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  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-

why did you buy s197 vs. cobra

  • Thread starter Thread starter mikez
  • Start date Start date Nov 25, 2008
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mikez

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Dec 17, 2004
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#1
  • Nov 25, 2008
  • #1
whats up guys, i'm having a TERRIBLE time deciding on what car to get. A new GT or an 04 cobra.

Being that they are the same price why did you choose the GT over the cobra.

I'm in need of a new daily driver and have found both cars to be great at different things. The cobra is just a nasty car, tons of hp, heavy clutch, VERY dated interior, with a loose feel ie. not very tight.

The GT interior is AMAZING, very comfortable, light clutch, not as much of a head turner in stock form, good looks, but lacking on performance standpoints.

Point is i'm so confused about what car to get i'm ready to just get a focus and call it even

ANY opinions would be GREATLY appreciated.
-mike
 
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anticubicle

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#2
  • Nov 25, 2008
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Pros of S197 over an 03 Cobra

Much better styling in my opinion, a hell of a lot more comfortable, better interior, warranty!!!! In my opinion, the only thing the 03/04 Cobras have going for them is what's under the hood.

Sure an S197 GT will be slower than a Termi but with some bolt-ons and good driving S197 GT's are quick
 
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bluecar

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Nov 26, 2008
#3
  • Nov 26, 2008
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I had a 2001 Cobra for 6 years before I traded it in for the '07. The look, ride, and feel of the '07 is different

I realize you can't compare a 2001 to a 2003-04 but I felt it was a great car that had been piled up on a Ford Fairmount frame. In fact, that's what I nicknamed my Cobra. I really liked the Cobra but when I rented an '07 convertible I was hooked.

Oh, and I never showed any pics of my previous car.

 

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DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.
10 Year Member
May 23, 2004
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East Moline, IL
Nov 26, 2008
#4
  • Nov 26, 2008
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I bought my '07 simply because I wanted a new car, and couldn't find any dealerships that still had a Termi.
 

whyask

New Member
Apr 4, 2005
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Nov 26, 2008
#5
  • Nov 26, 2008
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I love the retro styling and interior is more rommy for my 6'5 250lb azz !
 

stangzilla100

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Oct 19, 2008
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#6
  • Nov 26, 2008
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i couldnt wait any longer for a terminator, so i got the s197. if you want to make big power w/ less effort then get the cobra. if you want style and looks, and dont mind spending more money to compete w/ the cobra for the power, then get the s197. but the bottom line is always what kind of deal can you get.
 

bigcat

start with the upper hole, and if more traction is
May 1, 2005
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Nov 26, 2008
#7
  • Nov 26, 2008
  • #7
i offered $35k on a mystic vert 04 when i bought my S197, they declined the offer. they ended up selling it for less money about a month later. sticker was nearly $50k.
 

Five Oh Brian

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Jun 13, 2007
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Pacific Northwest
Nov 26, 2008
#8
  • Nov 26, 2008
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I had an '03 Mach 1 before the '07 GT. I bought the Mach 1 brand new and chose it over the Terminator as I drag race and wanted the solid rear axle. Sure the Termi was a bit faster, but you can supercharge anything and I would have spent less money total supercharging the Mach 1 versus buying a Termi brand new. Never did supercharge the Mach 1, but did so to the '07 GT.

As much as I love the 03/04 Terminators, I wanted the more comfortable S197 and an automatic transmission this time around (makes for a super consistent bracket racer).
 

Badloser

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Jan 4, 2006
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Nov 26, 2008
#9
  • Nov 26, 2008
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Termi=550whp with bolt ons
S197 =335whp or so with bolt ons

Bang for your buck in terms of hp per dollarr get the Cobra but for the best of both worlds get the s197 and add a procharger or turbo kit and call it a day.
 

stangdude2000

Founding Member
Jun 23, 2001
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Northern VA
Nov 26, 2008
#10
  • Nov 26, 2008
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Warranty.
 

autumn_again

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Oct 2, 2007
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Hamilton, NJ
Nov 26, 2008
#11
  • Nov 26, 2008
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wanted the terminator. still want the terminator.

my car had really NO mileage on it
has a warranty
newer styling, i had a 94 mustang before this car, i didnt want to buy a car that i'm making payments on, and have the same interior as a 10 year old car.
wanted solid rear axle.
a terminator is most likely beat on, not everyone buys gts to beat the living piss out of them. if i had an SVT it would take more corners sideways then it should.


still would love a terminator. would like to find a 03-04 owner with low mileage wanting to trade i would be half tempted to do it. i might even do it. its just something about those cars. the motors are gorgeous, make a great sound, the cars look great on pretty much any rim. just have such good styling features for a platform that they've used since 1979 pretty much, just changed it around a little bit. love the hood, rear bumper, front bumper, side skirts fold in mirrors. all of the car look amazing there's not one feature i don't like.

these cars i don't like half the rims they offer for it. exhaust systems i can't find anything i really like. hate the fact you can see the mufflers in stock form. liked how they were placed on the sn95s.

one day i will own a terminator. now i'm really kicking myself, because they are going for alot cheaper 4 months ago when i bought my car. they were going for 28k for a low mileage one, and then getting a loan for a 2004 for that much is alot harder, then getting a little bit lower amount, for a brand new car.


love the 6 speed, love the looks, love the sound, love the power.

man i want a terminator.
 

autumn_again

New Member
Oct 2, 2007
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Hamilton, NJ
Nov 26, 2008
#12
  • Nov 26, 2008
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bluecar said:
I had a 2001 Cobra for 6 years before I traded it in for the '07. The look, ride, and feel of the '07 is different

I realize you can't compare a 2001 to a 2003-04 but I felt it was a great car that had been piled up on a Ford Fairmount frame. In fact, that's what I nicknamed my Cobra. I really liked the Cobra but when I rented an '07 convertible I was hooked.

Oh, and I never showed any pics of my previous car.

Click to expand...


beautiful car. laser red?

2001 is a beautiful cobra. not too fond of the 99s.

when i was looking for a cobra, i didn't like the 99-01 front bumper, but now that i'm looking at it from a different perspective, i love it. i guess i didn't like the front bumper because it wasn't a terminator front bumper.
 

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bluecar

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Feb 19, 2007
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Nov 27, 2008
#13
  • Nov 27, 2008
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[QUOTEbeautiful car. laser red?

2001 is a beautiful cobra. not too fond of the 99s.
when i was looking for a cobra, i didn't like the 99-01 front bumper, but now that i'm looking at it from a different perspective, i love it. i guess i didn't like the front bumper because it wasn't a terminator front bumper.
Click to expand...

Yes, laser red. I wanted to keep it but no additional garage space. I offered it to my brothers and then a couple co-workers. There was one fellow I forgot about who would have bought it. So I traded it in for present car. It was really cherry; kept the window stickers, sales brochures, and stock parts that I took off.



 

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dro

New Member
May 25, 2003
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Birmingham, AL
Nov 30, 2008
#14
  • Nov 30, 2008
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Do you want to really end up paying more for a 6yr old car?
 

UrbanRedneck

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Mar 27, 2008
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  • Nov 30, 2008
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I wanted a brand new car, I was sick of buying other people's problems. That, and I love the looks and interior of an S197. If I bought a used car, it woulda been an LS1.
 

romans8:28

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Nov 25, 2004
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Nov 30, 2008
#16
  • Nov 30, 2008
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why did you buy s197 vs. cobra?

I didn't.....

I had the choice, but went the other way. I bought my Cobra late 2004 just as the s197 was showing up. I was offered such a good deal, I just could not resist.

I like the s197 chassis and updated features, but I remain happy with my choice.
 
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pnut

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May 14, 2008
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Nov 30, 2008
#17
  • Nov 30, 2008
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Cobra is uuuuggggllllyyy (IMO). I know the performance is there, but I just could bring myself to even consider it due to the looks.

Just my opinion of course, but I like the S197 100x more than the Terminator.
 

romans8:28

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Nov 25, 2004
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#18
  • Nov 30, 2008
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pnut said:
Cobra is uuuuggggllllyyy (IMO). I know the performance is there, but I just could bring myself to even consider it due to the looks.

Just my opinion of course, but I like the S197 100x more than the Terminator.
Click to expand...

Ouch.........

I think I feel a little hurt

I guess beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder as they say, fortunately for me I kind of think it looks nasty (the good nasty)
 

klaw

Member
Oct 11, 2007
343
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16
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Dec 1, 2008
#19
  • Dec 1, 2008
  • #19
I love my S197 but I will own a Termi before too long. They do look nasty (and that's a good nasty).
 
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BLKNED

Member
Jan 27, 2008
67
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Dec 1, 2008
#20
  • Dec 1, 2008
  • #20
The Termi is nice but I had to have a new car. I've heard it's cheaper to build a fake Termi out of a sixer but never priced it. That would be a good way to go if you wanted a solid rear axle. IMO there's nothing wrong with a fake as long as you don't try to pass it off as the real thing when talking to people or especially when trying to sell.
 
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