bucanolemike

I am looking into getting a mustang and I am not really very knowledgeable when it comes to cars, so this question may be dumb to some of you. What is the diff as far as horsepower, gas mileage and maybe price in a 5.0 and a 4.6. I am wanting to keep my payments less than 250.00 a month. Can I get a decent ride for that?

mdvaldosta

4.6 is an overhead cammed motor, smaller in displacement but more efficient both in fuel and performance. The 5.0 is old stuff, got one cam in the block. 5.0 has about 215 hp, about 215 for the early 4.6, 260 for the 99-04 4.6, and 300 for the '05 4.6

ahollings52

it's true that the 5.0 is old school, but there's a lot to be said for it too -

if you're looking to keep the payments low, 5.0 stangs are older, and therefore, often cheaper. you can get a 5.0 stang that looks just like the early 4.6's (except for minor, year-to-year adjustments such as tail lights) i'm not a huge 5.0 fan, i've got one in my van, and van's are such a pain in the *** that it's tainted my 5.0 appreciation forever hehe however, if you're looking for something affordable to purchase, 5.0 might be your cup of tea, particularly because they are substantially more affordable to modify as well. shopping for 4.6 parts makes me wish i'd gone a year older and had a 5.0 in mine hehe

josh4rim

I would try to find a newer model. Especially if you are trying to avoid repairs. $250 is nothing to worry about. I just bought a 2000 GT (4.6L) Convertible and my payments are $277 you could go back all the way to 96 end up with a newer car, prbably less milage. But for $250 a month you coul probably get a 99 or 2k.

Dave2000GT

Although the peak horsepower number may seem alot different (260 hp in 99-04 4.6 vs. 225 hp in 5.0), by FAR the greatest difference is the power band in the 4.6 occurs about 1000 rpm's higher than the 5.0. That is to say peak torque, hp etc all occur at higher revs. The end result is that for regular driving, the 5.0 will seem torquier and may seem faster stoplight to stoplight, while the 4.6 does actually have a BIT higher output, though very close on the track. I think people read a bit too much into peak hp numbers, as the 5.0 definately does have some power advantages over the 4.6 in certain areas.

Jglisson

Agreed! My last vehicle was a 98 Dakota R/T with the 5.9l magnum. Stock the motor made 375? ft-lbs of torque and I had quite a few mods done to it. Needless to say, it felt way faster then it actually was. Power down low was amazing and quite frankly much more useable and enjoyable then my Mustang. Anything under 30mph and more then 1/2 throttle resulted in burnouts. It was too fun. HP wasn't but around 250 stock.

jkm1987

i think if was to pick between a 94-95 5.0 gt or a 96-98 4.6 gt id go w/the 94-95 5.0 especially if you plan to mod or find a 94-95 cobra for pretty cheap