Hi all. Im thinking of picking up a 99-04 GT or Cobra for my everyday driver. I have always owned 2 or more vehicles, one as a toy and one as my reliable car, but now with me hoping to get married soon and buy a house, and just want to get one car for everything. That being said, Id like to know what/if any reliability issues I should be aware of in these cars, and things to look for on test drives. Tomorrow Im going to look at an '03 GT , and a '99 Cobra, both with very low miles ( <10k). Obviously I am leaning toward the Cobra just for the extra power, but are there alot more issues with that engine, or things to watch out for? Any help would be appreciated, I just want to pick up a reliable car that I can still have a bit of fun with.
Questions about 99-04 cars
- Thread starter Rxmfn7
- Start date
Redfire03GT
New Member
If you're looking for "one car for everything" a mustang is definitely not what you're looking for. I'm married and I have one child. The mustang to me was perfect before I had children. I didn't expect or plan on having kids but now that I have my daughter, the mustang isn't so perfect for everything anymore. If you can keep it a toy - great, if not, then I wouldn't suggest investing in one to be your "everything" car.
There are plenty of more family friendly cars out there that are reasonably priced and still have some umph to them. But, if you are dead sure that you won't have children or if the time comes that you do, you have alternative means to transport them or are willing to get rid of the car, then by all means, enjoy yourself.
edit: As for the reliability issue, the 03 has a better chance of being in better shape than the 99 for several reasons. There are no stereotypical things that go wrong with mustangs over any other type of vehicle. Check for general wear and tear and make sure everything is up to par. A 99 Cobra has more of a chance to have been abused over the GT. Not to say that will be the case but, seriously, how many people are going to get a Cobra of any year and not beat on it some - or a lot? The same could be said for the GT although, I'd say the demographic for that model is a little more wide spread.
There are plenty of more family friendly cars out there that are reasonably priced and still have some umph to them. But, if you are dead sure that you won't have children or if the time comes that you do, you have alternative means to transport them or are willing to get rid of the car, then by all means, enjoy yourself.
edit: As for the reliability issue, the 03 has a better chance of being in better shape than the 99 for several reasons. There are no stereotypical things that go wrong with mustangs over any other type of vehicle. Check for general wear and tear and make sure everything is up to par. A 99 Cobra has more of a chance to have been abused over the GT. Not to say that will be the case but, seriously, how many people are going to get a Cobra of any year and not beat on it some - or a lot? The same could be said for the GT although, I'd say the demographic for that model is a little more wide spread.
geoffsgt
Member
Less than 10k miles for a 5 year old car... It was either babied, or raped.
Does the Cobra look like it was somebodies weekend track warrior (10000 miles is 40000 quarter miles!!
)? Or maybe it was just owned by some 70 year old lady?
Does your wife own a car that can be the baby carrier if/when the time comes? Even if she doesn't... hell, Mustangs have that latch system thing in the back. Let the kid grow up riding in a cool car!
Oh, and there was a post on the SVT forums (i think?) with a list of what to look for when test driving an 03/04 Cobra. Not the same, but I'm sure most of the stuff still applies.
Does the Cobra look like it was somebodies weekend track warrior (10000 miles is 40000 quarter miles!!
)? Or maybe it was just owned by some 70 year old lady?Does your wife own a car that can be the baby carrier if/when the time comes? Even if she doesn't... hell, Mustangs have that latch system thing in the back. Let the kid grow up riding in a cool car!
Oh, and there was a post on the SVT forums (i think?) with a list of what to look for when test driving an 03/04 Cobra. Not the same, but I'm sure most of the stuff still applies.
geoffsgt
Member
I would imagine a 99 with 10k would have been taken care of pretty well. These cars are pretty reliable, especially with the mileage your looking at. Being in PA though, i would look at something that could perform well in the winter or buy another car as a winter beater. I'd get the cobra and find a honda or something to drive in the snow. Good Luck!
and Mustangs do have the LATCH system as was mentioned for securing infant/child seats, even verts...
Redfire03GT
New Member
I don't know how it could be a great family car. It is simply not sensible for all intensive purposes. With my wife, my daughter and myself in the car, it is incredibly crowded with my wife almost completely up against the passenger side air bag. Hardly the makings of a good family car. Perhaps the same can't be said for your situation but I'd wager to say that most would agree that it's not family friendly.
If you/he can make it work for your application, awesome. I'm happy for you. But I know that in my mustang, unless it's absolutely the last option, we will never travel together as a family in there.
If you/he can make it work for your application, awesome. I'm happy for you. But I know that in my mustang, unless it's absolutely the last option, we will never travel together as a family in there.
DocG
5th graders > me. They're not bant
When I had mine....I always envisioned how I'd get the stroller, pack n' play, diaper bag...and other stuff thru that darn truck opening. I could barely get my head to fit thru that trunk opening.
Anyways, for a DD....get the GT. FOr a weekend toy....get the Cobra. Never buy a car that is 8 years old for a DD....don't care how many miles. Seals and stuff like that wear with time as much as they do with mileage. And that car may be fine....but I'd venture to say that there are situations where cars are driven "too little".
You ever come across an 86 GT....with 5k miles....run.
Anyways, for a DD....get the GT. FOr a weekend toy....get the Cobra. Never buy a car that is 8 years old for a DD....don't care how many miles. Seals and stuff like that wear with time as much as they do with mileage. And that car may be fine....but I'd venture to say that there are situations where cars are driven "too little".
You ever come across an 86 GT....with 5k miles....run.
Redfire03GT
New Member
Well, one of my kids is 4 and the other is 9 so it works out ok for us. I imagine when they get older it will be a problem then...
But for young kids its great
I don't know how you do it then
We have serious trouble just fitting the 3 of us in my car with the car seat. It can make for an extremely uncomfortable and upsetting ride for my wife.
If you want reliability, go for the 03 if its in good shape at a good price. I have a 15month old and a 5 year old. While its not a 'family car', it certainly fits my wife, 5 year old and 15 month old. Are we all nice and comfy? Not necessarily, but we all aren't in it very much. Most of the time its just me. It does the job when needed. No four door Charger for me.
CobraRed_96_GT
Active Member
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