I've got a limited budget but I saw these things are pretty cheap and I was wondering if there was anything in particular that hinders reliability someone could warn me of. I think I'd be looking into higher mileage (100,000+) and was wondering if I have anything significant to be concerned of, weak transmissions, rear ends, engines, small little stupid things I can live with but is this a car I can drive daily, track sometimes and not really need to worry about stuff besides basic maintenance?
How reliable are SN95 Cobras?
- Thread starter 11Past9
- Start date
I have 232,000+ miles on my car.
The original drivetrain was not broken into until 229,500 miles, and it was running just perfectly when I did!
If you take care of these motors, and don't over spin them..you shouldn't have to worry about anything besides the normal things.
The original drivetrain was not broken into until 229,500 miles, and it was running just perfectly when I did!
If you take care of these motors, and don't over spin them..you shouldn't have to worry about anything besides the normal things.
it really depends on how the previuos owners treated the car for those first 100k, it will be harder to find one thats not beat to death wheny ou start talking over 100k on a vehicle that is over 10 years old.
Rears are good, motor is good, and trans is good if you dont powershift it but its the weaker point in a stock drivetrain
Rears are good, motor is good, and trans is good if you dont powershift it but its the weaker point in a stock drivetrain
Some cars require extensive review before actually handing over the cash... so many things are hidden in the test drive and so on, is this one of those cars? Or is it hard to find one that isn't going to start grinding on me, or causing me problems? Does mileage matter so much? I'd be looking for a 96 Coupe that was in good shape cosmetically and usually I can tell by the owner if he knows his stuff or not enough to take care of his car.
I just know that edge Mustang GT's have problems with transmissions blowing and so didn't 94+ GT's so I didn't know if that was the same case with the 94-98 Cobras because I will want to bring this to the track as well as daily drive and I am on a budget, I don't want to have to deal with a bunch of headaches.
I just know that edge Mustang GT's have problems with transmissions blowing and so didn't 94+ GT's so I didn't know if that was the same case with the 94-98 Cobras because I will want to bring this to the track as well as daily drive and I am on a budget, I don't want to have to deal with a bunch of headaches.
if you want to have a car thats 100k on the odo. and bang gears at the track you have to understand no mustang in your price range is gonna fit your requirements because there is no telling when they are going to break, the weak point is the trans. if you dont powershift it should be fine but thats "should" so no guarantee.
motors and rears are good until you get into sticky tires then you run the risk of breaking an axle. If you get one that has had gears and 31 splines already put in it should be good to go.
motors and rears are good until you get into sticky tires then you run the risk of breaking an axle. If you get one that has had gears and 31 splines already put in it should be good to go.
First thing you need to do is a CARFAX report. That will tell you allot. Next look at the condition and cleanliness of the interior, body and of course the Engine. That will give you clues if your about to buy a problem real quick. If the prevous owners have taken care of the car it will show. Check the oil and it's condition, etc, all of these things will add up to whether your going to get a lemon, or a Rose. Do not let your emotions be a part of the buying process. If the car has power adders you are probably looking at a car that has been punished.
The trannys do suck in OEM condition. But remember if the car is inexpensive it is easy to upgrade, and then you can put you money into something you can be proud to own.
See ya at the Mustang shows!
The trannys do suck in OEM condition. But remember if the car is inexpensive it is easy to upgrade, and then you can put you money into something you can be proud to own.
See ya at the Mustang shows!
If it were me and I was looking for reliabilty, I'd lean towards a high mileage bone stock car. People that leave them bone stock are less likely to drive them hard IMO.
I had a 125K 96 that was driven HARD. Only problems I had out of it was a broken input shaft. But thats one of those things you don't find out till its to late!
I had a 125K 96 that was driven HARD. Only problems I had out of it was a broken input shaft. But thats one of those things you don't find out till its to late!
Like stated the trans is the only real weak point from the factory. If you beat on it it will break. Mine let go with minor bolt ons, full exhaust and gears. Switching to a T-56 was the best mod I've done. Even better then the blower!
like said above... it all matters how the previous owner/owners treated... well taken care of these cars can last a long time....
I have well over 170K on the motor, it has never been in to. It runs great. However, I personally trashed the T-45 at about 120K. Trashed the rear end at about 115K. But I know that all has to do with my particular driving style. The engine runs great, gets regular oil changes. Great car, holds up well. The only problems I ever had was abotu 110K an intake idle controller went bad. LOVE MY CAR
With a high milage cobra, clean the imrc's!!! Change all the fluids, filters, and do a tune up. That will make it run and feel like new. You will have my years of enjoyment. I beat the S*** ot of my cobra with no major problems. The only problem I have had was a bent 3/4 shift fork.
Buy it...
Buy it...
the guy that i bought my cobra from broke the shifter fork running a pro 5.0 stick on the stock shifter. when they were installing the king cobra clutch they showed me my old one and if still looked brand new so maybe the previous owner was gentle.
I bought my bone stock 97 with 94K on the odometer. I since, have been modding it lightly. It has over 132K on the odometer, and only things that needed replacing were the front hubs, and the alternator.
I have 103K on mine and it runs flawlessly but it was taken care of before I got it, and I don't drive it hard at all. No mods yet either.
190k+ on my '95 Cobra shortblock. major things were axle seal, distributor (grenaded at 132k), radiator (when I got the car at 93k).
166k+ on my '96 Mystic Cobra; replaced ignition switch, alternator and suspension stuff because it wasn't properly fixed when the previous owner got into an accident. there might still be an axle seal leak but maybe it was fixed.......the area near it is wet, might not have ever been cleaned after being fixed with the 3.73 gears install.
I'm religious about regular maintenance though; its my only religion lol.....
166k+ on my '96 Mystic Cobra; replaced ignition switch, alternator and suspension stuff because it wasn't properly fixed when the previous owner got into an accident. there might still be an axle seal leak but maybe it was fixed.......the area near it is wet, might not have ever been cleaned after being fixed with the 3.73 gears install.
I'm religious about regular maintenance though; its my only religion lol.....
Users who are viewing this thread
