Having driven many, I always come back to the '03-'04 Mach 1 as the best overall SN95. Balance, power and looks its all there. jmho

 

I have driven both and have also researched 1/4 times from various magazines and I'd have to agree with the 99' GT being equal to the 96-98 Cobra. I feel that the 96-98 Cobra is the better overall car (suspension, brakes, overall handling, steering........) but stock for stock it really isn't any faster than the 99-04 GTs These cars for the lost part run in the 13.8-14.00 mark, a fair race between these cars should go to the better driver. The GT just seems to have more off the line grunt.

Keep in mind that your GT was an auto, that makes a huge difference in terms of power and 1/4 performance. Personally looking in the used market as nice as the 96-98 Cobras go, they are a bit more expensive than say an early new edge car.

As far as overall bargain goes I'd have to stick to my original conclusion a 99' GT is the cheapest, decent powered 4th gen car out there.

This is my personal guide to buying a 4th gen car with low budget, performance expectations in mind. (Just my opinions not meant to step on anyones toes)

94-98 GT, nice looking cars but underpowered and difficult to modify.
96-98 Cobra, nice but expensive compared to a 99' GT with same 0-60, 1/4 mi times
01' Bullitt, steep price to pay for a lightly modified 01' GT
03-04 Mach1, my favorite looking 4th gen car but they are still selling for big money, in some cases more than the 05' GTs
03-04 Cobra, best of the 4th gens but your gonna pay for it, more than the current 05 GT!

 

2003/04 Azure Blue Mach1 and 94/95 Mustang GTS those ones Love the best, I love my 2003 Mach1 I think 03 Mach1 is best Mustang every made.

 

Oh yeah . . . GTS' are VERY COOL!!!

 

But 215HP is very uncool!

 

And the Lord said unto them..

LET THERE BE BOOST!

 

Amen brother

 

Tony Know's which one I what to have , and is the rarest one around and it is in Columbus,

 

I like my 98 cobra : )

 

The best looking models are
'94-95 Cobras,love the different headlights and goofy wing
'96-98 Cobras,lost the goofy wing but it's got a awesome hood
'99 Cobra in electric green
'00 Cobra R,the baddest-assed Mustang of all time
'01 Cobra in any color and a spoiler delete,probably the cleanest looking,most gorgeous Mustang of all time....IMO
The '03-04 Cobra is the best SN95,it went out with a bang,but i love the looks of those '01s
I love the clean looks of the '99-00 GT,but after owning my '04,the more agressive scoops and different wing are really growing on me. It's a mean looking car,especially since my dark shadow gray color(is that the right name?) matches the color of my Bullitt wheels.
Sentimental favorite is my old '99 V6 with 15inch wheels and no spoiler. The smaller wheels fit the spoiler-less look well......i miss that car.

 

Looking at mustangs.
http://www.themustangtrader.com/

 

Another nice car.
http://www.themustangtrader.com/must...sale-15172.php

 

Im in love. Cha Ching.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-...=p4506.c0.m245

 

God that's amazing. I'd buy that one today if I had the scratch.

I'm amazed how much the Termies still go for. In the Chicago area they are still going for $22k+ with 40k+miles.
Check out this one -
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ce=&cardist=15

 

I like the 2000 Cobra R....that's why I cloned my GT in white on white!!

 

Thats a nice car, But ya its all about the scratch.

 

The funny thing is that in late 04' the Cobras were actually selling at rebate. I picked mine up when the 05' Mustangs first hit the market. At the time there was such a wide variety of 03-04 Cobras and Mach1s for sale at very low prices. I bought mine in the summer of 05' with only 6000mi on it for $25,000. That same summer my best friend picked up an 03' Mach1 with only 1000mi on it for only $19,000!

I have a feeling that 05-09 GTs, Bullitts and GT500s are going to take a beating in resale value once the sought after 10' Mustang, Camaro and Challengers become readily availible, this is great news for us looking to buy a great low mile example!

 

tacbar, I love your car! I have considered doing something similar with my Terminator, minus the R wing.

 

Yeah my local dealer had a about 10 '03 cobras 2 of which were 10th anniversary all with 3000 rebates on them when the 04s were on the lots.

 

That and good alum heads & intake will give you plenty of GO. The 5.0L has an enormous aftermarket too.
And 96-98 4.6's with a PI swap will give you the same thing like the new edge. The aftermarket is a wonderful thing.