blah sorry - brain cramp... I know better then that... with the Cobra 'R' that is... lol

 

That's ok, I figured you knew your stuff, but just thought I would make sure.

 

The lightning does have a lot of torque and can be made to get even more, but you can do similar things to the saleen, but with less weight. Get a KB and forge it and you can run some good numbers. The saleen extremes haveforged internals are at 397rwhp stock (same engine as the S/C).

The shop I go to has some of the fastest lightnings out there. Most of the faster lightnings run in the mid to high 12's. You can really buildit up to run faster, but power to weight ratio is important.

Of course we're making assumptions here. If he wants cornering or a convertible...it'san easy choice. If he wants hauling capacity....again...the saleen (just kidding. You'd be lucky to fit golf clubs in that trunk). If he wants something that will smoke bothof them, get a terminator cobra and mod it to death.

Resale wise....who knows. Lightnings have a cult following....and ford doesn't make them anymore.

Both are great. You can't go wrong.

 

I definately think this was a good topic and like hearing both sides and trust me i wish id be able to afford both vehicles. They both truely have their ups and downs it just depends on what you plan on doing to them in the end its endless in my opinion cuz there are some many ways to look at this decision from many angles i just still cant choose its not like they are going anywhere but i will buy one in the next six months or so especially if i sell my 06 Harley Davidson V-Rod with 3700miles on it

 

Why not keep the V-ROD too? My Dad has one of those and they are sweet. Intercooled, 1100cc I believe. Those things are lightning fast compared to my GSF600 with a GSXR 600 engine. I've only had the chance to ride it once, but would definitely by one if/when I buy a cruiser. Again, go luck on the decision and you your mom has great taste in vehicles. Both are awesome in their own right.

 

Haha... roushes/saleens worth less than svts... thats funny

 

definitly go with the lightning, the saleen doesnt have a high resell value. so best interest would be the truck. even though you could spoof up the stang and make it fun, you can do the same with the truck.

 

but you shouldnt buy car based on resale value anyway... at least not a pleasure car, get what makes you happy

 

Banned - they do. For example... my 2003 modified Cobra on TRADE in was given 21,xxx, which was in decent condition - not immaculate by any means.. my moms bf just traded his 2004 440A Roush (40 were made, he has the only shadow gray hardtop left of the bunch) with 5k on the clock in mint condition, he was given 20,000 by dealer trade based on what they're currently been getting on the 440's... and we basically got identical valued vehicles.

We both got ACV by the same company (that is the largest roush seller in the country), with Xplan which is set pricing so they can't play with the numbers.

There is a reason why the Ford Special Edition cars still go for so much. You think back on a 93' Cobra, or a 93' Cobra 'R', or the 2000 Cobra 'R' vs any roush or saleen. Heck, you can even look at comparable 2003 Cobras vs it's counterpart and the SVT is worth more to more people.


There are Roush and Saleen collectors that will pay hefty prices for the cars. Both companies are GREAT companies - don't get me wrong. However, in the end one is built by Ford - the other is built by another company. That's why 30 years from now, the Shelby, SVT, SVO, 'R' series, Mach 1 and Boss in comparable condition will be worth more then your S281 S/C, 360R, 440A, etc.

There are just more pure Ford fans then there are Roush and Saleen fans. I am one of those fans, some others agree with me - and obviously some don't. The beauty of America and free choice.


---about the power in the cars... the nice thing about the L, is that with the port, tune and pulley you can get the tune around 450 some odd rwhp, which is the breaking point for those motors as well as the 2v 4.6, but the torque is going to be the equalizer. The 4.6 will never match the torque put on by the 5.4 motor. And I have seen Lightnings with good suspension stuff to run in the 11's with that... the truck isn't all that heavy. The Saleen w/blower i would think around 3400lbs give or take... the L curb is 4600, so while it is heavy - it's nothing like the tank the SRT10 Truck is... I have seen some of those trucks with the stock internals get down in the high 11's.

But even if you build the motor on either one - the power difference is still going to be the dealbreaker... the 5.4 is obviously going to give more then it's 4.6 counterpart. The cost isn't much different either way.


To the original poster.. question is... vert' or truck?? I prefer the truck personally, because well... I don't like the way a 'vert car with that much power drives... personally.

 

No offense, but you can't go off of a dealer value because they always hose you on the trade in value. They either give wholesale value or lower. The one main reason they gave him less is that the Roushes/Saleens/Steedas are harder to move than a GT or Cobra for that matter, not that they are comparable in price. JMO, I know. Also, enough with this crap about Ford built cars. Don't get me wrong, I love Ford vehicles and will always have one until I die, but all Saleens and Roushes start as Ford built Mustang GT's just modified with a body kit, suspension, and for some a supercharger. All of the cars are built by Ford. It would be the same as buying GT and then adding all the performance, appearance mods yourself. The only difference, a reputable company is performing the conversion and it's back by a warranty. One other thing. I don't know why you are so h3ll bent on this lightnings have more torque. True, they do numbers wise, but with the weight disadvantage you need more to feel it. A stock SC'd Saleen will beat a modded Lightning anyday just on the weight difference alone.