I bought a new 1981 Mustang, 2.3l, 5-speed to beat high price fuel at the time. I had 19% interest on that car. I lived in Denver, CO. I traded in my 1977 Black Trans Am. Frankly, I think my 1964 Studebaker Daytona, 4-speed, buckets (that reclined) was a better car. I did not want to drive the Daytona in the winter snows. I lived in an Apartment complex-no garages. I now own a 2017 Mustang ecoboost I got in 2019 for a "song". It has been a good car. Keeping an eye on the head gasket.
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How many miles now on your 17? I'm no expert, but I don't think head gaskets were ever a thing on 2.3 Mustangs, plenty of issues with 2.0's of that year in other vehicles though.