• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

Go For The Cobra?

  • Thread starter Thread starter What The Chuck
  • Start date Start date May 25, 2015
W

What The Chuck

New Member
May 24, 2015
10
0
1
May 25, 2015
#1
  • May 25, 2015
  • #1
I recently bought my first mustang after countless years of wanting one.. picked up a black 97 GT 5-speed for 2 grand..less then 2 months ago. I've put some money into it-headlights, CAI, lower intake manifold, brakes, ac, ect... maybe a total of 1500 fixing it up to my liking..

anyways, yesterday i went to see an old friend at Pepboys and one of his employees is selling a 98 cobra for 5 grand. pretty good shape only issue for me is that it's a convertible.. i have never owned one but my friend said he had one and hated it.. lot of body roll, extra weight, too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer.. what do you guys think? should i go for it or wait for something else?

heres a couple pics of the current car


 
W

What The Chuck

New Member
May 24, 2015
10
0
1
May 26, 2015
#2
  • May 26, 2015
  • #2
nobody has some input for me? suggestions, opinions?
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,017
21,203
234
Box behind Walmart
May 26, 2015
#3
  • May 26, 2015
  • #3
Keep the hard top. Unless an unmolested 03/04 Termi, I'd keep the one that you have.
 

restomod66

Active Member
Apr 15, 2003
136
20
29
San Jose, CA
May 27, 2015
#4
  • May 27, 2015
  • #4
Absolutely pass on the convertible for the reasons stated above. They're a PIA & add a lot of weight to the vehicle to boot. Don't settle for a vehicle b/c it's a "good deal", stick to your guns & something else will eventually come along.
 
N

norville

New Member
Sep 6, 2009
1
0
1
May 27, 2015
#5
  • May 27, 2015
  • #5
A $5000 cobra is very tempting. I've had a cobra hardtop and traded it for a worked 5.0 convert. GT biggest mustang mistake I've ever made. The handling is just not the same..I almost always had the top up on the convert. except for the few times the wife and I went on a drive on at night or a cloudy day..
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
May 27, 2015
#6
  • May 27, 2015
  • #6
Guess I'm the odd man out. I'd take that convertible Cobra over your run of the mill GT every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

....that is assuming it's in comparable condition?
 
D

Deleted member 38176

May 28, 2015
#7
  • May 28, 2015
  • #7
Depends. Are you more interested in creature comforts or performance? The 4V is leaps-and-bounds ahead of your GT in terms of performance. It will also respond better to mods.......and its a Cobra.

How many miles on your car and the Cobra?

So far I say go for the Cobra
 

Three50won

10 Year Member
Jul 11, 2010
1,135
64
69
May 28, 2015
#8
  • May 28, 2015
  • #8
My 03 is a convertible and I'd have it no other way. The only problem I have is that at the track the rules for a convertible are EXTREMELY tight. Like, the fastest I can run without a roll cage is a 14.0...complete BS. As far as being too hot in the Summer and too cold in the Winter...I have no idea where that came from. My car warms up quick in the coldest Winter nights and the AC works incredible on the hottest Summer days. The handling is kinda mushy tho, but a few mods will help in that area. And night time cruising is the best. Convertible all the way man!!
 
Reactions: 03vertgt
S

Special20

Member
Apr 23, 2015
28
2
13
May 29, 2015
#9
  • May 29, 2015
  • #9
1+^ I have a 2003 GT Convertible bone stock with 63000 miles on it. It is my first Vert and there are a few different issues with a convertible. There are switches, relays, pump, lines and cylinders to keep an eye on. Also, rain is not your friend but it is worth the extra trouble to be able to cruise with the top down at night. And if you can do it in a Cobra, well......
 
W

What The Chuck

New Member
May 24, 2015
10
0
1
May 30, 2015
#10
  • May 30, 2015
  • #10
130k on my car.. 200k on the cobra engine was rebuilt 30k ago. the convertible top needs new pistons.. interior is nice in both cars and they both need a paint job. nothing major just clear coat fading and stuff.. i put my car up for sale so im gunna see if i get any bites and go from there =) thanks for all the input!
 

Three50won

10 Year Member
Jul 11, 2010
1,135
64
69
Jun 2, 2015
#11
  • Jun 2, 2015
  • #11
Good luck.
 

trombonedemon

Well-Known Member
Jun 25, 2009
1,962
39
59
U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A.!
Jun 2, 2015
#12
  • Jun 2, 2015
  • #12
Go Cobra if the engine is rebuilt. I'm all about resale value.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Hi. I'm new. 98 Cobra Bent Axle.
  • sbk93036
  • Mar 28, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
1
Views
76
The Welcome Wagon Mar 28, 2026
AeroCoupe
Progress Thread The Mach Returns - Update/build thread
  • squeak93
  • Feb 20, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
322
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jun 1, 2026
squeak93
0
V6 to V8 Swap info
  • 02_2v_Curtis
  • Jan 11, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
671
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jan 11, 2026
02_2v_Curtis
0
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
132
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
Fox Ideas for Theft Deterrence in Storage
  • Clutchfork
  • Nov 6, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
38
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Dec 1, 2025
91AOD5.0LX
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?