MotorWeek | Retro Review: 2000 Ford Mustang Cobra R

[@bliglum]

Roughly 400 hp and fully independent suspension.... It was like a taste of the future!!!

[@benfillman4049]

bliglum the datsun 240z had independent suspension in 1969

[@maximumvelocity6542]

That's all contextual. bliglum was likely alluding to the change to IRS on the current 2015 to newer Mustangs that are also in excess of 400hp. In the end, Ford could have given the Mustang IRS a decade before the 2000 Cobra R if the cost benefit was there. The 8.8 LRA was so loved (by the drag racing community), so durable, and so simple and cost effective that they obviously held it as long as the automotive world allowed them to. Despite this, Ford has proven with 89-95 T-Bird Super Coupes that they can design a euro-inspired IRS (and front suspension) better than the ones that they later developed for the 99/01 & 03/04 Cobras as well as this R. Japanese and European cars prioritized dynamic handling potential as their parent market road systems had more switchbacks, turns, and elevation changes than the US (per percentage). The early Z's drawing their inspiration from Europe, naturally had a high priority on handling while 1969 Mach 1s, Chargers, etc were all about stop light to stoplight or the strip.

[@brandonwright2067]

Ben Fillman the Datsun was a pos and should never be put the same sentence as any svt roush or saleen name

[@krocialblack]

Ben Fillman he's talking about future Mustangs.

[@tacklefatkids]

@philglassfan making Mustangs and other cool ass cars what's your problem with Fords??

[@bryanmchugh1307]

I grew up on "Motorweek". John Davis must be pushing 85 years old now and he is STILL doing Motorweek. I LOVE the retro reviews! This Cobra R is a freaking flamethrower!

[@teddyh871]

Me too! Love watching these old videos.

[@billgateskilledmyuncle23]

Mid 70s, not hardly 80.

[@speeddemon6667]

Same here bro

[@stevefowler2112]

I had the extreme pleasure of owning #288 of 300 for several years...I've owned eight V8 Mustangs over the years, among them some of the fastest/rarest, not to mention a few other of GM's fast offerings, including a big block Camaro and Corvette along with two BMW's and I'm here to tell you the 2000 Cobra R model Mustang was quite an engineering masterpiece. The first time I drove it I went around an off camber corner near my house that you'd end up almost hitting a neighbor's mailbox if you weren't careful (it got hit so many times by other people I stopped counting) and I didn't even notice any off camber effect, it just tracked like it was a flat corner...I knew then I had a special car....I had it at the limit several times at 175 mph (once on a slight downhill grade it pushed 180 mph) and at that speed it was dead stable, you could one hand steer it with complete confidence. One thing it didn't mention in this video is that it came with A/C and radio delete...I had a very expensive Blaupunkt radio/CD installed in mine which made for a cool ride, if not thermatically certainly emotionally... Still my favorite car I've ever owned.

[@BrownBomber92181]

Steve Fowler great story! This has been my favorite Mustang since they've came out. And I always loved the 32V 5.4 V-8. I have one in my '04 Nav, with a CAI, exhaust and a custom tune. The sound of the engine at 5,700 rpm is intoxicating

[@logicn.reasoning9744]

Thank you for introducing the word "thermatically" to my life. I vow to use it at least 10 times a day.

[@JAMESWUERTELE]

I’m from Colorado, I was going to school in Phoenix. They had one in the dealership! I wanted one back then, and I was 18. I could only imagine how fun this car was back then!

[@Davido50]

Nice! U prob have a newer Shelby Cobra I hope.

[@stevefowler2112]

@@logicn.reasoning9744 lol...just saw this comment...you are welcome...it's a good 10 cent Engineer's word.

[@briansmith8361]

20 years later, still awesome, and still one of my favorite Mustangs!

[@rodmunch69]

Meh. Looks dull and stupid at the same time. This era Mustang is by far the worst era, not counting the Mustang II. They're just dull, conservative cars. GM meanwhile had the awesome looking Camaro SS and the amazing looking Firebird WS6. This run of 300 cars doesn't mean much, when it came to the models that people actually bought, GM was wiping the floor with the Mustang in terms of performance and looks.

[@blackeye3336]

Lol delusional

[@blackeye3336]

That's badass I wouldn't call it my favorite I think it's up there tho

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

@@blackeye3336 Mustang is legendary and one icon

[@Low97ss]

"Body slammed them like Stone Cold Steve Austin" lol I loved that line!

[@a456987]

So cool

[@lgalphagools]

Same here lol

[@JuanTomlinson472]

“Oh HEELLL YYEAAH!!!!

[@lgalphagools]

Gimme a hell yeah!!!

[@Iconhulk]

Yawns Little Austin.. Austin Overrated

[@andrewrout8712]

Still looks amazing 18 years later.

[@rodmunch69]

Not really, looks like a standard Mustang that some teen stuck a bunch of panels to using 3M tape.

[@ve4mm]

I own #15 since 2007

[@NolimitTEXAS]

You should make a vid

[@whatsreallygoingon253]

ve4mm lucky dog

[@manbearpig2164]

Hell yeah Trump Rules

[@BC08]

Yeah, make some vids? How many miles do you have?

[@jarheadss9253]

@@manbearpig2164 haha

[@TheTerminator1919]

My absolute dream car. I couldn't afford it back in the day but was able to buy a 2003 SVT Cobra. But wow a 2000 Cobra R is worth a ton nowadays.

[@rodmunch69]

There were only 300 made. It's not a real car that you could buy, it was just a show car meant to impress morons that read magazines.

[@stillsearching1284]

$55K was a bargain for this car, even back then. Ford should have made more of them.

[@destructoidx99]

now inflate it to 2022 its 120k

[@1983jblack]

​@destructoidx99 Exactly. Alot ot people forget about inflation even though it's been a little over 20 years ago

[@x0M3GAx]

Man, I remember when this car came out and using it in Gran Turismo 3. I knew it was the only chance I'd ever have to "buy" one. :D

[@ooohhenrybmblm]

I just took her to the Aria street circuit in GT PSP and clocked 1’39. It is amazing to push to the limit.

[@supreme188]

I have her on Gran Turismo 5 lol

[@rodmunch69]

Any Japanese car with AWD would destroy it. That's the downside of GT, they never quite got it right in terms of how AWD changes handling and can slow a car down on a track - despite the fact it gives you a lot more traction and greatly increases acceleration. In my experience it's easier to drive a RWD car really hard since you're always expecting it to break loose and ready for it, with an AWD car you rarely push those limits as if it breaks loose it's gonna be an issue since it rarely happens and there's no consistent way it breaks loose.

[@jacobramirez7110]

That Mustang SVT Cobra R is one of my favorite Mustangs. By Ford.

[@ossimjew]

Year 2000 is now considered retro? Felt like yesterday when Clinton was walking out and bush was walking in.

[@TommyboyGTP]

+M M it still feels like 1995 was only 10 years ago to me lol

[@joshmori9023]

Clinton was definitely coming out of the "bush" alright,haha sorry,had to

[@DarkLinkAD]

+ossimjew You mean when Clinton was slipping into Bush.

[@chevyhs]

ossimjew we are getting old man. Makes me sad. I can say 20 years ago I did something and it's actually a true statement

[@GODs_Son777]

ossimjew Anything over 15 yrs. is considered classic. Haha..

[@jnb894]

I'd LOVE a modern review of this car! In fact, we need one!!!

[@mikeprice8307]

Anyway we can get in touch with Doug DeMuro about this?

[@brandonwright2067]

My favorite car and mustang of all time bring back SVT

[@luckyprince3524]

385 HP was A lot back then and 4.7 SECONDS to 60 was super fast in 2000

[@OxBlitzkriegxO]

Lucky Prince the Cobra R was vastly underrated. It dynos around 370rwhp on a chassis dyno. The car is traction and driver limited in a 0-60 run.

[@andrewrout8712]

It still is. But yeah, for the time, was just a stone throw away from supercar status

[@petertyrell9699]

It was 911 territory back then

[@grabber_blu_angel]

Still pretty fast. That's what my 2005 GTO does.

[@LeoM-zt3pl]

Not bad but my 1997 Camaro SS did it in 4.9 for a lot less money

[@hakeemsd70m]

The 2000 Cobra R is of my all-time favorite Mustangs and this is coming from a very heavy heavy Mustang enthusiast. $54 was a lotta cash 16 years ago...wait, 2000 was 16 years ago? Man good times flies fast....

[@kiddkonceited]

Almost 20 years ago now !

[@Porsche91199]

@@kiddkonceited 22

[@Kgio-2112]

54k is still alot of greenola

[@tyler9703]

This thing is seriously fun in Forza, cant imagine how good it must be in real life

[@eduardocastillo7900]

people that are saying it's too expensive remember that they only made 300 of these and they sold quick and as far as know they have gone up in value.

[@nothanks1627]

Wayyyy up😂

[@supercharged3392]

The best sounding Naturally Aspirated Cobra of all time. (Wish the V10 Boss 351 would have made it to production too). Just add an A/C, radio, and back seat back in and it would be the ultimate DD.

[@johnd9357]

This was my absolute dream car during early adolescence. I was hoping to get older and buy one, but the prices are insane on these now from what I’ve seen. Rather just buy a c8 and be done with it. Leave this a dream.

[@WhitefolksT]

Go grab an SN95 for fun. It'll be worth it. I keep my 95 Z28 and 90 Plymouth Laser 4G63 5spd just for the nostalgia. Check out Radwood too 🤘🏻

[@soldieroftafari]

one of the coolest mustangs ever. but that INTERIOR, ouch.

[@o__o6542]

billy heaton I'm dead LMAO 😂

[@hakeemsd70m]

Honestly if I'm driving a car like this, the seats are the only thing in the interior that matter. I'd say quality is as good as the 4G Camaro SS.

[@wickedhouston5538]

looks better than your honda civic

[@BC08]

Hakeem Sd70M MUCH better interior than 4G F-body. By far

[@richmondplace1]

You brought it back, I've been looking for this since 2000!!! Thanks motor week!!!!!

[@epicraptorman]

Favorite Mustang Gen and Favorite Mustang. NFS: HP2

[@axl1632]

*Fever for flava intensifies*

[@alexpuls8219]

If I ever come across one of these, I will do whatever it takes to own it. These cars are sick!

[@ricardocorbie6803]

John Colletti I hope I spelled that right? Was the man, God bless you!! These Monsters were ahead of their time!!

[@noaht5191]

"It's body slammed them like Stone Cold Steve Austin" 🤣 that is the most 2000 thing I've heard this month.

[@PTMC2008]

This is my favorite Mustang of all time

[@jehadhjaya2767]

Would it be nice if they put a 5.4L DOHC engine with 385 hp on the Panther platforms, add a 6-speed transmission, change the differential and crankshaft to withstand speeds in excess of 260 km / h, and add an advanced suspension system. Do you think Ford was able to make these improvements on the Panther platforms? It would be great if it made the same improvements as it did with the Mustang, Expedition, and F150

[@aaronbehindbars]

This cost $55k 15 years ago, yet the new GT350 is $6k LESS and will outperform this in every way imaginable. The extra performance brought by 15 years of advancements is not what is impressive, but the significantly lower price in the face of inflation is.

[@tyrudder3026]

Here's the real kicker -- $55k in 2000 is _$76k_ today. That's $15k more than today's GT350*R*.

[@aaronbehindbars]

*****​​ I was thinking it would be something like that, but didn't bother to plug in the numbers on an inflation calculator (I use the US Dept. of Labor's).

[@tyrudder3026]

Not sure whether to be happy that we get such better vehicles now, or sad that money is worth less... :/

[@aaronbehindbars]

***** Good point. This particular vehicle is a pretty big outlier on the inflation spectrum. I remember comparing three early 90s trucks that Motorweek Retro posted a while back to see how they stacked up to the modern equivalent. I built the trucks as close to the old versions I could. Corrected for inflation, today's trucks were about 10% more expensive. When, you consider how much more capable, safe, and the extra features new vehicles have, that 10% premium seemed like a deal. The bigger issue is that wages have not kept pace with inflation and your dollar doesn't stretch as far like you said. It's sad to see so many people financing cars for 72 or 84 months.

[@iant720]

Will it out perform? I'm not so sure... The new gt350 is way overhyped. The CTS-V is very very similar performance wise yet 10k cheaper!!

[@JaxonIrving]

"Bodyslammed them like Stone Cold Steve Austin" LMFAO

[@KootBear]

wonderful and beautiful Cobra R, love it!

[@_whyte.woods_1256]

That body roll though, the splitter was damn near dragging

[@liquidleopard4495]

It was a fun car in the Gran Turismo series, which is as close as most of us will get to one. :) Even better when you look up the real spring rates and input that in the game. The programmers guessed at the spring rates, guessed really low, and never updated it. :-/

[@Porsche996driver]

Dancing like drunken sailors! John was on a roll this day lol.

[@charlies.5777]

"Piston Punchin' Pony " (0:46), I like the alliteration, John!!👍

[@jayyoutube8790]

I still like this body style... One of the best looking years...

[@johnluca64]

0-60 in 4.7 seconds is a rocket. Especially 18 years ago.

[@scottwilson599]

Ya you can do that in a tuned up free mod LS1 for thousands upon thousands of dollars cheaper.

[@roninkraut6873]

Scott Wilson And be surrounded by cheap GM plastic? No thanks. You Chevy fanboys were just embarrassed because Ford showed you what a similar cubic inch Mustang could do and it hurt your LS1 feelings

[@alexpowers9158]

@@scottwilson599 last time I checked a z06 in that year was more expensive, and was more produced. Good luck touching that R now for under 100k that z06 now is much cheaper because you can't copy what Ford did with this car.

[@robertrobinson9920]

@@roninkraut6873 I would rather be surrounded by cheap GM plastic than have that 5.4 liter piece of shit they are the worst fucking engines ever fucking made. At least the LS engines are dependable unlike that 5.4 piece of shit.

[@roninkraut6873]

Robert Robinson Which 5.4 are you talking about? Or did you even know that there were different versions?

[@jonathanvillalba3214]

Ford made a fast & furious worthy car. Picnic table rear spoiler & all 🤣🤣🤣. Not going to lie, would have loved to own one myself. The mustang was the 1st car I fell in love with when I first arrived in the states. More than half my life later, my biggest regret was not owning one yet.... hopefully soon!

[@chuckselvage3157]

They look,go,and sound great.

[@ProdriveGT]

My favorite Mustang of all time

[@jeremyg891]

It's so beautiful except for the wing but that's what makes it special

[@dftns19]

Yeah, that wing looks like homemade garbage.

[@Len1977gt]

its not supposed to look good, its functional you dumbass

[@ramivalencia]

Larry N It's not that hard to make a functional component beautiful. That's what the best car companies in the world are known for. The wing looks ugly and Ford could have done something to make it less bulky.

[@BullettGuy]

probably just a kid. let him be. The wings functionality is beyond his comprehension.

[@dylanhale7300]

This right here is one of my dream cars... Mustang + big wing = holy shit

[@gorrilaunit99]

*The only GOOD Mustang- Cobra independent rear suspension*

[@KartKing4ever]

One of these with about 1000 miles sold in my home town a few years ago for $60,000. Whoever bought that car got a hell of a deal.

[@Francisco-j1e]

Iconic car on Gran Turismo 2, played many hours and i remember the sound of it in the game!!

[@carwhiz90]

F. Teixeira you mean gran turismo 3 right??

[@minibikemadman]

I got a see a real cobra r in close last night. What a amazing mustang.

[@TassieLorenzo]

I had one of these... in gran turismo, rofl. Awesome car mind you, a fitting predecessor to the GT350R.

[@a456987]

And I've got one in Forza

[@mikestang679]

I've never seen one under $50K, most of those were low miles, in the "wrapper" non-dealer prep @ $80K.......wow!

[@generalpatton8468]

I remember when I first saw this car, I thought it was ugly. Now I think it's the sexiest Mustang ever made other than the 67, 07 and 13 GT500s

[@Len1977gt]

Jon, you are amazing! and funny as heck! lol

[@cadsux]

So this paved the way for the modern 2015 Mustang GT with the IRS and similar 0-60 time. Impressive.

[@cadsux]

Impressive tech and performance for the 2000 Cobra R, which would cost about $73,000 if adjusted for inflation in 2015. Now you can get similar performance in 2015 Mustang GT, which starts at around $31,000.

[@TassieLorenzo]

+sleepybird09 This should be compared to the GT350R not the GT.

[@clifford_2zero7]

Im not a mustang fan never have been, my dream car as a kid was a 30th edition Camaro which i now own for 11 years, my forever car, but I actually like this one. Its a shame they didnt make the normal mustangs or gt's like this.. Mustang's always seemed to underperform but this one is hot and she moves!!! Respect 💪

[@epa316]

That was a big deal in the dark days of the early 4.6 liter GTs; it gave me hope for the future. And now, a stock GT off the showroom floor can go 0-60 in 4 seconds.

[@rodmunch69]

..and a stock SS can do it in 3.9 seconds. Love the Pony wars, too bad GM screwed it up again and is gonna kill the Camaro.

[@epa316]

@@rodmunch69 get the 10 speed auto, and the Mustang will go 3.9 or 3.8, I’ve seen both times published. And the Camaro will be back; might take a while, and it’ll probably be electric, but I’m sure it will be back.

[@rodmunch69]

@@epa316 When they brought it back, it looked great, but in the refresh, they just ruined the look by making it so boxy and plastic looking. They'll likely bring it back in another 7-10 years, and yep, you're right, it will be soulless electric car. Just hopefully it's not a soulless electric SUV like the eMustang. BTW, no issues with electric cars, I'd love to have a Tesla, I just can't believe we legit, right now, have a car that will drive itself like 95% of the time (on beta self driving software, that is available to the public, it can really do that already). I love all the tech you get with electric cars, but there is certainly still a place for ICE powered sports cars that are less about lap times and more about fun to drive. Heck I've owned all sorts of sports cars, multiple Corvettes, a Camaro a Mustang, some BMWs, a 400hp GTO and more, and the most fun to drive car I've ever owned was a 1985 Fiero GT that was basically a go-kart - which is why it was so fun, it had no power steering, no power brakes and nutjob I bought it from had lowered it while cutting out the cap and mufflers and just having baffles on the back. It wasn't fast by any means, just super fun to drive.

[@blackeye3336]

No its dead GM has completely abandoned it for like 5 years and now there closing the curtains on it like dodge hopefully it comes back and comes back cool tho

[@archangele1]

I was in a used car lot a few years ago and they had a Mustang of this vintage that had a factory installed super charger. That thing was ungodly fast. I believe it was some sort of SVT. It ran nice and I almost bought it. Now, seeing that no one has ever heard of such a beast, I wish I had bought it. I have a mint 1990 I bought new that has all of 10,000 original miles on it. I love the understated look of the older 1990 5.0L sedan. But these newer ones with that modular V8 are a heck of a lot quicker. This generation around 2000 to me seem to be the best of the best Mustangs and a hell of a lot better looking and overall performing then the newer ones. And yes, I have driven all the different generations. The newer ones impress me so little that my daily driver is now an Infiniti Q60S. But, I still love pulling out my old 1990 5.0L for a Sunday drive.

[@michaelriley3707]

1 of the greatest Mustangs ever

[@realmaindrianpace]

You guys kept that '80s-riffic intro for quite a while, eh?

[@cesarflores8450]

Maindrian Pace my thoughts exactly.

[@Adrian1981]

I think they use that mid 80s riff for all the retro reviews but wasn't the opening sequence for a lot of the original run

[@ericreed770]

Love this car and the 03 terminators.

[@twincammike8329]

I'm not a big mustang fan..but I really do like this one..vary nice looking fast and sounds Awesome...

[@brandonmartinez4094]

To me this is the most beautiful car ever..

[@GODs_Son777]

The best Stang ever!!

[@470HELLEPHANT]

This video BODY SLAMMED me like stone cold Steve austin 🍺🦾

[@jamesmorrison9544]

My dream car 🚘

[@retiredsnowbunnyhunterx5106]

Im not a ford guy but man if i ever owned a mustang this would be the one. Exhaust sounds extremely nice and aggressive.

[@alexcorona]

The intake tube in the rear quarter window was to cool down the differential. Testers were beating the crap out of them. It did not make it to the production models.

[@evilone6785]

Always loved this car

[@ras4782]

My favorite mustang

[@travosk8668]

I remember being 6 and seeing this car, this was the first Mustang my eyes had ever seen. It looked like a toy but bigger...

[@Firealone9]

385 horsepower on an SN95 commercial sale mustang in 2000 was genuinely insane. Very underappreciated car.

[@Charvel86]

Still looks great today!

[@donovonhargrove]

Personally I've never had the pleasure of owning one of these but it's one of two out of my number one favorite cars of all time...this Mustang is tied for number one in my heart with the Mazda RX-7FD3S.

[@jehadhjaya2767]

Would it be nice if they put a 5.4L DOHC engine with 385 hp on the Panther platforms, add a 6-speed transmission, change the differential and crankshaft to withstand speeds in excess of 260 km / h, and add an advanced suspension system. Do you think Ford was able to make these improvements on the Panther platforms? It would be great if it made the same improvements as it did with the Mustang, Expedition, and F150.

[@carnationvideos4258]

I used to own a 2004 Lightning with a 5.4L super charged.

[@tylerfabish5578]

lol you're making that up

[@carnationvideos4258]

I would like an apology :)

[@chrisbryant267]

Svt did it right! This car looks and sounds sick!

[@camaro69green31]

2000.... Ford's using an iron block 5.4 truck derived engine............ Pontiac & Chevy are enjoying the compact powerful light weight LS............. Poor Ford . Was never fair........ and kind of sad. Really.

[@gameshark427]

Wow still looks good today 👍

[@elgringiototote]

I remember this this was so crazy and nutty fast sounding when it came out. Now, it seems rather tame. Base GT has more HP these days

[@AJ6spd]

This is my favourite mustang

[@patriotgame4404]

My brother got to help put the motors in these cars in Dearborn. They had to do it separate from the assembly line because it took longer to fit the motor in. Don’t want to hold up the line for a specialty vehicle

[@bduff007]

Thank you John Coletti

[@COBHC8890]

Still my fav Mustang!!!!

[@cesarflores8450]

at the expense of slowing down on the track...with all the hi performance internals. the potential is def there for a straight line rocket at 200mph turbo or super charged.

[@EPICYELLOWHORSE]

This Mustang was cutting edge for 17yrs ago, but DAAAYUUUM at that price it should have been even better!

[@andersonsanjose8785]

Caraca é muito da hora só carrões bonitos 😁👍👍

[@chrishack6825]

A piece of history.

[@everydayirace]

Amazing car for its time.

[@kurtzgarfield358]

Great video and great car

[@south9563]

holy shit, that intro was still being used? godaamm

[@donQpublic]

John if you’re out there, thank you!!!

[@Blackout_1692]

yeah people are blabbing that this new generation Mustang is the first one to have independent rear suspension they're wrong this one was

[@louieyork1158]

I’ve never been much of a Mustang fan, even after owning a few, but this particular Mustang always did it for me. Had a 2000 GT with a 5-speed and it was ok but I always wanted an R...

[@ronyeahright9536]

you've never been much of a mustang fan, yet you've owned a few? that doesn't really make sense.

[@OmegaSwitch]

Along with the '95 Cobra R and latest GT350, this has to be my favorite modern Mustang... but $55 grand 15 years ago? You could buy a stock Cobra and spend nearly 20 grand on modifications, which would likely give you an significantly more impressive machine- not saying this wasn't impressive, and it was quite exclusive...

[@shawncollins9938]

Remember playing sega gt on sega dreamcast with this car,it was the best

[@opalbeifong695]

Between this year and the 2013's are the best looking. I hate the way the newer one's look.

[@SVTJD]

I could have bought a 2,000 mile like new R for $40,000 about 12 years ago. Would have been a real steal compared to now

[@snot2late]

my favorite car in gran turismo 3

[@Twobarpsi]

Looks great!

[@couldenpettit3285]

First saw the Ford SVT Mustang Cobra R, when I first played NFS: Hot Pursuit 2, and this is the kind of Mustang I fondly remember. It is a very fun vehicle to look at, but that simplistic, dismal spoiler wing is what's really distracting.

[@angelmeza9761]

Nice mustang

[@PANTYEATR1]

I can't wait to drive my 95 mustang restoration that I've installed a built IRS in...I want to know if I can get my hands on the front Brembos and if they will work for me.

[@SportsMusicCars]

so same terminator power without a blower... 5.4 vs. 4.6...

[@107Ryebread]

The BFG g-Force KD tires were monsters. At the time it really was the king of dry!

[@hendo337]

BFG had a drag radial back then too, one of the earliest brands to do so.

[@ziggybammurphy191]

My second favorite bodystyle just because it looks similar to my first favorite 😉 😉