I believe some of the other people responding to this thread have said that there is a 60lb. weight difference and if that weight is on the rear due to the glass hatch then the weight distribution is better. And lightweight is not everything. Who said anything about being serious? What do you mean serious? If I am bracket racing a stock car with street tires I am not serious to you? The more aerodynamic car will run more consistent times if the wind changes. The car with better traction will cut more consistent lights. You can't put any size slick you want on a stock car. Your not allowed to run slicks without a driveshaft loop. If you are talking all out modification of the cars then the weights will end up being the same except you will still have the aero advantage with the slope back and will have a faster car, power being equal.

I'm getting a fiberglass lift off hatch, lexan window and already have an aluminum pro-stock wing for my hatchback so there goes the weight advantage. :D

If weight distribution isnt a major issue, like its not on the mustang, why would you want to carry extra weight (the extra weight also hurts handling, by the way) as long as the car is getting traction? Drag cars should be getting traction if they are serious about running good times. If they are serious about running good times, they want the lightest car available. Therefore notch cars are better for the strip.

I dont think any aerodynamic advantage the hatch might have over the notch means crap on a 1/4 track. Might be nice for highway cruising, but not much else.

High horspower and light weight rules at the drag strip. Its not a complicated formula. I suppose your points could have merit in some cases, but I think overall, the notch cars are better at the strip, which has generally been proven at the strip anyway already.

Now on a street tired car easing off the line to avoid losing traction, is the extra weight on the back gonna help you get off the line fast enough to overcome your weight disadvantage? I seriously dont think so. If your easing out of the hole because you will blow the tires otherwise, a few extra pounds on the rear dont mean much. Even if you do get off the line slightly faster, I think by mid track the weight advantage would overcome you, power being equal.

ps- after re-reading your post, I see you are talking about bracket racing. I concur, the hatch could have advantages in bracket racing. I was talking about heads up drag racing, not a class where a 18 second Lincoln town car could win.

Hatch vs Notch
 

I'm surprised this thread is still alive. It's not that complicated.

The original question was simply; 'Which do you guys prefer, the coupe (notchback) or the hatchback?'

Now we have debates about 'serious' drag car and bickering over weights. C'mon.

The average Fox-bodied Mustang hatchback weighed 3102 (manual) and the notchback weighed 3037.

65 pounds. Big deal.

It's mostly subjective and not about performance. You think the hatch looks 'sleek' and maybe you like the extra storage area, fine.

Prefer the smaller look and more utilitarian style of the notchback, fine too.

Arguments about the fine points of aerodynamics, the precise weight of the hatch vs the notch and arcane drag racing strategies loses sight of the original question, which was simply looking for a preference, not a definition of aerodynamics or the phantom advantages of either model in all-out performance.

This is a lot like the old LX vs GT debates where the tiny weight difference was touted as a disadvantage to the Gt and the LX was called 'plain and boring' by some while others thought the GT was too 'Boy Racer'. So what?

We like what Mustang we like and we buy and drive what we like. It can't really be explained much less defended, nor should it be. It's just a preference, not a comment on our character.

I like the coupe better. It has a more agressive looking stance to me. I used to own a hatch and I have to sat I really like the coupe better.

I started with a gt convt, then a coupe, then a hatch, now im back to yep you guessed it a coupe. Just love the look of them period.

Re: Hatch vs Notch
 

The GT was like 200#s heavier, that's .2 in the quarter. It also depended on how the cars were equipped and I think you would be more likely to find a stripped down notch than hatch(maybe more than 65#s, between the LXs, depending on equipment). The notch is also 'tied' together better, so its less likely to twist(not good for traction).

I always liked the vert but had I known I was going to mod it like I have... I would have gotten a notch.

change of heart guys.

ok. i just looked closer at a coupe. hatch seems to look better.

LX/GT weights
 

Rick:

The Fox-body GT was about 60 pounds heavier than the LX. Most of the differences were cosmetic and consisted of fiberglass body components, not steel. Engine, drivetrain were exactly the same, of course.

Few Mustangs, hatch or notch, came stripped. Not many people bought a brand new Mustang with no A/C or power equipment.

The notchback is tighter but the tiny weight difference between the LX and GT, hatch and notch are not significent and can be easily compensated for.

The question is simply about preference, not what model makes a better racer. You prefer the notchback. Simple as that.

If your looking at it from just a race car standpoint, 60 lbs. is a lot of weight.

Notch vs hatch
 

Yes, it could be but that was my point in prior posts. We're making all these race-car comparisons when the original question was about the two models, hatch and notch and what was preferred.

Nothing about race cars was originally mentioned.

I assumed we were looking at the two models as a whole, not just what was lighter (the notch). That would include a lot of subjective well as practical factors to consider.

Just trying to clarify the question but it's getting to be too much work.

Saying the notch is lighter and tighter and makes the best track car is a no-brainer. The hatch has other advantages aside from the weight/tightness issue but again, if you want to confine the question to track cars, take the notch. Please.

Its pretty clear that his thread started out with basic opinions of which model was preferred, and has since progressed into why and for what. That why your seeing respnses that dont reflect the original question.

:D

Hmmm
 

I bought a new 1983 GT 5 speed T-Top ,then a 1986 GT 5 speed T-top (jerkoff hit me drunk driving,took out that one) bought a 1991 5.0 5 speed Notch in 1990 (still have it) Tough question,really miss those T-Top cars (and they were hatches) BUT sorry to say looks like the stang to have is a Notch !! contrary to what people might say or think this is the one to have SORRY ;) so i'll keep it :D

moc,

Have you lost your mind? The hatch is without question the one to have....:)

Ok, who was the guy that changed his vote from a coupe to a hatchback? You can't do that! That's CHEATING! A vote for the coupe should stand...can I get a ruling on this? (and not from Mach 1) :D

E

All votes are not final, and can be changed at any time. Bribes are welcome.

:)

Moc, are those the plain old GTS headlight covers on the car in your avatar?

Yes
 

They are almost 12 yrs. old !, I just hit them with mothers plastic
cleaner,now they look new again ;)

Mr. 5.0(Jim) you are right, this post was about preference. I see no harm in it taking another angle.. We are all friends here, just having a debate:). If we need to make a different post for this discussion, so be it. I honestly believe there is a 200# difference in the lx notch and the GT(Do I really have to look it up?). That is from my memory, back in the day... People actually ordered the notch stripped.. I remember that. It was the lightest and the best mustang to have. I honestly love the look of it the best(what this post was about to start with).

The GTS was a very popular car back in 95(I think) because it was lighter and could be ordered without all the the options.

Hey, I can change my vote - I started the thread! Still would prefer a notch but the hatch looks more macho.

btw: I've been told the hatch has a problem with rusting easier then the notch because water collects in it easier. Could someone confirm this for me. I'm having a bit of a "war" with my parents because I found a '93 hatch that looks in great condition for $5500 and they: (1) Hate the body style, (2) Seem to not like the hatch, and (3) Want me to get a 94/95 because the body 'looks better'.

Sigh.

It's my money but I need them to co-sign the loan. I could get the loan by myself but I would have to put down 20-30% on the car I buy.

I hate life. :mad:

Hatch vs Notch, Part XXXX
 

Originally posted by Cataract2
I've been told the hatch has a problem with rusting easier then the notch because water collects in it easier. Could someone confirm this for me.

I've owned my 1990 Mustang LX hatchback since it was new. I live in the northeast and the car has never had a garage.

I have no rust but it is possible to get a tiny amount of rust - not on the hatch - but around the bottom of the rear window due to the slope of the spoiler causing water to run forward and puddle in that area when the car is at rest. Not much of a problem but it could happen - and has - on some hatchbacks.

I'm having a bit of a "war" with my parents because I found a '93 hatch that looks in great condition for $5500 and they: (1) Hate the body style, (2) Seem to not like the hatch, and (3) Want me to get a 94/95 because the body 'looks better'.

Sounds like the 'rust problem' is just an excuse to not like the Fox-body Mustang. Obviously, they're being subjective and to many, the SN95 body style does look 'smoother' and to some, less aggressive than the Fox.

It's my money but I need them to co-sign the loan. I could get the loan by myself but I would have to put down 20-30% on the car I buy.

If it's your loan and your car plus you'll pay it back with your own money, you should be able to get the body style you prefer, but that's between you and your parents to work out.

I hate life.

No you don't. Not really. You just don't like complications and things not going the way you want them to go. Get used to it.

Life can be great but (like the Rolling Stone's song says): We don't always get what we want, when we want it, the way we want it.

You're still getting a Mustang. Reason enough for happiness.

:)

Unfortunately, I have quite a bit of rust on my hatch, I'll take a pic if ya want to see it. I'd love to find a great replacement hatch but my paint wil be expensive, so I still haven't painted the hood or cobra grill insert yet! :(

I think the rear of fox Mustangs in general are known for rusting. I've got a replacement decklid in my garage for when I get my car repainted because the original decklid has some pretty good rust on the bottom side.:(

Here i took a picture
 

we have had some crazy weather here in the southeast of PA. in the last 2 days,anyway i took it outside just now to try to get a better picture, but murphy was working against me ( it's like 30 mph gusts when i took it out) and the trees are raining buds like there is no tomorrow:rolleyes:

1 More
 

little different;)

Hey
 

trying to sway the the vote !! thats all !:D

My favorite angle. ;)