in high school. He told a group of friends he wanted to find another one and a friend in Chicago found this car. He purchased it from the original owner who seemingly purchased it for herself when graduating from the University of Illinois in 1993. She drove it for years and loved the car. She really didn't want to sell it but her brother and uncle had convinced her it was the right decision. She was rather emotional and he stated he didn't talk to her much and instead worked everything out with the brother.

He indicated the car was 100% stock when he purchased it in Wisconsin except for the aftermarket stereo. The lady had only done maintenance over the years and then parked the car. The various parts installed now are all from the time under his ownership. That said, everything done to the car has been by various local shops.  He purchased it at 181,000 miles and has put less than 1,000 on it in the last three years (since 2022).

After discussing it for about 20 minutes, he agreed to send more pictures as I was concerned about rust under the vehicle since it was used in Wisconsin for so long. He agreed to jack up the car and take numerous pictures. After receiving them and feeling confident in what I saw, we arranged a time for me to drive out to look at the car. Given our work schedules, the first time we would both be available is this Friday, which is Good Friday. I now have several days to think about it without getting my hopes up as it could sell at any point.