Finally Buying a stang, please help

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

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