Wandering Eyes- Mustang Cobra Feedback needed

[onewhippedpuppy]

Ok, I can already anticipate the replies, but in my newfound quest for a different Porsche, my eyes have began to stray. I have recently made the choice to return to school, which is going to require moving to Wichita, Kansas. Long story short, wife looks like she may have a good job lined up, but it's 45 miles from campus, which makes my 107k mile Audi, as well as the 100k plus Porsches I've been looking at worry me. Also, during the two years of school I have left, not having any real maintenance other than oil changes, and cheap parts are very enticing. So, other than the fact it's a Ford, does anyone have any feedback on the Mustang Cobras? I'm thinking of the later ones, with the hand build 4.6L DOHC V8, the reading I've done says it's a sweet engine. 99 and later has IRS, which would be a big plus. Money wise, I found a '99 with 30k mile in Denver for $13,000, pretty tempting. Bear in mind, this will just be a car to hold me over until I have a real job, and can afford that 993.

[Mule]

A '99 Cobra will run step for step with a 928 S4. Handling is good but not on par with the S4, same for brakes. Expect it to be reliable & cheap to run. My biggest knock is the seats. I can't seem to find a configuration that is comfortable for me. I'm 5'11", 217, 39" waist. If you are smaller, might not be a problem.

[RallyJon]

Is your Audi a FWD or quattro? If it's quattro, you might want to take a mustang for an aggressive drive in the rain before you consider a non-AWD car. Going from AWD to a front engine, rear drive car is a significant step. Also, does it snow in Kansas? Same issue, only worse.

[asphaltgambler]

The 4.4 V-8s have had several issues. Valve guides and timing chain tensioner shoes wearing out from 80K -on. Also the earlier water pumps fail frequently.

[911boost]

4.4? Actually its a 32 valve 4.6 Liter.

Matt, I have owned several Mustangs (still have the 66 as a matter of fact) and have driven more than a couple of Cobras. I think a 2000 Cobra R would be cool, but back to your question. I had a friend that had a white 99 Cobra that he traded in for a new S4 in Denver, becareful if its that car, its been just about totaled and driven to the ground.

As for general up keep, if its stock, it should run pretty well, I would be worried about buying one of these from anyone than an origianl owner. They are very easy to mod, and sometimes the mods are not long term friendly. If you look carefully I am sure you can find a nice clean example thats not been beaten on.

I am in Denver, so if you want me to go look at the one you found, just let me know.

Bill

[david c.]

What do you Mustang guys think of a 94 Cobra? I have a buddy who is the original owner of one, with only 15k miles on the clock. He's thinking of selling. I'm not a Mustang enthusiast, but it seems like a potentially great value and solid driver. Any thoughts on it's performance or value? Is it much faster than a period GT?

[911boost]

Dave,

94 is the first year of the SN95 body style. The 94-95 Cobras, used the same 5 liter motor as the GT's, but had a different intake and some other goodies that were only worth if I remember correctly about 15 more HP that the GT's, so I dont think the performance is that great compared to todays standards. I think htey did 0-60 in the low 6 second range. There is a HUGE amount of aftermarket parts for these cars though, and the drive train is pretty bullet proof.

It could be a fun car, with teh right engine mods and suspension and braking...

Bill

[david c.]

Thanks. Whaddya think it's worth? It's white with grey cloth interior. The car is spotless. Never in bad weather once.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I drove one a few years ago. I wasnt impressed. I'd get a Camaro or a Firebird before the Cobra. Better engine, better handling, unfortunatley, not better styling

[911boost]

I guess it depends Dave. Since they really aren't anything that special, and you can get a brand new Mustang GT with 300 HP for $24K, your friend would need to find someone tha treally wants a low mileage car. I woudl tell him to check out Autotrader, etc. to see what others are going for. I would be totally guessing, but I woudl thik maybe around $10K.

Bill

[david c.]

I was think 9k-10k myself. I like the idea of a 302 better anyway.

[A Quiet Boom]

I know the later SVT Cobras come with front Brembos (or is it Baer) brakes as well as Bilstiens. I love the new model and can't wait to see an SVT Cobra in person.

[SLO-BOB]

Drive one first. If you're used to German engineering, you'll hate the live rear axle and cheap/non-sophisticated feel of the stank.

Lots of go for the buck, however.

[911boost]

The interiro is horrible, as is the position of the shifter. The Tri-Ax from Steeda repositions it some, so that helps, but the seats just aren't that great. Sonic, I agree, I think they did come with better brakes.

Lots of go though you are right. My 95 GT would go like stink after I got done with it.

Bill

[vash]

just got done with telling cantdrv55, that i would never own a ford. i am not exaggerating when i tell you, that there hasnt been a ford that hasnt given me fits. one was a mustang (ok had a 1966 stang that was nice). but from 3/4 ton diesel trucks to the myriad of company cars that we have, all fords, taures, F150's. they all have strange probs. my coworker's new truck is in for new heads, mine is down for a bad computer module, another coworker is still driving his, but he is waiting for a new exhaust manifold. maybe i just have bad MOJO. last Xmas, i flew to texas, my bro was getting a new truck. we tested a dodge, ford and chev back to back. the ford broke down on the test drive. a seal gave up and we dumped around 10 quarts of oil on interstate 10. he is a cop, so he had a car pick us up and we just left the truck with the dealers tow vehicle. ironically, all the loaner trucks they are handing out to us, are 10 year old chevy trucks with 150k+ miles on them. they are ugly, but mine runs great and get kickass gas mileage. if i was going back to school, i would stay with the audi. unless you stay in school for 10 years, your car should be more than up for the job.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks for the offer Bill, right now I'm just looking, the one in CO was red though. '99 and later had 320HP, front Brembos, and the IRS, for those that discussed it. I found a magazine article online, they chose a '98 Cobra over an M3 based on bang for the buck, still it pretty well hung with it. I had been looking at 928s, but their rep for mysterious and sometimes expensive problems has somewhat spooked me, especially considering that I'm enrolled in 19 hours right now. Cliff, I myself have sworn the same thing in the past, I had a '95 F150 4x4, and while it never stranded me, it did have a few annoying problems, cheap to fix though. Build quality is second rate, but it's Lexus like compared to an F-Body GM car (F-bird/ Camaro), I swear I've never heard more interior panels vibrating in unison, what a beautiful, cheap symphony.