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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
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89-0658 Saleen caught fire
So I was about to get on the highway and smoke starts pouring out of the dash, I pulled over killed the ignition immediatly (honestly before I pulled over), poped the hood pried of the positive cable from the battery with the tire iron. By the time I got back to look inside there was a fire in the vent, I ripped it out and started stuffing the detailing "rags" I had in the back seat in the vent to try and put it out; all that did was burn the crap out of both my hands. I stepped away and called 911. A guy saw the ordeal in his truck took off to lowes, I was way out front of the store, he came back and put out the fire 15 min later the fire trucks showed up. Almost everything behind the speedo and by the fuse panel is melted. So I went through the motions with the insurance company and they are totaling it, they said its worth $8k + tax I still owe $4.5k on it, I've only had it since August.
I'm not sure what to do and I am open to suggestions. I had my insurance agent try and get a salvage title and what it would cost to buy it back. The worst part is it only has 40k miles on it and was cherry. I got regular offers to buy it, as I'm sure most of you guys do, for $15k! There is one in Houston for $16k with 96k miles. http://www.mustangtraderonline.com/s...p=10&srt=added I will get some pictures up, I didn't expect it to be totaled. The car was and really from the outside still is. I am just not sure what to do, try and sell it my self, try and fix it myself, or going to be the toughest, just wash my hand of it and move on to another car. I'm open to suggestions and will be posting pictures as soon as I get the chance. Also I have the rims for it in my apartment, I put some 07 gt rims on it after I damaged 2 rims hitting a curb on my way home from work at 4am. So I have 2 excellent rims and 2 in need of repair/restoration if anyone is looking, with or without tires, they are all still good. More tread on the front ones... I never could understand why the back ones wore more quickly than the fronts... -Steve |
#2
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Sorry to hear about your car. Good luck with whatever you decide to do with it.
What kind of wheels are you trying to sell? American Racing 5 spokes? |
#3
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The stock, grey, 1989 ARE 5 spokes. I was(maybe am if I hang on to the car) planning on keeping them and putting them back on the car once the damaged ones were repaired or replaced, they are way lighter than the 17" I put on and fit better, no rub at full lock like the 17".
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#4
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Yeah, I know what you mean. I made spacers for my wheels to eliminate the rub. I have 18's on mine and I'm looking for some white 5 spokes.
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#5
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Inform your insurance company thier settlement is unacceptable. They need to cough up something a little closer to fair market value to wash thier hands of this one.
Thy'll ask you to find comparable sales to establis the market value. I'm sure you'll have no problem finding several Saleens in the 12k range with similar mileage. You shopuld be able to buy back the burnt carcass for a really cheap price, but the title will always be salvage. If the buyback isn't an option, I'd strip everything off the car and sell it piece by piece. Good luck, sucks to hear another one bit the dust. |
#6
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i would find some stock mustang seats,steering wheel,shift knob,door panels and wing and swap them out before its too late.then,if you can buy the car back,go ahead,if you cant,then you still have most of the saleen stuff
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#7
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This had crossed my mind, one seat is mint the drivers is blackened in the front left corner. I imagine its worth a pretty penny the way it is... I'll get pics up tomorrow afternoon. Looks fine from the outside.
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#8
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Sorry to hear about your bad fortune. This is the exact reason why the MCA requires fire extinguisher in all show cars. It is not to help out the fire extinguisher companies. It is too prevent this from happening to our cars. I hope everyone learns from this experience.
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Donny |
#9
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I used to keep a fire extinguisher in my Jeep as I thought that was way more likely to burn to the ground... hind site is 20-20, I suggest everyone go out and buy one...
Here are the pictures... http://s323.photobucket.com/albums/nn479/StuckXJ/ I just updated the photo album; I figured I'd spare everyone the pictures of my hands. Thanks for the tip on the insurance company, they'll be hearing from me first thing Monday! If it is totaled I already have my eye on its replacement, an 01 Saleen. "Aiding the addicted" is right! |
#10
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That car is fixable you will need a donor car for the wiring and dash !!!!!
Last edited by 86-199; 03-07-2010 at 09:12 AM. |
#11
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It does look fixable with a donor car. Good luck getting the smoke smell out though. It looks like it was mint before the fire.
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#12
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It was... The exterior still is, I waxed it regularly. Getting it fixed is my priority. We'll see.
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#13
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I'm often reminded of the Mustang SVO hobby when I read and hear about saveable cars. Depends on willing effort, time, plan, funds and sentimental value. |
#14
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Unfortunately, the SVO's suffer because of the general public's view of the 4 cylinder. Tempermental, turbo lag, and lack of torque. I have never owned one so I have no idea if these concerns have any legitamacy or not. Irregardless, it does affect these car's values. The Fox mustangs in general do not seem to be a car you would want to invest a lot in. The better higher priced cars seem to stay on the market for a long time, and I do not know what they end up going for. They were inexpensive, (cheap), cars out of the factory and current demand and prices that buyers are willing to pay seem to reflect that. here is a decent '89 Saleen, supposed to be rust free from CA and 102,000 miles that went for $6,200
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=290401415317 I like these cars very much, good looking, nimble, sporty, practical-good performance, hatchbacks can haul some stuff, decent gas mileage, reliable. BUT, if you do not have a pretty rare car, put money into it for yor satisfaction, you are not going to get it back. My 2 cents |
#15
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I would fix the car with a donor car. We need to keep these things alive.
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#16
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That looked like a real nice car, that is too bad, but **** happens. You have multiple options obviously. If you buy it back, which would seem somewhat smart even if you sell it as a roller. I would only stick with it if you are ready to invest a few years in re-doing it. You need to really think about that. Even with a donor car it will take some patience and understanding and hopefully you have some other knowledgeable fox people around locally willing to help. Maybe a good excuse to re-wire it with an aftarmarket ECU etc etc. I'm guessing you can't get that extinguisher residue out of the interior, so might as well just turn it into a pseudo race car. At this point trying to make it like stock seems like a POOR decision even if half these people tell you to do it. You'd have to go find the speedo, interior, steering wheel, etc etc etc. Only you know whats salvageable. These cars are not exclusive enough still to warrant the effort to return it to stock, because as people mentioned it will have the Salvage title etc. It will never be what it once was, but that is not always a bad thing, if you ever had an inkling to do it the way you want without feeling remorse, here is the opportunity. If your plan all along was to enjoy it as a stock 89 saleen and resell it, then maybe the working on it is not a great plan for you. That is something you have to really think about before you get a year into storing it and working on it and getting to the same point where you just walk away from it as a work in progress which won't reflect any time you've put into restoring it back. It might be better to walk away from it and move on if you just wanted to enjoy it as it was. Get the corrected appraisal insurance money, buy it back as salvage and sell it her as a roller or ebay it as a roller. With the interior stripped it could make a decent project for somebody.
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#17
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I have 659,ill buy it if it comes up for sale just to have the one before mine.
Also id be interested in the wheels,email me at jc198650@yahoo.co, send some pics of the worst damage on the wheels |
#18
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#19
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This recall might be to blame!!! Recall #95s28
Check this out, the ignition switch might have been the culprit:
Note that this is a safety recall, and any included vehicle will be repaired free, no matter how old it is, how long the owner waits to present it for repair, or how many times it has been sold. Ford Motor Company has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in all 1988-90 Model Escort; 1988 Model EXP; 1988-93 Model Mustang built through September 30, 1992; 1988-93 Model Tempo and Topaz built through September 30, 1992; 1988-93 Model Thunderbird and Cougar built through September 30, 1992; 1988-89 Model Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis; 1988-89 Model Lincoln Town Car; 1988-91 Model Aerostar; and 1988-91 Model Bronco and F-Series trucks. Safety Defect On a small number of the affected vehicles, a short circuit could develop in the ignition switch that could lead to overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of your vehicle. The condition may occur while the vehicle is in use or unattended. Repairs At no charge to you, your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer will replace the ignition switch with a revised design switch. Dealers currently have instructions and parts ordering information. 3. What vehicles are involved? A. 1988-1990 Escort 1988 EXP 1988-1992 and early build 1993 Mustang 1988-1992 and early build 1993 Tempo/Topaz 1988-1992 and early build 1993 Thunderbird/Cougar 1988-1989 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis 1988-1989 Lincoln Town Car 1988-1991 Aerostar 1988-1991 Bronco/F-Series Light Trucks You can check here: http://www.ford.com/owner-services/customer-support/recall-information i typed in my vin number and found out my car has this open recall, ive known my car was eligible for the free repair for a while now. Now that i read what happened to your ride im going to schedule an appointment tomorrow to get it taken car of! Hope this helps! |
#20
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The car is worth saving. Saleens aren't SVO's. Theres no comparison.
Anybody who thinks foxbody Saleens aren't worth fixing is out of thier mind. The foxbody in general is one of the most popular platforms of all time in terms of affordability, buildability and high performance. Just about every type of grassroots motorsport has been changed by the foxbody. Think of the other cars who can legitimately claim this...29/32 Fords, early vettes, tri-fives, 67-69 Camaro, shelby mustangs.....There are more, but these are the big ones. In time, the fox will be revered in the same manner. Saleen perfected the tuner Mustang, and without his vision, there would be THOUSANDS fewer performance parts market wide. Before there was an entire section of Jegs/Summit dedicated to latemodels, there was the Saleen performance parts catalog. There's an entire generation of guys building disposable income as we write, waiting to buy the Saleen they couldn't afford when they were in thier teens/twenties. They're about 30 now. Once the kids are a little older, you'll see this group begin buying up whatever Saleen fox they can get thier hands on. Its already begun, look at notch prices as an indicator. They used to be cheap, not anymore. Remember all the idiots who pro-streeted thier 68 COPO Camaro in the late 70s and early 80s? Tubs, flares and drag spoilers..... I bet they wish they hadn't done that now. Think ahead a few years, then decide if you want to part out a Saleen Foxbody damaged from a minor fire. |
#21
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Quote:
Recall: 91E19 Description: WIRING HARNESS INTERMITTENT CONTACT (12A581 TO 9D930) Recall: 95S28 Description: IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT I will be making an appointment as soon as I get the insurance back on as I don't want to take this chance.
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Black 89 Saleen #05. 345 horsepower FRPP motor, Holley Systemax, 6 spd tranny, Chrome Saleens 18x9/10's, 3.73's. 288 rwhp, 297 rwtq. |
#22
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I agree with Brokn nx. Look at how many 93 cobras were built in comparison to any year of fox body saleens, and the cobras are pretty expensive.
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#23
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Definitely fixable with a little effort. Never let a Deep Shadow Blue one die. I wish I had room for it.
You can get the smoke smell out. You would have to close up the car with an ozone machine placed inside for 24 hours. They work miracles and leave the car smelling like it was cleaned with bleach.
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Donny |
#24
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#25
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I looked it up. There were 5,100 1993 cobra and cobra r's made and only around 2,700 1984 -1993 Saleens. So, I think a foxbody is worth fixing.
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#26
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Your can't be this bad http://rides.webshots.com/album/55192528oWLJvH
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Greg Wackett |
#27
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dont forget to go to NADA , look up Saleen get price print, and write a letter to your state insurance commition. I did this in Mo. when my ins. tryed to low ball me on one of my cars years back and it worked I got what I proved the car was worth.
__________________
2005 S/C #10 Press Car w/ Scenic Roof 3.20 S/C Pulley & 18% overdrive Crank Mosaleen S/C no slip idler system 3:73 gears, Watts link Gen II 14" front brakes, slotted rear rotors Brenspeed 302, 47lb inj, longtubes/ catted H-pipe 570 rwhp 545 rwtq (SAE) 13.5 lbs boost, Afco heat exchanger F-5 Joplin Mo. Tornado surviour 5-22-11. |
#28
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If I had that guys shop, I could resurrect just about any car.
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#29
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So they didn't budge on the price, they told me it should have been apraised... I'm not sure what to do, I have pm's of people who want it; but, I need a car, ASAP. I'm 2,500 miles from home and I am puttign a lot of strain on my roommate and co workers with rides. I don't have the time to part it out. It already got towed by the apartment complex for being abandoned, its now back. I just need this nightmare to end. The insurance company can have it unless someone makes me an offer that will change my mind. I just can't have the car here for long and the family and friends that want it don't have the time to deal with getting it home. This situation really blows. I have the 4 wheels if anyone is interested in those let me know. I know this is last min and a few guys have been chompin' at the bit who really want it. They get first dibs, I just can't get it back to MA like I wanted, I can't take the time off to tow it home. So if you want it make me an offer. Its legit, 41k mile 1989 Saleen number 658, the body is strait and paint is great, still shining in the parking lot :-(
-Steve Last edited by 89Saleen658; 04-04-2010 at 06:06 AM. Reason: Grammar |
#30
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Will I be kicking myself for not even trying to sell it on ebay? It's got to be worth something to someone, I just wish I was home, My Dad offered it a place in the driveway temporarily, he wants the car more than anyone; "just go buy a cheap fox body with a million miles and a decent dash and fix it in your spare time" he says... If i didn't live in the apartment complex I would.
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#31
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Have you looked into a storage unit? I know that everywhere is different, but I pay $115 a month for a 12 x 36, which fits 2 of my cars bumper to bumper. You don't need that much room for one car, so it may cost even less.
__________________
Donny |
#32
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The car is in Conroe, TX (77304) the vin is not burned off, I didn't even think to take a pic of it. I do have it VIN is: 1FABP41E2KF252022. I will take a picture and post it after work, probably wont be until the middle of the night. I have been gettign suggestions to store it, not just from here, family, friends, unfortunately I am currently a half step above an intern and I can't afford to pay storage for this :-(
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#33
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How long would you need to store it? Is there anyone in Tx. that could help him store it? I have some friends in the Houston Tx area ill ask to see if they have some avl. room, but will need a time frame.
__________________
2005 S/C #10 Press Car w/ Scenic Roof 3.20 S/C Pulley & 18% overdrive Crank Mosaleen S/C no slip idler system 3:73 gears, Watts link Gen II 14" front brakes, slotted rear rotors Brenspeed 302, 47lb inj, longtubes/ catted H-pipe 570 rwhp 545 rwtq (SAE) 13.5 lbs boost, Afco heat exchanger F-5 Joplin Mo. Tornado surviour 5-22-11. |
#34
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+1 on time frame. I am 15 minutes or less from Conroe. Is the car drivable, as is? I.E. can you start it and yard drive it?
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Donny |
#35
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The key wont turn in the ignition, so the wheel is locked to the left, I killed it while driving and then the steering locked when I jumped out. I'm not sure on a time frame I am probably moving again towards the end of the year. I'm really torn on what to do, I'm hearing buy it back and try and fix or sell or just let the insurance have it, that I would never make the buyback amount back parting it out. The only real rush on the whole deal is that I am carless and very far from friends or family that would be able to help me out with rides and stuff. I really need a car in the next 10 days.
Thanks for all the support, this forum is great; hopefully I'll find another Saleen and I'll be sticking around. -Steve |
#36
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I realize its a month later. I am sorry to read about your car. I believe the forum has given you all of your options. So what did you decide to do?
__________________
88-523 89 LX 5.0 Sport 90 LX - for sale 88-337 - sold 88 LX HB - sold |
#37
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89 saleen
Hey--my name is rob & i own and am driving the 89 saleen #658. It is completely fixed--i am just waiting for the saets to come back from the upholstry shop. I may be interested in the original rims. Call me at 516-698-4402 or my direct e-mail is bbstang@optonline.net thanks
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#38
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You are probably looking for the original dash plaque and shift knob too... I always sort of hoped I'd be the one to put 'em back were they belong. I'm glad to hear she is back in action. I was just thinking about her, hoping she wasn't parted out. Let me know when you want to sell it back. :-)
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#39
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I still wish I bought that car. :(
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1992 LX (S/C) Saleen clone 1987 Saleen #223 1980 Mustang 2003 AB Mustang Mach 1 (x2) |
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