Advice on buying a Cobra needed!

[jsabowabo]

Hi Guys
I'm seriously contemplating changing over from the Camaro camp and buying a SVT Cobra. I have previously had a 98 Z/28 and a 99 SS Conv. Camaro and I currently have a 1969 Camaro that is for sale. Well before I got into cars I got to borrow my brothers 1995 Cobra for a couple of months and loved it. That was back around 1998. To me the 95 Cobra (which was stock) seemed super fast, but now I'm reading they only run around 15.0 stock (my 99SS went [email protected] with headers and intake). I like the Camaro but it felt like a boat, the interior sucked, the clutch sucked and it was pretty unreliable. The LS1 motor was great, but that's about it.

What I'd like to know is what year Cobra I should be looking for to get somewhat near the SOTP acceleration of my Camaro. It dosen't have to be as fast, but close. I'm not going to mod the car much, if at all. I don't have the $$$ for a 03-04 Terminator. Do you think I'd be happy with a 96-01 32v Cobra? I really liked the feel and interior of the 95 Cobra, it felt like a lot smaller car then the LS1 Camaro. Heck, maybe I just need to go test drive a 95 Cobra, a 99 Cobra and a 03 Cobra and see for myself.

Last question: Are there any specific years I should avoid? With the LS1 Camaro's guys try to avoid the 98's and 99's which dyno low compared to 01-02's and have EGR.

 

[95 yellow 5 0]

hmmm...
a 99/01 cobra will come closest to an LS1 for 1/4 times and have the benefit/disadvantage (however you feel) of IRS. I think it's a benefit. Handles awesome for a mustang. 01's have the best interior of all mentioned.
the 99's had a fix for a recall due to extremely restrictive exhaust that drained HP numbers down to 270ish but there should be a green X on the intake i believe to show the fix was made.
if you want a solid axle car, i'd consider an 03/04 Mach 1 (basically same DOHC 4.6 the cobra has + shaker intake).
I loved my 96 and 98 cobras. They respond well to bolt-ons too. If you were to get a 96-98, just so you know, the stock rims suck on the 96/97.
I wouldnt be concerned whether a 94/95 5.0 was a cobra because i believe roller rockers and intake are the difference from a GT engine.
If you want a cobra, go 96+.

 

[svtpower]

If

If you want straight line performance get an 03 or 04 Mach1. It's the Cobra motor with different cams, has better low end power and a solid rear end with 3.55 gears.

If you want to do autocross or open track, I'd get a 99 or 01 Cobra with the IRS and the 3.27 gears. You can't get away with high RPM clutch dumps on the IRS or you will break and axle though, so it's up to you. There are alot of good deals on 99s. The interior is the same, but the seats suck, the seats in the 01s are much better. The day I drove my 99 I was not impressed but it was a good deal so I bought it. It responded to mods VERY well though and is an impressive car now. These cars have a PIG RICH tune on them from the factory and respond well to a retune and intake/exhaust mods.

The 95 Cobra is all low end power. They are alot of fun around town, but wont turn you fast times at the track without some serious mods. The 99 and 01 Cobras are all top end power, high rpms and pretty weak on low end torque.

Hope that helps.

 

[jsabowabo]

Thanks for the info. Have any of you guys drove a 95 Cobra and a DOHC Cobra for comparison? Which car feels like it has a stronger motor? I've read that the DOHC motors don't have much bottom end and need to wind to 4k or so to make good power. Which motor would you consider superior for a daily driver? I know they are totally different technologically and I've been a pushrod V8 guy for awhile.

I'm kind of partial to the 95 Cobra's just because I got to use my brothers for awhile. I just don't want to be dissapointe with its power or performance.

 

[hoofbear]

Thanks for the info. Have any of you guys drove a 95 Cobra and a DOHC Cobra for comparison? Which car feels like it has a stronger motor? I've read that the DOHC motors don't have much bottom end and need to wind to 4k or so to make good power. Which motor would you consider superior for a daily driver? I know they are totally different technologically and I've been a pushrod V8 guy for awhile.

I'm kind of partial to the 95 Cobra's just because I got to use my brothers for awhile. I just don't want to be dissapointe with its power or performance.

It,s true that the nat. asp. dohc cobra motors don,t have a lot of low end grunt like your ls1 but a set of 4.10s make them come alive.

 

[03mustangcobra]

Thanks for the info. Have any of you guys drove a 95 Cobra and a DOHC Cobra for comparison? Which car feels like it has a stronger motor? I've read that the DOHC motors don't have much bottom end and need to wind to 4k or so to make good power. Which motor would you consider superior for a daily driver? I know they are totally different technologically and I've been a pushrod V8 guy for awhile.

I'm kind of partial to the 95 Cobra's just because I got to use my brothers for awhile. I just don't want to be dissapointe with its power or performance.

The 95's have a computer that does not work well with mods. Remember that you can still find 03-04 at Ford dealers with certified pre owned warranty and financing. That's how I got mine, so you won't have to come up with the cash all at once.

 

[svtpower]

95

My friend has a 94 Cobra that I have driven several times. It's has a Densecharger CAI but other than that i's bone stock. It's alot of fun stop light to stop light. Gobs of low end power, but the power ends at like 5,500 RPMS or so. His 94 Cobra feels really strong from just off idle to about 4,500 RPMS and then from there to 5,5000 RMPS it doesnt pull as hard the initial low end takeoff.

My 99 is nothing to write home about up until about 3,500 RPMS when it starts to push you back in your seat and continues to pull hard all the way to 7,000 RPMS.

2 Totally different motors, 2 totally different power bands. It depends on what you are looking for. Then again, you regear the 99 to a 4.10 gear and you have yourself the best of both worlds! That's my plan this winter.

 

[WHITE94COBRA]

I have both a 94 and a 98, I just got the 98 today and let me tell you it's alot of fun to drive if you like high rpm power. Maybe this will help your decideon, as soon as my 94 is done (doing new cam and head upgrade) the 98 is going up for sale. Just personal choice, and I really do like the 98, but I have had my 94 since it was a baby... I like driving it more too...

 

[cold96snake]

Thanks for the info. Have any of you guys drove a 95 Cobra and a DOHC Cobra for comparison? Which car feels like it has a stronger motor? I've read that the DOHC motors don't have much bottom end and need to wind to 4k or so to make good power. Which motor would you consider superior for a daily driver? I know they are totally different technologically and I've been a pushrod V8 guy for awhile.

I'm kind of partial to the 95 Cobra's just because I got to use my brothers for awhile. I just don't want to be dissapointe with its power or performance.

If you mean that you like try to get the wheels to spin, gahead, get the pushrod. They're cheap, too. But, a mod motor at 7k....

 

[cold96snake]

Thanks for the info. Have any of you guys drove a 95 Cobra and a DOHC Cobra for comparison? Which car feels like it has a stronger motor? I've read that the DOHC motors don't have much bottom end and need to wind to 4k or so to make good power. Which motor would you consider superior for a daily driver? I know they are totally different technologically and I've been a pushrod V8 guy for awhile.

I'm kind of partial to the 95 Cobra's just because I got to use my brothers for awhile. I just don't want to be dissapointe with its power or performance.

If you mean that you like try to get the wheels to spin, gahead, get the pushrod. They're cheap, too. But, a mod motor at 7k....

 

[WHITE94COBRA]

Ok I have drivin the 98 for a couple days now, here's my take on things..... The 94 is a fun car for a weekend driver, I'm really liking this 98, It's easy to drive, has good power, looks good, ans sounds amazing (with exhaust). I think i'm going to leave it stock accept for the exhaust. And now I think I'm going to keep both.

 

[fordtech28]

Hi Guys
I'm seriously contemplating changing over from the Camaro camp and buying a SVT Cobra. I have previously had a 98 Z/28 and a 99 SS Conv. Camaro and I currently have a 1969 Camaro that is for sale. Well before I got into cars I got to borrow my brothers 1995 Cobra for a couple of months and loved it. That was back around 1998. To me the 95 Cobra (which was stock) seemed super fast, but now I'm reading they only run around 15.0 stock (my 99SS went [email protected] with headers and intake). I like the Camaro but it felt like a boat, the interior sucked, the clutch sucked and it was pretty unreliable. The LS1 motor was great, but that's about it.

What I'd like to know is what year Cobra I should be looking for to get somewhat near the SOTP acceleration of my Camaro. It dosen't have to be as fast, but close. I'm not going to mod the car much, if at all. I don't have the $$$ for a 03-04 Terminator. Do you think I'd be happy with a 96-01 32v Cobra? I really liked the feel and interior of the 95 Cobra, it felt like a lot smaller car then the LS1 Camaro. Heck, maybe I just need to go test drive a 95 Cobra, a 99 Cobra and a 03 Cobra and see for myself.

Last question: Are there any specific years I should avoid? With the LS1 Camaro's guys try to avoid the 98's and 99's which dyno low compared to 01-02's and have EGR.

My 95 cobra in stock form went mid 14's after all the mods I did its doing low 13's the mods are the big improvement see my sig

 

[SVT98Snake]

USE THE SEARCH FEATURE

Good luck too.

 

[rrohrig]

I have a 98 Cobra and love it. I have minimal upgrades - flowmasters, K&N, shifter and it screams pretty good. Its def. a lot faster than my brother's 06 mustang GT. One thing I don't think anyone has stated is that Ford changed to an independent suspension in 99. Under slick conditions or a little abuse, the rear end is a little rough(even with new racing tires). It rides like crap, my F150 rides alot better. The rear end bounces a little if the road has bumps when you are turning or getting on it. Stay with the low mileage to avoid buying something that somebody beat the ***** out of. My buddy has a 01 and I wish I would have bought that to begin with, but I had to stay within my $$$ range. I have heard that the 98 is better if you plan on putting alot of $ into it and dragging it. Otherwise go with a newer model. Good luck.

 

[svtpower]

Actually

One thing I don't think anyone has stated is that Ford changed to an independent suspension in 99. Under slick conditions or a little abuse, the rear end is a little rough(even with new racing tires). It rides like crap, my F150 rides alot better. The rear end bounces a little if the road has bumps when you are turning or getting on it.

Actually I did mention that way up top in my first post. The IRS in stock form is pretty soft. You put $200 into some new rear shocks and $100 into the IRS brace and it really firms up and gets rid of the wheel hop. You can always swap it out for GT rear end too if you like, it bolts right up.

I personally love the IRS and I have no wheelhop issues currently. If your car is a daily driver like mine you I think you will really apprecaite the IRS. If you are all about the quarter mile, you probably wont like it so much.

The 99, 00 (cobra R), 01, 03 and 04 Cobras all have the independant rear suspension. The GTs for those years still got the solid axle, just the Cobras had the IRS.

 

[500hp93cobra]

Sorry guys nothing beats the first SVT 93.....I eat all the later cobras daily

 

[Uncle Meat]

You dug up a 2 year old post to drop that little tidbit of opinion on us and it's not even tech related? Lame...

U.M.