[shard77]

I am definitely in the market for a new Mustang sometime in the next year. Originally I was going to wait until the 2005's came out, but I'm not sure if I like the new body style (Particularly the back end). I've considered a Mach 1 and a Saleen, but just recently started looking at the SVT Cobra's. So I was hoping some members of the forum could give me their opinions on the Cobra. Positives. Negatives. How it compares to the Mach 1 and/or the Saleen.

Thanks!

[1998GT]

Just BTW they changed the back end of the stangs.. Someone posted some spy photos and the back looks soooo much better, like i actualy like the back now... BUt, i love the 03 cobra, i've always loved how the cobras have looked.. Even though the mach 1s are the fastest and they dont really look that much different than other stangs, its still a mach 1 and its a rare collectors car.... A saleen is a saleen, simple.. If you drive a saleen you are gonna get looks every where...

I would go with a 03 cobra or a 98 cobra.

[Dom]

This really comparing apples and oranges.

The real big difference (engine wise) between the Cobra and Mach 1 is the blower on top. They are both 4.6 DOHC engine. The Mach 1 is rated at 305 HP @5900 RPMs and 320 lb.-tq @4200 RPMs. And the Cobra has around 390. I forget the exact readings. The Cobra also had IRS or independent rear suspension.

And the Saleen is kinda like a modern day Shelby. A race car that's allowed on the street. The new S-281E is rated around 416.6 HP and 405.2 ft.lbs. of torque. She is running lows 12s. And high 11s on slicks.

Then you always have a choice of the Roush Mustang. A "luxury Mustang." as I call it.

Hope this helps a littlle bit. Good luck with your choice.

[tostaroller]

A cobra with a little bit of body mod and engine tweaking will be one of the fastest stangs around and best looking. I like a variety of cars but the cobra has got to be one of the best all around mustangs out there.

[VenemoussC]

If you are looking for performance the 03 Cobra is your best bet. Although the Mach is definantly a fast car for the price tag. Unless you wanna spend a heck of a lot more on a S281e that has a little bit more horsepower over the cobra. A Mach1 is more rare than a Cobra so if you want a more rare car a Mach or Saleen is your best bet. Goodluck with your choice, but no matter what you choose out of your list you will be happy and have a very nice car.

[Monkey Boy]

I personally like the Mach best of all. I'd take a Saleen, Roush, or Steeda car over the Cobra because of the lighter weight and straight axle of the GT's. I like the Mach because of the price and because you can always add a blower later on and have a bad ass drag racer.

[Cobra2k1]

Being a former Cobra owner I might have an opinion on this

Ok first and foremost you need to look at 3 things in my opinion those are: Price, Speed, and Style. So let's look at each car.

03 Mach 1: Base MSRP $29,330 great style looks much better than the 03 Cobra IMO, and is faster than a GT, S281, or older stock Cobras. It is the cheapest of all the cars mentioned and in my opinion the best bang for your buck.

03/04 Cobra Coupe: Base MSRP 34,XXX some dealerships mark these over MSRP as well style isn't as eye catching as the Mach 1. IMO the car sports only small style differences over the GT (different hood, rims, bumper, badges, front fascia, etc. etc.) most of these are unnoticeable from a distance as well. The 03/04 Cobra is supercharaged with a very underrated 390 hp at the flywheel and is probably the best buy if you are looking for a car based on speed alone and this includes non Mustangs there is no car that sports this type of hp and 1/4 mile times stock for this price.

Saleen: Basically 2 to choose from unless you buy used the S281 or the S281-E now obviously the Saleens have better style stock IMO than any stock Mustang direct from Ford or SVT. They are definitely head turners and you don't see alot of them around either. Now here comes the problems first off let's just look at the S281 coupe you have a car that looks awesome but only comes with 285 hp at the flywheel stock and is only good for a 14.1 in the 1/4 mile stock (from www.saleen.com don't debate it ). So basically you have a car that is slightly faster than a Mustang GT that looks really good but is slower than both the Mach 1 and the Cobra, and how much are you gonna have to pay for this? $34,194.00 base MSRP so for STYLE alone you are gonna have to pay as much as you would for a Cobra at least. Now let's look at the S281-E coupe once again you have a car that looks awesome but this one is supercharged and has 425 hp at the flywheel stock sounds like the best yet right SPEED & STYLE! Unfortunately here is the car's biggest problem IMO $60,190.00 Base MSRP So here's the question you gotta ask yourself if you are thinking about a S281-E are you rich?

Roush: Is alot like Saleen (though IMO Saleens look better) they provide better style over the stock Ford Mustangs and some have more HP and are faster but their prices leave something to be desired from the average buyers point of view. Basically it's like this you take a regular base Mustang GT (with the exception of the Stage 1) then Roush goes to work on it for a price. When you get the finished product you are gonna have a car with great STYLE and SPEED but you are gonna pay the bucks. Let's look at price of a base model V6 Coupe & base model GT first though V6 - $18,345 GT - $24,330 now that we know our starting points let's look at each car Roush has made available and their price

Roush Stage 1: Requires a base V-6 or GT + $6,569.00 for a total of either $24,914 or $30,899 neither are supercharged.

Roush Stage 2: Requires a base GT + $9,860.00 for a total of $34,190. So now you have a nice looking car that probably outperforms the Mach 1 but is nonsupercharged and still slower than the Cobra but cost about the same lol.

Roush Stage 3: Requires a base GT + a minimum of $17,645.00 for a minimum total of $41,975. I say a minimum because there are 3 Roush stage 3 packages and this is the cheapest one lol "the sport". This Roush is supercharged and while the website doesn't give specifics performance wise I'm sure it can hold it's own with the 03/04 Cobra but I have my doubts if it's as fast as the S281-E stock vs. stock.

380R: Requires a base GT + $16,800.00 for a total of $41,130 (though I have seen them sold complete for under 40k). If I'm not mistaken (and someone will correct me if I'm wrong lol) the 380R is supercharged and the 380 stands for 380hp at the flywheel. Basically this is a alternative to the 03/04 Cobra, Stage 3, or S281-E but I've heard it's still slower than the Cobra.

Roush also offers other packages like Mustang Sport, Classic Mustang, and the Boyd Coddington Roadster but they range in price from $3,875.00 to $18,525.00 + your Base MSRP.

Overall lots of choices to choose from when it comes to Mustangs, personally with my budget I would go with the Mach 1 because it has STYLE and moderate speed even though I could afford the Cobra the Mach 1 just looks better and to me speed isn't everything. The high end Saleens & Roushes are great BUT and no insult to any Mustang owners here but if I'm gonna spend anywhere from $41,130 to $60,190 I'm gonna buy a Corvette, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, or BMW but that's just me.

[VenemoussC]

If youy went with the Mach 1 there is about a 5 grand difference in price. If you really wanted to up the road, you can supercharge the Mach 1 and be just as quick as the 03 Cobra. But also i heard if you switch out the pullies on the 03 Cobra it adds like 50 hp or so (Could be wrong) then do minor costing adds like exhaust/intake. That would be around 450 or so hp.

[Monkey Boy]

Cobra2k1, you completely overlooked the Q400. Faster than the Saleens and Roush cars. 425hp, 412lb/ft of torque. Can't remember the price. Plus, a dead on computer tune thanks to Ford's collaboration with Steeda on the computer.

[shard77]

Wow, guys, thanks for all the great input! I'll certainly let you know what I ultimately decide (And throw in a pick for good measure ). $35,000 is probably my limit so the high end Saleens and Roush's are probably not an option.

[Cobra2k1]

Originally posted by Monkey Boy
Cobra2k1, you completely overlooked the Q400. Faster than the Saleens and Roush cars. 425hp, 412lb/ft of torque. Can't remember the price. Plus, a dead on computer tune thanks to Ford's collaboration with Steeda on the computer.

Yeah I did overlook that, you try to be thorough and see what happens lol

Ironic too because I remember reading about the Q400 in MM & FF, I'm pretty sure it's quite pricey though like Saleens & Roushes

[1998GT]

I"d get an 03 cobra.

[VenemoussC]

Goodluck with your decision, and be sure to update us on the verdict.

[Mugger]

I had same problem last year. I wanted a Saleen really bad! But I also wanted a supercharged Mustang. I was looking at used 2000+ Saleens both supercharged and normally asperated(with the intention to add a supercharger) I saw a new Cobra and a new 2002 supercharged Saleen on the same day. I sat in them both within one hour. After pondering my choices, the Sallen just had to many boy racer add-ons IMO The Cobra had that Bulldog kinda look about it IMO, and the sound of the Cobra was that of a sleeper, very quiet. So after about a month of searching for a "great deal" on a used Saleen I went back to look at the Cobra again, it was still there and the next day it was mine. Good luck in your picking, either way you'll have a Mustang and that is a GREAT choice IMO. I'm on my third Mustang 1) 83 Notch V-6, 2) 86 SVO, and 3) 03 Cobra. I wish I still had the SVO for the rareity of the car, but then again the Cobra is by far my favorite of the three.

[shard77]

OK, guys, I'm going for some test drives tomorrow. Gonna check out a 2003 SVT Cobra (Black) at one dealership and a 2003 Mach 1 (Azure Blue) at another dealership. Both vehicles currently have $2,500 rebates until Sept 30. Wish me luck!