Looking at making a swap from a 91 LX 5.0 to a 97 cobra. What are things to look for on this car? Does this generation have any common problems that I should be aware of? Thanks in advance for any help.
Broken rear sway bars and front outer tie rods that squeak and creak on just about every one that I've owned or seen. Other than that, mine's been trouble free.
Foxes are cool, and so are Cobras. Make sure this is really what you want to get into. I have one of each, and I couldn't take selling either of them.
I would just try to find a low mileage, stock Cobra. I wouldn't buy anything with a ton od mods, or high mileage. Spend the extra couple grand and get one that someone as really taken care of.
The cobra I am looking at is basically stock and in very good condition, but it does have 90,000 miles on it. My Fox body is in perfect condition and I have owned it since it had 19,000 miles on it and is heavily modded but still appears stock except for a 93 cobra wing. I am having a very hard time deciding if I want to do this trade. I really like the look of the cobra but am wondering if 6 months down the road i will hate myself for trading a car I have had for 13 years. I have always thought I would be buried in my 91, this is a tough call.
If you have anywhere near the emotional attachment to your Fox that I do to mine, you'll never forgive yourself. A 90,000-mile Cobra isn't worth it. Maybe if it was a pristine, low mile car, but not this one. Also, if you've never worked on a 4.6 dohc engine, you'll hate it. They don't share anything with a 5.0 and the engine compartment is incredibly cramped. It is a completely different animal under the hood.
That said, I love my wife's car, but there's no way in hell that I'd trade my Fox for one.
Plus, looking at your sig, it appears that you don't need another car. Keep the Fox.
I have had alot of Foxes and love them but I just traded my 92 GT for a 96 Cobra two weeks ago and I really love the car! The Cobra is way mor civilized than the Fox and is an animal when you want it to be. My Cobra is near stock (only exhaust and chip) and has the normal Leather wear and squeaks comming from the outer tierods and from the rear lower controll arm bushings but the new parts are on the way and I was going to change them anyway. Mine has 110k on it and still runs like new. That being said I miss my fox, I could very easy do anything on it and this Cobra is a little intimidating under the hood. There is no room and it is completly different than th 5.0 So ultimatly you have to decide for yourself. I am happy with my trade, then again I sold the Fox for 7500 and only paid 6000 for the Cobra, so it also made financial sense.
Wow, it is just about as split here as it is talking to my car buddies around where I live. This is going to be a really hard choice. I think I will make my choice sometime this week, I will post up and let everyone know which way I go.
I agree...dont do it. YOU can find low mile cobras around if ur patient and ready to buy. Mine is 97 and I have 18,000 plus. It still smells new. Its not unusual to find them with 30-50K.
Yep, I just bought a 96 Mystic with 30k and in immaculate shape for 13k. I love the car. Its my first mustang because I never could afford the insurance. I can now and I dont honestly see me ever selling it.