Recommendations For Mustang Purchase

You can't really go wrong with any 5.0 Mustang. However, there are times when one choice might be favored over another.

Convertibles - Unless you just have to have open air motoring, I would stay away from these. They are even flimsier than the hard top versions, the tops almost always leak, and as far as I can tell are generally worth less when it comes to resale. On the flipside, the buy in is cheaper.

Now, some people just have to have the top down... but if that is the case, then i would go at least new edge if not S197.

Hatchbacks - LX and GT - I personally like hatchbacks, and think that they are sportier looking than the Notch, plus have a lot of cargo room if you need to haul something. Resale isn't as good as the notch for an average car, but nice cars still bring a good dollar amount. Great for cruising, but give up a little bit to the Notch in the racing environment due to slightly higher weight and less chassis stiffness.

I personally love the GT body style with the air dam, but really you just have to go with which one you like the best. Performance between LX and GT is pretty much the same.

Notchbacks - Notches are part of the Fox Body Legend. Although they only sport about a 50 lb. savings over a similarly equipped LX hatch, the lore is that they are 500 lbs lighter and run 13's stock. This isn't really true, but they do have some slight advantages in weight and chassis stiffness. Most importantly, a clean notch demands a premium over a similar hatch or convertible.

93 Cobra - Here's the deal. '93 Cobras are worth a lot in clean stock condition with low mileage. Rough 93 Cobras can be had for slightly more than a clean LX or GT. If you plan to modify a Cobra, then you either need to pick a rough one or expect a big depreciation hit if you choose to sell your lower mileage but modified Cobra. You can get away with small stuff like springs and exhaust, but internal engine work, rear end swaps, forced induction, etc. is not desired on a sub 100K Cobra.

If you want to do serious modifications, then you will see no benefit starting with a Cobra because every part and piece on the Cobra has been surpassed in quality and performance by the aftermarket. At this point, you might as well start with a clean LX or GT and change as much as you'd like.

Last thing: Fox Mustangs are d*ck magnets. Every dude you see will be watching you and trying to strike up a conversation. It's worse with a Cobra. Good luck!