1997 Ford Mustang vs. 1981 Toyota Carina
To start off, 1997 Ford Mustang is newer by 16 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1981 Toyota Carina. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1981 Toyota Carina would be higher. At 5,400 cc (8 cylinders), 1997 Ford Mustang is equipped with a bigger engine. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1981 Toyota Carina weights approximately 35 kg more than 1997 Ford Mustang.
Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. 1981 Toyota Carina has automatic transmission and 1997 Ford Mustang has manual transmission. 1997 Ford Mustang will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1981 Toyota Carina will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
| 1997 Ford Mustang | 1981 Toyota Carina | |
| Make | Ford | Toyota |
| Model | Mustang | Carina |
| Year Released | 1997 | 1981 |
| Engine Position | Front | Front |
| Engine Size | 5400 cc | 1588 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 8 cylinders | 4 cylinders |
| Engine Type | V | in-line |
| Horse Power | 590 HP | 0 HP |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Transmission Type | Manual | Automatic |
| Number of Seats | 4 seats | 5 seats |
| Vehicle Weight | 930 kg | 965 kg |
| Vehicle Length | 4620 mm | 4380 mm |
| Vehicle Width | 1830 mm | 1640 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2580 mm | 2510 mm |
