Mustang Miss » 1989 Ford Mustang » newbie: '98 Cobra question
newbie: '98 Cobra question
Question:
I had no trouble in getting a test drive on the Cobra. The dealer in Naples was quite happy to let me drive it. However, I expect the fact that I had travelled half way around the world to buy the car gave me some benefit.
Did the salesman let you jump on it? I know new cars are supposed to be broken in, but did any of you guys get a chance to go WOT in a Cobra before you bought it? 94 White Firebird Formula A4 3.23, K&N, Edelbrock Cat-Back
Response:
I have one question for all you Cobra owners. Did you test drive your
I ordered my 98 in sept. so there were no 98s to drive yet, but the dealer asked me if I had driven one yet and WANTED me to test drive a new 97 that he had, even before we sat down and did any paper work, it was the first thing he asked! Soooo – I just had to do it. I think any dealer who is selling them should at least have a demo. I wouldn’t buy a car without at least being able to drive one. And I do agree, I wouldn’t want people test driving my NEW car before I bought it either – that’s why my dealer had a demo. Uni5 98 Cobra Conv.
Response:
A problem, the cobra lacks traction control. *Can* i get an aftermarket traction control system for it? What techniques would it use (purely braking, or both brake and engine control) If I can get one, how much would it cost including installation?
a lot more than insurance on a beater. Adding traction control to a car is nearly impossible. I know you said you can’t afford insurance on two cars, but if you get a cheap beater with minimal insurance you’re probably only looking at another $500/year or less – if you can get your Mustang on pleasure driver status you might even end up paying less than you would be paying with just the Mustang, depending on your record and where you live. Plus you’ve have the extra resale value of having a car that will stay in better shape and have less miles. Even without traction control or a beater, I think you’d be okay in the snow with a good set of snow tires. If you can afford a 328ic for more than 40k you can afford a Cobra convertible and a beater .. and the 328ic is definately not quick! I agree it’s nice though. The new body style 3 series is coming out in 99 as a sedan, it looks like a smaller version of the 5. The conv’t and coupe are staying the same until around 2000 I believe .. As for the Camaro, my input, it’s quicker than the Cobra, cheaper, has traction control, and is not much less civilized than the Cobra (a little stiffer, but sometimes you’ve gotta suck it up!) 1994 Camaro 3.4L Conv’t (4 Sale – F1 GroundFX, Borla Exhaust, Alarm, LoJack) 1989 Saleen #27 1990 Mustang LX 5.0
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Hi, all. My front end, lubricated at 30,000 miles after beginning to squeak noticeably, is doing it again at 40,000 miles. I want to give the dealership something more definitive to do, instead of just lubricating something. What should I recommend for replacement bushings? I know that there’s discussion between rubber and polyurethane, but I’m not 100% sure of the ads/disads between the two. You might want to send e-mail, since this group gets a lot of traffic and I won’t be around over the weekend. Thanks! Matt Tiemeyer
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i took one for a spin wedneday. i was comparing a left over 97 vs a new 98 and salesman approached me asking if i’d driven one before… he grabbed the keys to black/black 98 and away we went. i got 1st thru-3 rd from a standing stop. he didn’t say a word, just held on and smilled. i figure if i’m going to plunk down 25k+ for a vehicle, i should get to drive it anyway i want. damn nice car, but i still gonna drive a ram-air F-body before i decide….. Todd S. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I had no trouble in getting a test drive on the Cobra. The dealer in Naples was quite happy to let me drive it. However, I expect the fact that I had travelled half way around the world to buy the car gave me some benefit. Mark Hayden 97 Cobra Coupe Black/Tan No 4155 65 289 COnvertible http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/9506 It is standard practice for all SVT dealerships to not allow test drives of new Cobras. No we didn’t get a test drive. However, some dealers (few and far between) actually allow test drives. Good luck on finding one. Bottom line is, if you fill out all the paperwork and stop shy of signing the bottom line, they will let you test drive (even our saleman told us this). This is the only way they can be sure you are serious about the purchase and prevent joy riders from thrashing someones new ride. Consider how many people would rush down to the dealership for a test drive of a Cobra. I have the peace of mind knowing my car has never been driven by anyone else (other than Ford personnel). After owning an ‘88Gt, test driving the new GT’s, the Cobra is the one to get if you can afford it. The Cobra has the same transmission as the GT but a much heavier clutch. You won’t sit in traffic with the pedel pushed to the floor for very long! This car is awesome. Robert-FL ‘97 Blk/Blk Cobra Coupe #5884 Still grinnin’ I have one question for all you Cobra owners. Did you test drive your car before you bought it? The only dealer in the area that seems to have Cobra won’t let you test dirve them. This would be alright if the GT and the Cobra had the same Trans/Clutch. Since I couldn’t test a Cobra I had to make my decisiion based on the GT which wasn’t exceptable. SNIP
Response:
Sorry, "1987"
Response:
It is possible to drive a Cobra through the winters. I have been driving Cobras as my only means of transportation since 7/94 and live in the far northern suburbs of Detroit where the roads are all winding and the snow removal is less than optimum. My commute is also about 50 miles round trip. That being said, it is not for the faint of heart 
If you aren’t experienced in driving high powered RWD cars in winter conditions don’t even consider the Cobra for winter driving. I have driven RWD cars for all but 3 of my 20 years of driving. I actually enjoy the challenge of driving the Cobra in the snow and ice. It certainly is more fun than those damn FWD cars that go where you point them with no need to use the gas pedal to help steer. I also hated having to do donuts in reverse in FWD cars
FWD is easy? Try that with a little compacted snow and ice… You can dance Waltz (sp?) with any FWD in that condition… I almost did that on the highway last year… (the year of massive snow, and snow, and snow… not the ice storm… ) — =Proud Member of Team OS/2, Team OS/2 at Taiwan, ICE News Beta Tester.= ====Bovine Team Warped Key Crucher, And OS/2 ISP CD Project Member.==== US Mirror http://www.cybermail.net/~davidwei Taiwanese Mirror http://www.taconet.com.tw/~davidwei