New member considering a Mustang for next car
 

I figured I'd ask the experts before purchasing a Mustang. I'm a bit more familiar with the Fox body Mustangs from my youth but I'm looking more at the 1996 and up GT body styles and engines.

Are there real mechanical differences thru the years and which is the better way to go? Any years to avoid?
Fuel economy has to be a consideration and I've heard the 4.6L/5speed combo can get close to 30mpg on the interstate, is this an overly optimistic estimation? Do the automatics get much worse?

Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the forum.

welcome to the forum.. if you're consdiering a 96 and up mustang I would either go with the new edge body style or the S197. The 96-98 mustangs had head issues (Non Pi'ed).. Good luck dude..

30mpg may be possible, I can get 26 out of mine 04 GT. I would look between 99-04 or newer. Really depends on what body style/interior you like. The 03/04's have the least amount of issues in regards to the 99-04 group (no intake cracking problem, spark plug blowout)

But with any good maintenance schedule, any car should last you and treat you well.

I like both of the body styles from 96-04. New edge is 99-04, what is the 95-98 body style called?
Were the 4.6L engines pretty much the same power wise? What are the pro's and con's vs. the 5.0/302 ? Actually fuel economy and reliability are more important than horsepower to me.
Isn't a cracked intake just more justification to get an aftermarket one?
What caused the plugs to do that in the earlier years?

Were the 4.6L engines pretty much the same power wise?

There are NPI and PI heads...PI's were better int he 99-04's

What are the pro's and con's vs. the 5.0/302 ?

Dirt cheap to modify and parts are EVERYWHERE.

Isn't a cracked intake just more justification to get an aftermarket one?

No. The stock one flows quite well for making decent HP(99-04). But since you're not into the HP thing, a stock replacement will be your best bet.

What caused the plugs to do that in the earlier years?

I believe it was the thread depth that was increased to prevent that problem. If you use a torque wrench and torque them down properly you should not have any problems.

So if you were shopping for a nice unmolested GT where is the best place to look? Craigslist? AutoTrader? eBay?

Craigslist, Mustang Trader and national Mustang forums.

agreed^^^