96-98 Cobra pro-cons...

[Joe_D]

Here's a Lazer Red '96 with the Export Fender Flares...... I couldn't resist either!

Joe

 

[Darkhorse845]

Your ride looks awesome! Welcome to
the boards.

 

[arkansas mystic]

96 had the pony in the grill, not sure about the 97 but pretty sure the 98 has the snake. couldnt stay with the pony so i got the snake with the billit background and it looks really good.

 

[rpgt93]

Well thanks for the help, do you guys think it is possible to find a 96-98 for under 9K? the lower the better....and one more thing, which would look better on a black on black, chrome 95 Cobra R's or chrome Saleen replicas

On that yes it is totally possible to find a 96-98 cobra for under 9k you just have to look. I got really lucky when I was trying to find mine. I ended up getting my 98 with 91k miles on it from the origional owner for 7200 so yes it is more than possible but it doesn't happen a whole lot. Aside from the miles there was nothing that should have affected the price a whole lot, the only thing worth noting really was the leather wrap on the steering wheel had peeled off mostly and the tires were bald in the rear which is almost to be expected but yeah just that and a few very small paint chips that happen to any car that is driven often. Just look hard, you should be able to find something nice, I did.

 

[atvcrazy]

I bought my 99 with 59k for 13500. pretty good deal, had the fix and a few other little things. Good luck in your search, they are all good

 

[stevstum]

I just bought my Cobra for $8999

I just bought my Cobra for $8999, but it has 108k on the odometer. Just keep looking and you will find what you want. Here are some pics.

 

[hersheyman]

I have a 97 Rio Red Cobra, the only year in 96-98 for this color of red, and love it. The SVT Recognition Guide states that these were the only 3 years that the Cobra engine block was built in Italy by a company named Teskid. They also make racing engines for Ferrari. The author claims it is the stronges bottom end Cobra engine made, of course the 03-04 Cobras were not developed at the time of the book release. I have also read claims that this was the best engine to add a blower on as it can handle up to 800+ horsepower. I agree with several of the other posts on here that these years are the sharpest Cobras yet, at least until the '07 comes out. I bought mine in April for $11,500 with 46,000 miles and got a steal. They were asking $12,900 and needed to sell it. Good luck!

 

[BensBACobra]

Well thanks for the help, do you guys think it is possible to find a 96-98 for under 9K? the lower the better....and one more thing, which would look better on a black on black, chrome 95 Cobra R's or chrome Saleen replicas

mine is black on black and i went with polished R's. the chrome just kinda looks cheap, especially after you've stared at them long enough...

 

[BensBACobra]

bought mine for $10,700 w/ 73k miles on it, and the best thing- totally unmolested, even had stock air assembly.

 

[BensBACobra]

I have a 97 Rio Red Cobra, the only year in 96-98 for this color of red, and love it. The SVT Recognition Guide states that these were the only 3 years that the Cobra engine block was built in Italy by a company named Teskid. They also make racing engines for Ferrari. The author claims it is the stronges bottom end Cobra engine made, of course the 03-04 Cobras were not developed at the time of the book release. I have also read claims that this was the best engine to add a blower on as it can handle up to 800+ horsepower. I agree with several of the other posts on here that these years are the sharpest Cobras yet, at least until the '07 comes out. I bought mine in April for $11,500 with 46,000 miles and got a steal. They were asking $12,900 and needed to sell it. Good luck!

i wasnt aware that there was really much difference b/w the 96-up bottem ends. the 03/04 cobras differ from ours is mainly the intake manifold, and of course, the pistons and rods.

 

[AzSnake]

i wasnt aware that there was really much difference b/w the 96-up bottem ends. the 03/04 cobras differ from ours is mainly the intake manifold, and of course, the pistons and rods.

Totaly different heads, cams, block material, crank, fuel system, the 03/04 Blocks are completely different than ours other than external deminsions and bore and stroke.

 

[hersheyman]

Totaly different heads, cams, block material, crank, fuel system, the 03/04 Blocks are completely different than ours other than external deminsions and bore and stroke.

To quote the SVT Recognition Guide, "Ford subcontracted the casting of the aluminum block to Teskid, an Italian company located in Carmagnola, Italy....It is visually interesting casting, as it incorporates lots of cast-in-ribbing for added strength. The pistons ride in cast-iron liners. An interesting feature of the block, which adds to its bottom end strength, is the use of six bolts to retain the nodular iron main bearing caps.....Four bolts go through the top of the cap into the cylinder block; two more bolts go through the side of the block into the cap.....This makes for a very rigid bottom end structure."
I think this is where the idea comes from that these engines are the best for handling superchargers. The rings would go before the bottom end will. Having the fastest Mustang isn't everything. I like having a pretty fast car with awesome looks. Throw in new springs, struts, shocks, brake pads, caster camber plates, exhaust and cold air intake and you have yourself one bad snake.

 

[97poonstang]

heres mine, second engine, going on the 3rd trans and I still love it! Going with the t-56 this time

 

[BrianV]

Couldnt resist either.. mine and my roomate's..

 

[COBRASVT777]

96 had the pony in the grill, not sure about the 97 but pretty sure the 98 has the snake

Well no, all the Cobras came with the Horse in the grill actually. Just alot of Cobra owners like the Snake in the grill rather than the horse. I have a Yellow 98 Cobra with the Horse still in the grill. I dunno why i havent changed it but i like the Chrome Horse. Plus i got 2 Cobras on each side of the car like everyone else.

 

[SiR-DC2]

1998 cobras also get a few other things 96 and 97s don't I think...mine has 24lb injectors stock and I was told 96-97 have 19lb, also stock ecu changes a little in 98...not sure about the rest of the little things.

 

[cold96snake]

Nope, 96's have 24 lb'ers.

Pro's

Teksid block, B type heads (great for boost), looks (subjective), rear axle, and drag coefficient (.31 vs .33+, vettes are around .28)

Con's

Hypertuetonic rods, pistons, more expensive aftermarket.

I paid 13k for mine 2 years ago w/ 4.10's and a K&N and @23k miles.

 

[cold96snake]

Nope, 96's have 24 lb'ers.

Pro's

Teksid block, B type heads (great for boost), looks (subjective), rear axle, and drag coefficient (.31 vs .33+, vettes are around .28)

Con's

Hypertuetonic rods, pistons, more expensive aftermarket.

I paid 13k for mine 2 years ago w/ 4.10's and a K&N and @23k miles.

EDIT, general pro's and con's of 96-98's. The rest is all situation dependent. Although '96's maybe slightly more valuable because they were the first mustangs w/ a 4.6 mod motor.

 

[Desert Stallion]

Although '96's maybe slightly more valuable because they were the first w/ a 4.6 mod motor.

Unless you count the '93 Lincoln Mark VIII, which has the venerable b-headed DOHC 4.6L.

 

[cold96snake]

Unless you count the '93 Lincoln Mark VIII, which has the venerable b-headed DOHC 4.6L.

fixt.