2012-15 GT or 03-04 Cobra??

DoinWork

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So I've always wanted an 03-04 cobra since they came out. I'm finally in a position to buy one in the price range of 15-18k, but it seems like it's very slim pickings as these cars are becoming more rare and more desirable.

I just happened to come across some newer GTs in the same price range. I kind of like them. I'm not sure if I like them as much as the cobra but I might.

It also seems like the GT may have more potential to be faster if I put a supercharger on it down the road for around 6k. I don't really know much at all about these cars though.

Wondering if I could make them fast as most basic modded 03-04 cobras within a couple thousand. After a few years I'll save enough to supercharge it just until then I'd like it to be putting down maybe 460hp to the wheels? Would that be hard to achieve and would they be just as fast considering the weight difference?

Figuring if I find one for 15k I will have about 2-3k to mod it.
 

nxhappy

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15-18 is a tight budget for EITHER car. if you are used to old school cars, get the Terminator. If you drive newer cars, get the coyote. The Terminator is a raw car. But the interior will not impress you and the handling. Stock vs stock they are pretty much the same speed. I loved my terminator and the SC whine. I loved my 14 GT. Both cars are completely different.
 

2011 gtcs

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It's difficult to find a decent and well taken care of terminator for 15 to18k, most of them are absolutely beat to hell now and the nice ones aren't for sale.

If you buy a terminator for that price just be prepared it might need work. I personally don't care for the mustang GTs but they're a good bang for the buck.

Good luck
 

CobraBob

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I agree about the Terminator price range. You're just about guaranteed to have to invest some money in one that sells in the $15K-$18K range. If you spend $15K you'll quickly eat up that $2K-$3K amount you'd have left over. You probably will be spending money you don't have to correct issues in an $18K Cobra. Then again, you might get lucky as far as issues other than paint/wear/mileage. If you do want the Cobra, I advise you to be patient and try to find the best one in that $15K-$18K price range. Establish your "standards" now so that you don't jump on one that you'll regret later. Best of luck with your search.

You'll do better looking for a later model GT in that price range, but my advice about setting your standards and being patient remain the same.
 

DoinWork

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Will this be for a daily driver?

It'll be a daily unless it's raining or snowing.

15-18 is a tight budget for EITHER car. if you are used to old school cars, get the Terminator. If you drive newer cars, get the coyote. The Terminator is a raw car. But the interior will not impress you and the handling. Stock vs stock they are pretty much the same speed. I loved my terminator and the SC whine. I loved my 14 GT. Both cars are completely different.

Yeah it's definitely a tight budget. I've had an 84 gt, 91 coupe, 88 hatchback, and a 96 cobra with a vortech s-trim but I've also been driving my girlfriend's 17 keep Cherokee lately so I am getting a little spoiled with newer cars lol.

I do love the rawness of the cobra for sure and I actually prefer their interior over the newer GTs. The SC whine is awesome.

I'm mostly referring to their performance. I feel like I can make the cobra faster with less money but if I can drop 5-6k on a supercharger for the GT in the near future it may have more potential. Not sure though.

I've seen and missed a few great deals for 17-18k for some very nice cobras because I didn't have the funds quite there yet. Seems like it's not impossible to find one lightly modded putting 460ish hp and 480tq down in decent shape with a out 80k miles if I'm patient.

I'm curious if I can get a GT that would be just as fast for the same price range.... I think I'd be almost just as happy in either as long as the GT was still as fast. I've seen some GTs for as low as 15k with maybe 80k miles on them.

I agree about the Terminator price range. You're just about guaranteed to have to invest some money in one that sells in the $15K-$18K range. If you spend $15K you'll quickly eat up that $2K-$3K amount you'd have left over. You probably will be spending money you don't have to correct issues in an $18K Cobra. Then again, you might get lucky as far as issues other than paint/wear/mileage. If you do want the Cobra, I advise you to be patient and try to find the best one in that $15K-$18K price range. Establish your "standards" now so that you don't jump on one that you'll regret later. Best of luck with your search.

You'll do better looking for a later model GT in that price range, but my advice about setting your standards and being patient remain the same.

You're absolutely right, sticking to my standards and being patient is what I've pretty much come to as the main determining factor for my price range.
 

nxhappy

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It'll be a daily unless it's raining or snowing.



Yeah it's definitely a tight budget. I've had an 84 gt, 91 coupe, 88 hatchback, and a 96 cobra with a vortech s-trim but I've also been driving my girlfriend's 17 keep Cherokee lately so I am getting a little spoiled with newer cars lol.

I do love the rawness of the cobra for sure and I actually prefer their interior over the newer GTs. The SC whine is awesome.

I'm mostly referring to their performance. I feel like I can make the cobra faster with less money but if I can drop 5-6k on a supercharger for the GT in the near future it may have more potential. Not sure though.

I've seen and missed a few great deals for 17-18k for some very nice cobras because I didn't have the funds quite there yet. Seems like it's not impossible to find one lightly modded putting 460ish hp and 480tq down in decent shape with a out 80k miles if I'm patient.

I'm curious if I can get a GT that would be just as fast for the same price range.... I think I'd be almost just as happy in either as long as the GT was still as fast. I've seen some GTs for as low as 15k with maybe 80k miles on them.



You're absolutely right, sticking to my standards and being patient is what I've pretty much come to as the main determining factor for my price range.
Get a low mileage terminator. It will hold its value very well. And they are getting harder to find. Save up some cash, get a real clean one for 20k. If you need some extra loan money, check out PenFed, they are AWESOME.
 

Avispa

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Timely thread. I just unloaded my '03 Cobra for a '16 GT/CS. Cobra had a Whipple 2.3 and was really fast. The new car is a whole lot more comfortable. Cobra was my DD as is the 'Stang. Get the late model 'Stang. You'll be a lot more comfortable in it as a DD, and this is from a 12 year Cobra owner. A stock GT may be close to as fast as a stock Cobra. Any mods on the Cobra, probably not.
 

stangfreak

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I have owned my cobra for 17 years. Get the coyote. unless you hare a hardcore cobra guy, have your heart set on one, and yes they are becoming more and more rare and more desirable, fine. You just can't beat a 2018 10 speed auto gt with a blower.
 

me32

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Understanding that your looking for a mustang that will be your daily driver i say skip the 03/04 all together.

Your best bet for a DD is the 15-18 mustang gt. Its newer and will likely require less repairs.

The 03/04 are almost 20yrs old and lots of repairs will be needed.
 

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