:word:
The new Honda Accord is faster than a stock 5.Slow. Heck, even some minivans run 15s.
I think it’s a perfect car for a 16 year old since he can learn to drive it, run it into a wall and it wouldn’t loose value… since it wasn’t worth much to begin with.
I was always under the impression the 5 speed 5.0’s (Esp around 1988), ran low 14’s stock with a good driver.
Nissan Titan does like a 14.3 outta the box 
The difference between an Accord and a Mustang is 300lb/ft torque in a rear wheel drive car. For a new driver in the rain, these cars get quite tail happy. A fucking Honda might have more power of be faster but its got less TQ and front wheel drive which if you spin out you are a retard.
Also you have to take into account the tool factor. A 16 year old with a Mustang will likely be quite wreckless with it and try to race everything that comes his way. I don’t think its a difficult car for a new driver to handle, I just think its difficult for a 16 year old with one to be responisible.
Anyway, as far as buying tips, the only thing I can tell you is shop around. There is a lot of shit out there and very few nice clean cars. I searched for 2 years before I found the car I wanted. Finding one that hasn’t been modded is even harder than finding a clean one. Check the underside of the hatch, the underside of the door, the underside of the front of the hood. These are all places that Foxbodies like to start rotting out. Check the under body and drive the car to see if the chassis feels solid. Welded subframe connectors installed early in the life of the car are a huge PLUS for maintaining the integrity of the chassis. If the car is loosing oil, check the source. If it looks like its coming from the point where the engine meets the tranny, its not a huge deal. These cars like to lose oil through the rear main seal and its not a big deal to fix. Any other leaks should be checked into further. Obviously you want to make sure that the car is straight and hasn’t been bashed up at some point. Check all the seams of the hood and hatch and make sure they are even. Thats all I can think of for now.