Mustangs : most bang 4 ur buck

[WhiteT3]

2007 GT 500 vs 2003 Cobra
$ 43,000 vs $ 34,750 (1.1.03)
500hp vs 424 hp (390 hp was proven to be under rated)
$86.00 per hp vs $81.96 per hp.

I have seen more than one recent article stating that the 2007 GT 500 gives the Mustang the most bang for the buck ever. My numbers must be wrong. There was more than one article written about hp tested on the 03 Cobra testing at an average of 424 fly wheel hp. I can give you a link to one if I took the time to look it up. I bought my 03 on 01.14.03 for MSRP of 34750. As of 01.14.07 I don't know if there were any GT 500 for sale at MSRP ( at least in So Cal ). Open for any comments or corrections to my numbers.

 

[WhiteT3]

heres a link : www.dynoperformance.com/article_details.php?article_id=28

 

[Silver2003Cobra]

my 100% stock 03 Cobra.. 372 at the wheels.... so it's even more in favor of the Terminator..

 

[CobraBob]

Teriminators averaged 390 to 449 crank hp, with the average being around 415. So the factory advertised number was actually a "low" number. Mine came out to about 412 to the crank. A friend's was about 445 at the crank. Pretty sweet numbers. It would be interesting to see if the GT-500 crank numbers vary as much as the Terminator's, and if so what the high and low range is. Regardless, IMO the Terminator continues on as the Bang for the Buck champion! :beer:

 

[swlacobra]

Teriminators averaged 390 to 449 crank hp, with the average being around 415. So the factory advertised number was actually a "low" number. Mine came out to about 412 to the crank. A friend's was about 445 at the crank. Pretty sweet numbers. It would be interesting to see if the GT-500 crank numbers vary as much as the Terminator's, and if so what the high and low range is. Regardless, IMO the Terminator continues on as the Bang for the Buck champion! :beer:

yep, you forgot about the adm's

 

[swlacobra]

Teriminators averaged 390 to 449 crank hp, with the average being around 415. So the factory advertised number was actually a "low" number. Mine came out to about 412 to the crank. A friend's was about 445 at the crank. Pretty sweet numbers. It would be interesting to see if the GT-500 crank numbers vary as much as the Terminator's, and if so what the high and low range is. Regardless, IMO the Terminator continues on as the Bang for the Buck champion! :beer:

yep, you forgot about the adm's on the gt500

 

[Almo]

Teriminators averaged 390 to 449 crank hp, with the average being around 415. So the factory advertised number was actually a "low" number. Mine came out to about 412 to the crank. A friend's was about 445 at the crank. Pretty sweet numbers. It would be interesting to see if the GT-500 crank numbers vary as much as the Terminator's, and if so what the high and low range is. Regardless, IMO the Terminator continues on as the Bang for the Buck champion! :beer:

Stock GT500 Dynos have been in the 440 area. Puts it right at the 505 it is SAE'ed to the crank.

 

[Juruense]

2007 GT 500 vs 2003 Cobra
$ 43,000 vs $ 34,750 (1.1.03)
500hp vs 424 hp (390 hp was proven to be under rated)
$86.00 per hp vs $81.96 per hp.

Let me fix those numbers for you...

70,000 vs 34,750
500hp vs 415hp
$140/hp vs $83/hp

 

[NyteByte]

Let me fix those numbers for you...

70,000 vs 34,750
500hp vs 415hp
$140/hp vs $83/hp

Yes, those are more real world numbers. Sad but true.

 

[blubyeu]

Let me fix those numbers for you...

70,000 vs 34,750
500hp vs 415hp
$140/hp vs $83/hp

Of course it's more. But you get a car built on a platform that is only a couple years old. The 03/04 is basically a 3rd reincarnation from 1979. You could easily build a GT and come in for less than the MSRP of the 03/04 Cobra. Also, you can't add dealer added markup to the equation, that's just for people who have to be the first on the block with one.

 

[JWC]

Until prices come down (if ever) the revised price as Mr Kilgore Trout listed is REAL. If you don't believe it, go out and try to pick up a GT500 for 43K. I know, I tried and ended up in a used 02 TT Porsche! Until then the 03/04 Cobras's are the bang for the buck cars of all time. That's why I haven't sold mine as of yet.

 

[WhiteT3]

as far as price I bought mine on 01.14.03, so a fair comparison would be the going price for the GT 500 on 01.14.07. $70,000 is more acurate than $43,000? WOW. That is a huge mark up. I remeber in July of 02 the highest mark up for the T3 was $44,750. I was happy to get mine at MSRP in Jan. Of course, they went as low as $30,000 in Sept. of 03. It's about how long you want to wait. Either way you add it up the T3 is the best bang for your buck in recent years. How about the T3 vs any other car made since 2000. I still choose the T3. Any other contenders?

 

[Juruense]

Well, the price I posted is absolutely correct at this time in Fort Wayne Indiana. Dimension Ford is absolutely asking $70,000 for the GT500. Once the Shelby GT comes out I think everyone agrees that the price to drop to very near sticker price.

If ALL Mustangs are looked at in general I beilieve that they are now and always have been the most bang for the buck. Cars like the Neon SRT-4 are unfortunately good contenders for the title but they have not been around since 1964 and also Neons are extremely ugly. Mustangs have always pulled of the most bang for the buck with good looks and style.

 

[WhiteT3]

agreed. Only thing close may have been the 2002 Camaro SS, 03 Lightning, or maybe the current Dodge Mag. SRT8. Again, the Mustang is the best looking by far. ( I am a Ford Fan ).

 

[Zoie_daGT]

I would say that you are right to a point. Both had their pluses and advantages. The GT500 is more expensive right now but lets let time tell what kind of capacity they get from it. Obviously, we all know the potential of a terminator in even stock form. I think time will tell. If I had a choice, I would go GT500 but, BOTH are AMAZING cars and yes, the Terminator is cheaper right now and was new as well.

 

[swoosh_stang]

Ummm, what about the 05-07 GT

MSRP 25k
HP 300

That's $83.33/HP

But also, $83.33 in 2007 is less than $81.96 in 2003. Looks to me like maybe those two are a valid comparison if only comparing recent SVT Vehicles.

And don't get into the mods, cause then you're looking at Foxes, those are pretty much the greatest bang for the buck cars of all time, including modded cars.

I'm not saying that the Terminators and the GT500 aren't great cars. I frequently wish that I had gotten a terminator. But I think that the new GT is a great car and an excelent foundation. It should not be left out of this discussion.

 

[Sniperdog]

i got mine with a $3,000 rebate, and dad worked at dealer so it was also 4% (i forget the exact %) under invoice to start with, so it was more like 29K, please dont hate me.

lets see, $70,000 , 4000 lbs
or $29,000 , 3600 lbs

i like mine better

 

[SinisterSTANG]

IMO the Terminator continues on as the Bang for the Buck champion! :beer:

+1

 

[Venomhiss]

yea i gotta be truthful, coming from someone who LOVES cars and searched for the best bang for the buck....i couldnt beat the 03 cobras potential and i considered ls1s and everything in between under 30000

 

[slow94gt]

I would MUCH rather have a 03-04 than a GT500.