Posts: 13
Joined: 9/4/2003 From: United States Status: offline
OK the question is are 03 Cobras good cars or are they junk? I'm considering buying a 03 Cobra but I keep hearing very bad things about the car such as stalling, half shaft breaking and ticking noise from the cylinder heads. What really bothers me is that I'm hearing Ford Dealers have no idea how to fix some of these problems. I have also heard that if you start modifying the car some dealers will void your warrantee. What's the story, should I buy a great performance car or look elsewhere?.
Posts: 8826
Joined: 9/2/2003 From: United States Status: offline
You'll here that kind of stuff about any car. The Cobra's are a fine automobile. Get one if you have the money. One test drive and you'll be hooked. As far as warrantees, an aftermarket part would always cause a problem if that part can be traced to or a possible cause of whatever failure you may have. For example, a cat-back exhaust is not gonna cause Ford to not fix an engine failure, where as if you went and put a 20 lb pulley on the supercharger, they're probably not gonna help you with a new motor, see what I mean?
Posts: 751
Joined: 9/8/2003 From: United States Status: offline
yeah, like Joe said, they will only refuse warranty work if the cause of failure is due to a specific modification...I administer warranty claims for Fidelity Warranty Services, your dealer might have tried to sell you one of our extended warrantys when you bought your car but when we handle claims, on all engine, transmission claims we send an inspector out to verify concerns...they check the vehicle for any modifications at all,(even tire size) if we feel a mod could have been related to the failure, the claim is denied...with that said if you ever have a problem with your vehicle and you have major mods which could have caused it...TAKE IT OFF!!!
16000K miles and no problem. Mods include: 9" powerstack filter w/ custom ram air, L pulley, Predator Pulley tune, Flowmaster 2-chambers, Pro 5.0 w/ MGW handle, 315/35 Sumis on stock wheels, hood mod.....
Only issue is a vibrating passenger door but too lazy to bring it in. With the Mach 460 turned up, there is no vibration! If I had to do it again, I'd get the Bassani's but that's the only thing I'd change. Awsome car and no one can touch me when the freeway opens up. Z06's are threats of the past...even mildly modded ones and how often do you see Lambo's, modded Vipers, blow Z06's, GT2's and the like? I look at it this way, who ever is faster just has more $$ to spend and is crazier than I am. They can have the win.
Posts: 13
Joined: 9/4/2003 From: United States Status: offline
I've been looking at new 03 Cobras and have driven a few, then I found a used one the other day with 4k miles on it. It had an after market exhaust and a K&N on it. Wholly crap what a difference. The car spun hard in first and second. I've never seen a car react so well to mods! As soon as I find the right car for the right price I'll be a Cobra owner. I can hardly wait!
I got almost 11K and it's all good. I have installed a smaller pulley, cold air intake, hurst shifter, reprogrammed the computer and chopped out the mufflers for straight pipes. Should see the look on ricers faces when I hit it..........................gone Wait 'till I add the nitrous...........gone even quicker.
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03 Cobra - 
If I had to do it again, I'd get the 