13' Boss 302 or Terminator

Iamchris · Oct 17, 2019

Probably a biased place to get an opinion.

The Boss isnt a very attractive car in my opinion, that would turn me off alone, especially for a cruiser.

The Cobra is a blast to drive and makes great power. It really feels good to drive, a real drivers car.

The Cobra also stopped depreciating.

john11gt · Oct 17, 2019

Cobra and twice on Sunday.

The new GTs make more power than a Boss and they have a way better interior. The boss is a small step up from the same year GTs imo. The s197 chassis also did nothing for me, it’s too refined for my liking. Sure, it’s pretty quick but it felt just like driving any newer vehicle down the road. Soulless.

ZiaRunner · Oct 20, 2019

I switched gears leaning more towards a Cobra. I had a couple 03-04 Machs and always wanted to own a 03-04 Cobra.

CSCOBRA03 · Oct 20, 2019

Cobras are such fun cars to drive as are Boss 302's. I have driven a Boss and I thought it was a great car to drive, it just wants to rev and rev. I drove a Boss on the race track at Willow Springs ( a friends) and it handled well for sure, but then I got back in my Cobra and went faster on the track. Maybe I'm just more comfortable in my Cobra, but one thing I can tell you is I have a big smile every time I drive it, weather on track or street. I would go with a Cobra but rather way you win!

lucheski · Oct 20, 2019

Cobra would be more exciting but needs a few basic mods. OEM long Shifter for example sucks. They all NEED Sub Frame connectors for example.

Boss if you are going to keep it factory stock.

T3RMINATOR · Oct 21, 2019

If you want something that you can cruise around in on a sunday afternoon then buy the boss. It has more "creature comforts" and is more modern. Terminator interiors are quite dated in today's world. They were dated when they came out in 2003. But if you want something that is raw but very fun to drive, will turn heads, and looks good while doing it get a terminator. I would argue that the 2003/2004 Cobra's are the meanest mustangs ever built. Even 15+ years later.

RoadRunner&Terminator · Oct 27, 2019

I have both

the boss turns more heads especially when dealing with people that aren’t mustang fanatics

the boss sounds better

the boss has a better suspension even though it’s live axle

the boss has a better interior

the terminator makes stupid power with just a pulley or blower swap

if you’re not daily driving or racing I would pick the terminator though.

if you go for the boss and even drive occasionally, upgrade the transmission otherwise it will annoy you constantly. It’s just a shitty shifting trans

the only real complaint I have regarding the terminator is the cheap cheap cheap interior and the super heavy clutch...which in my book isn’t a deal breaker especially for a weekend car

do what I did and buy both. They’re both just super cool cars

jrubnercobra · Oct 27, 2019

Both are great mustang's. I see alot more Bosses than terminators. I think the boss sounds better stock, but the supercharger whine and a good exhaust on a cobra is more unique.

Kevinbonds · Oct 27, 2019

I say get the BOSS, terminators are great, I just really dislike the interior too much to consider owning one.

jrubnercobra · Oct 27, 2019

I don't think you buy either of these cars for the interior

Kevinbonds · Oct 27, 2019

jrubnercobra said:
I don't think you buy either of these cars for the interior

Everyone is different, personally to me the interior of the boss and a few of the luxuries are nice. I don’t purchase just based on interior, it’s just one of the factors and to me the terminators are great cars but I prefer the newer cars.
OP- Have you considered an 11-12 GT500? Gives you a supercharged engine and you can pick one up in the high 20’s to low 30’s if you look around.

jrubnercobra · Oct 27, 2019

Kevinbonds said:
Everyone is different, personally to me the interior of the boss and a few of the luxuries are nice. I don’t purchase just based on interior, it’s just one of the factors and to me the terminators are great cars but I prefer the newer cars.
OP- Have you considered an 11-12 GT500? Gives you a supercharged engine and you can pick one up in the high 20’s to low 30’s if you look around.

jrubnercobra · Oct 27, 2019

I looked at the 13-14 shelby. The interiors are the worst thing about the car. Other than that I think the car is awesome. I bought a newer roush Mustang for DD and my cobra stays in the garage. Why are you on this forum if you don't want a terminator?

01yellercobra · Oct 28, 2019

jrubnercobra said:
I looked at the 13-14 shelby. The interiors are the worst thing about the car. Other than that I think the car is awesome. I bought a newer roush Mustang for DD and my cobra stays in the garage. Why are you on this forum if you don't want a terminator?

There are plenty of people on this forum that don't even own a Ford. It brings some diversity to the forum.

Destructo · Oct 31, 2019

In a previous life, I got paid to write reviews for vehicles. It doesn't mean much, but I got some behind the wheel time of both if you care to hear more.

While I didn't get seat time in The Terminator, I did get a handle at the Boss 302 and a Shelby GT500.

A story I wrote about the Boss and its ancestors.
Conquering the car show with a 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Both of the newer cars were enjoyable. The interiors weren't bad, I would have been more than happy to live with them. Although the GT500's seats were a bit garish for my tastes. Too much branding inside.

Stock for Stock the Boss 302 sounded better, loved the growl and tone. The GT500 was incredibly powerful, one of the few cars to actually scare me. Spinning the tires in 3rd gear on the highway is one way to get your pucker factor up in numbers.

All things being equal though, I have a soft spot for the Terminator. Is it a better car? That's up to you to decide, but I'm looking for a Terminator, the Boss and Shelby are great, but for me, I'll take the Terminator with a side of KB lol!

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Avispa · Oct 31, 2019

Timely thread. Just traded the Terminator for a '16 GT/CS convertible with VMP supercharger. Had the Terminator for 12 years as my DD and it was past time. Ran perfectly but it was showing its age. If you want a DD, get the later model car, whatever it turns out to be. Just a weekend racer, get the Terminator. The GT is noticeably slower but it's a whole lot more comfortable.

ZiaRunner · Apr 29, 2020

I found a Terminator Im hoping to pick up. I've watched some videos on FAQs when buying and looked over the Bob's stangshifterkit FAQs. The car is a one owner, has 20k miles and pretty much stock.

What kinda maintenance can I expect to have to do right away or in near future with this mileage?

Also if you have any other tips/advice when I check it out. Please share

Corbic · Apr 29, 2020

ZiaRunner said:
I found a Terminator Im hoping to pick up. I've watched some videos on FAQs when buying and looked over the Bob's stangshifterkit FAQs. The car is a one owner, has 20k miles and pretty much stock.

What kinda maintenance can I expect to have to do right away or in near future with this mileage?

Also if you have any other tips/advice when I check it out. Please share

You made the right call.

I'm disappointed with many picking a S197 over a SVT Cobra.

Terminator is the last of the Fox Bodies and its short comings are it's charms. The Mod 4V sounds worlds better then a Coyote.

A great comparison is the Air Cooled 911. In a 3.2 the 915 transmission is awkward, pedal placement cramped, steering wheel low and overall ergonomics are pretty bad. The torsion suspension is primitive and power anemic.

Despite this, it's lauded as a drivers car and many would pick it over the modern examples.

SVT Cobra is throw back to simpler pre-digital times. An ancient chassis hobbled together with some of the most serious parts ever put on a Mustang. A simple, functional interior that when mint, is reminiscent of many 90's Super Cars. Retro 90's night glow gauges from the factory, a transmission and clutch that require mastering. Excellent visibility, a howling supercharger and understands but serious looks that continue to catch attention.

This was America's Supra.

Posted 13 Years Ago.

T3RMINATOR · Apr 29, 2020

Corbic said:
You made the right call.

I'm disappointed with many picking a S197 over a SVT Cobra.

Terminator is the last of the Fox Bodies and its short comings are it's charms. The Mod 4V sounds worlds better then a Coyote.

A great comparison is the Air Cooled 911. In a 3.2 the 915 transmission is awkward, pedal placement cramped, steering wheel low and overall ergonomics are pretty bad. The torsion suspension is primitive and power anemic.

Despite this, it's lauded as a drivers car and many would pick it over the modern examples.

SVT Cobra is throw back to simpler pre-digital times. An ancient chassis hobbled together with some of the most serious parts ever put on a Mustang. A simple, functional interior that when mint, is reminiscent of many 90's Super Cars. Retro 90's night glow gauges from the factory, a transmission and clutch that require mastering. Excellent visibility, a howling supercharger and understands but serious looks that continue to catch attention.

This was America's Supra.

Posted 13 Years Ago.

Couldn't have been said better. And the SnakeBite video is legendary! Good ole 2.2 KB screaming away and the howl of the ARH exhaust system.

BlckBox04 · Apr 29, 2020

Corbic said:
This was America's Supra.

Posted 13 Years Ago.

this was one of the videos that made me want a 2.2
those guys built my car where this was filmed

13' Boss 302 or Terminator

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