Finally Buying a stang, please help

[NewMStang]

Well im finally going to be buying a Mustang GT later this week and I was hoping I could get some help.

I was looking to a buy a 2002 gt, 5sp, probablly with around 30-40k miles.

Is their any particular problems with the gt's of that year, any recalls, problems with the tranny, etc? (problems to look for before i buy the car)

Also is there any significant changes between the 02 model and the 03, 04 model?

I use to be more a of a GM guy as I use to own a firebird, so I don't really know nearly as much about Mustang's as Trans Am's and camaros. So any additional info would be great.

And last thing, what can i expect from the car? Meaning overall the car is as ok as a daily driver, how's the maintance, etc

Thanks in advance for all your help

 

[eliteJAE]

the major differences came before the 02 year, with the shift from t-45 transmissions to tr-3650 trannys, and from a Windsor built block to Romeo. The 02 would have a tr-3650 and a Romeo built engine. Problems common to all new edge (99-04) mustangs include spark-plug blowout (prevented by routine re-torque)....and that's all i can think of lol theyre pretty reliable cars and engines, as long as you keep up with routine maintenance.

Also, earlier new edge years had a plastic intake that tends to crack and spew coolant all over, but i don't think the 02's had this, i think they came with the an intake with an aluminum crossover that doesn't crack like the plastic ones did.

Lastly, 4.6 mustangs, especially 2v, are harder to squeeze power out of, and require more $$ than Trans Am's and Camaros (especially with the LS1). So expect to cough up a good deal of cash to get to the same power levels in a mustang that headers and cams would get you in a LS1. On that note, mustangs love boost usually people go forced induction to get serious power, as staying N/A is expensive and does not result in much power gains. Good luck man

EDIT: mustangs look way sexier than f-bodies

 

[Black_02_GT]

go for the 02 with the tr-3650, no real problems out of these cars.. as many will say and you will keep hearing maintenance, maintenance, maintenance! Look at the fact that most taxis, or older police cruisers have the same 4.6 in them and have 200k+ miles. It's all a matter of how well you take car of your car how well it will take care of you. I think the 99-00 models had the plastic intake (someone correct this if im wrong), so with the 02 no problems. The only thing is really the spark plug issue on these cars. Basically caused by over torque on the plugs or possibly changing the plugs while the the motor is still hot. Just stay away from that stuff and you're good to go