You're tearing across the Mexican desert in a hypercar worth millions, but honestly, some of the most satisfying moments in Mexico happen when you’re crawling through a dense jungle at 5 mph. That’s the magic of forza horizon 5 barn finds. It is that specific, itchy feeling of knowing a legendary piece of history is rotting away inside a corrugated metal shack just a few hundred yards from where you’re currently drifting.
But here is the thing: most people think you just drive to a location and "poof," the car is yours. It doesn’t work like that. If you just go to the coordinates you found on some random forum without the rumor being active, you’ll just find a locked door.
The Rumor Mill: How to Actually Start the Hunt
You can't just force a barn find to happen whenever you want. Basically, the game drip-feeds these to you. Most rumors trigger randomly as you earn Accolades or complete races. You’ll be driving along, and suddenly Alejandra or Alex will chime in over the radio about an "old rumor" or a "hidden gem" someone mentioned at a local cafe.
That’s your green light. A giant purple circle appears on your map.
Now, if you’re the impatient type—and let's be real, who isn't?—you can skip the mystery. Buying the Treasure Map DLC makes every barn icon appear instantly. It sort of kills the "discovery" vibe, but if you just want the cars, it’s the way to go. Otherwise, you’ve got to put in the work.
Hidden Behind the Grind: The 3 Barn Finds You Can’t Find "Randomly"
This is where a lot of players get stuck. They have 11 or 12 cars and can’t figure out why the last few won't pop. It’s because forza horizon 5 barn finds are sometimes tied to specific Horizon Adventure expeditions. You can’t just wait for a radio call; you have to go out and trigger them yourself.
🔗 Read more: Blox Fruit Current Stock: What Most People Get Wrong
1. The Jaguar Sport XJR-15
This one is tucked away near the Aerodromo en la Selva. To get it, you have to start the Jungle Expedition. While you’re doing the mission, there’s an optional objective to "find the lost notes." Do not skip this. If you don't find those notes, the barn rumor won't trigger. The car itself is a mid-engine monster that looks like it belongs on a Le Mans track because, well, it basically does.
2. The GMC Jimmy
You’ll need the Apex Expedition for this. During the mission, you’re tasked with reaching the top of the central ruin in Tulum. It’s a bit of a climb, but once you hit the peak, the rumor for the GMC Jimmy clears. It’s a classic 4x4 that’s perfect for the rugged Mexican terrain, even if it’s not the fastest thing in your garage.
3. The Ford Racing Escort MK1
Head over to the Baja Expedition. You need to take a sample from the hot spring lake. It sounds like a boring chore, but doing it unlocks the rumor for one of the most iconic rally cars in history. It’s a staple for any dirt racing build.
The "Secret" 14th Barn Find
Wait, didn't the game say there were 14? If you've done all the expeditions and you're still sitting at 13, you're probably missing La Cabaña. This isn't a race or a mission; it's a house. Specifically, a player house on the west coast near the Bahia de Plano.
You have to buy it.
💡 You might also like: Why the Yakuza 0 Miracle in Maharaja Quest is the Peak of Sega Storytelling
It only costs about 150,000 credits, which is pocket change once you're a few hours in. The second the deed is yours, you’ll get the rumor for the 1968 Renault 4L Export. It’s a quirky little car, but you need it to complete the set.
Every Barn Find Car in Mexico
Honestly, the variety in this game is wild. You go from finding a literal billion-dollar Ferrari to a dusty old Toyota truck. Here is the breakdown of what is actually waiting for you in those sheds:
- 1973 BMW 2002 Turbo: Found west of the Guanajuato area. A cult classic that loves a good tune.
- 1953 Chevrolet Corvette: Tucked away south of the main highway that cuts through the map. The original American sports car.
- 1999 Dodge Viper GTS ACR: Located in the Gran Pantano region. It's a handful to drive but sounds incredible.
- 1968 Dodge Dart Hemi Super Stock: Look near the Teotihuacán ruins. This thing is a drag strip legend.
- 1989 Ferrari F40 Competizione: Near the Maya ruins in the southeast. Probably the coolest looking find in the whole game.
- 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO: The holy grail. It’s located near the Los Jardines area. If you find this, be prepared to wait a long time for the restoration.
- 1956 Ford F-100: Found in the fields south of Guanajuato. A beautiful vintage pickup.
- 1968 Ford Mustang GT 2+2 Fastback: East of Guanajuato. Every Bullitt fan's dream.
- 1970 GMC Jimmy: (Locked behind Apex Expedition).
- 1991 Jaguar Sport XJR-15: (Locked behind Jungle Expedition).
- 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS: Located on the east side of the Caldera volcano. Absolute precision.
- 1968 Renault 4L Export: (Locked behind the La Cabaña house purchase).
- 1993 Toyota T100 Baja Truck: Southwest of the map near the crop circles. This thing eats sand for breakfast.
- 1967 Ford Racing Escort MK1: (Locked behind Baja Expedition).
The Restoration Nightmare (Looking at You, Ferrari)
Finding the barn is only half the battle. Once you trigger the cutscene, the car is hauled off to your garage for a "restoration." This isn't instant. Cheap cars like the Renault might take 30 minutes.
The Ferrari 250 GTO? That thing can take weeks of real-time play.
The game calculates restoration time based on the car’s value and your active playtime. You’ll see progress updates like "stripping paint" or "sourcing parts." If you are desperate, you can pay credits to finish it instantly. For the 250 GTO, that "buy it now" price starts at something like 50 million credits.
📖 Related: Minecraft Cool and Easy Houses: Why Most Players Build the Wrong Way
Just wait. It’s more rewarding that way. Plus, you’ll get a notification when it’s ready to be picked up.
Using the Drone: The Pro Move
If you’re inside the purple circle and you’ve been driving in circles for twenty minutes, stop. Open the menu and switch to Drone Mode.
The drone moves faster, isn't hindered by trees, and gives you a bird's-eye view. Once the drone "sees" the barn, the purple circle disappears and is replaced by a permanent icon on your map. This is basically mandatory for the barns hidden in the thick jungles of the south where visibility is basically zero.
Gift Drops: The Social Side of Barns
Something new in FH5 is the ability to use discovered barns as "Gift Drop" locations. Once you’ve found a barn, you can actually leave a car from your own collection there for a random stranger to find.
You can choose who gets it—maybe you want to send a kitted-out off-roader to a "New Player" to help them get started. It’s a cool way to clear out your garage of duplicates while making someone’s day. You even get to choose a little message to go with it.
Your Next Steps in Mexico
If you want to clear these out today, your best bet is to stop focusing on the barns themselves and start focusing on Horizon Adventure.
Open your map and check your Accolades. Unlock the Jungle, Apex, and Baja Expeditions as soon as possible. While you’re out there, make sure to buy the La Cabaña house on the west coast. Once those four specific triggers are handled, the rest of the forza horizon 5 barn finds will simply pop up as you play through the various racing series. Keep your radio on, listen for Alejandra, and always keep your drone ready for those hard-to-spot jungle shacks.