'86 for '96

rose62 · Sep 29, 2016

Thinking of selling my '86 LX 5.0 to fund the purchase of a '96 SVT Cobra. Never owned a SN95. Opinions?

white95 · Sep 29, 2016

The '96 Cobra is basically a better looking fox with a 4.6 4V. The high winding motor with stock gears will be much different than the 302 (assuming that's what you have) in your four eyed Fox. The suspension will feel familiar but the car is overall heavier. That being said, the four wheel disc brakes are much better than the disc/drum combo.

Hypothetically speaking, what are are your goals for the Cobra? The sky is virtually the limit.

Nighttrain · Sep 30, 2016

Id do it, most definetly. Like white said the sky's the limit with a mod motor, especially a teksid block.

rose62 · Sep 30, 2016

Actually, like the '86, I wish to keep is stock. Are they reliable? How is the climate control? Will a '96 most likely need a heater core? Will it run as well as my '86 5.0? Are they solid, will the doors close well?

Nighttrain · Sep 30, 2016

Yes to all. You will of coarse need regular maintnance, door pins wear out, sometimes heater cores leak but the same things happen to the fox's. Stock to stock the cobra will run better. The mod motors are peticular about oil weight so run whats suggested by ford, synthetic is fine. If you treat it well itll treat you well.

96Mystic1189 · Sep 30, 2016

Having owned 2 SN95 cars and a 86 Gt at one time. I would rather have the 86. To elaborate, yes the sn95 is a nicer car. It is more solid and it handles way better. However neither my cobra or my GT are as fun to drive as the 86. The 86 feels way smaller and has more fun factor at anything below like 3500rpm. The only reason I even have my Cobra is because of the color. I enjoy the 97 GT more than the cobra because its easier to work on and less stressful to take care of because its not as rare.

lutter94 · Sep 30, 2016

96Mystic1189 said:
Having owned 2 SN95 cars and a 86 Gt at one time. I would rather have the 86. To elaborate, yes the sn95 is a nicer car. It is more solid and it handles way better. However neither my cobra or my GT are as fun to drive as the 86. The 86 feels way smaller and has more fun factor at anything below like 3500rpm. The only reason I even have my Cobra is because of the color. I enjoy the 97 GT more than the cobra because its easier to work on and less stressful to take care of because its not as rare.

2 sn95's, does that mean 4.6 or 5.0? Because you can get an SN95 with fun factor below 3500 RPM

you just bought too new of cars.

The only 4.6 SN95 I have driven is an 04 Mach 1 (Stock, w/ 5 Speed). While I am sure it could beat me in a race, mine felt faster/torquier. I really hate myself for saying it wasn't fun to drive.

Mack · Sep 30, 2016

I've owned a 86 next to my 98. To me there was a big difference.
--> 1998 Mustang GT coupe, 4.6L, manual, supercharged/rebuilt
--> 1986 Mustang GT convertible, 5.0L, manual, stock

To me, the SN95 felt more like a bigger, heavier car. It was way more comfortable to drive. The fox felt like a go-cart and felt a lot faster and seemed to respond more directly. The fox was to hoon, the SN95 was more mature in power.

But this can be personal, or directly related to the cars I have/had. Being in Europe I cannot compare to other SN95's or foxes, only the two I've owned.

Personally I like the SN95 better, because it is a way better cruiser and fun to drive long distances. Also it looks better, imho. I sold the 86 earlier this year.

07GtS197 · Sep 30, 2016

I used to own an 85 crown vic with a LoPo 5.0 and that car was fun! I love how the 302 makes torque. I could hit the trottle halfway from a stop an the torque would throw you back lol and that car is rated at like 200 ft lb of torque... And it had 3.08s in the rear. I testdrove a stock low mile 96 cobra and honestly it was a dog. With 4.10s and a tune would really wake that car up but from the factory youll be disappointed.

Now, the cool factor of the car is high so thats a plus and they dont pop up for sale very frequently. But make sure youll be happy with the decision before you make it.

rose62 · Oct 1, 2016

A common reference is comments on weight. What is the difference in curb weight between the two?

Nighttrain · Oct 1, 2016

Fox hatch-2900 lbs about
Vert- 3050 about
Cobra coupe- 3400 about
Vert-3500 about

rose62 · Oct 1, 2016

My car is a coupe. Searches suggest that it weighs about the same as the hatch.

Nighttrain · Oct 2, 2016

I guess its all personal preference. Ive had a 5.0 and while it has its nostalgic/cool factor, id take a cobra over it [MENTION=20715]07GtS197[/MENTION] i thought the cobras came with 3.26's from factory.

07GtS197 · Oct 2, 2016

They all came with 3.27s from the factory, I was talking anout my ltd when I said it had 3.08s.

Nighttrain · Oct 3, 2016

Ahh. Ok gotcha, the fox she has unless upgraded probably has 2.73's so should notice an improvement on that end too.

RedTwilight · Oct 13, 2016

I wouldn't hesitate to do it. I went from my'86 5.0 hatch to my '96 Cobra. The difference between the two are substantial. They are totally different cars and experiences but with a familiarity that makes you comfortable with your decision.

The '96 is just way nicer and more solid than the '86. Better suspension and brakes and a high winding DOHC engine. But then again I also still have my '86 along with a '93 notch.

96laseredcobra · Oct 14, 2016

I say go for it . Love my 96 cobra.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

duh09 · Oct 17, 2016

Boy I wish I had your 86! I love the looks of 4-eyed coupes.

I've had a 86 SVO, 89 coupe, 94 GT, and 95 GT. Driven 86 GT, 97 Cobra, and 03 Mach 1. I like the 4V cars but the power is totally different than a 5.0L. For a driver, I'd rather have the Cobra. For a toy, I'd rather have the Fox. The Fox just seems more fun although the interior/drive quality gets a lot better the newer you go.

It's all personal preference. I know people with the exact opposite reaction.

KDerekT83 · Oct 23, 2016

go for the Cobra... Unless your fox is built and blown or something crazy like that, I don't think you'd have any regrets. I've had a 86LX, 90GT, 91GT, 95GT, and a 96Cobra.

1994Gtvert · Oct 23, 2016

I've had "in order of ownership" 90 GT, 02 GT, 2011 v6 & GT, 94 GT vert "current." I've driven 04 Mach 1, 03 Cobra, 97 Cobra, 99 Cobra, 95 Cobra.

The 95 Cobra is similar to the feel of a Fox. 5.0L with better topend. the 97/99 cobra felt somewhat the same...99 had a better feel to the handling. the 04 mach felt like my 02 GT. Granted my 02 wasn't stock. the 03 cobra was hands down a sick car in stock trim. I want one really really bad! I would say buy the cobra, keep it stock with upgraded rear gears and a tune. The car will then be a very fun car, and you'll won't regret it.

on a side note: most mustangs suck in stock form, the factory has too add so many restrictions. And any 15+ year old mustang will need work, just make sure its sitting on a solid foundation.