Look at it this way, where can you speed all the time?? Yeah the Cobra will beat a mustang GT but and the big BUT the New Mustang will beat 97% of your normal daily drivers who would dare challenge this beast. I say go for the 05/06 you'll be a lot happier@!!

Matt

 

From what I know about the 99-03 Mustangs in general (very poorly built) and what I read about the '03/'04 Cobra's (built just as poorly)back when I was looking at 2 different '04's, the only advantage the Cobra has is power and availability.

 

Great cars, both, and a tough decision. I'd recommend driving them both and going with your instinct. Either way, you can't go wrong. Good luck.

 

Well, actually the Cobra handles even better than the '05 - but, at a price. The ride is a bit more stiffer but that is to be expected because it is more race tuned. The Cobra also feels a bit heavier but at the same time, it has a more 'real' road feel to it.

The '05 does have a slightly better 'feel' to it; maybe a bit more solid but when you fire up the that Cobra Supercharged engine, you forget all about other things.

And the power?

Well, let's just say that in the Horsepower department, the Cobra has it all over the '05. But then again, it should - it's rated (and we all know that Ford underrated the Terminator Cobras) at 390 hp vs only 300 for the GT. So, in that area there is no comparison.

But the '05 is a sweet looking car with a much better interior with more room.

Then again, the '05 is not nearly as imposing to look at either.

See what I mean? BOTH of them are awesome for completely different reasons.
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Good points

Well, as far as handling, don't forget the 05 had the quickest time through the slalom of ANY mustang except the Cobra R. So I'm not sure you can say it handles better than the 03/04. It DOES have a power disadvantage though.

Looks........yes, the Cobra looks nice.

Now, when I drove it, I was unimpressed by the interior quality and comfort. Plus, I'm a big guy 6'2" 200lbs and found the interior too tight similar to all SN95's vs. the 05 where it is so roomy and visibility is much nicer.

Performance wise, the Cobra is great. For just about everything else, 05. I had the opportunity to buy an 03/04...... I decided to go with the GT. Though I would have loved 400hp, I wouldn't trade all the other advantages for it.

$0.02.

 

Just compare the interior and I think thats more then enough reason to go with the new one! Out with the old and in with the new.

 

I just traded my 04 Cobra in on my 05 GT so I can give you a good opinion on the two. I had a pretty tuff time on it, but I haven't looked back. I had a ton of stuff done to the Cobra so it not only handled but it had gobs of horsepower and torque.

The Cobra is fast from the factory and can be even fatser with minimal parts. It has a six speed tranny with IRS. Those are it's strong points. You have to strengthen the chassis to get the most out of the car period. So to me the best points are the power, 6 speed and IRS. The negatives are a small interior thats hard to get in and out of. The shifter placement is poor so you find yourself reaching for the shifter. The interior is plain no matter how you slice it and you may find the seats to be uncomfortable on longer trips. The chassis is old, but there are a ton of chassis parts available for it. Also it seems to have alot of rear road noise. So the basic description of the car is a powerful drivetrain in a weak chassis. The exterior is nice, but the interior is plain.

The 05 GT is pretty quick from the factory and can be even faster with only minimal bolt on's. Here's what helped me make my decision. The interior is awesome if you get any of the upgrades (I got the red and IUP). It's just so much nicer not looking at a bland interior. The seats are also more comfortable, with alot more room for the front passengers. This also aids in getting in and out of the car. I chose the 5 speed auto (yep 1st auto in 13 years in a stang)because it's the first time ever that Ford put a nice auto in a Mustang, plus as I get older banging gears every day seems less important. I also test drove the standard and Ford did a good job on the ergonomics with both. I found it easier to drive the standard over previous years, along with a nice easy clutch to help fatigue. I also found the car to be alot quieter at speeds. The chassis is hands down awesome!! The stiffer chassis is a nice welcome, but the factory ride height makes the car feel bulky. After I lowered it, it felt a ton better and I mean a ton. Other points are a larger trunk with a trunk lid that folds away from you so you don't bump your head. A nice factory option radio (shaker 1000 is very nice for factory). The exhaust is almost perfect from the factory, unless you want to be loud. The steering is sharper and the drive by wire takes away the engine vibration, although I dislike the "I'll think about for a minute before I go". I'm sure I could go on, but basically this car has a better package and thats why I made the swap. There are a few drawbacks. There are some blind spots and the IRS rode better, although the solid axle will do better at the 1320. No trunk release button and my biggest disappointment is the rear seats. They actually are comfortable, but only your kids can sit back there.

In closing the GT had a better overall package and a better monthly payment along with gas mileage. The Cobra has the power and thats what it is a brute, plain car. With minimal mods it can blow the doors off alot of cars, but unless you are blowing the doors off cars all the time the GT has the better overall package. Plus one huge positive there are so many aftermarket parts to make your 05 what you want, from stripes to body kits, etc... The Cobra is alot harder to personalize in my opinion. I hope all this helps. I tried to give my honest opinion. By the way I owned a 03 and 04 Cobra and I kept neither so that might tell you something. Fun for a while and there you go.

Thanks Mike

 

Actually, I have to disagree with you there. In my opinion, the '05 is more imposing, and much more agressive. It has that 60's "don't mess with me or I'll kick your butt" look. The Cobra just looks smaller and more "compact car" like to me. I guess I'm too into the late '60's early '70's cars to like anything between then and the 2005.

 

Exactly......... I'm sure that the Torch Red Cobra is a nice looking car, but the '05 Mustang GT is an all-around better car, and I think Mike's review of the 2 sums it up nicely....

 

it depends what ur lookin for.....im not too huge a fan over the old body styles as the new ones id day GT for looks but power by far cobra. but ud save alot of money on the GT and u can put a few mods and get the power up quicker than u think. its a tough one tho

 

05 !!!!

Matt

 

I will, but you can thank him yourself!...He posts on here too! NMRAcer is his name, I'm sure he will appreciate it. He is actually getting ready to come home from Korea, to turn around and go to Iraq...boo!

So...about the 03/05 thing...I can probably put more of my $0.02 once I finally get my 05! As of now I can truly say the 03 is one heck of a car!

 

Mike, thank you for a GREAT reply. I truly appreciated all that you wrote and am considering all your points. Again, thank you very much.

Here's the deal: I can buy a GT at X-Plan price but have to find a dealer who first, has one in stock and second, is even willing to sell at X-plan. However, not being able to buy at X-plan is not a deal breaker for me but I will NOT pay markup over MSRP. So, the issue really comes back to finding one if I want to have one right away - which, I do. :worship:

The price on a new '05 could range anywhere from ~$25,300 plus tax/title fees and on up to the $28k/$29k range. No big issue there but still, I would like to buy it for as low as possible. I'm not holding my breath on the low price - I just want to find one.

But - I can buy the '03 Cobra for $25k plus T&T which is a very good price considering that all the following extras come with the car: 1) The Cobra is a 10th anniversary car with the unique interior and wheels, only has 1840 miles on it and has NEVER BEEN WET. 2) The Cobra has a complete set of aftermarket wheels/tires for the car. It’s a set of AFS polished aluminum ’03-‘04 Cobra replica wheels (17x9” front and 17x10.5” rear). The tires are Sumitomo HTR-Z 275-40-17 front and 315-35-17 rear. 3)The Cobra has an $800 (plus installation) upgraded Borla stainless steel exhaust on it. 4) The Cobra has a custom-fit Noah car cover included. 5)It has a set of front/rear Cobra floor mats that are official Ford mats that have a small snake and the word “COBRA” embroidered on them. 6) It comes with an extra set of SVT 10th Anniversary floor mats (still in the Ford packaging). 7)All the factory wheels, tires and exhaust are also included. The factory tires and wheels came off the car within the first 50 miles of ownershipand the tires still have the nubs on them. So, there are a lot of extras that add value to the deal.

So, it's not just paying $25k for a very low mile '03 Cobra - there are a lot of 'extras' that sweeten the deal and that is what makes the Cobra a very attractive deal.

I'll probably decide in the next day or so - I've got several Ford dealerships I'll be calling tomorrow to see if I can get my hands on an '05. If not, then I'm buying the Cobra and then will probably drive it until the Shelby becomes available.

Which isn't a bad deal either...

 

No problem. I tried to be as honest as possible. Both are good cars, but they are very different.

Thanks Mike