New Car Review of the 2004 Ford Mustang Sport Coupe

Description: Sport Coupe
Base MSRP Range: $17,865-$38,950
Invoice Price Range: $16,449-$35,816

To commemorate forty years of production for Ford's classic pony car, special badges marking the anniversary dress the forward flanks of all 2004 Mustang models. Also, a 40th anniversary package brings special performance gear plus racing stripes in Arizona Beige Metallic streaking the long hood. Current designs -- including coupe and convertible variations in base V6 and GT models plus powerful SVT Cobra -- trace to a revival for Mustang in 1994 built off Ford's Fox platform.

Today's Mustang in base coupe trim or daring drop-top totes Ford's 3.8-liter Essex V6 that produces 193 hp. Mustang GT coupe and convertible carry more power from Ford's single-cam 4.6-liter V8 pegged at 260 hp.

The low-to-the-ground Mustang Mach 1 shows a ram-air scoop on the hood to shoot fresh air into the engine for more power and torque. In the cabin, Mach 1 has leather seats, instruments with retro-look dials and polished aluminum pedals.

Mustang's power monster SVT Cobra adds a Roots-type Eaton supercharger and aluminum cylinder heads on the 4.6-liter V8 to run it up to 390 hp. Cobra uses SVT-tuned springs with Bilstein shocks and 17-inch Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, with the cabin dressed in leather and suede.

New shades for 2004 Cobra include Screaming Yellow and Competition Orange.