SN95 Hate? (Yes that question mark is supposed to be there)

"No, I don't thank you for the fish at all" (notindetroit) 12/26/2015 at 13:51 • Filed to: mustang, sn95, car classics, car aesthetics

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It seems like the prevailing attitude is the pre-“New Edge” SN95 Mustang is the worst Mustang of all aside from the infamous Mustang II and maybe the ‘72-’73 model where it grew to such a degree it became almost strictly a personal luxury coupe/poor man’s Thunderbird. It dumped the Fox Body’s 5.0 (a great block, but anemic by standards even a few years later according to their original late 70s/early 80s specifications) for the 4.6 (again, a great block, but again anemic by more modern standards and seemingly routinely passed over for crate engine swaps) and the angular, contemporary styling of the Fox Body (a shape that has managed to grow in appreciation and merit after the 90s) in favor of the first overtly retro cues that would morph into greater degrees of retro-recall simulacrum, reaching a crescendo in the previous generation and still very much present today. Although still biased towards second-generation “aero” styling Ford was pioneering from 1992-1998 the SN95 grew a grille more reminiscient of the 1964 1/2 original, along with fake air scoops that scalloped down the entire side and plastic bits in a lazy attempt to say, yeah, these are the exact same tail lights your uncle had while cruising down Route 66.

The aero-styling of the late 80s and all through the 90s were an immense hit at the time and is probably the greatest styling legacy since Harley Earl passed into retirement, but the super-aerodynamic styling trend (which turned out to have little or even detrimental effect as wind tunnel CAD-testing improved, which allowed stylists more freeway without expense towards fuel mileage) seems to have aged as well as rainbow suspenders and faux wood paneling on absolutely everything. The new-for-92 F-150 just seems, somehow...muted compared to the previous generation in today’s eyes with its soft-cornered, wide-toothed grin, to say nothing of the F-150 after that which, to me, looks like a middle-vintage NFL helmet on wheels. The ‘96 Explorer was almost downright gorgeous back in, well, ‘96, but today it just seems small and meek, as if it’s ashamed of its BOF construction (heck it probably was). As much as The Truth About Cars’ Jack Baruth waxes poetics about the Panther’s “agressive stance,” it’s pretty much a soft-spoken well-used soap bar that has less in common with Darth Vader’s TIE Fighters and Kylo Ren’s suped-up Star Destroyers as it does Admiral “IT’S A TRAP!” “Allah” Ackbar’s bizarrely lumpen and motted, uh, ships I guess that seems to have taken more inspiration from what George Lucas found in a dill pickle jar (or elsewhere, if you’re the type to have your mind in the gutter).

But if there’s one car that can best stand the test of time I think it’s the SN95. Though even then I have my reservations. The incrongruity of how the roof is placed onto the rest of the car - a stark arch glued on top of a sloping aerodynamic brick - creates a jarring aesthetic effect and to me makes the car look like an athletic shoe especially sans spoiler (I think in some ways I’d prefer the clown version). Like the Bimmer (and certain other things, if again you’re of the type to have your mind in the gutter), it does end up looking best with its top off. Even then, the thick plastic bumpers might not necessarily work the best, at least with the undersized rubber these cars usually came with. Maybe a little coil spring chop, bigger rims and a nice black finish and the SN95 convertible is finally done justice.

Image from Urambo Tauro’s Paper Jam

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/26/2015 at 13:59

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They kinda grew on me over time. A white ‘96 coupe, dropped and sitting on OZ Futuras would be nice..

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/26/2015 at 14:00

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I always thought the worst mustang was this one:

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 12/26/2015 at 14:02

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Except the Probe was actually good from the factory, at least as a handler. It wasn’t too slow either.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/26/2015 at 14:03

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I never hated the SN95. It’s an improvement over the previous Mustangs. The Mod V8 typically gets at least 10% better fuel economy while making a little more power.

I’m not very keen on the look of the disjointed angles and lines of the ‘new edge’ Mustangs of the late 1990s and early 2000s. But mechanically, they were also better than previous ones.

jovimon7 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/26/2015 at 14:06

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“It dumped the Fox Body’s 5.0” No, wrong. ‘94/’95 still had the 5.0 and with a HCI swap and fuel system inprovement they make very respectable HP numbers. Add a supercharger and your well over 500HP. Been there, done that.

Birddog > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/26/2015 at 14:09

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The SN95 would have been great if it were introduced for MY1987. It seemed dated when introduced and I don’t think it’s becoming any better with age.

dogisbadob > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/26/2015 at 14:09

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I like the SN95 design. Honestly, the New Edge is my least favorite.

Spoon II > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 12/26/2015 at 14:18

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I have a Probe GT, and it’s a great car in its own right

Your boy, BJR > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/26/2015 at 14:26

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I've ALWAYS preferred these to the New Edge.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/26/2015 at 14:38

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I don’t mind the SN95...they don’t seem to be subjected to nearly as shabby treatment as the New Edge cars are either, maybe because of how relatively unloved they are. The New Edge Mustangs are far and away the most likely ones to be saddled with a giant body kit and Flowmasters, then given big dumb chrome wheels.

Unpopular opinion: I prefer both of those to the S-197 cars that followed. The early 5th gen cars look super dated now, all narrow and tall compared to the 2015s. At least the SN95s and New Edges are kind of honest evolutions of the Mustang, the first S-197s were campy.

El Rivinado > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/26/2015 at 14:39

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The only reason I don’t like it, is because of the drivers. If there was ever a specific car that had the worst group of drivers, it would be the SN95 Mustang. Especially one woman I had, who was tailgating dangerously close to me to make me speed up faster, while I was still trying to learn how to drive. She was driving a convertible SN95 in black. One example to be sure, but that’s the only one I can think of out of the other examples I’ve seen. I don’t like ‘em because the owners are just unpleasant jackholes, and I don't want to be a part of that club.

DoYouEvenShift > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/26/2015 at 14:51

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Going by looks only, and leaving performance and mechanicals aside. The 94-04 Mustangs are the best looking ones IMO. With the Terminators being the best.

DoYouEvenShift > jovimon7 12/26/2015 at 15:07

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Stock 94 5.0 GT was rated at 215 HP. What supercharger, and how much boost to get 500HP? Im curious, I honestly dont know anything about the 5.0 cars.

lone_liberal > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 12/26/2015 at 15:32

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Bad Mustang? Yes. Bad car? Nope.

Urambo Tauro > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/26/2015 at 16:12

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Some say the early SN95s looked a bit too much like a Celica. I see where they’re coming from, which makes the ‘60s styling cues so important.

As a matter of personal taste, I do like the ‘99+ New Edge Mustangs a little better. But part of me wishes that they had done something inside the cabin as well to match it. As it stands, the curvy SN95 interior matches the ‘94-’98 models better.

Urambo Tauro > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/26/2015 at 16:17

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I’m inclined to say the Fox Mustangs were rather devoid of style, abandoning all sense of shape for bland boxiness, just like almost everything else in the ‘80s. Placing the Ford logo in the grille instead of the running horse just added insult to injury.

But I also admire the Foxes for their light weight and the long life they lived on the production line. Their massive aftermarket exists because of this.

shop-teacher > Urambo Tauro 12/26/2015 at 16:23

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I feel the exact same time way about the Fox body Mustangs. I respect what they are and what they can do performance-wise, but the looks ... Well, they always looked like a big Escort to me.

Urambo Tauro > shop-teacher 12/26/2015 at 16:26

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Looks are such a subjective thing, one could say that the “lack” of style became a style, lending the Fox a certain attitude. I could go along with that.

shop-teacher > Urambo Tauro 12/26/2015 at 16:28

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Sure, why the heck not? :)

jovimon7 > DoYouEvenShift 12/26/2015 at 19:09

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306ci, Intercooled ATI procharger, 15psi, Lunati 50017 cam, ported AFR 185 heads, ported Edelbrock Performer Intake, 70mm Throttle Body, 90mm maf, 42lb. injectors, MSD ignition, BBK Equal Length 1 5/8 headers, MAC 2 1/2” Pro chamber H-Pipe and mufflers, Custom Chip And Dyno Tune. Made 482rwhp/465rwtq. More boost would have made more power but head gaskets failed. Cometic head gaskets are a must at that boost, found out the hard way. For the white car in the picture I’m looking for a Kenne Bell Blowzilla 2.2 if anyone has a complete setup for sale.

NJAnon > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 12/26/2015 at 19:31

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I don’t recall any “hate” described in your title for this car.

That generation of Mustang was enjoyed pretty well by its fanbase and the motorsports scene. Plenty of upgrades, body kits, etc and I believe it was the last generation with the 5.0 engine before they started lying about it for the next 15years. :P

DoYouEvenShift > jovimon7 12/26/2015 at 19:39

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Thats a pretty sweet setup you had there, sounds like it was a blast to drive!