Hey there, just thought I'd post about my recent 03 Cobra test drive... To be perfectly honest, I was very underwhelmed by it. I guess I was expecting more. It just plain ol' didn't excite me, bottom line. As I'm sure it is with you, my L is my measuring stick for all future vehicles. The kick that the L gives you when the tranny downshifts just can't be matched, IMHO. Maybe the Cobra runs a second faster in the quarter, has a higher top speed, etc. etc. But it wasn't as much fun as the L. Oh and BTW, I wasn't impressed with the handling either - I think it's on par or even slightly worse than my 01 L.

You wanna know what I *was* impressed with? The handling of the SVT Focus I test drove while waiting for the Cobra to be brought around. That little sucker is a true go-kart! If you haven't driven one yet, do yourself a favor and do it. Of course, the power doesn't compare, but DAMN, the handling will actually make up for the loss of power, I kid you not.

Hope you liked that review! Keep your Lightnings. The deposit I had on the Cobra is being mailed back to me as I type this.

-Ollie

 

In short: I agree.

Having been looking at cars for months, you name the rear whell drive (or AWD) car and I have looked at it. In the end I put a Sonic Blue Cobra one on order. My family blood runs Ford Blue for three generations.

Dealer is giving me A-plan and everything. I could not of been happier. Recently my Salesperson called me and said there is a Zinc Yellow '03 Cobra in the showroom if I wanted to take a look, or buy it (A-Plan).

So I took the drive down there, and in about three minutes I was less then impressed with the quality of the build. I don't think it was as nice as my 2001 Mustang GT.

I have been dreaming of the Cobra night and day... and seeing this 35k bucket really let me down. I would rather spend a 7k extra and go to the darkside with a Vette.

Anyway, perhaps it's all a good thing. I have always liked the L's, and after checking them out for several years (and a lot more in the last three months) I again took a look at one in the Dealer Showroom. I am waiting for the '03s, and I am crossing my fingers that they have a center console, and I will be picking up a Sonic Blue one...

I think I'll have much more fun, and use from it.

/tg

 

I checked out/test drove both the 03 Cobra and the 02 Z06. I agree that the Cobra just didn't have the "plaster you to the back of the seat" torquey feel that the L does, although I'm sure with some mods it would do much better. The handling was ok, but nothing in comparison to the Z06 -admittedly the Cobra is a $15K cheaper car.

Overall the Cobra was a good car for the price but I passed on it.

 

My local dealer has 3 but they dont let you test drive them unless you do all the paper work. They just want to make sure you are seriuos and noy just a joyrider.

 

I agree as well. They are having probs with the hood insulation falling down due to water accumulation from the hood air inlets and basically there are some styling issues that I do not like.like the driving lamp recessions*(i think they're ugly) and I like the GT hood better.Wheels are average.Lets face it its the engine that does it! I think in a year or 2 the car will look nicer and the price will be more negotiable. Oh yes, I'm also hoping for the 5.4 to get put in there.

 

A few things you gotta remeber how many miles were on those cobra's ? Its probably the same thing like with our trucks you really dont see the power until about 3,000+ miles. I remeber reading posts on here where guys were saying that about their brand new lightnings how the power wasnt there like they thought and they only had like 300 miles on the speedo. Another thing you have to remeber is that these are stock. John Coletti said that the cobra is breathing through a straw since they had to lower the exhuast to pass for noise. You add a Cat-Back and im sure that there is some HP to be found there. I was thinking about selling the truck to get a cobra to but i just love my truck and there is just something about being able to PI$$ on sports cars with my 5000lb pick-up truck that is as aerodynamic as a brick .

 

Overtime you learn that all stock cars are a bit underwelming. Time are changing though!

 

I spent a little over an hour in my local SVT dealers showroom going over a new Cobra Monday evening. I will publically say that I was doing so with the intent on maybe trying to purchase it.
I have been impressed with the numbers I have read on them, and realize that this engine could easily exceed say 700-750 horses very easily.
I have worked for the Big Blue Oval for the past 14 years, and happen to be in the stamping business, where I am in daily contact with body panels, their production, fit, and some assembly. Maybe I should be a little biased, but armed only with the data I was able to see Monday, I can not be. ( hope your not reading this William Jr.)
The vehicle I looked at was red, which is also, not one of my favorite colors.
It is my opinion that we ( Ford Motor Co) missed on this one.
The fit on the body panels was terrible, could hardly close the hood. The interior is lacking, the paint was suspect, the undercarriage looks timid to say the least, and I personally do not like the look, nor feel of the car.
I then compared it to a GT model setting directly next to it, and it
is my opinion that the GT is far superior in visual effectiveness.
I will not be attempting to buy one this year.
Just my opinion.

Marc

 

I hate it when they do that. What happens when you test drive it and honestly, like many people have stated, they just DON'T want to buy it???? Some dealers would probably say, Well, you have already signred all the paperwork.....

 

I understand that the engine will "loosen up" as it gets more miles on it, but it just didn't feel exciting enough for me to go into financial contortions to purchase. Also, stock vehicles can definitely be exciting - my L is still bone stock (except for the extra weight I added) and it's a total kick in the pants.

I'm seriously considering the SVT Focus. The main thing holding me back is that I never want to own a front-wheel-drive vehicle (unless I move to a colder climate).

-Ollie

 

In Canada x-plan headquarters advised NO x-plan on 03 Cobra. Only x-plan on SVT vehicles is the 02L (and hopefully 03L!!).


Frank

 

My story is a little simpler. I wasn't allowed a test drive in the Cobra. To begin with the "salesperson" that waited on me a) knew nothing about my L when I drove in ("Are those wheels stock?"), b) told me they were asking $7,000 over msrp and were getting it on the two they'd sold. c) was younger than the socks I was wearing and kept running over to his manager for answers to my questions.

Beyond the poor sales experience, I feel that the engine bay and general presentation of the powerplant is fantastic and really more attractive that the L, but that the car is generally just a poorly warmed Mustang. Underwhelmed is a perfect word for my feeling about the whole package. Would miss all the pointing and staring that goes with driving an L.

I test drove an 00 L for 20 minutes and was so wowed that I plunked down a deposit directly. If you guys aren't impressed with the performance and handling that says a lot.

 

ive never seen one in person yet, but from all the pictures ive seen, i dont like it either. the hood is ugly, the GT hood is way nicer, the wheels are horrible in my oppinion, and the trunklid spoiler is wimpy looking. the 2-tone seats are odd, reminds me of my ex gf's escort zx-2. judging by the pictures again, under the hood looks nice, but the cover over the blower belt looks stupid i think, the Lightning doesnt have that cover and it looks nicer without it. the best thing about it is the power it makes and how fast it can go. its not really a "mean" looking car. of course im saying all this judging by the many pics i have seen of it, didnt see it in person yet. i can say this, i have read about many problems the 03 cobras are having over on the SVTPERFORMANCE.com forums, even if they are stupid little things, still problems. i would get a Lightning over an 03 Cobra. the Lightning just looks cool and makes you want one.

 

FrankMP-

how can you get x plan in Edmonton?

I can't get neither of the two svt dealers to even drop there price a cent, plus they wan't to bend me over if I were to trade in.

Apreciate any info, thanks

 

Wow interesting post and even more interesting replys. I guess I have to get out and check one out for myself. I am very surprised at what I read.