Close



Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 28
  1. #1
    FEP Senior Member MHISSTC's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Goodland, KS
    Posts
    881

    Default Do you prefer the '83-'86 or '87-'88 TurboCoupes...why?

    I like the body style of the 4-eyed XR7 and TurboCoupes better than the aero versions...and probably prefer the '85-'86s due to the minor changes made over the '83-'84s. I know the later ones have the IHI turbo instead of the T-3. Are there particular mechanical benefits of the later ones over the earlier ones? Do either have a performance modification potential over the other?

    The reason I'm asking is that I had a fellow who knew I had an '85 XR7 inform me of an '87 TurboCoupe that was available locally for cheap. I passed on it, but now I'm second guessing that decision. I think I'd still rather find a Lincoln Mark VII LSC, but thought I'd get a little more information about what you all thought the pros/cons of the earlier -vs.- later TurboCoupes are so I could either quit second guessing myself, or go see if it's still available.
    NASA Rocky Mountain
    HPDE Group Leader and CMC Racer


  2. #2

    Default

    the later ones had better computers in them also big vams and were intercooled
    1983 Capri RS Turbo
    1986 Bronco 351ho
    VP Berks County Mustang Car Club
    http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2462250

  3. #3

    Default

    Four-eyes all the way!!!!!!!

    More specifially for me the 83-84's are my favorite. The little subtle things about them just appeal to me more than the 85-86's.
    The 87-88's even with all their supposed "improvements" just do not do it for me.

    I'm talking about the styling here, not the mechanicals....mechanicals are an easy thing to "correct". You can arrive at the same place perofmancewise starting with either platform....you'll just look better in an 83-86 than you would and 87-88 :P
    83 TC "Clone"
    85 Marquis LTS
    86 LTD Wagon

  4. #4

    Default

    what I'm saying if he wants the mechanicals. thats the way to go take the good stuff and go from there
    1983 Capri RS Turbo
    1986 Bronco 351ho
    VP Berks County Mustang Car Club
    http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2462250

  5. #5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 83rsturbo
    thats the way to go take the good stuff and go from there
    Not if you think the body style sucks......

    Personally I have little use for any mechanicals off and 87-88TC....
    83 TC "Clone"
    85 Marquis LTS
    86 LTD Wagon

  6. #6
    FEP Super Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Northern Colorado
    Posts
    5,082

    Default

    87/88 ABS sucks, adustable suspension sucks. to hard and expensive to get parts for. I do like the 4 wheel disc brakes though.

    kyle
    Also, do not be so quick to judge someone's comments as being derogatory. It is often difficult to interpret someone's intentions having only text and no body language or tone of voice to guide you.
    "If road racing where easy it would be called drag racing"
    1986 Thunderbird 5.0/AOD

  7. #7
    FEP Supporter 75coug's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Van Alstyne, Texas
    Posts
    2,121

    Default

    Appearancewise, I would have to say that it is a tie. The turbo Thunderbirds and XR-7 Cougars of those respective years are certainly different, but I think that every one of them is stunningly attractive too. I would not want to diminish the greatness of any of them by saying that one was better looking than the others.
    Robert

    1986 ascMcLaren SC 5.0 -red
    1985 Capri GS (w/ 5.0) - red
    1985 Capri 5.0L - black
    1984 ascMcLaren SC 5.0 - white
    1984 Capri GS (w/ 5.0) - white
    1983 Capri RS Crimson Cat - red
    1982 Capri RS Black Magic - white
    1982 Cougar wagon
    1982 Mustang GT - red

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Evil86lx
    87/88 ABS sucks, adustable suspension sucks. to hard and expensive to get parts for. I do like the 4 wheel disc brakes though.

    kyle
    Yup a more complex car that makes for more complex repairs. Not to mention it really clutters up the engine bay too!
    No matter where you go, there you are

  9. #9

    Default

    I like the 85-86 cars with the updated dash but the older body styling. Throw an intercooler on it and its probablky just as good as the 87-88 and a few pounds lighter.
    -Matt
    2003 Focus SVT
    1968 Fairlane 500

  10. #10
    FEP Senior Member dznj's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Southwick, MA
    Posts
    657

    Default

    I'm partial to the 87/88 cars. Please don't flame. Ford went all-in on the '88 'Bird and it shows IMHO.
    ----------------------------------
    '85.5 SVO 1B
    '89 GT Convertible / 5 Speed (not a 4-eye, but I won't tell if you won't)
    '85 GT T-Top 5.0 / 5 Speed (sold)

  11. #11
    FEP Power Member vintageracer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    HILLBILLY HOLLYWOOD, Tennesse
    Posts
    1,944

    Default

    87-88 much better looking in my opinion.

    Either way 83-86 or 87-88 they make great parts cars for a Mustang!
    Mike
    Remember, "Drive Fast, Turn Heads, Break Hearts!"

    1995 Ford Powerstroke F350 "Centurion" STRETCHED Crew Cab Dually

    I like "Cut & Coach Built" vehicles!

    www.musclecardeals.com


  12. #12
    Neither here nor there
    Capriman86's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    N.Smithfield, RI
    Posts
    17,648

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dznj View Post
    I'm partial to the 87/88 cars. Please don't flame. Ford went all-in on the '88 'Bird and it shows IMHO.


    I think you hold the new record for the oldest post brought back from the dead, lol

  13. #13
    FEP Super Member JTurbo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Western MA
    Posts
    6,086

    Default

    Lol
    1979 Indy Pace Car Mustang 302 / 5spd
    1982 Mustang GT T-Top 302 / 4spd
    1986 SVO Mustang - 1C

  14. #14
    FEP Senior Member dznj's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Southwick, MA
    Posts
    657

    Default

    I swear this showed up when I clicked on new posts. Anyways...I'll take the prize.

    Little does everyone know...although you do now.... how close I was to pulling the trigger on the 13K black '88 TC on Ebay a couple weeks ago.
    ----------------------------------
    '85.5 SVO 1B
    '89 GT Convertible / 5 Speed (not a 4-eye, but I won't tell if you won't)
    '85 GT T-Top 5.0 / 5 Speed (sold)

  15. #15
    FEP Power Member EJSVO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Oyster Bay, New York
    Posts
    1,125

    Default

    The 88 TC would have been a Great Addition to your Garage - Parked next to that Super SVO and the very cool Vert

    Obviously I am somewhat "bias" in my opinion regards 88 TC's
    1986 SVO 7b - Original Owner
    1988 Turbo Coupe - Original Owner
    2015 Fusion Titanium AWD - DD
    2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee - Son's DD

    Past Pony's

    1964 - Mustang - 289 - 225 HP - Dad's - Delivered 4/17/64
    1965 - Mustang - Hi Po GT - Prairie Bronze
    1967 - Shelby GT 350

  16. #16
    FEP Senior Member dznj's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Southwick, MA
    Posts
    657

    Default

    But the cost of the divorce would have been very, very high!
    ----------------------------------
    '85.5 SVO 1B
    '89 GT Convertible / 5 Speed (not a 4-eye, but I won't tell if you won't)
    '85 GT T-Top 5.0 / 5 Speed (sold)

  17. #17
    FEP Power Member mcb82gt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Olathe, Kansas
    Posts
    2,107

    Default

    88 cougar FTW!! , sorry had to do it.
    Mike

    Now stang-less.

    88 Cougar 5.0

  18. #18
    FEP Super Member dburdyshaw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Florida (sometimes Arkansas)
    Posts
    17,559

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chuck W View Post
    Four-eyes all the way!!!!!!!

    More specifially for me the 83-84's are my favorite. The little subtle things about them just appeal to me more than the 85-86's.
    The 87-88's even with all their supposed "improvements" just do not do it for me.

    I'm talking about the styling here, not the mechanicals....mechanicals are an easy thing to "correct". You can arrive at the same place perofmancewise starting with either platform....you'll just look better in an 83-86 than you would and 87-88 :P
    I essentially agree with you. I like them all ---- but, if I have to choose, it goes like this?

    1st: '83-'84 ---- because of the cat's profile taillights;
    2nd: '85-'86 ---- essentially the same as above, but without the cat's profile taillights;
    3rd: '87-'88 ---- which is a great-looking car as well.

    When it comes to the mechanical stuff, I don't know about it so I can't really comment on it.
    13 Dodge Dart
    09 Shadow Sabre
    08 Caliber
    05 Aztek
    02 Avalanche
    02 Thunderbird
    01 Cadillac ETC
    98 Explorer
    96 Suzuki X-90
    89 Fleetwood
    89 Continental
    88 Town Car
    86 Silverado
    84 Fiero
    83 Town Car
    82 LN7
    82 EXP
    80 Mustang
    65 Continental
    62 Galaxie 500
    54 Packard

    Stock never goes out of style.

  19. #19
    FEP Power Member BLK BRD 88's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Next to the Chimney
    Posts
    2,226

    Default

    Differences of opinion are what makes the world go round I guess.

    My brother has a black 85 TC & I have a black 88 TC.
    He thinks mine is gaudy and has too long of a nose. I think his looks not quite finished without the later body streamlining.
    His weighs a bit less, and the turbo gives a real jolt when it spools up around 3000rpm, but doesn't much like to stop from over 100mph.
    Mine hugs curves like a sports car, stops on a dime, and spools up to 17lbs at low rpms.

    From a dead stop I can run away from him in 1st & 2nd gear, he catches me about half way through 3rd, but can't get past me until I pull away again at about 125mph
    He is glad that he has his, I am glad that I have mine.......end of story!
    Ron
    I never seem to get the nut that holds the steering wheel fixed

  20. #20
    FEP Senior Member rodster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Allentown, PA
    Posts
    716

    Default

    I prefer the 83's cause I bought one new but I prefer to have an 88 also so I have a 1st and last.

  21. #21
    FEP Super Member escogt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Long Island, N.Y.
    Posts
    13,874

    Default

    I prefer the '87-'88's soley based on aesthetics.

  22. #22
    FEP Senior Member E2ZZGLX's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Broomfield Colorado
    Posts
    675

    Default

    I would have to go with an 86, just like the dash and side trim over the early ones, 87/88 look a little heavy for me.

  23. #23
    FEP Power Member EJSVO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Oyster Bay, New York
    Posts
    1,125

    Default

    I have had my 1988 TC 5 Spd since new. Have enjoyed every minute on the road with it.

    I completed two 1,000 mile trips that saw 65 MPH average speeds and between 27.7 and 29.5 MPG Overall average for each.

    Around town Mileage is between 19 to 23 - Right foot can be 'Heavy" at times . Ahem......

    Also the car has been clocked ( electrically timed on a 5 Mile Test Oval ) at 133.64 MPH with just over 1,700 miles on it back in 1988.

    My TC was assembled on Dec 4, 1987 and I took delivery on Dec 17, 1987 -

    So in about two weeks I will be celebrating 25 years of ownership.

    Original mileage as of today: 33, 932

    Love my 1988 TC

    What a Ride !!
    Last edited by EJSVO; 12-02-2013 at 04:14 PM.
    1986 SVO 7b - Original Owner
    1988 Turbo Coupe - Original Owner
    2015 Fusion Titanium AWD - DD
    2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee - Son's DD

    Past Pony's

    1964 - Mustang - 289 - 225 HP - Dad's - Delivered 4/17/64
    1965 - Mustang - Hi Po GT - Prairie Bronze
    1967 - Shelby GT 350

  24. #24
    FEP Senior Member rodster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Allentown, PA
    Posts
    716

    Default

    Very cool! How about sharing some pictures of it! You know I want an 88.

  25. #25
    FEP Senior Member dznj's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Southwick, MA
    Posts
    657

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rodster View Post
    Very cool! How about sharing some pictures of it! You know I want an 88.
    EJ - Found these from the BBQ this year. Hope you don't mind.

    EJ's TC is one of the nicest TC's around.



    ----------------------------------
    '85.5 SVO 1B
    '89 GT Convertible / 5 Speed (not a 4-eye, but I won't tell if you won't)
    '85 GT T-Top 5.0 / 5 Speed (sold)

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •