8th gen vs 7th gen cobra.

fox_body289 · 04-18-2009

I'm just wondering which cobra you prefer and why, 7th or 8th gen. I'm in the market for a new(er) mustang and I really like these generation cobras. I'm 18 years old and will probably modify my car in the future. Which cobra would you recommend me buying and why? Any other suggestions?

limp1969 · 04-18-2009

03-04 cobra was the best year

Cobrals1eater · 04-19-2009

If you can find a 93 in perfect conditon and low milage, I would consider it. Ofcourse if you going to mod it, go get you a 03-04. These motors can handle so much more.

limp1969 · 04-19-2009

an 93 in great shape with low miles will cost the same if not more than a 03 -04 and is half the car

2oo5GT · 04-20-2009

i've seen a 93 Cobra with almost no miles, plastic on the seats, looked like it just came off the assembly line go for over $70K.
A used one with low to decent mileage can go close to $20K. At that, get a 03-04...the best ones to have.

limp1969 · 04-21-2009

to buy a 93 cobra would be to collect it not to race it.
I hammered on my 03 cobra 16k miles they are mean machines. You can find them on dealer lots still. Go drive one

fox_body289 · 04-21-2009

what do the 03/04's have over the 97-98 cobras?? I do prefer the 03/04's but they cost a lot more than a 97-98 and I dont know if the price difference is justifiable. Also what about the 01/02 cobras??

2oo5GT · 04-21-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by fox_body289

what do the 03/04's have over the 97-98 cobras?? I do prefer the 03/04's but they cost a lot more than a 97-98 and I dont know if the price difference is justifiable. Also what about the 01/02 cobras??

Power would be the first thing the 03-04 has over the older ones. better suspension, better internals, better looks. 01 Cobra's are nice but no SC , had 320hp. and the only place to get any 02 Cobra's was Austraila. The SN 95 Cobras are cheaper. I've seen some 99 Cobra's for cheap too. The 03-04 is a nice/well rounded package that has balls off the assembly line.

yfz162 · 04-22-2009

It just depends on how much your wanting to spend.... The 03-04 termies are your only pick for making big power without making huge mods. I really like the 96-98 cobra body style

+ i don't see many of them still running around on the streets. The only problem is the pistons & rods are junk if you look @ supercharging over 6-8 psi, i know from experience. Your gonna spend around 20K for an 03-04, but could pick up a 96-98 with tons of mods already (including a blower) for 10-14K. These cars have a strong forged crank and you can pick up a forged piston and rod set for $1200 and up depending on who's name your wanting to buy. If you can do the work yourself you can equal the mild modded termies performance for alot less coin. Your not going to go wrong with any cobra as they all turn heads

!

limp1969 · 04-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by fox_body289

what do the 03/04's have over the 97-98 cobras?? I do prefer the 03/04's but they cost a lot more than a 97-98 and I dont know if the price difference is justifiable. Also what about the 01/02 cobras??

03-04 have forged bottom ends , iron blocks, IRS rear suspension.6 Speed transmission.
It is the only cobra ford made that has a REALLY built engine in it , besides a 428scj ,boss 9 boss 2's and 429scj of the late 60s early 70's and the cobra R stuff
Stock they come with 275 tires

These cars are miles above any other cobras. BUYER BEWARE 96-98 cobras the rods and rod bearings ford used, are crappy.
Like I said before . Dealers have them every once and a while and you could go drive one and see for your self look on craigs list in your area under cars-mustang cobra.
By the way you can not build a 03-04 cobra for any where near $20k It is one of the best deals out there for a 400 + hp car.
Pulley it , change the exhaust , tune it, change the bushings and you have a road race car that is mean.
If you want to drag race it . The IRS will pop right out and a 8.8 from any 94-04 gt will fit right in.

oh the come stock with bilstiens too so if you want coil overs you just need to groove your shocks for $40 and install a MM coil over kit

yfz162 · 04-22-2009

No, you cannot build an 03-04 cobra for 20k but you can pick one up with some mods for around 20k depending on the mileage. I do agree these are the best cobra models, but they are pricey. Like i said it just depends on how much your wanting to spend and how much elbow grease you want to put into your project. The pistons and rods are junk on the 96-98's, but easily replaced. I have around 17500 in my car which has the teksid block and built rotating assembly. With some tuning and pulley change it could easily put 550 to the wheels and handle it. It would be next to impossible to pick up a terminator that puts 550 to the wheels wit less than 40,000 miles for $17500 or less....... Just depends on what you want and how much you want to invest. I like all of them

!

limp1969 · 04-22-2009

I paid $21k for mine year and a half ago 15k miles 460 rwhp. now days you can get one a little cheaper
The problem with building a old one into a hi hp car is its still not a 6 speed and no irs and you have to buy all the other stuff to make it work. OH and the big one YOU HAVE TO IT ALL.
I have done both ways and I am telling you, just make the payment and be done buy the termi I pay $340 a month for mine. I put no money down and pay $200 a year for full insurance under a collector car policy.

The only down side to the 99-04 cobras is the IRS if you plan on drag racing. But I have to say after coil overs and slicks my 03 as a road race car is pretty bad ass with the IRs I hated it for the at first but now it is the sh!t

2Manystangs · 04-25-2009

Buy as much car as you can afford, this will probably dictate which car you will wind up with...also you may want to get an insurance quote first, a Cobra for an 18 year old is going to command a skyhigh premium...

svt4me · 04-25-2009

I'm 18 in california, I drive an 01 cobra, no tickets and my insurance is 158 a month, through allstate. But, my cobra's an 01, which isnt supercharged but runs excellent and has handled plenty of abuse.

Stevan26 · 06-10-2009

ok your 18 years old and you want a cobra.

good choice. i am also 18 years old but i have a cobra just got it last year.

ok i would recommend getting a 1996-2001 cobra

03/04 cobra are faster and all that and better. but ur 18 and im thinking ur not looking to sink 20K or more or less into a cobra atm, correct?

a 96-98 cobra is prolly the most bang for your buck as they are 305 HP stock as a 99/01 are 320. 15hp isnt a die hard diffrence.
the 96-98 are cheaper and u dont seem them around as much either.

i went with a 2001 cuz it has the awesome leather seats with suede inserts and a cobra snake stitched on it. its awesome. they also have the upgraded t3650 vs. 99 and lower t45 tranny. and some of the 99' didnt make the 320 as they were said(some of them are fixed though as of a recall)

my 01 cobra has a few upgrades that it came with as alot of used cobras do! i hav a bbk cold air intake, bbk headers, bbk Hpipe, and flow master exhaust. and 1.5inch eibach lowering springs. its loud as hell, its super fast. cant ask for much more. im around 370-380 HP and with a new mass air flow(MAF) sensor and a dyno tune. ill be over 400! and a stock 03/04 has 390 with a blower. so thats pretty good.

basicly go for a 96-98 or 99/01. you can do some small things like exhaust and air intake and good good results and have a fast car(or if its stock thats pretty damn fast too!)

01 best way to go id say. but for a little cheaper you can go 96-98 and get close results i like both bodies. insides are close to the same

SO GO 96-98 99/01!!

dont listen to these people that say u need a 03/04.(unless you got money up the ass. then go dump 22K on one)