1996 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Review
1996 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Review
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Used Mustang SVT Cobra for sale
Appraise This CarFord Mustang SVT Cobra model years
Ford Mustang SVT Cobra types
- Coupe
- Convertible
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Ford's most potent pony gets a 32-valve, 305-horsepower version of the Mustang's new 4.6-liter V8. The Cobra also receives the subtle styling tweaks, such as the vertically themed taillights, that its stablemates received this year.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 2dr Convertible and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$223/mo for Mustang SVT Cobra Base
Mustang SVT Cobra Base
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Since Ford introduced a redesigned Mustang for the 1994 model year, sales of the popular pony coupe have surpassed the expectations of even the most optimistic bean counters in Dearborn. The Mustang line is selling almost as many copies as the Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Firebird combined, despite mostly weaker engine choices and less sleek styling; dealers are clamoring for more of them.
Smoother and cleaner than the 5.0-liter pushrod engine it replaces, the Cobra's hand-built, 32-valve, DOHC 4.6-liter V8 packs a 305-horsepower punch, but it comes at a steep price premium. The Cobra performs slightly better than the new Ram Air Firebirds released by General Motors this year. However, with production of just 10,000 copies and a cost of $26,000 per car, the Cobra has limited appeal. Most buyers will probably go with the less-expensive GT, which also offers an addicting V8 soundtrack and performance that should be enough for most enthusiasts.
New wheels, taillights and colors liven up the exterior a bit. The taillights pay homage to those of the original Mustang, with three quasi-vertical elements. For those who can't make up their minds which color to choose, there is the new "Mystic" shade that changes hues depending on how the light hits it, ranging from purple, to greenish-blue, to brown.
With the new Cobra, Ford has a Mustang that can go tire-to-tire against the top Camaro and Firebird models, the Z28 and Formula/Trans Am, respectively. But that's not to say that things are exactly equal, as the GM pony cars still offer superior bang-for-the-buck.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra.
5 star(74%)
4 star(26%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
19 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.38 out of 5 stars
1996 cobra coupe
Ryan's, 05/03/2004
1996 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 2dr Coupe
Wow...what a bang for the buck..high
performance without breaking the bank.
I love the ride, the sounds and the
acceleration...what a car. Great toy
but not made to be driven in bad
weather, rain or snow.
4.75 out of 5 stars
1995 Mustang Cobra Convertible
Fast Car Lover, 09/04/2003
1995 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 2dr Convertible
This is an extremly reliable auto. I
have attened performace driving outings
and school, 3 times, at the Willow
Springs Streets course. The car
performed beautifully and all
mechanical parts stood up to the
strain. I was very surprised to find
that the Cobras out performed the the
Porches and BMW M3 on this very winding
and demanding course.
I had to replace the clutch … at 90,000
miles, and was surprise that it lasted
that long as I tend to drive the car
hard.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Indy Pace Car Replica
M1_Rick, 08/11/2004
1994 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 2dr Convertible
I bought this Cobra at 43,000 miles
in '98 and have only replaced brakes,
clutch, and alternator. I've added the
basic bolt-ons, and it run low 13s in
the quarter, with a 0-60 at about 5.2.
In 6 years I've only added 38k to the
speedo. I get b/w 17.5-20.4 miles to
the gallon in the city, and 21-26 miles
to the gallon on the highway. I've
upgraded the suspension, … exhaust,
induction, and ignition thus far. It's
never left me stranded (except when the
clutch and alternator went out). The
5.0 Liter is very stout, but could have
gotten more power from the factory.
Using synthetics greatly aids in the
performance of the car.
4.5 out of 5 stars
1
matt7571, 04/18/2004
1996 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 2dr Convertible
we bought this car as a fund car &
investment. The car is only used in the
sumemr and we have enjoyed it a great
deal. The 96 to 98 cobra's have always
had a place in my heart and the car
still tuns heads, even though it is
getting a few years on it.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, so we've included reviews for other years of the Mustang SVT Cobra since its last redesign.
1996 Mustang SVT Cobra Highlights
Coupe
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $223/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 10.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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