1998 Cobra Review
Jonathan Maton
did. I especially like the last two sentences.
--
(by Dan Jedlicka)
1998 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
Pros:
Sizzling acceleration from hand-built V8
Exclusivity
Comfortable
Cons:
Tight backseat
Small trunk
Notchy shifter
No automatic transmission
Bottom Line:
Still the best Mustang ever.
The 1998 Mustang Cobra comes from Ford Motor's elite Special Vehicle
Team (SVT), which has come up with beautifully modified performance
versions of Ford cars and trucks since 1993.
*Hand-Built V8 a Gem*
Only the Cobra offers a hand-built V8 in a production car that costs
under $30,000. The 4.6-liter V8 is a gem, with dual overhead camshafts and
four valves per cylinder. It generates 305 horsepower and 300 pound-feet
of torque.
The Cobra's special power plant is hand-assembled by 12 teams on a
unique "Niche Line" at a Ford Michigan engine plant. Each engine gets a
metal plate engraved with signatures of the two-person team that built it.
The Cobra comes as a rear-wheel-drive $25,710 coupe and $28,510
convertible. Not bad, considering that both models come well equipped with
items such as air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, power windows and cruise
control and that engine.
The closest thing to the Cobra is the thundering Shelby Mustang
GT-350 of the mid-1960s, built by legendary racer and specialty car
constructor Carroll Shelby.
The classic GT-350 was uncomfortable and noisy. The Cobra is quiet
and comfortable and could run circles around the GT-350, which won many
big-league races in its competition class.
*Sizzling Performance*
The engine propels the Cobra from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds and allows
a top speed of 152 mph. The car screams through the quarter mile in 13.9
seconds, at nearly 102 mph. The next-fastest Mustang is the GT coupe and
convertible, which have only a 225-horsepower single-overhead-camshaft V8
and cost from $20,150 to $24,150.
Considering its performance, the docile Cobra delivers good fuel
economy: an estimated 17 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway, where the
V8 loafs at 2100 rpm in fifth gear. However, a downshift to fourth gear is
needed for quick 65-75 mph passes.
Ford SVT believes in making "balanced" cars, so the Cobra has the
steering, handling and brakes to match its neck-snapping power. The ride
is comfortable even with the Cobra's short wheelbase and performance
suspension and tires.
Standard for the Cobra coupe and a $1,040 option for the convertible
is the Electronics and Leather Trim package, which has leather-covered
seats, improved sound system and anti-theft alarm. There is also a $195
rear spoiler for both models a nice touch.
*No Automatic Transmission*
But this is a serious driver's car, so no automatic transmission is
offered. The shifter for the 5-speed manual transmission is notchy when
rushed and is hooked to a rather stiff, long-throw clutch. Moreover, my
test car's reverse gear consistently popped out of position unless engaged
very firmly.
New for 1998 are alloy wheels like those on the 1995
limited-production Mustang Cobra R street/competition car and Bright
Atlantic Blue and Canary Yellow clearcoat paints.
*Exclusive Model*
About 10,000 Cobras will be built this year and sold through
approximately 600 Ford dealers specially trained to sell and service SVT
vehicles. So we have a pretty exclusive car here.
*Well-Done Convertible*
Approximately 35 percent of Cobras are convertibles, which are rising
in popularity among buyers of this special Mustang. The soft-top model is
assembled pretty tightly, although rough roads bring out some shakes and
shudders.
The power convertible top works quickly, but a large windshield
placed close to front-seat occupants steals a lot of the open-air
sensation during top-down motoring.
*Tight Interior*
Like all Mustangs, the Cobra offers no surplus room in its quiet
cockpit, which has a custom, easily scannable white-face gauge cluster and
comfortable front seats. The backseat is for kids, and a 6-foot-tall
driver will find his seat doesn't slide back far enough from the steering
wheel and pedals. The trunk is small, but at least is usefully shaped to
take a fair amount of soft luggage for short getaways.
Helping identify the Cobra as something special are custom round fog
lights, Cobra front fender emblems and an SVT badge on the trunk. The
chromed dual-exhaust-pipe setup emits an appropriately sporty sound much
appreciated in this politically correct era of overly quiet exhaust
systems.
The Cobra may not seem very PC to many, considering its general
impracticality and power. But maybe that's part of its appeal.
-Dan Jedlicka
---
-Jonathan
1994 Mustang GT convertible, triple black
www.unf.edu/~jmaton/mustang
jma...@unf.edu
double trouble
anti-sway bar under the hood. It's a shame that after ford perfected the
cobra, that they would screw it up to keep up with so called "styling"
times. It really is the best hand built gem mustang ever. FYI, here are
some other reviews:
http://www.carprices.com/1998/FordMustang5.html
http://www.dealersites.com/1998showroom/ford/mustangcobra.htm
http://www.regiononline.com/content/auto/11-18-97.cfm
http://popularmechanics.com/popmech/auto2/9708AUTKAP.html
http://www.specialcar.com/2_98/mustang/mustang.htm
http://www.avalon.net/~middlecoast/cobra96.htm
http://www.edmunds.com/edweb/wardlaw/97fordsvt.html
http://www.suntimes.com/auto/ford/96mustang.html
http://www.caranddriver.com/member/archives/1996/
http://carpoint.msn.com/Advice/News/127
Some of these links are old and may be dead.
Steven
1991 5.0 LX Wild Strawberry Sedan
1998 4.6-4v Bright Atlantic Blue SVT Cobra
>Jonathan Maton wrote:
>
> Grabbed this from carpoint.msn.com, though you guys might enjoy it. I
> did. I especially like the last two sentences.
>
> --
> (by Dan Jedlicka)
> 1998 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
>
> Pros:
> Sizzling acceleration from hand-built V8
> Exclusivity
> Comfortable
>
> Cons:
> Tight backseat
> Small trunk
> Notchy shifter
> No automatic transmission
>
> Bottom Line:
> Still the best Mustang ever.
>
> The 1998 Mustang Cobra comes from Ford Motor's elite Special Vehicle
> Team (SVT), which has come up with beautifully modified performance
> versions of Ford cars and trucks since 1993.
>
> *Hand-Built V8 a Gem*
> >
Cobra2442
>anti-sway bar under the hood.
Well the clock pod on the 96 and 97 is a great place to put a 2 guage boost
pod, which the 98 is lacking....
Rexford Dundon
1997 Green Cobra Coupe #2442
<a href="http://members.aol.com/cobra2442/auto/index.htm">My Cobra Page
double trouble
I knew it! I knew someone was going bring up the clock pod. You can
still do that on the '98's as well. Most of the pods for the boost gauge
replace the exsisting one don't they? I think that they are larger.
Would be nice if you could use the exsisting display pod mounting
pattern and connect in a new boost gauge that is the same size. Is that
available?
Also, if anyone brings up the cup holder, i like the fact that the
anti-smoking nazi's pushed for that one. The '98's may not have
practical cup holders, but they integrate better. Besides, who the hell
has time to drink with all that shifting?
BTW, what do you think of the links?
Spinman
I purchased my 88 LX 5.0 5 speed ,Loaded for $13,300.00 and paid $28,200
for the Cobra Ragtop, that is one hell of a price difference dont ya think.
I just wish that pay checks grew as fast as the price of cars... but I
wouldn't trade it for the world (right now) but I am willing to give up my 3
kids for a supercharger :)
Vince
98 Cobra Ragtop Triple Black
Future Mods:
4.30 gear
T-56 Trans (6 speed)
Supercharger
I think that will take care of most Vetts, Z28's and Trans Ams. (ram air
this)
double trouble
Ditto on the cobra; love mine too. My '91 5.0 was $16,500, my '98 SVT
$24,000. As soon as ford relaesed the 1994 models, prices shot up
$7,000! And that was when the economy started to slow down. That was
definately one of the reasons that i hesitated on purchasing a 1994.
Also the fact that new generation cars always have a few troubles. Being
an engineer, i can relate.
"ram air this" ---- love it!! But seriously any V8 i give credit, only
some v-6's, and only serioulsy modified 4 bangers (must have turbo or
supercharger). I have to admit the best handling cars are generally 4
bangers because of the weight distribution. But when it comes to raw
power nothing beats a V8 (for street use). Best of luck with your '98.
BTW, what kin of supercharger do you have? vortec, paxton, powerdyne, or
pro charger?
Steven
1991 5.0 LX Wild Strawberry Sedan
1998 4.6-4v Bright Atlantic Blue SVT Cobra
double trouble
>
> >From: cobr...@aol.com (Cobra2442)
>
> >>I knew it! I knew someone was going bring up the clock pod. You can
> >>still do that on the '98's as well.
> >
> >
> >
> >And I'll take mine in green...
>
> I agree, and I like mine in red. BTW, whoever has the blue '98 do you have any
> digital pics? I really need a blue one for my web site, and I flat out refuse
> to use Ford's promo pics.
>
> Anthony TBA #2
> '97 Cobra #301
> <a href="http://members.aol.com/asmall9494/index.html">The Cobra Lair</a>
> <a href="http://members.aol.com/SVO23turbo/index.html">My SVO Page</a>
> member ramfm since 1/21/98
I respect owners of any year SVT. Everyone thinks that their car is
special to them, including rice burners. I'll see what i can do on the
pictures. The weather here is overcast and rainy right now, so good
pictures are hard to get. Also, i don't have a digital camera, so it'll
take some time to develop and scan them in at work. I have a picture of
my '91 which i will scan in on monday and send to you. Hopefully this
weekend will be somewhat sunny for some shots.
Steven
91 5.0 LX Wild Strawberry Sedan
Cobra2442
>still do that on the '98's as well.
Aw, who cares, the 96-98 are great cars, no matter which one you get...
And I'll take mine in green...
ASmall9494
>>I knew it! I knew someone was going bring up the clock pod. You can
>>still do that on the '98's as well.
>
>
>Aw, who cares, the 96-98 are great cars, no matter which one you get...
>
>And I'll take mine in green...
I agree, and I like mine in red. BTW, whoever has the blue '98 do you have any
Yossarian
Spinman wrote in message <73nil7$hgm$1...@news1.epix.net>...
>All I can say is that I Love my new 98 Cobra... It has been ten years
since
>I purchased my 88 LX 5.0 5 speed ,Loaded for $13,300.00 and paid $28,200
>for the Cobra Ragtop, that is one hell of a price difference dont ya
think.
>I just wish that pay checks grew as fast as the price of cars... but I
>wouldn't trade it for the world (right now) but I am willing to give up my
3
>kids for a supercharger :)
newer vehicle - mostly E30 BMWs and 240SX - not much power, but fun...),
because they're kind of ugly, IMHO, but a '90 V8 convertible for $5-6k...
<drool> Leaves some room for that nice stereo and stuff to make it handle a
bit better... Now, if only insurance weren't so bad.