Nope. At least not for that Mustang ... it does not look to be in the best of shapes.
Nope. At least not for that Mustang ... it does not look to be in the best of shapes.
Ok, here's a completely different point of view...
The Javelin is cool, no doubt, but in the muscle-car world it sort of has the "also-ran" status. While values for it will trend up/down relative to the market, it seems unlikely anything could happen that would turn it into the next "Hemi-Cuda" craze.
However, the Mustang is smack dab in the middle of it's depreciation curve, and other than possibly the repaint, seems to be a nice example. Look at what Fox Body prices have done over the last few years, and I expect the SN95 cars will trend upwards too. They'll probably never surpass the newer models, but they're not going to languish like Mustang II's either - particularly since it's a Cobra.
The visible missed red paint looks like ass to me and raises major red flags. I wouldn't want that car at all much less in trade for the Jav.
Is the red paint visible because of gravel sanding or something?
HunterBenz wrote: I think you'd regret trading it later. It is easy for me to say though. I really don't think those style mustangs are worth a dang.
Theyre not. But neither were fox bodies......
Brett_Murphy wrote: Is the red paint visible because of gravel sanding or something?
The repaint was done when the car was basically new. It's road rash from the last 20 years.
I'm not sure I'm feeling it but that's more to do with letting go of the Javelin. I like just about everything, so I'm always open to bringing a car home, but it's thinking about not owning my car. That said, I would much rather it went to a GRMer or a friend than some random schmuck on eBay or the AMC club...
I really like SN95 Cobra's. When they first came out it was my dream car, but I was too poor to think about buying one. Nowadays I even troll Craigslist looking for nice one now and then.
That being said, I wouldn't consider that car. First it's had a color change. To do a color change correctly you have to paint the car like the factory did, and that means taking it apart completely, which doesn't happen except in the case of a complete restoration. That means no matter how nice your gray Mustang looks whenever you take something off to work at it you will have red paint staring you in the face. Yechh. I hate that. IMHO it permanently reduces the level of how nice a car is. That coupled with the weird aftermarket headlights are red flags. I've seen too many nice original SN95 Cobra's for sale at reasonable prices to go for a less than perfect example. Just my opinion.
I can understand your desire to pass the Javelin on to somebody else. Old, unique cars have an unsurpassed cool factor but can be a PITA to live with on a day-to-day basis. At some point it's nice to just have something that works. I'm selling my X1/9 for this reason. But, I woudn't give up all the hard work you've done for a substandard replacement.
What's funny is I think I could stand to buy the Cobra for similar money to what you're asking for the Javelin, but I don't think I could stomach the trade. It would be psychologically difficult to look at the Mustang every day and realize that it could be the Javelin instead.
Same boat, skip on that mustang. It's just not worth it. Save the heartache and give the Javelin a shiny new coat.
Mustangs are like shiny happy people. Everybody has one.
Besides, you can go to a cars and coffee with the Javelin and not kill anybody...
dculberson wrote: The visible missed red paint looks like ass to me and raises major red flags. I wouldn't want that car at all much less in trade for the Jav.
This exactly. The red showing thru looks like E36 M3.
If it was the red one in your second post I'd say go for it. Have you driven the Mustang yet? Which one feels better and is more fun to drive?
I'm a Mustang guy, and I would have a hard time trading the Javelin for that one. Repaint of a different color would turn me away, especially if I wasn't expecting to drive the car into the ground (and was planning to resell one day).
RE: the headlights, rockauto, less than $100 for all headlights and turn signals. (I need to refresh mine)
The repaint, yeah, it might hurt resale to a collector later. At the very least touch it up where the red is showing. The big collector values are going to be for low mileage more virgin cars that the PO's havent really enjoyed anyways. There are still good ones for collectors floating around, so I wouldnt fret overmuch. This is a good user-quality car with tasteful mods. (aside from the headlights.. but to each their own.)
How much were you thinking to sell the Jav for?
On the mustang- What shape is the interior in? What are the specific mods? What is the mileage?
That will let me better answer.
If you have any questions on 4v SN-95 Cobra's I would be happy to answer and could even get pics/etc off of mine for you if you want.
Regarding possible misinformation in this thread: Factory 3.27 Gears, YES it has PBR calipers.
I know you wanted to get out of the Jav for something no so vintage-project-y. You could likely solidly DD the mustang and it MAY appreciate some with the right care. This might tick the right boxes for that. You kind of have to decide if its what you want. Expect low 20's MPG with a premium requirement. There arent too many general "Gotcha"s to the car, the motors tend to live long lives, and the rest is pretty general Ford parts. If it still has the stock LSD (Trac-lok), expect to have to rebuild it semi-regularly with autocross abuse (its about $70-$120 depending if you want stock replacement or up-rated carbon clutches), but can be done in-car with pulling the axles. You can also get a Torsen $600-1200 depending on options, or a true track for $500-600 IIRC. I want to go true track next on mine, but am rebuilding clutch packs to put off the expense for awhile. (long story short, mine burned up an auburn and I still have the trac-lok so I am rebuilding and cramming back in)
Other big weaknesses are that the suspension needs help for auto-x, but barring further information I assume the bevy of MM parts adequately addresses that. They make good stuff. That said, if its a torque arm, you arent eligible for ESP or STP and only for CAM or CP. (I can explain why if you want)
Oh yeah, you do occasional track days? Add some extra oil or an accusump. If you are really really stressful on the brakes you can crack rotors, but there are solutions. (I mean STRESSFUL on the rotors, keep it rolling for awhile to cool off after coming in and inspect before each session. Carry spare front rotors)
If you want to get rid of the javelin for something more modern/sporty then its perfect. Yeah, that ones not a pristine cream puff, but it would take solid five figures to make the javelin even remotely competitive at any type of competition with the cobra. I've driven cobras in that body style. They are legit. Strangers aren't going to give you thumbs up while driving like I bet they do in the jav, and you won't feel as cool to be seen in the mustang, but driving it will be a whole different world compared to the old AMC.
Nope
What's the Javelin really worth do you think?
belteshazzar wrote: What's the Javelin really worth do you think?
I have no idea. I've seen other running/driving ones as cheap as $3,000, and scruffier or rusty ones for $10,000. I have it advertised to my GRM brethern for $5,000, which less than I have in it and a what I think is very fair price.
The Javelin is like "Oh! Cool! I haven't seen one of these in years. This one's in pretty good shape. I wonder who owns it? Probably a real cool gear head, I mean, it's a ~Javelin~. I remember when these were a lot more common, kind of the underdog of muscle...."
The Mustang is like "Meh." Doesn't matter if it's a Cobra, signed by the entire cast of Hair, or hewn from the very soil where Henry Ford himself was laid to rest, it's "meh."
Yet, I know you've spoken previously of moving the Javelin along. It doesn't sound like your heart is in it. You gotta do what puts motor in your vation.
I don't really know. The Javelin is cooler, but if you want a daily that you can autocross and whatever, the Mustang is the better car. Personally, I'd keep the Javelin, but then again I am a sucker for good-looking classics.
Depending on mileage on the cobra, there is very likely at least a solid $5k of value there. It may not be as unique, but that would also make it easier to move down the road later. Plus, at least for now, it would give you a more reliable DD-able car that doesnt have to be stuck in a storage space between uses.
Trying not to be biased on this, but it does sound like a good solution to what you wanted to do as long as you arent hung up over going from something unique to something more common. That being said, I honestly dont see too many other SN95 Cobras around. Mustangs, yes, but not too many cobras. (and almost no AMC's, I think I see more Yugos on the road than AMC's)
There is no equal trade for the Javelin.
Lots of Mustangs, not many Javelins.
I told SWMBO that an AMX would fit in the garage that the Javelin doesn't. The swelling should go down in a few days...
As a big Mustang fan who just picked up a 96 Cobra myself, I love the Cobra! It has power, fun to drive, get some attention too.
But I would swap for your Javelin in a second! Yes, I have kinda watched it at least since the fire.
But I don't know your plans, desires or situation.
Bruce
Meh. The red paint isn't a good sign. I get what you are saying about wear over time, but it makes me question how well was the rest of the paint job done? Did they paint the door jams, inside the trunk, under the hood? It's a Cobra which is a plus, and it sounds like it would be fun to drive, but the color change is definitely a knock on potential value.
On the other hand, just about ANYTHING more modern is more comfortable to drive, handles better, brakes better, and is likely faster then most classics. If you just want something that is more pleasant to drive and maintain period it makes sense.
I still think that myself and anyone else reading this has a hard time saying that Javelin = Mustang. There just isn't the cool factor there for most of us. If it wasn't a straight trade for it and your thread was "Should I buy this SN95 Cobra?" We'd all be saying Hell yeah. But for the Javelin, it makes it hard to justify. Ultimately if your heart isn't in it anymore then move on. Don't let a bunch of shiny happy people on the internet tell you what to do.
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