i think the smarter choice is definitely the SVT contour - but every time i hear a mustang GT or cobra - 5.0 or newer 4.6 - start up, that rumble just gets me all weak in the knees.
however, with that said, i tried to trade my SVT in on a '99 cobra convertible last fall w/ only 8k miles on it. dealer was asking too much for the cobra and wouldn't give me squat for my car, though, so i walked. later, after the 9/11-induced fire-sale prices at every car dealership in town - and i'm speaking primarily of the 0% financing on ALL fords, including cobras - i tried to talk myself into a new cobra. coulda gotten a heck of a deal on one, and i *love* the exhaust note, the seats, and even the looks...but i just couldn't justify paying close to $30k for it. now, a used one - taking advantage of ford's historically wonderful resale values (even though the cobras are better than other fords at holding their value), on the other hand, presents a whole 'nother prospect.
still, as a daily driver, i don't think i could live with one. that exhaust that sounds so good can get a little boomy and drony at certain speeds (at least in my friend's '97 cobra convertible), and except for the seats in the '01's, they're really not all that comfortable or roomy.
one day, i *will* own a mustang v8 - but (at least in an ideal world) it'll be a weekend toy, not my primary driver.
fwiw, after all my mustang lust last fall, i wound up w/ a FWD rice rocket instead of a RWD torque monster.
go figure.
good luck w/ the decision....
