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Old 04-03-2001, 09:26 AM   #1
ImportCrossover
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Question GT or Cobra? Please Read

I will be purchasing my Mustang (coupe) in the next month or so, but I can't seem to decide on the GT or Cobra. I plan on spending about $35k on the whole project including engine performance, suspension, wheels, body kit, and other misc. accessories. Normally the Cobra would be an obvious choice, but Id like your opinions on whether or not it would be worth it too just get the GT and put roughly $12k into performance and aftermarket goodies or to get the cobra and have roughly $6k too work with. Any suggestions or thoughts you guys can share with me will be greatly appreciated.
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Old 04-03-2001, 11:56 AM   #2
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It would seem to me that you would want to start with the stongest base possible. The DOHC 4.6 in the Cobra is pretty stout despite what alot of people believe. If you go with the GT you're gonna have to dump a lot more money ( I would think) than starting with the DOHC and going from there. You can find older late model Cobras at very decent prices so older Cobras are roughly in the same range price-wise as a late model GT. Cobras are cooler IMO.

That's a good chunk of change so you should have no problem no matter what you decide.

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Old 04-03-2001, 12:18 PM   #3
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The Cobra is definitely a stronger package to begin with, but it depends on the extent of mods you want to do and what you'll be using the car for.
If you want to build a lot of horse power and drag race, the IRS is not the best choice. If you really want a Cobra, a 96-98 could be a good choice with the DOHC and live axle.
Basically, I had the same dilemma as you when I was getting ready to buy a car, and I decided on the GT. This is mainly because I planned on getting major suspension mods for handling and didn't want to pay the extra for the Cobra suspension just to change everything (although the Cobra motor is nice with its aluminum block and forged crank).
Also, I like to drag race from time to time and didn't want to mess with the IRS.
For the extra money that the Cobra costs (marked up to almost $40K) where I live, I think a $3K supercharger and $5K in suspension goes a long way towards having a GT that will thrash a stock Cobra for less money.

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Old 04-03-2001, 12:41 PM   #4
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I should probably clarify my question. The car will be brand new ('01 or'02). I would either get the GT and spend an additional $12k on it (including supercharger) or get the Cobra and spend an additional $6k on it which probably wouldnt leave me with enough for the supercharger. Although I do want too drag race the car will be a daily driver so handling is going to be a very high priority also meaning that the suspension will be highly modified either way. Thanks for your suggestions so far, please keep them coming.
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Old 04-03-2001, 01:39 PM   #5
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Another factor that you might face while working with a new car is availability of a Cobra. Considering a very limited run this year and many of them already spoken for, you might have a tough time finding one.

I would say that if you "have" to buy a new one, a GT would be the way to go right now.

If you are still considering used vehicles, a 98 Cobra in good condition would be a great baseline to work with considering the 4.6 DOHC and live axle...

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Old 04-03-2001, 01:48 PM   #6
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You can do a lot for 12K on a GT, so let me muse on what I would do with $12K:

1. Rebuilt short block*
2. Big blower
3. Griggs or Maximum Motorsports suspension

The short block depends on how much power you want out of the blower (fuel economy since this is a street car). The stock short block will handle quite a bit of power, so you probably don't need to do this...

For the blower and installation, figure $4k total. Or $3500 plus your time if you install it yourself.

$8K left...

Are you planning on running slicks or drag radials? If so, some rear end work maybe a good idea. Bigger gear (3.73) $175 (plus installation), differential (TracTech) $385, 31 spline axles $385. Installation isn't too bad. So that's roughly $600-$700 out the door.

$7.3K left...

Suspension: Highly modified? Hee Hee. You can go NUTZ on suspension if you want to. First off, SUBFRAME CONNECTORS! I would suggest going with either Griggs or Maximum Motorsports and sticking with just that company for your suspension needs.

In the rear, go with their torque arm/panhard rod, and control arms. For MM, figure $250 for the lower control arms, $330 for the PHR, $650 for the heavy duty TA (You'll need the heavy duty if you drag race on slicks with the power you'll be making). For the front, K-member, A-arms, coil overs. Their K-member hasn't come out quite yet, but I would guess about $600. A-arms, $150, cc-plates $200, coil overs (depends on brand). Okay, so coil overs in the front, atleast new springs in the back, suspension wise rear coil overs would be the last thing I do, so that's: 250,330,650,600,150,220,X= 2200 + coil overs. Labor costs me $40/hr. For ALL of this, it would be... maybe $1000? Coil overs? $1000ish.

So we're down to $2.5K... I would upgrade to Cobra brakes. If you dig around enough you can find some for $4-$500 complete. Installation myself.

So, $2K... A good set of wheels and tires will eat that up.. Or just sticky tires:

$1.2K left. Do you need to pass emissions? If so, a H/X pipe with cats will run $5-600. If not, $2-$300. Cat back, $400. Shorty headers, $300..

So that pretty much does it. That would be a BAD *** car! Awsome on the strip, even better on the auto-cross or open road course. By good, I mean you would be destroying pretty much everything.

The other choice would be to tone down the suspension a bit and go for more power stuff. You could easily trim $1K+ off that and still have a bad *** car. Brace the stock k-member, rack bushings, A-arm bushings, instead of swapping it out.

Anyway, Cobra+$6K:

Plenty for a blower! Figure $4k for the blower out the door, installation and everything.

So $2k. Subframe connectors, axles, bushings for the rear, and a cross brace. So you end up with a car that handles pretty darn good thank you very much, and is making mid 400s RWHP and already has good brakes. Not too shabby.

Of course... If you did start with a 97,98 Cobra you could have all of the above...

Oh yeah. Screw the body kit. If you do half of either of the above, then there is no need for one. The car will be incredibly bad *** on its own.

[This message has been edited by 97snakedriver (edited 04-03-2001).]
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Old 04-03-2001, 01:51 PM   #7
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Oh Yeah!
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/ http://www.griggsracing.com/

for the suspension.
http://www.steeda.com/

is ONE place to find the rest of the stuff.
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Old 04-03-2001, 04:32 PM   #8
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I'd probably get the cobra and add a blower.
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Old 04-03-2001, 04:52 PM   #9
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I'd say get the Cobra. Put all your basic bolt-on's, rims, upgrade the suspension and be done. With a few bolt-ons the car will be capable of 12's pretty easily.

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Old 04-03-2001, 10:09 PM   #10
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GT GT GT. The March edition of MMFF has three modular 4.6 99+, done up with SuperCharger, Exaust, Fuel pump and tires... they run 11.7-11.9 on the quarter mile.

With the left over money you can work on the looks of the car (like the Steeda hood and bottom spoiler).

If your budget can move to 40K... than I'd consider that Cobra...

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Old 04-04-2001, 03:46 PM   #11
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I got the Cobra....

Now it is time to add the blower!!!

I get compliments on the 'stock' cobra all the time. How many do you see driving down the street, compared to a GT or Z-28.?.

I don't see many here..

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Old 04-04-2001, 08:50 PM   #12
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With the Cobra you get better brakes, better suspension, better engine....

For a daily ride I'd get the cobra, bolt a blower on, add gears, h-pipe, and shifter and be done with it.

Oh yeah, I will mention this... the insurance is hideous on the cobra. My insurance guy said I could insure a c-5 for less $$$.

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Old 04-05-2001, 08:25 AM   #13
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Another vote for the Cobra.

Going new? -The Cobra is the best base to start with and better components than the GT.
I know I own one.
Going used ... Hammer is sopt on .. get the 98 Cobra that's been babied and un modified.

Are you doing the modifications yourself? Would you some $money$.


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Old 04-05-2001, 10:06 AM   #14
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Hey rbatson, when I was shopping for a Mustang, I checked the insurance on both the GT and the Cobra and I was surprised to find the Cobra was MUCH cheaper than the GT. I asked them why and they told me that since there are fewer of them there are subsequently fewer claims against them, and the insurance rate is partially based on the number of claims. I am talking like several hundred $$$ a year cheaper! (for me)

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Old 04-05-2001, 12:35 PM   #15
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I would also imagine that the resale value of a slightly modded Cobra would be higher than a highly modded GT.

You would get more of your money back if you were looking to sell sometime down the road....

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Old 04-05-2001, 12:44 PM   #16
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Either way you cant go wrong! Both are great cars with alot of engine potential.

Both are Fords, how can one possibly do wrong?

Although the NEW Cobras are really beggining to rattle GM's cage. you'd be surprised by the amount of horse power gained at the rear wheels with Headers, X pipe, and Two-Cat exhaust.

------------------
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Old 04-05-2001, 01:49 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally posted by King Snake:
Hey rbatson, when I was shopping for a Mustang, I checked the insurance on both the GT and the Cobra and I was surprised to find the Cobra was MUCH cheaper than the GT.
Yeah, I found the same thing. I think also a fairly good percentage of Cobras end up in the hands of older men that just tool around in them, while a lot of GTs end up the hands of guys that street race or get into other forms of automative mayham.
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Old 04-05-2001, 10:09 PM   #18
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You guys must be kidding, my cobra is like a symbol 27 and the c5 is a symbol or 2 less. I'm gonna have to dig out my insurance papers now. I think I need to call some different insurance companies and get to the bottom of this. I'm paying a high premium.
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Old 04-06-2001, 12:39 AM   #19
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if i could have afforded it, i would have gotten the cobra. the only 2 real advantages of the cobra are the dohc motor and the brakes. everything else you'll either mod later or leave it alone. the motor is the best thing because you can easily make over 400rwhp, the gt takes a little effort to get into that hp range. get the cobra it's a better starting platform. jmo.
p.s. i really enjoy my car now, but it basically makes the same hp as a stock cobra. so go figure.

------------------
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