In light of all these car threads...

[BatmanNate]

I found a good variety of them on Autotrader, one in particular that was a '97 w/ 66k miles & stock except for 4.10's, asking about 12k. I'm looking at the 96-98 ones and the prices seem decent. Are there any major known issues with these cars? I read something about overheating problems with the 96 in the southwestern US or similar hot, arid climates, but I live in the Pacific Northwest.

Does anybody on here own/drive one? Is there a good resource on the web for this generation of car? I drive a 1987 Toyota Supra Turbo right now, so the insurance and gas costs shouldn't be a whole lot different. Talk me out of it, my wallet will thank you!

 

[nakedfrog]

How about instead you put that money into your Supra?

 

[notfred]

I'll see you my '96 for less than $12k.

I love the car, barely drive it though.

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
How about instead you put that money into your Supra?

I've thought about that, but she's getting up there in years. Dumping lots of cash into a high mileage forced induction 80's sports car that I use for a daily driver just doesn't seem very wise at this point. Plus I won't get any more power out of it without a new turbo and a new tranny, which is too much $$$ to justify.

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: notfred
I'll see you my '96 for less than $12k.

I love the car, barely drive it though.

Can you tell me about it? Have you had any major problems or annoyances with it? How long have you had it and how many miles are on it? I've seen 96's going from 7k-16k or so depending on condition.

 

[Turkish]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate

Originally posted by: notfred
I'll see you my '96 for less than $12k.

I love the car, barely drive it though.

Can you tell me about it? Have you had any major problems or annoyances with it? How long have you had it and how many miles are on it? I've seen 96's going from 7k-16k or so depending on condition.

IIRC, from what I read on ATOT, he babies that car

 

[SilverTorch]

Ummm don't buy it b/c its a Ford

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: SilverTorch
Ummm don't buy it b/c its a Ford

Was wondering how long that would take.

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: SilverTorch
Ummm don't buy it b/c its a Ford

Was wondering how long that would take.

My fiancee likes Mustangs, and I figured that if I'm going to end up with one eventually, it might as well be a fun one and not a V6 convertible.

 

[Electric Amish]

They're ugly and nowadays, every poser that doesn't have a riced-up civic has a mustang.

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
They're ugly and nowadays, every poser that doesn't have a riced-up civic has a mustang.

I do think the 99-04 ones are a bit ugly, but the 96-98 ones don't look bad. And I fail to see any comparison between a riced civic and a Cobra.

 

[Electric Amish]

comparison between a riced civic and a Cobra

There is no comparison. I'm just saying that those who choose not to rice a Civic go out and buy a mustang. Do something original for a change. Get a Crossfire or a 350z or an s2000. Something cool that fewer people have.

I tried to explain this to my friend before he bought his second fvcking Accord, but he wouldn't listen... :|

 

[Actaeon]

I'd rather have a Z28/TransAm...

 

[Zenmervolt]

The Cobra has essentially the same engine as your Mark VIII, slightly different exaust and intake give the Cobra 305 hp instead of the Mark VIII's 280/290 (single/true dual exhaust). The Modular 4.6 is pretty bulletproof, they had the bugs out by '96 so you should be good on that front. Mustangs are a pain in the snow though, but I can't imagine that the Supra is much better.

It's a good, solid car that you'll be able to have some fun with.

ZV

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate

Originally posted by: notfred
I'll see you my '96 for less than $12k.

I love the car, barely drive it though.

Can you tell me about it? Have you had any major problems or annoyances with it? How long have you had it and how many miles are on it? I've seen 96's going from 7k-16k or so depending on condition.

I've only had the car for 6 months. I haven't had any problems with it at all, except the A/C doesn't work, but it didn't when I bought it. It's in really good shape, no door dings or anything, a few little rock chips on the hood and stuff from normal use, but no big scratches or anything. It does have 118k miles on it, though.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish

comparison between a riced civic and a Cobra

There is no comparison. I'm just saying that those who choose not to rice a Civic go out and buy a mustang. Do something original for a change. Get a Crossfire or a 350z or an s2000. Something cool that fewer people have.

I tried to explain this to my friend before he bought his second fvcking Accord, but he wouldn't listen... :|

Yeah, because everyone and his brother on this forum isn't lusting after one of thse three cars you listed.

The Crossfire is a boat (sorry, but it is), the S2000 is simply not comparable to a Mustang, it's a whole different market segment, and the 350Z looks like crap in its current form and is every bit as un-original as a Mustang.

You're not suggesting that he avoid following the crowd, you're just giving him a different crowd and saying "follow this one instead". Let's all conform to the pre-conceived ideas of non-conformity! Yay!

And I'm so sad that your friend decided to buy a car that will perform reliably day in and day out practically forever. Yeah, the Accord is an awful choice for a family sedan. :roll:

ZV

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish

comparison between a riced civic and a Cobra

There is no comparison. I'm just saying that those who choose not to rice a Civic go out and buy a mustang. Do something original for a change. Get a Crossfire or a 350z or an s2000. Something cool that fewer people have.

I tried to explain this to my friend before he bought his second fvcking Accord, but he wouldn't listen... :|

I see a ton more s2000's and 350z's around here than Cobra's, and both cost more than a used Cobra.

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
The Cobra has essentially the same engine as your Mark VIII, slightly different exaust and intake give the Cobra 305 hp instead of the Mark VIII's 280/290 (single/true dual exhaust). The Modular 4.6 is pretty bulletproof, they had the bugs out by '96 so you should be good on that front. Mustangs are a pain in the snow though, but I can't imagine that the Supra is much better.

It's a good, solid car that you'll be able to have some fun with.

ZV

I'm still considering the Mark VIII as well, but the Mustang looks to be about the same price range and would probably please the lady a little bit more, and that's what I'm all about.

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: BatmanNate

Originally posted by: notfred
I'll see you my '96 for less than $12k.

I love the car, barely drive it though.

Can you tell me about it? Have you had any major problems or annoyances with it? How long have you had it and how many miles are on it? I've seen 96's going from 7k-16k or so depending on condition.

I've only had the car for 6 months. I haven't had any problems with it at all, except the A/C doesn't work, but it didn't when I bought it. It's in really good shape, no door dings or anything, a few little rock chips on the hood and stuff from normal use, but no big scratches or anything. It does have 118k miles on it, though.

So are you planning on souping it up like your old one? Do they make as inexpensive of superchargers for the 4.6's as they do for the 5.0s?

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: BatmanNate

Originally posted by: notfred
I'll see you my '96 for less than $12k.

I love the car, barely drive it though.

Can you tell me about it? Have you had any major problems or annoyances with it? How long have you had it and how many miles are on it? I've seen 96's going from 7k-16k or so depending on condition.

I've only had the car for 6 months. I haven't had any problems with it at all, except the A/C doesn't work, but it didn't when I bought it. It's in really good shape, no door dings or anything, a few little rock chips on the hood and stuff from normal use, but no big scratches or anything. It does have 118k miles on it, though.

So are you planning on souping it up like your old one? Do they make as inexpensive of superchargers for the 4.6's as they do for the 5.0s?

I don't even know if I'm going to keep it. It spends a lot of time sitting around the garage, I don't think I've driven it once this week. A supercharger kit for it is about $4k, and put you up around 480hp or so.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
The Cobra has essentially the same engine as your Mark VIII, slightly different exaust and intake give the Cobra 305 hp instead of the Mark VIII's 280/290 (single/true dual exhaust). The Modular 4.6 is pretty bulletproof, they had the bugs out by '96 so you should be good on that front. Mustangs are a pain in the snow though, but I can't imagine that the Supra is much better.

It's a good, solid car that you'll be able to have some fun with.

ZV

I'm still considering the Mark VIII as well, but the Mustang looks to be about the same price range and would probably please the lady a little bit more, and that's what I'm all about.

I can guarantee you that the Mark VIII is more practical and about 90% as much fun.

I've got nothing against Mustangs, but the Mark is definitely the more comfortable of the two. Of course, women want what women want and there's no arguing with 'em. Of the two, I'd try to keep the Mark VIII just because it's more comfortable. But that's just me.

ZV

 

[Electric Amish]

I see a ton more s2000's and 350z's around here than Cobra's, and both cost more than a used Cobra.

I don't. I'll see 3-4 Mustangs a day.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish

I see a ton more s2000's and 350z's around here than Cobra's, and both cost more than a used Cobra.

I don't. I'll see 3-4 Mustangs a day.

I rarely see an S2000. 350Zs aren't common, but I'll see one or two a week.

I see about 3 Mustangs at every stoplight, and about a three or four Cobras a week.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's a great car. Awesome engine but if they need work I've heard that valve jobs and such are pricey due to the dual over head cam engine. I'd just have it checked out first.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
It's a great car. Awesome engine but if they need work I've heard that valve jobs and such are pricey due to the dual over head cam engine. I'd just have it checked out first.

Yeah, a valve job on a 32-valve DOHC engine's not going to be cheap, but the engine uses timing chains and shouldn't have an issue with the valvetrain for a long, long time. Something like several hundred thousand miles.

ZV