Some questions from a noob
01-25-2010, 07:49 PM
#1
4th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location:
Posts: 1,229
Some questions from a noob
Hey guys, I'v been around mustangs my whole life, but I'm a little gun shy when it comes to the newer ones (newest one I drove for more then 20 miles was a 95, and in second was an 01 for about 10 miles). I currently have a 94 Taurus SHO that I am thinking about selling for either a 2001 cobra or a 99-04 gt, and I have I have a few questions...
1) What was the first year gt to get the black housing headlights? (I tried searching this but I give up)
2) What kind of highway gas mileage can I expect from a 99-04 gt vs an 01 cobra (stick shift car of course)
3) What are some known issues to look out for when buying one of these things (other then the obvious, like make sure it wasn't beat to hell or not maintained)
4) Is there a site to distinguish the major changes by year, such as gear ratios or hp, or did the mustang pretty much stay the same from 99-04?
5) Give a personal opinion on purchasing a gt vs the 01 cobra, I'm torn between the 2, I really love being different, (hence the SHO) but I really do love the mustang, and unfortunitly everyone and their mother has a mustang, but not everyone has a cobra, which is what has me leaning toward it.
I'm sure I'll have more questions, but I guess this is a good start.
TIA
-Nick
1) What was the first year gt to get the black housing headlights? (I tried searching this but I give up)
2) What kind of highway gas mileage can I expect from a 99-04 gt vs an 01 cobra (stick shift car of course)
3) What are some known issues to look out for when buying one of these things (other then the obvious, like make sure it wasn't beat to hell or not maintained)
4) Is there a site to distinguish the major changes by year, such as gear ratios or hp, or did the mustang pretty much stay the same from 99-04?
5) Give a personal opinion on purchasing a gt vs the 01 cobra, I'm torn between the 2, I really love being different, (hence the SHO) but I really do love the mustang, and unfortunitly everyone and their mother has a mustang, but not everyone has a cobra, which is what has me leaning toward it.
I'm sure I'll have more questions, but I guess this is a good start.
TIA
-Nick
01-25-2010, 08:22 PM
#2
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,312
1) no idea lol
2) highway depends on your speed if you stay close to 65-70 i get 20+
3) the plastic intake manifold is prone to cracking
4) it pretty much stayed the same but if you want exacts just type it in google
5) I would go with the cobra youll get more bang for your buck with mods.
2) highway depends on your speed if you stay close to 65-70 i get 20+
3) the plastic intake manifold is prone to cracking
4) it pretty much stayed the same but if you want exacts just type it in google
5) I would go with the cobra youll get more bang for your buck with mods.
01-25-2010, 09:12 PM
#5
I was getting 28mpg on the highway doing about 75 before I did my 4.10 gears. I haven't calculated my mpg since, but it hasn't changed that much. If you're very worried about your gas mileage, I would stay away from the mustang and it's v8. The cobra has a 4v 4.6 where as the GT has just a 2v 4.6 which makes the cobra like mods more. If you plan on modding I would look into the 01 cobra or a 03/04 cobra if you can afford them. Besides the intake cracking, they are very reliable as long as they've received regular maintenance.
01-25-2010, 10:15 PM
#6
Sgt. Killjoy
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,090
The black bezel lights were on cobras i believe, anyone that knows for sure can chime in.
I would think with stock gears and you treating it like a DD you should see 24mpg highway.
Plastic manifold for sure, just ask the owner if they ever had an issue with it. Also, the IAC is prone to take a dump at some point, causes the idle to flux and in some cases shut the car off. Other than that, nothing really. As with any motor, maintenance is key.
The only difference is the GT has a 4.6L SOHC, the Mach 1 has a 4.6L DOHC, and naturally, the Cobra has a 4.6L SC DOHC engine in it and I believe the cobra motor is fully forged, where the mach only has forged pistons, again, anyone that can correct me here, feel free.
If you have the money go for a 03/04 cobra, duh, I mean it isn't my money I am spending. Otherwise you can pick up a GT all day long for a good price.
I would think with stock gears and you treating it like a DD you should see 24mpg highway.
Plastic manifold for sure, just ask the owner if they ever had an issue with it. Also, the IAC is prone to take a dump at some point, causes the idle to flux and in some cases shut the car off. Other than that, nothing really. As with any motor, maintenance is key.
The only difference is the GT has a 4.6L SOHC, the Mach 1 has a 4.6L DOHC, and naturally, the Cobra has a 4.6L SC DOHC engine in it and I believe the cobra motor is fully forged, where the mach only has forged pistons, again, anyone that can correct me here, feel free.
If you have the money go for a 03/04 cobra, duh, I mean it isn't my money I am spending. Otherwise you can pick up a GT all day long for a good price.
01-25-2010, 10:23 PM
#7
^The ONLY Cobra motor that is fully forged is the 03-04's. The others are NOT forged.
2001 is when the Mustangs came with the 'smoked' headlights, but you can just buy those for a few hundred bucks (or less) on the internet.
I'd guess highway mileage for the two is similar.
....and that 'site' is this forum.
A 'major' change (not quite major, but the most 'major' of changes) came in the 2001's. The interior cupholders/radio center console area thing are layed out differently than in the 99-00's, and during the middle of 2001 production, the manual transmission was changed from a T45 to a TR3650 along with the water pump (and pulley) and the addition of 'GT scoops' on the side and hood, with a different spoiler as well.
Hey guys, I'v been around mustangs my whole life, but I'm a little gun shy when it comes to the newer ones (newest one I drove for more then 20 miles was a 95, and in second was an 01 for about 10 miles). I currently have a 94 Taurus SHO that I am thinking about selling for either a 2001 cobra or a 99-04 gt, and I have I have a few questions...
1) What was the first year gt to get the black housing headlights? (I tried searching this but I give up)
2) What kind of highway gas mileage can I expect from a 99-04 gt vs an 01 cobra (stick shift car of course)
3) What are some known issues to look out for when buying one of these things (other then the obvious, like make sure it wasn't beat to hell or not maintained)
4) Is there a site to distinguish the major changes by year, such as gear ratios or hp, or did the mustang pretty much stay the same from 99-04?
5) Give a personal opinion on purchasing a gt vs the 01 cobra, I'm torn between the 2, I really love being different, (hence the SHO) but I really do love the mustang, and unfortunitly everyone and their mother has a mustang, but not everyone has a cobra, which is what has me leaning toward it.
I'm sure I'll have more questions, but I guess this is a good start.
TIA
-Nick
1) What was the first year gt to get the black housing headlights? (I tried searching this but I give up)
2) What kind of highway gas mileage can I expect from a 99-04 gt vs an 01 cobra (stick shift car of course)
3) What are some known issues to look out for when buying one of these things (other then the obvious, like make sure it wasn't beat to hell or not maintained)
4) Is there a site to distinguish the major changes by year, such as gear ratios or hp, or did the mustang pretty much stay the same from 99-04?
5) Give a personal opinion on purchasing a gt vs the 01 cobra, I'm torn between the 2, I really love being different, (hence the SHO) but I really do love the mustang, and unfortunitly everyone and their mother has a mustang, but not everyone has a cobra, which is what has me leaning toward it.
I'm sure I'll have more questions, but I guess this is a good start.
TIA
-Nick
I'd guess highway mileage for the two is similar.
....and that 'site' is this forum.
A 'major' change (not quite major, but the most 'major' of changes) came in the 2001's. The interior cupholders/radio center console area thing are layed out differently than in the 99-00's, and during the middle of 2001 production, the manual transmission was changed from a T45 to a TR3650 along with the water pump (and pulley) and the addition of 'GT scoops' on the side and hood, with a different spoiler as well.
Last edited by 99GTvert; 01-25-2010 at 10:28 PM.
01-26-2010, 08:15 AM
#10
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Shelbyville, Indiana
Posts: 1,088
The '01 Cobra motor is rated at 320 hp. The 99-04 GTs at 260 hp. 99-mid-01 GTs have Windsor motors. Late-01-04 have Romeo. Not a lot of difference between the two. There were styling changes in '01 most noticable are the hood scoop and rear wing.