1998 Ford Mustang

1998 Ford Mustang

The 1998 Mustang is known as the end of the best generation of the Mustang. Despite the fact that the 1998 model year was the end of the infamous generation, there was relatively little that was new about the Mustang this year. Though many Mustang fanatics were sad to see the generation come to an end, there was an obvious excitement and anticipation about how much better the future of the Mustang would be. The 1998 model year was not the beginning of the end; it was simply the end of one great generation and the beginning of another.

1998 Mustang Lineup

1998 Ford Mustang Base Model

The base model for 1998 was basically the same as it had been for 1996 and 1997. Again cloth and leather seats were available for the base model and they were not as high quality as the seats that were offered in the GT and the Cobra models. One small but noticeable change in the 1998 base model was the removal of the dash clock. Ford had considered removing the dash clock in 1997 but waited until the 1998 model year to do so. Most Mustang owners thought the lack of the dash clock was odd, because it had been there from 1994 through 1997 and was simply taken for granted by most consumers, though few truly missed the clock.
The exterior of the base model had the same styling as the previous generation and was not all that different from the GT and Cobra. The base model was offered in a sport appearance package that offered 15 inch polished alloy rims, as well as a tape stripe along each side to further the sporty look and feel. As it had in previous years, the rear bumper read Mustang and just one polished exhaust tip that identified it as the base model of the 1998 Mustang.
Ford opted to use the 3.8-liter V6 OHV pushrod motor that had been used for the last several years. Many thought that the motor was still very respectable; though this would be the last year that Ford would opt to use a single port version of the engine. The 3.8-liter V6 was coupled with a T-5 manual transmission as well as an updated automatic transmission. In previous years the AOD-E was used, but for the 1998 model year the automatic transmission was the 4rw70. The upgrade to the 4rw70 was considered necessary, but the general opinion is that shifting was still quite slow, though there was some improvement. While the automatic transmission was updated, the sold rear axle remained the same at 7.5 inches with 2.73 gears.

1998 Ford Mustang GT

1998 Mustang GT

For 1998, the GT was almost identical to the 1996 and 1997 models, but was always identifiable inside from the base model because of the better quality seats. The exterior was largely the same as well, but was given fog lights in the front as well as 16 inch standard rims and 17 inch optional rims that really looked great.
Throwing a bone to excited Mustang consumers, Ford did offer a Spring Edition GT that was released in a sporty yellow color and sat on 17 inch rims. Today these rims are very difficult to find in mint or even good condition, but they looked outstanding on the car when introduced.
In addition to the new Spring Edition of the GT, new headers also gave the vehicle more power. Horsepower was raised from 215 to 225 providing more power to get the car off the line as well as on the road! The same dual exhaust system was used and featured two polished tips from the axle on back. Ford again used the same 8.8 rear fascia that had been used for several years, and it looked as good as ever. Rear gearing for the GT remained the same as the base model with 2.73 gears as well as an optional upgrade of 3.27 gears. The GT was powered by a 4.6 liter engine and was coupled with a new T-45 five speed manual transmission that was much like the formerly used T-5 manual transmission used in the past. The 4rw70 automatic transmission that was used for the 1998 base model was also used for the 1998 GT to help improve shifting times.

1998 Ford Mustang Cobra

1998 Mustang Cobra

For 1998 the model year, the Cobra looked again a lot like the base and GT models. The features on the Cobra that make it stand out are items like a distinct front bumper, round fog lights, snake side badges, no tag identification location, and a raised hood that made room for the intake. Upgraded 13 inch front brakes and 11 inch back brakes gave the Cobra the ability to speed up and then slow down just as quickly. The extra braking power is important in a car with this much power. In 1998 special rims were put on the Cobra to help it stand out even more from the base and GT models. For 1998, the Cobra was able to produce 305 with a torque of 315. This is a very respectable amount of power for this gorgeous vehicle.

Power and Performance

The 1998 Mustang is fitted with a 3.8 liter V6 engine that provided 150 horsepower and 215 foot-pounds of torque as well as a V6 convertible. A 4.6-liter single overhead cam V8 engine powered the Mustang GT and provided 225 horsepower and 290 foot-pounds of torque. A 32 valve double overhead cam V8 engine with a powerful 305 horsepower powered the Cobra and Cobra convertible. All of the Mustang engines are coupled with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic overdrive transmission, although the Cobra is an exception being offered with just the manual transmission. All of the models are fitted with a 15.4 gallon gasoline tank, providing just enough capacity but not weighing this sporty car down too much.

Although the Mustang is amazingly affordable, it provides all of the power that one would expect in its market class. The Mustang offers both horsepower and acceleration, at least with the GT and Cobra models. The base model provides plenty of power, just not as noticeable as the GT and Cobra, as one would expect. The new modular SOHC V8 engine doesn't have all of the noise commonly associated with the old 5.0 liter V8, but it does provide all of the power and torque and can accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in just six seconds.

The fact that the V8 engine will rev up to 6000 rotations per minute with ease is awesome, especially when fitted with the manual transmission. The Borg Warner T-56 five speed manual transmission may not be ideal for those that commute in heavy traffic, but it sure is fun to drive and provides plenty of performance. Interestingly, the chassis of the 1998 Mustang is basically the same as it was in 1979, though it has been reinforced so that the car is more easily handled, as well as more accurate. Despite all of the changes in cars, this truly is a 1979 chassis with a relatively primitive MacPherson strut suspension with a solid rear axle. This suspension, despite its simplicity rides very smoothly and provides the driver with an easy steering experience. The Mustang also features antilock brakes and a traction-lock axle.

Exterior

Surprisingly, the Mustang is only 15 feet long and features a wheelbase of just 100 inches long. The shorter wheelbase no doubt makes the Mustang a very easy vehicle to drive as well as park. To keep the car from looking too short or stubby, Ford has used sheet metal facades on the front, sides, and rear of the car to give it a sporty, lengthy look.

The exterior features fog lights on the GT as well as the Cobra that give the vehicles a very sporty feel, and the addition of a raised hood completes the sporty look. There are both hardtop and convertible variants of the 1998 Mustang, giving consumers the option to feel the wind threw their hair, or not. Tinted windows, a passive anti-theft system, and keyless entry make this car great looking, even if you knew nothing about its performance. The stock tires on this car are the P205/65R-15, which carries an H-rating, a step down from the 1997 models that carried a Z-rating.

1998 Mustang Interior

The interior design of the 1998 Mustang is based on the vertically split instrument panel that was first scene in 1964. The instrument panel has individual rounded coves that are right in front of the driver and the front seat passenger seats with a variety of analog instruments on the driver's side and a glove compartment and airbag on the passenger side. The instrument panel is easy to use, as everything seems to be perfectly placed so that the driver does not have to strain or take his or her eyes off the road.

For convenience the console offers two cup holders instead of one as well as an ashtray insert for those that smoke. The dashboard clock has been removed from its past location and has been integrated into the radio display since most current radio players also display the time.

The interior offers plenty of room for both the driver and the passengers. Tall drivers will feel comfortable in the vehicle as there is plenty of track to go back to allow for long legs. The Mustang also provides enough elbowroom so that you don't feel as though you are on top of your passengers when you are driving. The front seat features attractive bucket seats, as does the back. While the backseat isn't huge, there is enough room for kids or smaller passengers and parcels, but it does feature a fold down rear seat so that you can fit more things into the trunk if need be.

Pricing

In 1998 the Ford Mustang still remained very affordable. Though the vehicle had a wide price range, most consumers found that they could afford a Mustang if this was the type of vehicle that they were looking for. Prices for the Mustang in 1998 ranged from $20,650 to 28,510, making this a great sports car for entry-level buyers as well as luxury sports car level buyers. Not only is the look, the power, and the reliability of a Mustang attractive to people from all walks of life, the price range allows a sports car dream become a reality for all buyers.

Final Thoughts

While the 1998 Mustang was not any flashier than the years before, this model year is still known as one of the best because by 1998 it was a truly refined vehicle that most buyers could respect and truly enjoy driving. The 1998 Mustang offered consumers the perfect balance of style, affordability, and comfort that would be appreciated on the racetrack as well as on the trek to the grocery store or even a drive across the country.