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Author
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Topic: Review: Drove an '03 Cobra today.
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wythors
Gearhead Posts: 2693
From: The cold, gray Pacific Northwest
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 06-22-2002 08:08 PM
   
LuAnn and I have been contemplating a new car lately and the Mach 1 and the 390 hp '03 Cobra have both been discussed. Since I'd heard that the Cobras were hitting the dealerships we decided to try to find one. It took three stops but we finally found one at Bill Pierre Ford in Seattle. LuAnn's car is a bone-stock '96 Cobra coupe, all black with 49,000 miles. The unit we found in stock was also a black coupe (but only 50 miles  ) so it made cosmetic comparison very easy. On the outside I thought it was a little too conservative. The wheels and front fascia are very nice, but the hood is really "blah" to me. The '96 has a big, muscular bulge and the nostril thing going on, but the '03 is almost flat with two discreet reverse scoops. I'd prefer it to be a lot more aggressive looking. That said, the interior looks great. It has a 6-disc in-dash CD changer coupled with the Mach 460 sound system that should be killer. It's got a little "junk net" attached to the headliner between the sun visors that the salesman was really proud of. I guess you're supposed to slide your Union 76 receipts into it or something. Outside of that and the new seats, it's the same nice interior that all the late model 'Stangs have had. A couple of nice new touches are the stainless shift knob cap on the 6-speed shifter and the Bullit-type pedal covers. The seats were my biggest dislike about the car. My ample American butt just didn't fit very well. They have tons of support and looked great, but they hurt my hips. The bolsters are too narrow where the seat base meets the back and I couldn't get comfortable. I suppose that might change as the seats break in, but I don't know. Okay, driving it: The first thing I noticed was that I couldn't get it into reverse.  Oh, yeah. 6-speed.  Reverse is UP and to the right. Idiot. Once I got that figured out and got on the road, I was set. Folks, this thing screeeeeams. No matter what gear you're in, about the time you hit 3,500 rpm it stops feeling like a regular Cobra and starts feeling...... freakin' FAST! The brakes are excellent and the ride quality is, well, very Mustangish. Performance-wise this car is spectacular. Sticker price was $34,000 and change. With the "it's the only one available in the greater Seattle area so bend over and take it all" dealer pack, the price for the car was $42,000. My ratings for this car on a five star rating system:Looks: *** 1/2
Fit and finish: *****
Interior comfort: **
Performance: *****
Price * Summary: We have been wanting to get a bit more performance than what the '96 Cobra offers. While the '03 does offer 390 hp with a factory warranty, I don't think that the $500 monthly payment would really be worth it. For less than $5,000 we can supercharge our current car, have more power than a new one and still keep our comfortable seats. The '03 Cobra is a very nice car and a lot of fun to drive, but it's not $500 a month nicer than our current pair of Ponies. If we didn't already have the '96 or the '93 it would be a different story. Last word: Nice car. Bunch of cash. Dave
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Boss302
Gearhead Posts: 841
From: Coleman, Wisconsin
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 06-22-2002 09:19 PM
wow, sounds..well...KICK *** . wish my dad had 34 grand layin under the couch.  ------------------
-1989 Mustang GT
225/50R15 tires :) can someone say WIDE http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/Boss302.html
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LaserStang
Journeyman Posts: 45
From: Fremont, CA
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 06-23-2002 06:58 PM
Wow, excellent write-up! I tell ya what though - if I could get an '03 Cobra for only $500 per month, I would be ALL OVER THAT!!!! That must be at like -5% interest or something, eh? Great story though, I think that kinda helps push me in the '03 Mach 1 direction though...  Buncha cash is something I don't have... 
(Well, not YET, anyway... )Thanks,
~Brian ------------------
Laser Red 2000 Mustang GT
Steeda Tri-Ax, Steeda Pulleys, Eibach Pros, FlowMasters, K&N FIPK, '01 Tinted Headlights, MustangWorld.com Bumper & Wheel Inserts, Tint, Rear Wing mod
Best 1/4mi. - 13.869 @ 100.622mph, 2.151 60ft www.MontereyMustangs.com
[email protected]
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GTRocks
Gearhead Posts: 2156
From: Lusby, MD, USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 06-26-2002 08:45 PM
quote:
Originally posted by LaserStang:
Wow, excellent write-up! I tell ya what though - if I could get an '03 Cobra for only $500 per month, I would be [b]ALL OVER THAT!!!! That must be at like -5% interest or something, eh?
[/B]
I think that's translated '96 Cobra trade-in!?!?! 
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70 Pony
Gearhead Posts: 1801
From: Glenmoore, PA, USA
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 06-28-2002 08:00 AM
Dave I envy you...BUT I HATE THAT DEALER MARK UP for those "You can't find another one" cars...
My suggestion...wait until October and they'll be at MSRP tops....
Just like the New T Bird...I heard people were selling their "Waiting List" spot...
Well I think that is a cute car, but the dealers around here have a few sitting on the lots....
Guess the people on the waiting list have to get directions from YAHOOO to find 'em...
Isn't it about time FORD put some punch into their cars...now only if the average "JOE" could get 300 plus ponies from a NON SVT 'Stang, without springing for a $3000 plus blower we'd have something...------------------
EDDIE D
Resto Mod '70 Sport Roof
Arrest Me Red
'02 GT, Torch Red
"If I knew I would have lived this long, I would have taken better care of myself !"
"U.S. Marines; First to go. Last to know !"
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68Mustang
Gearhead Posts: 174
From: Auburn, AL
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 08-16-2002 01:24 AM
quote:
Originally posted by wythors:
The seats were my biggest dislike about the car. My ample American butt just didn't fit very well. They have tons of support and looked great, but they hurt my hips. The bolsters are too narrow where the seat base meets the back and I couldn't get comfortable.
Don't knock Ford when they finally decided to make a real seat and put it in the Mustang, those things are great. As for the price, sounds good except for the 8,000 mark-up. With simple mods they have been kicking the crap out of the C-5 and it's about time. Marshall ------------------
1968 302 5-spd Fastback
1965 Coupe
1981 F-150 [This message has been edited by 68Mustang (edited 08-16-2002).]
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RADRIDE
Gearhead Posts: 196
From: Va.Beach, Va.
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 08-20-2002 03:48 PM
Thats why bucket seats are tough everyone has a different size bucket.I do have a 03 Cobra convt. on order since Apr.29. The wife was looking for a replacement for her 94GT convt.(yellow).The new Jag.was first choice, but once the new Cobra was introduced she loved it,but not the price.I offerd to juice the 94 with alum.head crate motor,a huffer,gears,big brakes and new R wheels,butshe said it would still be an 8 year old car.Makes me wonder what she really thinks about my 65 not that it matters I love it.Now she doesnt mind the price and I will get plenty of seat time also.
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unklshu
Gearhead Posts: 682
From: San Bernardino, Ca
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 08-21-2002 09:44 AM
You are a lucky man RADRIDE ------------------
joe
2001 SVT Cobra
68 GT Fastback
98 F-150
90 Escort GT SOLD!!!
Damn I'm gonna miss that tire smoking terror!
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RADRIDE
Gearhead Posts: 196
From: Va.Beach, Va.
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 08-21-2002 04:09 PM
Thanks and I know it.Ford e-mailed us and said our Cobra left the plant Sat. and we should have it by the weekend. But I have heard that before.
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cpmaverick
Moderator Posts: 1550
From: Auburn, AL.
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 08-21-2002 07:21 PM
Local dealer has an '03 with 15 miles on it for 36k, only 2k markup. So look around, you'll find one for a lot less than 42k. ------------------
-Charlie Ping
1970 Maverick Grabber
[email protected] with AC and overdrive.
http://www.maverickgrabber.com
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