[GT500916]

with a budge like $23-$25k, i have been looking at really low miles 03-04 cobras. I was also thinking about the 11 5.0, but i cant buy it new and would have to wait a bit to see them used and maybe they will be selling around 25k range with pretty low miles.

i dont remember exact specs on the 0-60 and 1/4 but i think both cars are in the same range of 4.6 0-60 and 12.7 1/4 dont remember exact numbes and which one is faster... also i think the 11 5.0 has a better skid pad handling?

well i like both cars, cobra is a bit heavier, but a stronger platform i think, more potential, might be a more collector car later than the 5.0.

do you guys have some pros cons on these 2 and which you would pick and why?

 

[Terminator07]

I am obviously bias but, 03/04 cobra (will be less out there than future 5.0 GT) +1 cobra. Supercharged and with a pulley change and tune alot more power for cheap +2 cobra. Cars are still bringing $20-25k with low miles and not a lot of mods and they will continue to keep pretty good value +3 cobra. I own one and love it +4 cobra. Thats all going to depend on who you talk to and each persons preference. Pick what you like. Im sure the new GT would be great but unless you supercharge it, it will never scream like a cobra (oh yeah +5 for the scream). :bigthumbsup

 

[Socktown]

All personal preference. The stock 03-04 Cobra has the supercharged V8 with 390hp/390tq. That's awesome, but doesn't top a dead stock '11 GT. The Cobra has the independent rear suspension but the new 'Stang still probably handles better from just reading the reviews out today. Probably not a world of difference, though.

The interior appointments on the '11 put the older Cobra to shame in most ways. So if this is a daily driver and comfort is at all important to you then keep this in mind.

Still....personal preference. If I was simply making the choice between the two I would take the '11 GT. The Cobra is awesome but the engine all of the go-fast bits are bolted to isn't as advanced as the one in the '11 GT. It doesn't have the multi-valve heads, lightweight aluminum block, variable valve timing, etc. Bolt the same go fast goodies to an '11 and you will have more horsepower than the Cobra.

Yet...there is something magic and nasty about those Cobras. The previous posters convertible is just plain bad [email protected]

Either way...get a Mustang you love. If you love it, then you bought the right one. :bigthumbsup

 

[Tungstenstang]

2011 5.0 without question.


It is a much more refined vehicle inside and out.

Go sit in a 99-04 mustang and then a 2011 and you will instantly realize that it's the difference between poo and chocolate.


The 5.0 is not as easily upgradable for power, but with tires and a few boltons, they are running high 11's @ 116-118mph and who needs to go faster than that on the street?

 

[ReTread]

I'm with Tungstenstang!

 

[MeanChad1]

I would go with the cobra personally..

 

[GTstang08]

Theres no comparison between the two really, unless you're really concerned with interior. A terminator is by far a better choice if you want more potential for good power.

 

[SuprWHP]

for the money, the 5.0. no questions asked. 4v per cyl, VVT, 6 speed, better exterior look, and as stated above the interior in the cobra is just plain horrible. imagine base model mustang interior from 03. oh and better mpg with the 5.0 along with an edge in all areas of performance. also remember if you get a 5.0 with low miles you still have a powertrain warranty.

 

[Blubyu]

My vote is for the 5.0 for the reasons mentioned above, but I will say this I do like the look of the menacing 03-04 cobra, just because my Mother bought her first Mustang GT in 01 and I favor those body styles because thats what I first remember growing up with! Yea I am a youngster, but hey age is not a number lol! Enjoy either one you decide to go with!

 

[MeanChad1]

If you want to go fast go with the cobra it has a motor set up for Forced induction and with a pulley swap and tune you will be making 2011 5.0's look silly. The cobras body kit is amazing along with the whole car. I think you would be making a bad choice if you didn't go with the cobra plus you will save some cash.

Cobra Cobra Cobra!

 

[BigTuna]

I test drive a Terminator and a 2011 5.0 (brembos + 3.73s) last Saturday. To me it wasn't even a toss up. The 5.0 is nice and has the best interior your going to find in a mustang, but it lacked the fun element in my mind. The Terminator felt much faster and was a blast to drive. Every time you step on the pedal you get response, which I felt lacked in the 2011. Plus, even in 2nd gear with 4 people in the car and it being a convertible it still would break the tires loose just by jabbing the throttle... The 5.0 wouldn't even do it in 1st (yes TCS was off). We did however do a 180* in the 5.0 on some cul de sac.

Also, the real factor is... the Cobra can be had for about $22k-25k for one with under 20k miles. The 5.0 is about $30,000-38,000...

Get the Terminator!

 

[smokeape]

All personal preference. The stock 03-04 Cobra has the supercharged V8 with 390hp/390tq. That's awesome, but doesn't top a dead stock '11 GT. The Cobra has the independent rear suspension but the new 'Stang still probably handles better from just reading the reviews out today. Probably not a world of difference, though.

The interior appointments on the '11 put the older Cobra to shame in most ways. So if this is a daily driver and comfort is at all important to you then keep this in mind.

Still....personal preference. If I was simply making the choice between the two I would take the '11 GT. The Cobra is awesome but the engine all of the go-fast bits are bolted to isn't as advanced as the one in the '11 GT. It doesn't have the multi-valve heads, lightweight aluminum block, variable valve timing, etc. Bolt the same go fast goodies to an '11 and you will have more horsepower than the Cobra.

Yet...there is something magic and nasty about those Cobras. The previous posters convertible is just plain bad [email protected]

Either way...get a Mustang you love. If you love it, then you bought the right one. :bigthumbsup

2011 GT has advertised 412 HP, but probably underrated as the old Cobra may be as well. If you buy a GT Stang 5.0 you can always bolt on a supercharger to give it 150 more HP if that's your thing. Both might be about same price, but you would really hate to buy and would be kicking yourself in the ass if an old Cobra you bought could be beat by a 5.0 Stang.

[[[smoke]]]

 

[MeanChad1]

2011 GT has advertised 412 HP, but probably underrated as the old Cobra may be as well. If you buy a GT Stang 5.0 you can always bolt on a supercharger to give it 150 more HP if that's your thing. Both might be about same price, but you would really hate to buy and would be kicking yourself in the ass if an old Cobra you bought could be beat by a 5.0 Stang.

[[[smoke]]]

Wrong... the 5.0 has a high compression it isn't a motor built for forced induction I haven't heard of anyone testing any superchargers yet for it but if you want to have good safe numbers without detonation you are going to have to drop that compression. And he can get a termi for cheaper and if he wants bolt on a Kenne belle 2.6 or a whipple and have a 600 hp car.

Cobra wins hands down if you want to go fast

/end thread

 

[brendanryan0510]

i personally would go for the cobra. there really isnt any aftermarket right now for the new 5.0s and id imagine it will be a while before the aftermarket really starts to grow.

look at it this way, the first real set of heads for the 4.6s just came out from trickflow. the first 4.6 came out in 96, thats 15 years ago. thats 15 years for the aftermarket for the 4.6s to really start to catch up.

plus the cobras are just flatout [email protected]. throw some borla singers on there or maybe some cutouts and :worship. never mind a kenne bell and a tune.

 

[GT500916]

ok i did a little comparison and lets see which car wins with the points.

Used Price low miles------ cobra 24k-1 ---5.0 28k-0
weight-------------------- cobra 3665-0 ---5.0 3605-1
stock power--------------- cobra 390-0 ---5.0 412-1
potensial power----------- cobra 600s-1 --- 5.0 450s-0
motor durability---------- cobra all forged-1 ---5.0 not so?-0
handling------------------ cobra .90g-0 ---5.0 .97g-1
0-60---------------------- cobra 4.5-0 ---5.0 4.4-1
1/4----------------------- cobra 12.7-1 ---5.0 12.7-1
60-0---------------------- cobra 116-0 ---5.0 104-1
fuel economy-------------- cobra 15/22-0 ---5.0 17/26-1
solid axle or independant- cobra inde-1 ---5.0 solid-0
interior comfort---------- cobra good-0 ---5.0 better-1
interior style------------ cobra plain-0 ---5.0 nicer-1
best for daily driver----- cobra good-0 ---5.0 nicer-1
funnest to drive---------- cobra funnest-1 ---5.0 fun-0
meanest look-------------- cobra mean-1 ---5.0 normal-0
best exhaust sound-------- cobra mean-1 ---5.0 quiter-0
best engine sound--------- cobra screams-1 ---5.0 revs-0


total--------------------- cobra - 9 ---5.0 - 10

the winner is 5.0 by one point, but ill try to judge them more once i get to drive both

 

[F91]

So which one did you get?

I test drive a Terminator and a 2011 5.0 (brembos + 3.73s) last Saturday. To me it wasn't even a toss up. The 5.0 is nice and has the best interior your going to find in a mustang, but it lacked the fun element in my mind. The Terminator felt much faster and was a blast to drive. Every time you step on the pedal you get response, which I felt lacked in the 2011. Plus, even in 2nd gear with 4 people in the car and it being a convertible it still would break the tires loose just by jabbing the throttle... The 5.0 wouldn't even do it in 1st (yes TCS was off). We did however do a 180* in the 5.0 on some cul de sac.

Also, the real factor is... the Cobra can be had for about $22k-25k for one with under 20k miles. The 5.0 is about $30,000-38,000...

Get the Terminator!

 

[MustangChris810]

My vote is for a new 5.0. If speed is all you are concerned about, get a 03/04 Cobra. But I drive my car everyday when I am home, I use Sync, I love the interior. It's a much nicer car to drive. Compared to my 99 GT, my 2010 is MILES ahead in quality.....

Plus, how are you going to win drag races burning out in 2nd gear in a Cobra? Sounds like a new 5.0 hooks better. Or maybe the power is more towards the top of the rev range, but still. Much nicer car IMO.

 

[SuprWHP]

also account for bang for buck here. remember the 5.0 comes with stock headers, and modern day assists, such as TC, stability control (which has saved my life before) and will have better resale value. plus look at it this way, you will have a N/A car running equal times as a forced ind. car. and as someone mentioned above about the cobras IRS it really is just a liability- it doesnt corner better than the 5.0 and just adds unwanted weight, this is also a reason why the 5.0 hooks up better and gets a bigger bite off the line do to no wheel hop. i may as well state the obvious as well and say the solid live axle can handle more tq before breaking.

just a few more helpful hints.

 

[GT500916]

also account for bang for buck here. remember the 5.0 comes with stock headers, and modern day assists, such as TC, stability control (which has saved my life before) and will have better resale value. plus look at it this way, you will have a N/A car running equal times as a forced ind. car. and as someone mentioned above about the cobras IRS it really is just a liability- it doesnt corner better than the 5.0 and just adds unwanted weight, this is also a reason why the 5.0 hooks up better and gets a bigger bite off the line do to no wheel hop. i may as well state the obvious as well and say the solid live axle can handle more tq before breaking.

just a few more helpful hints.

the cobra and the 5.0 are same weight pretty much, some places i even seen the 5.0 stated to be 3700+ since 5.0 already has a high compression engine, it would be harder to add horsepower and stay reliable, there is nothing easier than changing a pulley and get 50hp just like that, on a 5.0 it might cost another 2-3k just to see a 50hp gain, and you never know how stressful it might be on the engine thats already compressed high. I guess only time will tell how those 5.0 blocks will hold up, i would be curious to see.

on the other hand, i wouldnt be interested in adding more HP, i would try to keep it more stock, and if one weekend i want to go to the track and add more HP, just throw a pulley on, enjoy it, and go back to stock in no time, thats just my taste on things.

i guess better tires would be a good upgrade for the cobra since it has traction issues and not as much computer to help out the driver, this is why i would love to take the car out to the track once in a while to push the car to the limits, make some mistakes, learn the car, to be a safer driver and know the limits, with the computer assisting it would be an easy fast daily driver, or you can be a skilled better driver and more aware, but its all about prefference and enjoyment.

i personally dont know what i want yet, i havent driven either, only a V6 2011 for 3 days as a rental and i loved it. cant wait to compare 5.0 to cobra soon.

 

[DreamBeast'11]

I say that you have to base your decision not on all the numbers, because as everyone has posted they are quite similar. I drove both before I bought my 5.0 and their both a blast. But there was just something about the 5.0 that just felt right while I was driving it, that's what swayed me. You have to drive both and what ever car you feel more right for you, pick. But you can't go wrong either way. Not to be corny but a line from Bernie Mac might help "The driver doesn't pick the car, the CAR picks the driver"