Hello all! My name is Robert,
Just picked up a fairly clean 2 owner 1995 gen 1 Mark 8 with 110k miles a couple weeks ago for 1600 bucks. I am excited to say the least.
Back in the mid 90s, I followed these mark 8s as I thought these cars got the Cobra treatment (engine) not knowing it was the complete opposite. Back then, if you had a ride like these Mark 8s you were a baller! I however was stuck with a hand me down Toyota Previa minivan, and to say the least, was not turning any heads lol. It was time to start working and save up for cooler car.
I got out of High School and bought my first car, a 68 Mustang with a 289ci and this started a 10 yr plus love affair with all sorts of stangs. 5.0s, new edges, s195s etc. I always loved the 4.6 dohc and I finally was able to buy a 2004 Cobra new from dealer back then. Ended up selling that car a year later as my wife and I were expecting our 2nd child and we started looking into suv's. I ended up buying another terminator cobra back in 06 and had it for about 4 yrs. Sold back in 2010. Ever since then, I have always wanted another one but just couldn't justify the high prices these cars demanded now. So recently, I have been looking for the "poor mans cobra," and remembered that these older Mark 8's had and were the first to come with the 4.6 dohc engine. That and they were a lot cheaper! Sorry for the long back story, just started to reminisce a bit while typing this lol.
I have done a bunch of research on this forum and other forums, but still unclear about a couple things. One thing is the whole recall of a possible fire due to cruise control off switch. Was wondering if mine had the recall done or not. My cruise control is not working and the only other thing I see under hood is some type of inline fused wire extensions from Ford installed and tucked under the brake master cylinder, does this have to do with recall/problem? Is the cruise control supposed to not work after recall has been done? Sorry I have searched, but got somewhat conflicting info. Only other thing not operable is I have no heat, which I have read could be due to a bad blend door inside dash. Although I have read that this issue is a 2nd gen issue? Once I start up car, there is a constant clicking noise from inside the dash that wont stop. Sounds like a small electrical motor stuck on or something.. Other than these 2 minor issues, I love car and it is going to get the full treatment. All maintenace, spark plugs, wires, oil and fuel filters. Dropping the Transmission pan and replacing filter and also draining the TC and will add Mercon V fluid. I was thinking of doing the Jmod and adding a transmission cooler while I am draining all fluid, but honestly the car drives and shifts perfect and besides the occasional romp here and there on the skinny pedal, car is going to be a highway cruiser and be babied. Only other plans are rims/tires and a full cat back exhaust with 3rd cat delete and maybe removal of all the air silencer crap on intake. I like the idea of shaving off the air intake tube, but cant find any DIYs. I'll post up pics of car in a bit.. Oh yea, funny how life works out. While I never ended up buying another Terminator, a 2004 resides in my garage! My son who is now 20, purchased a 2004 cobra also a couple weeks ago!
Just picked up a fairly clean 2 owner 1995 gen 1 Mark 8 with 110k miles a couple weeks ago for 1600 bucks. I am excited to say the least.
Back in the mid 90s, I followed these mark 8s as I thought these cars got the Cobra treatment (engine) not knowing it was the complete opposite. Back then, if you had a ride like these Mark 8s you were a baller! I however was stuck with a hand me down Toyota Previa minivan, and to say the least, was not turning any heads lol. It was time to start working and save up for cooler car.
I got out of High School and bought my first car, a 68 Mustang with a 289ci and this started a 10 yr plus love affair with all sorts of stangs. 5.0s, new edges, s195s etc. I always loved the 4.6 dohc and I finally was able to buy a 2004 Cobra new from dealer back then. Ended up selling that car a year later as my wife and I were expecting our 2nd child and we started looking into suv's. I ended up buying another terminator cobra back in 06 and had it for about 4 yrs. Sold back in 2010. Ever since then, I have always wanted another one but just couldn't justify the high prices these cars demanded now. So recently, I have been looking for the "poor mans cobra," and remembered that these older Mark 8's had and were the first to come with the 4.6 dohc engine. That and they were a lot cheaper! Sorry for the long back story, just started to reminisce a bit while typing this lol.
I have done a bunch of research on this forum and other forums, but still unclear about a couple things. One thing is the whole recall of a possible fire due to cruise control off switch. Was wondering if mine had the recall done or not. My cruise control is not working and the only other thing I see under hood is some type of inline fused wire extensions from Ford installed and tucked under the brake master cylinder, does this have to do with recall/problem? Is the cruise control supposed to not work after recall has been done? Sorry I have searched, but got somewhat conflicting info. Only other thing not operable is I have no heat, which I have read could be due to a bad blend door inside dash. Although I have read that this issue is a 2nd gen issue? Once I start up car, there is a constant clicking noise from inside the dash that wont stop. Sounds like a small electrical motor stuck on or something.. Other than these 2 minor issues, I love car and it is going to get the full treatment. All maintenace, spark plugs, wires, oil and fuel filters. Dropping the Transmission pan and replacing filter and also draining the TC and will add Mercon V fluid. I was thinking of doing the Jmod and adding a transmission cooler while I am draining all fluid, but honestly the car drives and shifts perfect and besides the occasional romp here and there on the skinny pedal, car is going to be a highway cruiser and be babied. Only other plans are rims/tires and a full cat back exhaust with 3rd cat delete and maybe removal of all the air silencer crap on intake. I like the idea of shaving off the air intake tube, but cant find any DIYs. I'll post up pics of car in a bit.. Oh yea, funny how life works out. While I never ended up buying another Terminator, a 2004 resides in my garage! My son who is now 20, purchased a 2004 cobra also a couple weeks ago!
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