Mustang Experts(Zoodiver): 5.0 vs 4.6?

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Warborg

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
Sep 2, 2009
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Austin, Texas
Long story short, I'm thinking of getting a Mustang. I've been eyeing 1988-93 5.0 and 1999-2004 4.6 Mustangs. I'm used to pre-1973 Mustangs and engines, so I'm a little clueless here. Which would be better...the 5.0 or 4.6? Mainly with what is easier to work on, cheaper parts and that kind of stuff.

Thanks
 
Ive owned both and parts for both engine are similarly priced. Previously Ive had an 89gt, 93gt conv, and a 98gt. The 98 was by far my favorite. It was very easy to work on, a lot of aftermarket parts and more refined than the 87-93's yet not quite as modern of a look as the 99-04. You can get a 5.0 in a 94 or 95 and you can get a performance improved version of the 4.6 in the 99-04's. On top of this you can the high performance Cobra version from 93-04. Drive'em all and get the one you like. From a parts and durability standpoint their all about the same.
 
I just happened to see you didn't include the 94-98 stangs in your search. What I did was picked up a cheap well kept one and the threw a ton of aftermarket parts on it to build it up the way I wanted and it still cost less than a 99-04. Anyway if you have any specific questions let me know. Good luck car shopping.
 
Get a 4th gen Camaro z28/ss or at least a fuel injected Stang!




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Not much of a fan of the body style. I liked them when they first came out but once they updated them, I stopped liking them.

If that's the case I'd say try to find an unmolested 87-93. I'd also try to find a coupe not HB because the resale is better. Also get a 5-speed cause the auto is a dog. Another alternative could be the 99- I think 01 Cobra. Their prices have came down a lot in the past couple of years.
 
I was shopping for Mustangs a while back (never got what I was looking for, though I do have a Fox-body car now, just not a 'stang, lol), and was always told to go with the 86-87 GT 5.0
I was told those were the last years of factory forged pistons, so could do more on the top end without having to rebuild the bottom end of the motor right away.

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I would love a 5-speed but my wife can only drive an Auto. Are the autos better in the 99-2004 models? I know recently they have improved from the old days.

My 2001 PT Cruiser is an auto and I bet it could outrun a stick PT. It redlines before shifting and never misses the shift(human error).

Also thinking of a convertible.
 
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