haha i hear ya. this is my first 'stang, and i'm addicted. i could be pissed at the world, get in my car, take a little cruise, instant happiness. lol

 

and that, my friend, is precisely what I miss.

that, and the huge grin turning the key always promises

 

Thanks a lot for your help all, but looks like I won't be owning a Cobra. YET.

Man, totally not what I expected.

I show up for the test drive, and the car's not even on the lot. Sold? No...it's up the street getting looked over by a mechanic.

So I stop by to talk to the mechanic, and he lets me look over the car.

Clutch - completely shot. BBK CAI is rusting like a beeyotch all over. Car was idling rough at first, but I'll give that one to the cold weather. Gotta admit, though, I nearly creamed when I started her up.
Body - scratched to hell in like 10 different places, cracked headlight lens with condensation forming inside, all the plastics completely faded\cracked, rims badly curbed on all 4, tires balding
Interior - many stains conveniently covered up in the photos.

Bastards. Not to mention the salespeople were terrible and treated me like a criminal for noticing discrepencies between their description, and reality. Scum.


On the other hand, the GT 'vert was just about everything I'd expected. But no way in hell I'm giving those people a cent of my hard earned money. Besides...it's an auto, and auto doesn't do it for me.

Oh well, back to the hunt. My original gameplan was to find something next May anyhow, i was just jumping ahead now in hopes that this Cobra would work out for me.

 

Maybe save a little more and go for a 03/04 cobra?? Gotta love the terminators haha.

 

Absolutly agree with Mustang3GT07. I'd save and get a Termi. Thats what I was aiming for but got too impatient. Ended up getting the 01. Not disappointed though. I just get to add a SC instead of replacing one.

 

well remember - if he was looking at 10-13k for the Cobra/GT ... he's going to be looking at 19k - 30k for a Terminator, sounds like it might be a bit out of his price range.


To the OP: might also want to add a Mach 1 to your list; I picked up my 03' Mach 1 with 27k miles for 15k even and since nobody is really buying a car right now, the prices have gone even further south; just a little bit difficult to find one... they're more rare then the Cobra.

But to be honest, if you're just looking for 400rwhp or so... Exhaust, gears and a blower + a 2v GT will be cheaper in the end; and no offense to any GT owner, but it's another GT on the road... the reason I bought a Mach 1 over another GT is not only for the motor, but it's 1 of only 1,595 other cars that were produced in 2003; I like having that exclusivity; but that's just me...

The Mach 1 or Cobra would have a better exhaust note because of the 4v motor... my Mach 1 and my 03' Cobra sounded WORLDS better then my old GT... Also, if you get a 4v and don't put a blower on it.. I suggest 4.30 gears, especially if it's a weekend only driver... the 4.30's are a perfect fit for a NA higher revving 4v... and it makes the exhaust sound much better also.

 

Ignorance is me.

What's the difference between the Mach 1 motor and the Cobra? I may just go that route instead.

This is to be a project car, mostly...so I'd prefer Factory N/A over FI...just for the experience of doing the work, if nothing else, and the satisfaction that goes along with it.

19k is doable, but I'd rather not. I may be able to get the Dr I work with to consider selling me his '01 Cobra 'vert cheap (he's a great guy and often talks of going to the new GT500 anyhow)

Can't believe I didn't think of the Mach 1 sooner. Local cop by me has one, 2003 comp. orange...and a built '93 5.0

Once again, thanks for the advice\answers\support all. Much friendlier than I'm accustomed to on forums I join. =)

My spending limit will grow by May. I'll be happier with whatever I then, I'm sure. I knew deep down that 10k for a cobra was too good to be true, lol.

 

just try to be patient. i was not even looking for a car when i found mine. and in reality a Mach1 may be more rare, but I live in the New Orleans area and have not found one other car like mine, only seen one other '01 Cobra and it was white. i see 3-4 Mach 1's reguarly. and they are all either black or red.

 

Just some of the easy ones..

Mach 1 has a 8.8 straight rear axle // Cobra has IRS
Mach 1 has the functioning shaker hood scoop
Different style wheels between the 2 cars
Mach 1 has a stock 3.55 gears // Cobra has a 3.27
Mach 1 has it's own interior with a black spoiler...

There are also motor differences.. Heads and cams I believe.. not completly sure, but the compression on the motor is different. But they're both 4.6 V8 DOHC motors w/TR3650 5spd tranny. I personally prefer the Mach 1 styling over the Cobra -- but that's a personal preference.

Check out this link:

http://www.musclemustangfastfords.co...out/index.html


See and Wyte.. where i live.. it's the other way around... Heck, I've seen more Shelbys, Cobras and more ford GT's then I have actually seen Mach 1's..

 

lol yea that's crazy. the Mach 1 i believe is rated at 305hp and the Cobra at 320 hp but i think i've read the Mach 1's actually produce a little more peak hp and torque than the cobra's. it's all in what u liek. i personally like the '01 Cobra for the fact that it is very low key. to the average joe, u take one glance at it, and it could just about pass for a V-6 Stang. most people either get confused thinkin its a fake Cobra, or that its the Cobra with the S/C. i liek the fact that it keeps people guessing. lol. i think the 315's on the rear give it away now though.