Who on here has owned a 03-04 SVT Cobra??
#1
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Who on here has owned a 03-04 SVT Cobra??
I'm still probably going to go new, but I am considering going with a Cobra if I can find one at the right price and whatnot.
My only problem is two things. I would prefer one with low miles(under 50,000 I realize they're a 9-10 year old car) and unmodified(again I know they're a Cobra) All I'm finding is one or the other. One with high miles but stock, or one with low miles but modified to all hell. I'm wary of buying a modified car that I'm not 100% sure was done right. Especially at the price Cobras are going for these days. I'd hate to have a car a month and find a major problem which I assume is a risk with any used car![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
Anyways before this gets too terribly long, anyone owned one before? Anyone have a modified one? And if so how reliable were they? I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on the Boost-A-Pump Aftermarket systems. Maybe I can get some good advice on them.
Thanks guys.
My only problem is two things. I would prefer one with low miles(under 50,000 I realize they're a 9-10 year old car) and unmodified(again I know they're a Cobra) All I'm finding is one or the other. One with high miles but stock, or one with low miles but modified to all hell. I'm wary of buying a modified car that I'm not 100% sure was done right. Especially at the price Cobras are going for these days. I'd hate to have a car a month and find a major problem which I assume is a risk with any used car
![Dunno](https://themustangsource.com/forums/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
Anyways before this gets too terribly long, anyone owned one before? Anyone have a modified one? And if so how reliable were they? I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on the Boost-A-Pump Aftermarket systems. Maybe I can get some good advice on them.
Thanks guys.
#2
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I bought mine with 40k miles on it. Heavily modified. Fantastic car. Have to remember, it's a built car from the factory. Forged motor. Great transmission. Really built to hold up. Lots of low miles, stock ones out there. Either way you can't go wrong, new vs' terminator.
Boost a pump is ok if installed correctly. Heard of problems but none with mine. Don't need one unless you plan on modding it, and if you do plan on mods, why not just buy one modded? Save yourself some money. Best advise is drive a new mustang and drive a cobra. Completely different cars. Decide which one you prefer. Keep into consideration what you want the car for, both cars are about the same hp stock. The new GT is gonna be limited to around 500hp while the cobra will handle 600-700.
Boost a pump is ok if installed correctly. Heard of problems but none with mine. Don't need one unless you plan on modding it, and if you do plan on mods, why not just buy one modded? Save yourself some money. Best advise is drive a new mustang and drive a cobra. Completely different cars. Decide which one you prefer. Keep into consideration what you want the car for, both cars are about the same hp stock. The new GT is gonna be limited to around 500hp while the cobra will handle 600-700.
#3
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I bought mine with 40k miles on it. Heavily modified. Fantastic car. Have to remember, it's a built car from the factory. Forged motor. Great transmission. Really built to hold up. Lots of low miles, stock ones out there. Either way you can't go wrong, new vs' terminator.
Boost a pump is ok if installed correctly. Heard of problems but none with mine. Don't need one unless you plan on modding it, and if you do plan on mods, why not just buy one modded? Save yourself some money. Best advise is drive a new mustang and drive a cobra. Completely different cars. Decide which one you prefer. Keep into consideration what you want the car for, both cars are about the same hp stock. The new GT is gonna be limited to around 500hp while the cobra will handle 600-700.
Boost a pump is ok if installed correctly. Heard of problems but none with mine. Don't need one unless you plan on modding it, and if you do plan on mods, why not just buy one modded? Save yourself some money. Best advise is drive a new mustang and drive a cobra. Completely different cars. Decide which one you prefer. Keep into consideration what you want the car for, both cars are about the same hp stock. The new GT is gonna be limited to around 500hp while the cobra will handle 600-700.
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I had a 03 Cobra that I purchased new, I had it lightly modified with pulley, exhaust, CAI and tune making 450 rwhp and it was a fun car to drive. You have to watch traction, if you wheel hop you run the risk of breaking half shafts or the IRS diff cover if it doesn't have a brace on it.
I sold mine last summer to buy the 13 GT and I don't miss it. The 13 is a great car, fun to drive and rides nice. I got tired of worrying about were I parked the Cobra every time I took it out and wanted something I could daily drive. Also got tired of the garage queen moving from storing location to garage all the time.
I sold mine last summer to buy the 13 GT and I don't miss it. The 13 is a great car, fun to drive and rides nice. I got tired of worrying about were I parked the Cobra every time I took it out and wanted something I could daily drive. Also got tired of the garage queen moving from storing location to garage all the time.
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I had a 03 Cobra that I purchased new, I had it lightly modified with pulley, exhaust, CAI and tune making 450 rwhp and it was a fun car to drive. You have to watch traction, if you wheel hop you run the risk of breaking half shafts or the IRS diff cover if it doesn't have a brace on it.
I sold mine last summer to buy the 13 GT and I don't miss it. The 13 is a great car, fun to drive and rides nice. I got tired of worrying about were I parked the Cobra every time I took it out and wanted something I could daily drive. Also got tired of the garage queen moving from storing location to garage all the time.
I sold mine last summer to buy the 13 GT and I don't miss it. The 13 is a great car, fun to drive and rides nice. I got tired of worrying about were I parked the Cobra every time I took it out and wanted something I could daily drive. Also got tired of the garage queen moving from storing location to garage all the time.
That was another concern of mine. This is going to be something I can drive daily. How does the '11-14's do on traction compared to the Cobras? I did find a few online that have had a solid axle swapped in which would be a practical mod.
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X2. Your concerns are valid, and I think if you go the used Cobra route, you're going to worry about it everytime you drive it.
With new, you have a warranty initially, and you know its backround: it's new. You'll have no worries; you'll just drive and enjoy it.
With new, you have a warranty initially, and you know its backround: it's new. You'll have no worries; you'll just drive and enjoy it.
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I'm really just looking on peoples tid-bits on their opinions from people who have driven/owned both.
I appreciate all the responses. I really do. This will be my first new car(if I go that route so I'm kinda wary of everything without all the facts. I might just go into and test drive a '13 today and see what I think about it.
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For me, buying new is tough; I hate the depretiation that I get when I sign the papers and drive off; an instant loss of a few grand.
My current Mustang was a used one; only 2000 miles on it's odometer, and still had it's factory warranty going. And because it was used, Ford did the "certified-pre-owned" deal, so I have an extended warranty above the factory and drive train warranty.
The full bumper to bumper warranty has now expired (I hit the 36K last month).
Perhaps looking for a 2012 trade in with low mileage and still has it's factory warranty could be an option? Would save a few extra coin, plus piece of mind factory warranty in place.
My current Mustang was a used one; only 2000 miles on it's odometer, and still had it's factory warranty going. And because it was used, Ford did the "certified-pre-owned" deal, so I have an extended warranty above the factory and drive train warranty.
The full bumper to bumper warranty has now expired (I hit the 36K last month).
Perhaps looking for a 2012 trade in with low mileage and still has it's factory warranty could be an option? Would save a few extra coin, plus piece of mind factory warranty in place.
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The 11-14 is WAY better on traction and handling. The solid axle swap on a cobra is for drag racers only. Actually hurts the daily driver handling.
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For me, buying new is tough; I hate the depretiation that I get when I sign the papers and drive off; an instant loss of a few grand.
My current Mustang was a used one; only 2000 miles on it's odometer, and still had it's factory warranty going. And because it was used, Ford did the "certified-pre-owned" deal, so I have an extended warranty above the factory and drive train warranty.
The full bumper to bumper warranty has now expired (I hit the 36K last month).
Perhaps looking for a 2012 trade in with low mileage and still has it's factory warranty could be an option? Would save a few extra coin, plus piece of mind factory warranty in place.
My current Mustang was a used one; only 2000 miles on it's odometer, and still had it's factory warranty going. And because it was used, Ford did the "certified-pre-owned" deal, so I have an extended warranty above the factory and drive train warranty.
The full bumper to bumper warranty has now expired (I hit the 36K last month).
Perhaps looking for a 2012 trade in with low mileage and still has it's factory warranty could be an option? Would save a few extra coin, plus piece of mind factory warranty in place.
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The 11-14 is a different car. The cobra is a little animal. Not refined. A little dangerous. That's why I own one. Not because its a great commuter.
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And yeah that's another concern of mine. Whatever I do decide will be a daily driver. Not permanently but for a year maybe. But until I can get another car for a DD I need something that'll be the best of both worlds. Which from what everyone's said will be the '11-14.
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The cobra came with IRS so it would handle better than the GT especially with the added power. It handles great. It's a great daily driver. Just not as good as the new mustang. The cobra with IRS is comparable to the new models in handling until you're driving in the rain. Lol
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The cobra came with IRS so it would handle better than the GT especially with the added power. It handles great. It's a great daily driver. Just not as good as the new mustang. The cobra with IRS is comparable to the new models in handling until you're driving in the rain. Lol
Out of curiosity. How close are the new GT and the Cobra in terms of power? I mean on paper they're close. Anyone test driven/owned both?
Fair enough. Well that's a major selling point on me. Unfortunately it rained last night and I wasn't aware of it. So I might not be able to go on a test drive without scaring the salesman haha
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Maybe since it is supposed be warm today maybe it'll dry up a bit. Who knows?
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The peak horsepower is about the same but low end and through the rpm range is not. With the supercharger, the cobra makes just about full horsepower from the time you step on the gas. No gradual build up as you pick up rpm. So the cobra will be stronger on low end. Like I said though, two completely different cars. Really hard to compare the two.
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The peak horsepower is about the same but low end and through the rpm range is not. With the supercharger, the cobra makes just about full horsepower from the time you step on the gas. No gradual build up as you pick up rpm. So the cobra will be stronger on low end. Like I said though, two completely different cars. Really hard to compare the two.
Fair enough. I suppose the test drive on the '13 and my past experience driving the '04 Cobra I drove will have to suffice. No worries.
Thank for all the advice and feedback guys. I really do have to say, I normally dislike most forums but the community here is awesome. Can't say that enough.
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As far as your original question, it sounds like you're going to be daily driving it and do some light mods. For that reason, it wouldn't be a question for me - get a '11 or newer. The 2010 interior upgrades make the interior a far better place to live every day than the '05-'09, let alone the Cobra's interior which is basically the exact same one the car had in 1995. The older interior just always felt cheap to me, with seats that made me feel like I was sitting on a phone book while driving, and the manual shifter was terrible too, IMO. I know the transmission itself is probably stouter than the MT-82, but the shifter position, gates, clutch pedal, etc. just never felt comfortable for me on the older cars. The newer ones are pretty fantastic in this regard, IMO, other than the lack of a telescoping wheel.
Besides all that, the newer one will get better mileage, ride more comfortably/quiet on the highway, have better traction with stability + traction control and just all-around be a better DD.
New Edge Mustang guys, don't get me wrong, I love your generation of cars too but to compare it as a DD to a new one, there really isn't a comparison.
#19
I wouldn't buy a used cobra. Most people beat on them before selling them. Besides that the new 5.0 looks a lot better than the 03-04 year mustangs. Then there's the warranty you get from the dealer that's always nice to have as well.
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As far as your original question, it sounds like you're going to be daily driving it and do some light mods. For that reason, it wouldn't be a question for me - get a '11 or newer. The 2010 interior upgrades make the interior a far better place to live every day than the '05-'09, let alone the Cobra's interior which is basically the exact same one the car had in 1995. The older interior just always felt cheap to me, with seats that made me feel like I was sitting on a phone book while driving, and the manual shifter was terrible too, IMO. I know the transmission itself is probably stouter than the MT-82, but the shifter position, gates, clutch pedal, etc. just never felt comfortable for me on the older cars. The newer ones are pretty fantastic in this regard, IMO, other than the lack of a telescoping wheel.
Besides all that, the newer one will get better mileage, ride more comfortably/quiet on the highway, have better traction with stability + traction control and just all-around be a better DD.
Besides all that, the newer one will get better mileage, ride more comfortably/quiet on the highway, have better traction with stability + traction control and just all-around be a better DD.
I really appreciate all the feedback guys. I really do. Makes me feel more confident in my initial decision to go new.