Steve

Since we're all just speculating, I would like to see around 430 hp (NA or Blown, no turbo), choice of a solid OR IRS rear, choice of the 6 speed AND a beefy auto/man optional tranny, and enough chassis/suspension work to be respectable on the tracks in the twisties as well as straight out. For looks, mimic the '67/'68 Shelby's and it can't HELP but look good.

Pricing should fall around $40k but no more - I truly think that sales for a $40k Mustang are fewer and farther between than for the $50k+ Vettes, at least just yet. Ford would do wise to price lower and sell more than go the other way, in my view.

Remember - we've got the "Boy Racer" version that supposedly is going to be a reality for those who really want to bang gears on the track with the Vettes and Vipers - and do it well!

As far as the Vette/Cobra comparo's, I think that they're actually two different markets when it comes down to demographics. I could certainly be wrong but I think there are different buyers for different reasons overall.

I think if we see $45k or higher Cobra Mustangs, they will NOT sell well and that will be bad for the niche. After all, when you boil it down and compare a $25k GT against a potentially $45k Cobra, how hard will it be to sell the Cobra?

The Deviant One

Sure you can argue all you want with the GT/Cobra comparo's, but what it comes down to is what the $40K Cobra has more to offer comapred to the $25K GT. The reason why most of us here are comparing the Cobra to the Vette is because Ford said it was trying to sell the Cobra more "upscale" and market it close in competition to the Vette. If you look at the demographics between the Cobra and the Vette, they will show different results. They are in different classes of cars, they are different in price, and they are different in how they appeal to particular buyers. However, if you look at performance, Ford is trying to make them on par with each other. Look at the last gen Cobra! Since when was the last time you heard of a Mustang that can compete almost equally with the Corvette that came straight from the factory? Not since the 60's with Caroll Shelby's involvement has a factory mustang been able to accomplish this. I'm not saying that the last Cobra, was a real Zo6 killer from the factory, because it still had take a few simple bolt-on mods to beat the Vette, but it impressed a lot of people because it made it possible for the 03/04 Cobras to run over a Zo6 with less than $500 worth of mods. It also opened the possiblity that with the Cobra, Ford can now go head-to-head against its more "upscale" competitors not just from Chevy or Dodge, but also high end Euro-import cars as well. Can you do that with a factory GT? NO!!! Therefore, the Cobra seems the only answer.

Norcal_Nostra

1) 500hp
2) IRS
3) Ducktail
4) Concept type hood, or nicely done cowl hood
5) Under $45,000

Giddyup

Step into the interior of a Corvette sometime. I think the fit/finish of the Mustang is a whole bunch better than 'Vette's, and for a whole lot less $$$. 'Nuff said

Steve

Step into the interior of a Corvette sometime. I think the fit/finish of the Mustang is a whole bunch better than 'Vette's, and for a whole lot less $$$. 'Nuff said [/b][/quote]
You know... I've got to whole heartedly agree with you here. When I sat in the C5 and then the C6, I was immensely disappointed in what they did with the interiors. For a $50k+ sports car, the interior still feels like it's out of a gussied up Impala, not a world class driving machine.

Even the Nissan Maxima has a better interior (the leather upgraded one, that is) than the new Vette in my view.

freebass55

Sorry guys, but the reason I would buy a Cobra is for what is offered power wise. HP baby, oh yeah.

Steve

Same here. It doesn't matter so much if it's scooped and striped and lowered and ad infinitum - it's gotta have cajones!

And at least 430 of them for starters!

Power. That's the bottom line - controlled power that is just about over the edge; but not quite.

Conundrum

I'll drink to that

crazyhorse

Step into the interior of a Corvette sometime. I think the fit/finish of the Mustang is a whole bunch better than 'Vette's, and for a whole lot less $$$. 'Nuff said [/b][/quote]
step into the interior of an M3, lexus, etc. I'll buy the Cobra for the power, I just wish it had better interior quality. Same goes for the Vette. Biggest reason I don't buy the Vette is the 2 seats. I would want better interior for it as well.

angcobra

SMG would be the bomb!
With 450+ RWTQ and HP the RPMS come up so fast, you can not shift fast enough. An SMG with a short throw sweet shift would quicken the times.

fordguy

and sequential Concept Taillights too!

BlackRiderX

If we are talking about the C5 and the 94+ Stangs, both interiors are cheap. Only time will tell on the new cars.

crazyhorse

I'm talking about the '05. I saw the car at NAIAS and was encouraged by the quality. Now I have seen the inside of 3 production cars. It looks cheaper than I had remembered the show car looking.

crispy23c

*450 HP or More (prefer blown 5.4 w/dry sump)
*Ducktail Spoiler
*Concept Taillights- sequential
*Concept Nose & hood
*Choice of 18" or 19" optional wheels
*Hardtop under $40K, Convertible under $45K

Could I get Rally stripes with that???

I would order the convertible today...

MedVader

People, please remember that LAST Cobra was a 425hp car.

And it still only got you high 12s@111-112.

430-450hp in the next Cobra is in reality ONLY a 5-25hp boost. You can make that by swapping the mufflers out on an '03/'04.

tekman13

Could have sworn Ford advertised it as a 390 horsepower car.

angcobra

That's what they called it, but most all dynos are showing higher numbers. Mine with only intake and 3" catbacks made 411 at the rear wheels. The Nov edition of Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords found it to be 483 HP on the engine dyno.

mustang_sallad

I'm hoping they rework the front end of the cobra to make it look like the concept and GTR, like how the inner edge of the headlights are angled inwards as opposed to vertical like on the 05. i suppose that could get costly though, i guess that involves more than just slapping some extra metal on or cutting some off. Anyways, it just looks meaner that way.
And functional scoops are always cool.

HairyCanary

Heck, my Cobra laid down 415 to the wheels with a K&N and Magnaflow cat-back. 415 / .85 = 488. Ford could change to a slightly smaller pulley make the Cobra a 500 bhp car without much difficulty.

ItsNotABulliT

Wonder what the insurance change is from 300 to 450/500 horse power?