A friend of mine is looking to buy a 97’ Cobra. Besides the normal things you look for in a used car is there any known weak points he should look for before purchasing it? Thanks.
97'Cobra weak points
- Thread starter DavidF
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Well, you shouldlook under the front bumper to see if they have bumbed many curbs while parking. That usually reflects how the car has been treated. Also, make sure the tranny shifts well in high rpm's and that reverse works good. Listen for any ticking sounds from the engine compartment because these beasts are known for a tension pully going bad.
yellow5.0cobra
Founding Member
That does not reflect how a car is treated, what if someone had a steep driveway? Or went to fast food resteraunts with steep driveways too?
Thats NOT a sign of treatment.
Thats NOT a sign of treatment.
SVTdriver
Founding Member
Check the rear swaybar. Those things break with an alarming frequency. I'm working on number 3 in 4 years. Definately check the trannies ability to shift between 1st and 2nd.
yellow5.0cobra
Founding Member
kleinstang
New Member
- Jan 11, 2004
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There's a cherry one for sale at the NorCal Shelby site:
http://www.norcal-saac.org/ads/carpart.htm
My worst problem (starting at 4000 miles) with my 97 Cobra has been the rear end. I've replaced everything from axles through pinon at least twice. Also: one clutch, one swaybar, IMRC control, belt tensioner and idler, the CD player.
http://www.norcal-saac.org/ads/carpart.htm
My worst problem (starting at 4000 miles) with my 97 Cobra has been the rear end. I've replaced everything from axles through pinon at least twice. Also: one clutch, one swaybar, IMRC control, belt tensioner and idler, the CD player.
Str8Pimp'n
Founding Member
May have been a fluke on my car, but once I had an axle seal go bad. It's easy to spot. Look for any gear oil leaking out of the tubes, it will also coat the inside of the rim. I caught the problem before it lost fluid completely.
SVTdriver said:
I drive a 95' vert, and about a week ago my rear swaybar broke. I thought it was just a fluke. Now is this a problem with after market swaybars as well?
SVTdriver
Founding Member
Depends onwhich aftermarket one you get. But from what I've heard. Most aftermarket ones are solid not hollow. Which is supposed to help. Though every one that I have heard of breaking broke in the solid mounting area. Mine and my friends have all torn through the bolt holes.
SVTdriver said:
Thats where mine broke also. Could this be more of a problem with the stock control arms flexing or somthing?
yellow5.0cobra
Founding Member
SVTdriver
Founding Member
darkhorse1
Founding Member
I ripped my passenger side upper control arm almost completely off,it had 2 factory spot welds holding it on.ended up costing $450 to fix that,and had to re-place all the bushings in my control arms.
yellow5.0cobra
Founding Member
PS: I got full steeda suspension, minus 5link.
Never ever had a problem like this in my 94... or 82.. or any mustang I owned, cept for this one.
Never ever had a problem like this in my 94... or 82.. or any mustang I owned, cept for this one.
doogz
Founding Member
Yellow - Make sure your friend can get a test drive in the car. If he is driving or the owner is driving, make sure it's revved past 5k and a quick shift from 1st to 2nd. This is not going to hurt the engine/tranny if done correctly. You don't have to powershift it or slam it hard, just shift quickly at above 5k. If it grinds, you might want to pass or get it checked out.
Also, the engine sounds like a sewwing machine, it's normal!
Also, the engine sounds like a sewwing machine, it's normal!
The rear end on my 97 leaks. I fixed it twice allready and it is leaking again. The leather sucks in these cars too. Also my car only has 25k miles. I bought it brand new and baby it. The black paint on radio button are wearing out and the trim around the radio. Car has been overall good, my 93 I think it a much better built car.
