buying a TX5. - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

89Tx5 · 01-21-2006, 03:16

Hi. Im about to buy a manual 1989 Telstar TX5 GHIA hatch for $600. For the price its not bad; 231,000 km (engine has been rebuilt, but unkown kms.) Body work ok; some rust on the l/h rear guard (just bubbles) paint faded and the interior is a bit stained. I drove the car; felt really good aside from brake fade. I was told it was in need of a service as it had been sitting for a couple of months. (oil change; spark plugs, brake pads and the choke sticks abit.)

It drives fine; really like it - just needs a tidy. My question is it seems to guzzle gas a bit are they really this bad? 1/4 tank in 50 kms, or is it cos of idling too high from the choke. Is it worth it? Is the GHIA (2.0 dohc n/a) version 4 wheel steer?

madmelon · 01-22-2006, 04:19

I think you'll find the 4WS car only came out in the AY series- 92-94 (last of the Telstars). I;ve heard these cars are fairly robust so the rebuild comes as a bit of a suprise. Also...what were you doing to get brake fade? If you weren't brakingvery hard, then it may e time to change brake fluid (water gets in and causes squishy brake pedal when the calipers warm up enough). Still...$600 sounds ok.
GO and have a look on redbook.com.au and see what they says it's worth.

89Tx5 · 01-22-2006, 20:42

cheers. Its not bad; just an old car which is a bit manky. Nothing a clean and a srevice wont do. Youre probably right about the brake fluid needing to be changed.

madmelon · 01-23-2006, 04:08

Just be careful with the wash n service- that's what I thought when I bought my Jag. Unfortunately some things have been rather expensive to repair n othes are waiting for the funds to build up. Budget WAY more than you expect to pay and you should do alright.

89Tx5 · 01-23-2006, 15:42

I can get parts cheap as I work at a Ford dealership. I have $1500 to throw at it should anything creep up. At the moment its really just bleeding/replacing brake shoes thats priority. Might have to do the rear struts, but they still have some life left in them. Not too worried; I was going for a harder setup anyway.