Third or Fourth Genration Mustang?

mr2die4 · Mar 09, 2010, 5:22 PM

I'm looking to buy a mustang gt, this car will not be a daily driver. It will be some what of a project car, nothing like a track car, but something that will recieve a couple of bolt-ons. Ive narrowed it down to the early 90's third generation mustang

and the mid to late 90's fourth generation.

and if I should go for the fourth generation, 5.0 or 4.6? Thanks.

texlonghorn · Mar 09, 2010, 5:38 PM

4th gen with a 5.0, that's what I would get. Fox bodies are ok, I'm not all that big of a fan of them.

jpeters1 · Mar 09, 2010, 5:55 PM

definitely go with the 302, things a screamer

millmAn · Mar 09, 2010, 6:45 PM

I'd go with the Fox body. It is just my personal preference.

But in reality, the case can be made equally compelling for any of these models. Any and all Mustangs have a huge aftermarket and are a good choice for a platform to modify.

And between the 5.0 and 4.6... I'd run a 302. Generally the parts for modifying a 5.0 are cheaper than for a 4.6. And a good friend of mine that has a Fox body hatch is in the local Ford and Mustang scene; I've heard time and time again from all of those guys that the 5.0 block will hold more power than the 4.6. So it all depends upon how much power you want to push.

(Speaking of him, we just played cards this past weekend. He currently has a iron long-block 572 in his '88 Stang. He has an all aluminum dry-sump 572 on order. He plans to juice it and hopefully put over 1,000 ponies to the ground. It already has a full cage, frame rail supports, forged upper/lower A-arms, Ford 9-inch rear end with a mini-tub. I can't wait to go for a ride this summer.)

Furthermore, if you do decide on a Fox body, the lightest model is an LX notch back -- hence it is the top choice for modifying. You can get all of the same mechanicals in the LX as you can the GT (like what you have pictured). The GT has a body kit and some creature comforts that add weight.

mr2die4 · Mar 09, 2010, 6:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millmAn

I'd go with the Fox body. It is just my personal preference.

But in reality, the case can be made equally compelling for any of these models. Any and all Mustangs have a huge aftermarket and are a good choice for a platform to modify.

And between the 5.0 and 4.6... I'd run a 302. Generally the parts for modifying a 5.0 are cheaper than for a 4.6. And a good friend of mine that has a Fox body hatch is in the local Ford and Mustang scene; I've heard time and time again from all of those guys that the 5.0 block will hold more power than the 4.6. So it all depends upon how much power you want to push.

(Speaking of him, we just played cards this past weekend. He currently has a iron long-block 572 in his '88 Stang. He has an all aluminum dry-sump 572 on order. He plans to juice it and hopefully put over 1,000 ponies to the ground. It already has a full cage, frame rail supports, forged upper/lower A-arms, Ford 9-inch rear end with a mini-tub. I can't wait to go for a ride this summer.)

Furthermore, if you do decide on a Fox body, the lightest model is an LX notch back -- hence it is the top choice for modifying. You can get all of the same mechanicals in the LX as you can the GT (like what you have pictured). The GT has a body kit and some creature comforts that add weight.

Thanks, I know the LX model is lighter, but I didn't include it because I personally don't like the looks of it. Since this is not gonna be a full on race car a couple hundred pounds won't make much different or bother me at all.

Evo_power · Mar 09, 2010, 9:00 PM

The main bad part about the 4th generation with the 5.0 is that there is not nearly as many around as their are 3rd gen Mustangs or 4th gen with the 4.6.

There is NOTHING wrong with the 4.6 engine at all, other than that everyone wishes it were bigger, but you can make damn near any amount of power out of it as you want to.

If you can find a good condition 4th gen with the 5.0, I'd say go with that one, but otherwise, I'd go with the 4.6.

Fox body Mustangs are...well, not good. Their steering racks are horrible and you just have to replace way too many things on them to make them GOOD. They can be good, they CAN be great, but I think it would just be easier to go with a 4th generation.

AESG · Mar 10, 2010, 8:46 PM

i would go for the fox body with the 302 engine. with a good suspension, and a torque box it'll do great.

millmAn · Mar 10, 2010, 8:55 PM

I just had a thought.

Did you get Fox Body Saleens down there?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/86/23...214309.jpg?v=0

They're mighty sexy and handle like a freaking dream. It would just be a matter of finding one that hasn't been abuse or molested. But a friend of mine owned one many years ago and found that the owners of those cars take good care of them. In other words, they didn't fall into the hands of poon-tang deprived teenagers.

mr2die4 · Mar 10, 2010, 9:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millmAn

I just had a thought.

Did you get Fox Body Saleens down there?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/86/23...214309.jpg?v=0

They're mighty sexy and handle like a freaking dream. It would just be a matter of finding one that hasn't been abuse or molested. But a friend of mine owned one many years ago and found that the owners of those cars take good care of them. In other words, they didn't fall into the hands of poon-tang deprived teenagers.

Yeah we do get those here, but they are very hard to find and even harder to find in good condition, plus when you do find one the owner doesn't want to sell it or is aking for way too much.

And by the way I'm 19 which makes me a teenager, we're not all stupid. Some of us have good tastes in cars and their mods. And some, very few, but some nonethelesss take advice from people who know more about cars than us, like me.

Just saying.

millmAn · Mar 10, 2010, 9:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr2die4

And by the way I'm 19 which makes me a teenager, we're not all stupid. Some of us have good tastes in cars and their mods. And some, very few, but some nonethelesss take advice from people who know more about cars than us, like me.

Just saying.

Oh, no. I totally understand and I apologize if I offended you. It's just that some people, teenagers or otherwise, foam at the mouth in the presence of anything that has the remotest possibility of making them look kewl. And then they trash it and/or rice it.

But once again, I'm sorry and didn't mean to offend you or direct anything at you specifically.

...

And about the Fox Body Saleens... yeah, they can be a bit unattainable due to not many in existence and high resale prices.

mr2die4 · Mar 10, 2010, 9:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millmAn

Oh, no. I totally understand and I apologize if I offended you. It's just that some people, teenagers or otherwise, foam at the mouth in the presence of anything that has the remotest possibility of making them look kewl. And then they trash it and/or rice it.

But once again, I'm sorry and didn't mean to offend you or direct anything at you specifically.

...

And about the Fox Body Saleens... yeah, they can be a bit unattainable due to not many in existence and high resale prices.

No problem at all man. It's just that most people don't give us the time of day because of the stereotype, and it's kinda true alot of teens just mess up nice cars, I just wanted to say not all.

VTEC_Dreams · Mar 10, 2010, 10:01 PM

Fox x100000000000

It's lighter weight, simpler (as if that's possible) and lighter. Plus it has a bigger engine. Did I mention it weighs less?

So what if it looks more like an Escort than a proper Mustang. It's *the* Mustang to have if you have any aspirations of chassis tuning.

Jared · Mar 11, 2010, 3:46 AM

My friend wanted a Fifty (5.0) really badly.

Needless to say he didn't get it. I would choose the 4th gen 5.0 because it looks better but the Fox body is pretty cool. I think either way you're getting a pretty sweet car with an easy to modify engine (more or less).

View Poll Results: What should I buy?
Third Generation Mustang GT	10	22.73%
Fourth Generation Mustang GT 5.0	24	54.55%
Fourth Generation Mustang GT 4.6	10	22.73%
Voters: 44. This poll is closed

Mar 09, 2010, 5:22 PM	#1
mr2die4 Poster Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 170	Third or Fourth Genration Mustang? I'm looking to buy a mustang gt, this car will not be a daily driver. It will be some what of a project car, nothing like a track car, but something that will recieve a couple of bolt-ons. Ive narrowed it down to the early 90's third generation mustang and the mid to late 90's fourth generation. and if I should go for the fourth generation, 5.0 or 4.6? Thanks.

Mar 09, 2010, 5:38 PM	#2
texlonghorn NOT made in China Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Virginia Displacement: Yes please Posts: 3,451	4th gen with a 5.0, that's what I would get. Fox bodies are ok, I'm not all that big of a fan of them. __________________ Clutch, your pen fifteen references seem to be increasing. Everything ok at home? - Wes

Mar 09, 2010, 6:45 PM	#4
millmAn Second to Cornbread. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Longfellow, Mill City Posts: 6,199	I'd go with the Fox body. It is just my personal preference. But in reality, the case can be made equally compelling for any of these models. Any and all Mustangs have a huge aftermarket and are a good choice for a platform to modify. And between the 5.0 and 4.6... I'd run a 302. Generally the parts for modifying a 5.0 are cheaper than for a 4.6. And a good friend of mine that has a Fox body hatch is in the local Ford and Mustang scene; I've heard time and time again from all of those guys that the 5.0 block will hold more power than the 4.6. So it all depends upon how much power you want to push. (Speaking of him, we just played cards this past weekend. He currently has a iron long-block 572 in his '88 Stang. He has an all aluminum dry-sump 572 on order. He plans to juice it and hopefully put over 1,000 ponies to the ground. It already has a full cage, frame rail supports, forged upper/lower A-arms, Ford 9-inch rear end with a mini-tub. I can't wait to go for a ride this summer.) Furthermore, if you do decide on a Fox body, the lightest model is an LX notch back -- hence it is the top choice for modifying. You can get all of the same mechanicals in the LX as you can the GT (like what you have pictured). The GT has a body kit and some creature comforts that add weight. __________________ "Hyundai is awesome." ~ Honda CEO Takanobu Ito

Mar 09, 2010, 9:00 PM	#6
Evo_power SCF Addict Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Oregon Awesomeness: Infinite Posts: 9,508	The main bad part about the 4th generation with the 5.0 is that there is not nearly as many around as their are 3rd gen Mustangs or 4th gen with the 4.6. There is NOTHING wrong with the 4.6 engine at all, other than that everyone wishes it were bigger, but you can make damn near any amount of power out of it as you want to. If you can find a good condition 4th gen with the 5.0, I'd say go with that one, but otherwise, I'd go with the 4.6. Fox body Mustangs are...well, not good. Their steering racks are horrible and you just have to replace way too many things on them to make them GOOD. They can be good, they CAN be great, but I think it would just be easier to go with a 4th generation. __________________ You're a C02 emission - Vtec_Dreams

Mar 09, 2010, 5:55 PM	#3
jpeters1 Janice Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Rutland, Vermont Posts: 1,062	definitely go with the 302, things a screamer

Mar 10, 2010, 8:46 PM	#7
AESG Enthusiast Join Date: May 2008 Location: Honduras, Central America Posts: 1,865	i would go for the fox body with the 302 engine. with a good suspension, and a torque box it'll do great.

Mar 10, 2010, 8:55 PM	#8
millmAn Second to Cornbread. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Longfellow, Mill City Posts: 6,199	I just had a thought. Did you get Fox Body Saleens down there? http://farm1.static.flickr.com/86/23...214309.jpg?v=0 They're mighty sexy and handle like a freaking dream. It would just be a matter of finding one that hasn't been abuse or molested. But a friend of mine owned one many years ago and found that the owners of those cars take good care of them. In other words, they didn't fall into the hands of poon-tang deprived teenagers. __________________ "Hyundai is awesome." ~ Honda CEO Takanobu Ito

Mar 10, 2010, 10:01 PM	#12
VTEC_Dreams Slow car enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 7,767	Fox x100000000000 It's lighter weight, simpler (as if that's possible) and lighter. Plus it has a bigger engine. Did I mention it weighs less? So what if it looks more like an Escort than a proper Mustang. It's the Mustang to have if you have any aspirations of chassis tuning. __________________ Anyhow...

Mar 11, 2010, 3:46 AM	#13
Jared Ba humbug Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Boregon G Ride: Giant STP1 Posts: 2,878	My friend wanted a Fifty (5.0) really badly. Needless to say he didn't get it. I would choose the 4th gen 5.0 because it looks better but the Fox body is pretty cool. I think either way you're getting a pretty sweet car with an easy to modify engine (more or less). __________________ I've got my own endo. - Wesley Pipes

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Schumacher fourth in Bike debut.	mclaren_mercedes_f1	Motorsport	7	Apr 03, 2008 4:11 PM
Mustang Shelby vs Mustang Roush	iced	Car Multimedia & Games	1	Mar 14, 2008 9:12 PM
Fourth generation Eclipse showed	Malin	Asia & Pacific Cars	21	Feb 04, 2005 11:54 PM
2004 Mustang GT or 2005 Mustang GT	KMoney2004	American Cars	42	Aug 14, 2004 1:25 AM