I own an LS1 and say termy as well . I love the front end on those puppies as well. Just wish the people around here would drive them more as I only see them at the track.

 

I'm still pondering the buffet idea!!!!!

 

Terminator FTW!

 

I would say I prefer the Terminator to the GT500. Given a choice between keys of either of them, I would certainly take the GT500 because of the value, potential and collectability. However, I do think the Terminator is the meaner looking of the two.

I think the GT500 just barely lived up to the lofty expectations I had for the car. It's a little pudgy and could use some minor tweaks. The Terminator is the car I would rather drive around daily, despite having that sub-par interior of the SN95s. It still is one of my favorite Mustangs ever. I look in awe of every Terminator I see on the road.

 

I like both but I would have to go with the GT500. It has an improved chassis, in my opinion, is better looking, and basically a wet sump version of the Ford GT engine. Sure it's heavier than a Mustang GT, but the Terminator was the heaviest SN95.

The current Mustang GT could be the equal of a stock Terminator in terms of horsepower with the addition of pretty much any of the supercharger kits on the market... Handling is already better on the S197 due to having a more rigid chassis.

 

I would say GT500. But I won't dismiss the significance of the '03-'04 Cobras by any means. I've often fantisized about having that terminator engine in my '05. I think it would be a perfect combination for say a Boss or Mach SN197. 390HP with ability to go to 450 fairly easily with mods. With the exception of the engine and that IRS, the Cobra itself was basically another SN95. While I did own a few of them, we all must admit, the S197 is a far superior car in almost every way. Looks are subjective, but in most real world situations, the S197 is a superior car.

 

bang for the buck the Terminator is by far the best..I think performance wise on a relatively straight run the gt500 will kill it but if it's a very windy track the termy will win..I've driven both and think the term feels a bit more confident in the turns. Probably due to the IRS

just my opinion

 

which supercharger sounds better?

 

hmmm good question...I like mine loud as hell..I didn't wind out the gt500 I drove but i did the Termy so I'll have to go with the termy on that one.

 

I haven't heard a GT500's yet I love the termy's though. You don't even have to be in the bleachers to know when one of those go down the track .

 

yea lol one passed me the other day and i neearly wrecked!

 

I'm going GT500 on this one. The Shelby is a better car in every respect than the Terminators were, and in most areas it isn't close. Stock for stock I can't imagine a venue where the Terminator would stand a chance in a performance showdown, and as a plus the GT500 is a far better car in every dynamic respect as well with comfort being in another league altogether. The GT500's looks are in another league too for that matter.

In think SVT tried harder with the 03/04 than they did with the GT500, but unfortunately for the Terminator the GT500 starts out on far better footing than any SN95 based car did and it shows.

 

But if i had to choose i would probably pick the GT500 because i've set in both and the GT500 is made to drive, and so is the termy but it just feels kinda cramped and you dont know where everything is versus the GT500 which is like here it is-get going type instrument cluster and such.

 

Actually in the real world 1/4 the two go toe to toe in the 1/4 stock for stock and even modded.

 

Stock for stock I agree. The GT500 is heavy and difficult to launch, not saying an 03/04 isn't with the IRS, and I also can't speak as I've never driven an 03/04. But once the mods roll in, the edge goes to the GT500. They make so much power just off of an intake and tune alone! I AM NOT saying the 03/04s are going to be far behind though. Around here where I live, the 03/04s are 1 of 2 ways. 1) stock, or 2) don't even try it...lol.


And I think the 03/04s might have the edge, stock for stock, in corners. Lighter and IRS. Although I must say I was very impressed the 1st time I took our GT500 flying through corners. Its quite nimble for a 4000 car!

 

Not really. For average drivers this indeed seems to be the case...but in the hands of a a skilled driver the GT500 has a noticeable edge. Evan Smith's runs in both cars help prove this out, with his best ever run in an 03-03 Terminator being a 12.4 and change (and he had a lot of goes at the Terminator) while he cranked out a 12.2 and change in a GT500 on his first day in the car and managed this on a run where he botched the second to third shift just a bit. Given this the differnece between these two cars for a good driver has to be three tenths at a minimu, and likely it is a bit more than that.

And while some would argue that Evan Smith represents what the best of hot shoes can hope to manage, my reply would be if you don't care enough to be, or at least become, good at it then why care at all. Also worth mentioning is the fact that a standing start acceleration run is likely as good as it is ever going to get for the Terminator in this matchup, partially due to it;s weight advantage. Start talking in terms of 60-125mph or something similar where the cars are already in motion and it's just going to get worse for the Termy.

I'd also argue that the gap seems to widen when mods are thrown at these cars. This is a difficult area to compare accurately since there are so many possibilities, but GT500's seem to get into the tens a good bit easier than Terminators did. Time will tell here, but the verdict already seems to be leaning toward modded GT500's being a good bit faster in every respect.

I would also argue against the notion presented above the the Terminator is a better handling car than the GT500. I've never driven a GT500, but I can tell you that in my experience a stock 05-07 GT is a better handling car than the Terminators were which would lead me to believe that the GT500 is as well.

 

I have to say terminator as well. I really like the new body style, but, IMO, it doesn't hold a candle to pre 05. 99-04 just oozes MUSTANG to me.

 

 

No doubt in skilled drivers hands, however skilled drivers are not the norm. Which is usually where I base most of my opinion on because these are the ones you are more likely to encounter at a stoplight and even the track for the most part.

Mod for mod I agree the tide turns as most of what I heard about both cars is that the bottom end of the GT500 is much stouter. Still theres something in me that still would yearn for the Termy over the GT500. Brash, Audacious, in your face with no apologies or the GT 500's velvet glove approach. Given the car in my sig gets driven 200+ miles a week its easy to see why I place my decision where it is

 

I see your side of things. But I am the exact opposite. I like the GT500 precisely because it is a velvet glove with a very big iron fist inside.