1990-1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX vs. 1994-1995 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

I've been searching the used sports car market for a fast car under $10,000 for a while now, and I've gotten it down to these two. Obviously, these are both very fast cars, and it's not difficult or expensive at all to turn either one of these into a 12-second street car. However, I want whatever car I get to be fairly reliable as well. I don't need it to last 100,000 miles or anything, I just want a car that's not going to be in the shop every other week. So, assuming that I get a car that has been fairly well taken care of, which of these cars is a better bet for affordable, reliable performance? From what I've seen first-hand, I'd say the SVT Cobra, but I'd like to hear from some people who have owned either car and are willing to give an unbiased opinion.

Cobra.

Get the Cobra.

Cobra...

Cobra ( not a hard decision)

why would you even ask man svt of course

Ok... lol, I'm sure everyone here knows that I am a muscle car person, and will expect me to say the Cobra.
But just to offer you a different point of view, my friend used to have a first gen DSM, Eclipse GSX. This thing was a legend on the streets. It had a total rebuild, it was bored out .2L over, had a 20G Turbo, AFC, Electronic Boost controller... when he raced he put that S*it up to 35PSI... he was puttin around 450HP to all four wheels, maybe a little more. A little weight reduction, this car was taking almost anything on the streets... never took it to the track, but we figure it ran 11s.
Now, a 2nd gen is heavier than a first gen, but same motor, and imo looks waaaay better.
I guess it is totally up to you which route you want to go, we are essentially looking at apples and oranges... raw V8 RWD power vs. 4cly Turob AWD power. Honestly, the Ford 5.0 is better than the 4.6... I know 5.0s that run 10s street, they pretty much dominate the Street racing seen (BTW they are Foxbodies) but I've never seen a 4.6 that could've ran w/ my friend's eclipse. Just some food for thought.
The eclipse cost him about $15K all together. car included.

That's why I specified 94-95...best years of the Cobra 5.0 :P

That's why I specified 94-95...best years of the Cobra 5.0 :P

So you say!!!! LoL

I think performance vs price the are very even. I have great respect for what the DSM cars can do from first hand expirence. But most of the most hardcore DSM guys I know(1 in low 11's, 1 in high 10's) admit that they aren't the most reliable car around but they still love them. Plus FWD/especially AWD is nice if you have real winters where you are.

But I'd say Cobra cause you stressed reliability.

I live in Las Vegas, NV and I'm moving to Bakersfield, CA. It has snowed exactly once in Bakersfield, and it rains maybe ten times a year. So, I don't really need AWD for the weather. I just love the way AWD feels during spirited driving, and the launching is nice too. Even so, it's pretty clear to me that the Mustang SVT Cobra is the better car...lots more motor to work with, and apparently, more reliable.

Thanks to everyone for your help :)

Oh yea... forgot to mention the reliability thing... my friend had to fix that car quite often.

Yeah, I know DSMs aren't that reliable, I just didn't know if it was really bad or just annoying.

cobra

if you keep it stock, probably just annoying, but @ 500HP, most likely BAD!

I'm not gonna do that many mods to either car...come to think of it, the 5.0's greater aftermarket potential doesn't mean all that much to me. If I'm not gonna do many mods, wouldn't the 1996+ Cobra with the hand-built DOHC 4.6L V8 be better, since it's more powerful stock?

Yes it would.

cobra, better looking and people know its fast.

Actually, I'd prefer if people didn't know it's fast, so that I don't get revved at by every kid on the road and followed by every cop on the road.

Actually, I'd prefer if people didn't know it's fast, so that I don't get revved at by every kid on the road and followed by every cop on the road.
Id say the eclipse is going to cause people to respond the same, especially cops

Actually, I'd prefer if people didn't know it's fast, so that I don't get revved at by every kid on the road and followed by every cop on the road.

Yet you are thinking bout by a Mustang.......

yea, if you don't want something fast, I think you are looknig at the wrong cars

I didn't say I didn't want it to be fast, I just don't want to draw too much attention to myself. It's just a minor gripe, if the SVT Cobra is the best bang-for-buck it's all good.

ok, but both of these cars are attention getters, it goes hand in hand.

Eh, then I can live with it. Just have to be careful :P