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1984-1993 Saleen Mustang For the Fox platform Saleen Mustang. Be sure to specify year, model and equipment if asking for help.

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  #1  
Old 01-09-2011
whyidontknow whyidontknow is offline
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Default 1989 Vs. 1990 Saleen Mustang - Which is better?

Was just wondering if between the two which of the cars would rank higher? Performance, value etc. Going to buy one or the other just looking for opinions. Thanks Scott
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  #2  
Old 01-09-2011
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Well there were far less 90's produced than 89's. 89 was the last year of the momo steering wheel, 90-93 used the air bag stock wheel. HP was the same. Hope this helps.
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Old 01-09-2011
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Yes, but are cars any differant? Meaning, were 90s a better ride and drive vs the 89 models, any real changes in equipment. Thanks
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Old 01-09-2011
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Hi Scott! Some of this depends on what styling and features you prefer. Performance wise, other than Ford Motor Company revising the front suspension geometry in 1990, most the vehicle is the same.

In 1990 FMC added a passenger side air bag, doing away with the tilt steering column and causing Saleen Autosport to delete the Momo leather wheel. Most of 1990 production also saw the deletion of the center armrest. FMC sought to improve the build quality / tightness of Mustang starting in '90 as well.

1989 was the last year for Smoke and Sand Beige interior colors from FMC. In 1990 FMC introduced Titanium and Ebony. 1990 was also the first year FMC offered leather interior in the hatchback body style.

On the Saleen side... 1990 saw the introduction a revised front airdanm, a new dual-plane rear spoiler (for hatchbacks), revised Saleen/FloFit seat covers, non-Saleen logo door panel inserts and new options like the Saleen/Monroe adjustable suspension.

1989 and 1990 tend to be a division year. The 1987-89s are grouped in one bowl while the 1990-93s are in another.

Production wise... there are less 1990 Saleen Mustangs than 1989s. Less 1990-93s than 1987-89s. As a side note: Most 1990s were still produced in California.

Allot of this comes down to personal taste, features you prefer, exterior colors, what is on the market, price, etc.

I tend to have a soft spot for the 1987-89 Saleen Mustangs. Those are what I picture when I hear or read "FOX Saleen." I like the tu-tone FloFits, Momo steering wheel, ARE wheels, the aero package, etc. For my own personal nostalgia... I would want a 1987-89 Edition.

Collector interest in this niche is favoring the 1992-93 Saleen Mustangs. With this said, the 1990s could classify themselves in the bottom of this subgroup and might be pulled to greater value along with the lower overall production.

My own personal gripe with the 1990-91 Edition would be the mismatch of interior colors for most vehicles. The grey cloth FloFits don't really match the Ford Titanium interior. Which means I don't care for the Ford Ebony interior vehicles with grey cloth FloFits. Same goes for most 1992-93s with black cloth Recaros and a Titanium or Opal Ford interior. Personal gripe, not a big deal. Everyone has different eyes.
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  #5  
Old 01-10-2011
leenin leenin is offline
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You asked about ride, the 90 was the first year for progressive rate springs...earlier cars had the firmer riding specific rate springs...both cars used Monroe Formula GP's but I can tell the difference in ride btwn our 88 and the 90 & 93.
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  #6  
Old 01-27-2011
Yaterstang Yaterstang is offline
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87-89 FTW, but i am biased!
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  #7  
Old 01-29-2011
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For me its the 87-89 for all the reasons listed above and mostly my favorite is the SSC.
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  #8  
Old 02-05-2011
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i think the 89 and 90 saleen are pretty equal. The difference to me comes in where I would rather have the 90 sc over the 89 ssc
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  #9  
Old 02-13-2011
Bill89-304 Bill89-304 is offline
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I agree with the above as well, but 89's are my favorites!
Last year for the Momo wheel, and 1st yr. with factory cruise control, with the Momo wheel. Also the new Saleen Logo with the pyramid A

Last edited by Bill89-304; 02-13-2011 at 09:36 PM.
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  #10  
Old 02-13-2011
Greg Wackett Greg Wackett is offline
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I like the 89 still has the MOMO.

However the Red and Gold combo, oh wait I had an 88 Red and Gold so I guess it is an OK combo.
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  #11  
Old 02-21-2011
Vintageracer Vintageracer is offline
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Just rememeber the "rare" does not necessarily mean "desireable"!

Yes they made less 90's than 89's. With the production of Saleen Mustangs reaching their "zenith" in 1989 that may very well be a reason to consider 1989 Saleen Mustangs very popular and therefore very collectible since that was the most popular Saleen Mustang. It happened that way with Shelby Mustangs as the 1967 Shelby is the most popular AND had the highest production. With only 2700 total Foxbody Saleen Mustangs ever built and EVERYONE now claiming their Saleen Mustang is "1 of 1" due to the color and options on their car as reported by Saleen in their little pay for play reports I personally do NOT think that total yearly production numbers will mean much as far as value goes. The lone exception "may" be the 1992 models with less than 20 built. Yes, I know Stu has the 3 1984's but they don't count since one guy owns all three!!!!

Yes the 90 interior was very bland with one color Flo-fits compared to the 89 interior with red piping. No airbag in an 89 means nice looking steering wheel compared to the 90. Both Mass Air, both AR wheels, both similiar body packages so there is really not a lot to differentiate. Given the above "I" personally will take an 89 over a 90 anyday.

Instead of looking at model years why not look at unique cars. Coupes rate very high, real supercharged convertibles and race cars come to mind. SA-10's, the SA-5 and other "unique" at least in the Saleen community cars are a great choice!

Look at convertibles. The convertible Foxbody Mustang is in last place in desireabiltiy versus coupe (#1) and hatchback (#2) when its comes to body styles and that seems to be true with most Saleen buyers also. This is EXACTLY like the early 1980's when Shelby Mustangs were beginning to be collectible. Most Shelby guys turned up their noses at Shelby convertibles as those cars were "poser" blvd cruisers. The attitude was give me horsepower and a solid roof. By the early 2000's convertibles were the most expensive Shelby Mustangs with the possible exception of the R model race cars. I predict that will also happen with Saleen Mustangs. So few Saleen convertibles and there will be SO many buyers in the future. That's already the case with Saleen Coupes NOW as they are already hard to find and even harder to buy! FAR more buyers are out there and virtually NO sellers. Look at how few Coupes have changed hands in the last 2 years!
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  #12  
Old 02-21-2011
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All valid and good points Mike. Nice write up!
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Old 05-25-2016
alfredalfred alfredalfred is offline
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Instead of looking at model years why not look at unique cars. Coupes rate very high, real supercharged convertibles and race cars come to mind. SA-10's, the SA-5 and other "unique" at least in the Saleen community cars are a great choice????
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  #14  
Old 07-05-2016
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Default 89 verses 90

The ride in a 1990 is definitely better than an 1989 because of the springs.
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  #15  
Old 11-04-2016
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I haven't had well experience yet, so I appreciate your advices. I greet you
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  #16  
Old 12-17-2016
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Removing Saleen from the equation; In my humble opinion, 1989 was the pinnacle of Fox Mustang production. Last year with no airbag, and in 1991 Ford stopped using true forged engine internals. Switching to hypereutectic pistons etc. Nothing wrong with all years of Fox bodies, just depends on what you are looking for. they made the most Saleen Mustangs in 1988 and 1989, there are a lot more to choose from.
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  #17  
Old 12-17-2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Metalcop View Post
Removing Saleen from the equation; In my humble opinion, 1989 was the pinnacle of Fox Mustang production. Last year with no airbag, and in 1991 Ford stopped using true forged engine internals. Switching to hypereutectic pistons etc. Nothing wrong with all years of Fox bodies, just depends on what you are looking for. they made the most Saleen Mustangs in 1988 and 1989, there are a lot more to choose from.
Side note: 1992 was the last year for forged pistons.

Build quality of the Mustang from Ford Motor company improves during 1990-93. Paint is better too, still crappy, but an improved crappy paint for the early '90s.
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Old 12-18-2016
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I chose '89 because of the "first year" of MAFS, still had the tilt steering column, the MOMO steering wheel, and NO air bag. However, the ride sucks - the springs were way too harsh. When I did an '89 build up 16 yrs ago I chose the 90-93 body kit as the front air dam/valence has more style than the previous gen, but to do this you have to move up to the 90-93 front fenders due to their wider openings.

It's all in the personal preferences. An '89 SSC with the 90-93 body kit would be nice. Oh and the double-stack wing...didn't care for that and if I remember correctly it actually was a little taller than the standard deck wing for those years. You don't see them hardly ever, but there's one that I used to see quite a bit that was a teal car and must've been a dd. Outside of a car show...I've never seen a Fox Saleen on the road with the double-stack wing.
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Old 12-18-2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 89Saleen215 View Post
I chose '89 because of the "first year" of MAFS, still had the tilt steering column, the MOMO steering wheel, and NO air bag. However, the ride sucks - the springs were way too harsh. When I did an '89 build up 16 yrs ago I chose the 90-93 body kit as the front air dam/valence has more style than the previous gen, but to do this you have to move up to the 90-93 front fenders due to their wider openings.
Side note: 1991-93 were the model years with the updated front fenders and filler panels from Ford Motor Company.
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Old 12-18-2016
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I recently purchased a 90 Saleen convertible. I chose the 90 vs the 89 because of the rear 3 point seat belts due to have young children. Also really wanted a red car, and the 1990 bright red is much more vibrant than the 89 red in my opinion. As well as the 1st year for black interior.
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  #21  
Old 12-18-2016
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1990 #222 11,000 miles
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  #22  
Old 12-18-2016
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1990 #222 11,000 miles
Fancy shiny wheels, Joe!
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Old 12-19-2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 89Saleen215 View Post
Oh and the double-stack wing...didn't care for that and if I remember correctly it actually was a little taller than the standard deck wing for those years. You don't see them hardly ever, but there's one that I used to see quite a bit that was a teal car and must've been a dd. Outside of a car show...I've never seen a Fox Saleen on the road with the double-stack wing.
Double stack only came on 90 & 91 models. I have seen one SSC with a double stack but it has since been removed. Not sure it came that way originally. I love me some double stack.


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  #24  
Old 12-19-2016
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I love me some double stack.
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Mmmmmmm. Double Stack.

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  #25  
Old 12-27-2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joemasone View Post
1990 #222 11,000 miles


Love the number I have 96 #222


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