Looking for my first Terminator

JCDriller

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Hey guys, first time to the forums.

I grew up with a 99 GT and a 97 Cobra. I'm finally in a place in my life where I can buy another mustang, this time it'll be a toy, not a daily driver. A 03/04 Cobra is my top choice. I want a nice low milage Terminator, Red, black or grey. I found a few on Autotrader that are highly modified, which I can appreciate.

Does anyone recognize these cars? or have any input on the modifications?

Black 04
Autotrader - page unavailable

Red 04
Autotrader - page unavailable
 

Systemax302

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At first glance I think both cars are overpriced, but maybe that's just me... Those cars are Mystichrome and Comp Orange price point to me, regardless of the mileage and modifications.
Personally, I would steer clear of any Terminators being sold at a dealer. Again, maybe that's just me.
My advice is to spend some time searching SVTP, Facebook, and Craigslist and find yourself a low mileage Cobra that hasn't had it's motor rebuilt. Unless you're specifically looking for something that's been highly modified then maybe you don't care.
Just one man's opinion, but that's what I would be doing if I were you. If you're looking for a really low mileage car you shouldn't have an issue finding a clean car if you search around. Especially when people start taking their cars out of storage in the next month or so.
 

JCDriller

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I've been going back and forth on wether I wanted a stock Terminator or a already modified unit. I know half the fun is in the mods, but the expense can get high quick. I was hoping someone would recognize one of these cars and vouch for them.

You probably are correct to dodge the dealers, they never know anything and I'm always worried someone dumped their problem with a trade in.

Also, thank for the pointer on cars coming out of storage, that's something to look forward to.
 

MCT

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Good luck finding any stock Terminators. Most you'll find will be modified, but how modified do you want it to be? It can save you a lot of money if you buy one that's already highly modified, but I understand that many want to build their own car, not buy someone else's build. However, questions remain in the back of your head: How hard did they run this car? Does the owner have any maintenance records, and receipts he/she has done to the car? Does it look clean exterior and interior wise? etc etc.

It took me awhile to find a great Terminator for a great price. Paid about 25k for mine for only 40k miles on it, and it is in almost perfect condition. The only drawback is that it wasn't a coupe. I couldn't find one anywhere for months and months. I settled for a vert, and while I don't really like verts so much it's growing on me.

Btw I've seen those cars before listed lol. That first one is ridiculously overpriced. Also buy one from a private seller, not a stealership.
 

COOL COBRA

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Have cash ready & watch the market section here. The car you want will pop up.
I never care what season it is to buy a car, but traditionally more pop up in the spring.
Also, winter time sparks sales. Guys sitting on cars, can't drive them, hence the sale.
Be patient and good luck on your search.
 

Fooj

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I think you need to find a happy medium, that’s what I’m kinda looking for. It also depends on how long you plan on keeping the car
 

JCDriller

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Your probably correct, I'd love to find a car that has full exhaust, smaller pully and maybe an intake. Suspension improvements are always welcome. Anything too modified has probably been thrashed, not saying I won't run it hard, but I'd like to be the first to really beat on it.
 

mysticsvt

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Damn...in Comp Orange too...how much did you sell her for?
Not nearly enough. But I was retiring from the Navy, needed a new roof on my house and the car had been abused by a performance shop. My car actually disappeared for about 6 months after a performance shop went under in Arizona. It took me posting on every Mustang Website I knew before someone finally PMed me and told me where she was. When I eventually got the car back with a new Ford Racing Aluminator with my 2.2 KB the sun had destroyed the bumpers and the new Spec3+ clutch was off crazy, exhaust had been stolen and replaced with shit. All in all....it wasn't the same mint car I had sent off. Sold her immediately as is and didn't care...20K. It was years before I got a new Mustang....my current Procharged Comp Orange 15. Not as nostalgic but I bet the 15 would walk that Cobra.
 

CobraBob

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The black Terminator is heavily modded and has a roll cage so you know it has likely been driven hard and made multiple passes at the track. The red one is modded as well, but I wouldn't personally believe the seller's statement that he only raced one time at the track. Regardless, most Terminators you find (that are not truly stock or lightly modded) will have been driven hard. They're meant to be. If the first couple of years after production, we were seeing 430-475rwhp Terminators for sale, but now with multiple power adder options we're seeing modded ones with 700-1000rwhp. The more modded these bad boys are, as stout as their builds are, the more chance you're going to encounter some issues to deal with/fix. With a car this old you're taking a chance on finding one with zero issues, despite what sellers state. That's just the way it is. Sometimes the sellers honestly aren't aware of issues at the time of sale. My best advice is to take your time to ask a seller lots of questions, see if you can locate the seller on a Mustang forum (and peruse threads for indicators of issues with the car), ask if you can have the engine checked, and try to test drive it. Check out the SVTP Market for Terminators for sale, many of which are owned by SVTP members. Here is some other info from my Terminator FAQs that should help you as far as checking them out and what to look for.
 

JCDriller

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Thanks guys, I'm really appreciative of the advice. I've been doing a lot of looking and I think I'm starting to think I may be more interested in a Misti, Orange or Grey. All harder to find colors, but look really nice! I'm going to sit on my cash a little longer and see what pops up in the spring. I'm really in no hurry, just want the right car. It sure would be nice if someone local had one, but Kansas sucks for this kind of thing...
 

MCT

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Not nearly enough. But I was retiring from the Navy, needed a new roof on my house and the car had been abused by a performance shop. My car actually disappeared for about 6 months after a performance shop went under in Arizona. It took me posting on every Mustang Website I knew before someone finally PMed me and told me where she was. When I eventually got the car back with a new Ford Racing Aluminator with my 2.2 KB the sun had destroyed the bumpers and the new Spec3+ clutch was off crazy, exhaust had been stolen and replaced with shit. All in all....it wasn't the same mint car I had sent off. Sold her immediately as is and didn't care...20K. It was years before I got a new Mustang....my current Procharged Comp Orange 15. Not as nostalgic but I bet the 15 would walk that Cobra.
Shit...what was the name of the shop?
 

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