Widespread Cobra Problems?

[Zach]

When the specs on the '03 Cobras were released, I salivated. Contacting a local dealer I've done business with provided immediate disappointment, $10K over list on their allotment of 6 Cobras. Saturday, I found a dealer who will sell for MSRP. We are going to visit this week to see if a Zinc Yellow Coupe is feasible in his remaining allotment.

Now I read of quality control problems on the '01's. The threads here and especially on BlueOvalNews are alarming, yet many of you are forging ahead with plans to purchase '03's.

I followed the events on the '99 models and was convinced that Ford would make sure the next production would be of the highest quality. It almost seems like Ford is thinking, "screw it, throw 390 horsepower at the enthusiasts and they'll be willing to overlook build quality."

How widespread are the problems with the '01's? For those who do have deposits down, are you expecting the '03's to be of better build quality?

 

[Cobra-R]

Originally posted by Zach
When the specs on the '03 Cobras were released, I salivated. Contacting a local dealer I've done business with provided immediate disappointment, $10K over list on their allotment of 6 Cobras. Saturday, I found a dealer who will sell for MSRP. We are going to visit this week to see if a Zinc Yellow Coupe is feasible in his remaining allotment.

Now I read of quality control problems on the '01's. The threads here and especially on BlueOvalNews are alarming, yet many of you are forging ahead with plans to purchase '03's.

I followed the events on the '99 models and was convinced that Ford would make sure the next production would be of the highest quality. It almost seems like Ford is thinking, "screw it, throw 390 horsepower at the enthusiasts and they'll be willing to overlook build quality."

How widespread are the problems with the '01's? For those who do have deposits down, are you expecting the '03's to be of better build quality?

I have a 01 and the only problem I had was a squeek in the back of the car. Added a set of sub-frame connectors and all is well. I love it so far.

 

[VintagePorscheG]

I believe in Ford, many of you may or may not already know in the late '70s Ford adopted the principles of Dr. Deming for a new era in quality control.

Much earlier, actually before WW2, Dr. Porsche (the engineering consultant) was good friends with Henry Ford.

Porsche had troubles when a non-family member was running the company.

Porsche replaced its upper management with a family member and went back to its core values and the problems there are now all but gone.

Ford suffered problems in the late 90's but now a Ford family member is running the company again and seems to be moving the company back in the right direction again...

Lets hope so...

In a world where all the CEO's care about is jacking up the stock price (at any cost it seems) so that they can get rich and run...

Its good to see someone building cars because they love cars...

Thank God that Love can overpower Greed...

:cuss:

 

[tommylightning]

Originally posted by Zach
When the specs on the '03 Cobras were released, I salivated. Contacting a local dealer I've done business with provided immediate disappointment, $10K over list on their allotment of 6 Cobras. Saturday, I found a dealer who will sell for MSRP. We are going to visit this week to see if a Zinc Yellow Coupe is feasible in his remaining allotment.

Now I read of quality control problems on the '01's. The threads here and especially on BlueOvalNews are alarming, yet many of you are forging ahead with plans to purchase '03's.

I followed the events on the '99 models and was convinced that Ford would make sure the next production would be of the highest quality. It almost seems like Ford is thinking, "screw it, throw 390 horsepower at the enthusiasts and they'll be willing to overlook build quality."

How widespread are the problems with the '01's? For those who do have deposits down, are you expecting the '03's to be of better build quality?

Your not one of the guys that started BlueOval.com are ya? Lookin' for another story?

 

[Zach]

Tommylightning.....

No affiliation with blueovalnews.com. I'm a middle aged, ex street racer/rodder who owns a small business in North Texas and has always remained a car enthusiast. I just have concerns over spending $35,000 for an '03 Cobra if Ford has not worked out the problems with earlier models. That's why I deferred to you guys, the experts.

 

[LR 01 Cobra]

Don't get to worked up with the stuff you read on the boards. I have friends with 99's and 01's and none of us has had any problems. You'll find all brands have problems, my buddy just bought a 01 Z06 and had to lemon law it. It's a machine and some times they just don't work right. There are people who have 01's and 99's who do have problems, so far Ford has stuck behind them by fixing or replacing them. No I don't work for Ford. I've had my car 1 year now and would not trade it for the world. The 03 is one Bad Ass car, If I didn't love my 01 so much, I would get one. My .02 Cents Good luck on whatever you decide.

Tim

 

[COBRA90GT]

FWIW, I've had NO major problems with my '01. I love this thing, everytime I get behind the wheel, I love the car more & more...

 

[cobra 829]

my buddy has lazer red 01 it runs realgood all he put off road cold air 373 gear and ran 13.1 on opening day at milan

 

[103]

I have had many problems, but only one cannot be indirectly or directly routed to me: my third replacement tranny is going to be installed Monday. They took care of that problem with the T56 in the 03. The 3650 sucks and is barely rated to handle our stock torque.

Other than that I have had overheating problems but those are caused by air bubbles that keep randomly forming in the system...

 

[SVTNICK]

The drive train in my car is fine..the noises and problems from the interior how ever are driving my to the point of insanity...i have a shhh shh shh noise at idle from behind the dash..i have a popping noise that comes up every once in a while..and i have a creak in the right rear..if i can get rid of those ill cry with happiness.

 

[VintagePorscheG]

HUH?

Sorry couldn't hear you.

Apperently, you don't play your radio loud enough...

Try that AC/DC, Metalica, Sabbath, Ozzy Mix

Or if you're a bit younger try some

Disturbed, POC or Greenday...

You should damage your hearing to the point where you can no longer hear those little squeeks and rattles any more....

:burnout:

 

[SVTNICK]

lol..actually..i hate radios in sports cars..i hardly ever turn it on..i prefer windows open and the sweet sound of exhaust...but god damn those rattles and squeaks...

 

[VintagePorscheG]

no radio?

okay, I quess I won't even go to the "its a mustang, not a sports car" thing

but no radio?

okay, your High Maintanence, but I will continue to try to help you... My wife is high Maint too...

so get under your car and cut the exhaust off right behind the converter... don't put anything else on there just let the engine roar flow...

That should cover the noise of the plastic rubbin....

:lol1:

 

[fangstang]

Guys, with all these noises and creaks you hear, what do you expect? Its still a FORD!!!!! It'll never have the build quality of a Mercedes, NEVER!!!!!! I have a few little sqeeks every now and then, but I except it for what it is. I didnt purchase the car for the interior build quality, I bought this car for the same reason many of you guys did, Affordable, good looking, fast car! Thats it, if you guys cant deal with it, why do you think Ford gave us that Mach 460 sound system(besides listening to tunes).:coolman:

 

[SVTNICK]

Well..Ford can(and does) build quality cars..they have the resources now from Jag, Land ROver, Volvo among others. The european Fords are bar none excellent quality and build(i lived in Ireland and had both an escort cosworth and sierra cosworth). After nearly 20 years since my 86 was built, I do expect alot of improvement in build quality.

 

[fangstang]

I to expect BETTER build quality from Ford, but, they are in the business to sell lots of cars, not high quality expensive cars like our European friends. I hope Ford really puts a nice QUALITY interior in the next mustangs,cause the ones in our cars now really suck.:rollseyes

 

[FL Cobra03]

Convertible Delay

Just got a call from Plantation Ford here in Fort Lauderdale. He said that the convertibles won't be produced until July. Said that they were going to have a run of Coupes in May and in June. But no convertibles until July. He also let me know that they have cut his allotment from 12 to 6 cars (2 verts, 4 coupes) for the entire year. And because of the long delay he said he has no reason to keep th 1K deposit. He'll keep me a the top of the list and give me a call when he knows something solid. This sucks

 

[cobra 829]

check his story out call 1800svtford ask them dont take your deposit back

 

[cobra 829]

the run of 3000 will only take 5 days to make all of the cars 800 a day is how many they can make it should take 4 days

 

[FL Cobra03]

I will give a call and make sure that he's not BS'ing me. Thanks for the info.