Just Kidding Guys. I thought that might get someones attention. Moving on, I am not new to the forum but I have posted very few threads. I'm that guy that just reads everyone else's stuff. The question I have for you today is regarding the Terminator and the S197 GT. I understand the power potential of the Cobra w/ the forged internals is almost limitless. But with all the praises from owners of the S197 about the improvements over the new edge, I find myself considering the new look. It seems like (correct me if Im wrong) that 425-460 hp is the limit on the new 3 valve before grenading the motor. I'm not sure how dependabe that would be, but this car is going to be a daily driver for a little while. So is the S197 as a whole improved enough to outweigh the performace of the Terminator? I would also like to know what the Cobra "feels" like compared to my 04 GT aside from the huge power difference. So any oppinions you might have, especially from anyone that has experience driving both will be greatly appreciated. I am in the desert for another 9 months so this won't be an overnight decision. Thanks again.
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2004 GT w/ minor mods 2002 Yamaha R1 w/ some goodies UH-60 Blackhawk daily driver
Team MF Member #019 Posts: 745
Joined: 1/7/2007 From: Akron, OH Status: offline
I have never drove the S197 though I'm sure it's a great platform with potential. Come on now it's a TERMI that alone should be enough and if not then while you own a 03-04 Cobra this is the best performing mustang put out to date from the factory. Find either one and take it for a spin and see what you think.Though I am bias and am thinking merely off of a performance standpiont I think that an 04 cobra and 05 Mustang should be comprable models. Good luck with what ever you decide.
Team MF Member #420 Posts: 14518
Joined: 7/24/2003 Status: offline
The 03/04 with the IRS still handles and rides better.
The S197 is QUITE a bit more comfortable. However, speaking from a base standpoint. The 03/04 has all the potential in the world with it's setup from the factory. Whereas the S197 has limitations on it's motor & transmission. It's not a huge deal, but it's quite an expensive investment..
The difference from the 04 GT to a Terminator is like this... It'll be like going from riding a BMX bicycle to getting in your 04 GT. You'll giggle like a little girl and then you might feel a little embarassed you ever tried making your GT quicker.
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Black 04 Cobra For Sale. Will trade for 93 older/non 4-eye fox + $$.
the s197 feels a lot bigger than the new gt. it feels heavier. terminators handle soo much better than the s197 GT's. i would never in my life take an s197 over a termy.
those 3v engines can take about as much power as the 2v's do. not really a lot more....
Posts: 2015
Joined: 9/24/2006 From: Wake Forest, NC Status: offline
quote:
ORIGINAL: Dan04COBRA
The 03/04 with the IRS still handles and rides better.
The S197 is QUITE a bit more comfortable. However, speaking from a base standpoint. The 03/04 has all the potential in the world with it's setup from the factory. Whereas the S197 has limitations on it's motor & transmission. It's not a huge deal, but it's quite an expensive investment..
The difference from the 04 GT to a Terminator is like this... It'll be like going from riding a BMX bicycle to getting in your 04 GT. You'll giggle like a little girl and then you might feel a little embarassed you ever tried making your GT quicker.
Yeah I know there is a world of difference in the power, but had no Idea what the car drove like. My GT leaves much to be desired in the handling a ride department...would expect better performance out of something this rough.
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2004 GT w/ minor mods 2002 Yamaha R1 w/ some goodies UH-60 Blackhawk daily driver
Team MF Member #420 Posts: 14518
Joined: 7/24/2003 Status: offline
I remember test driving my Cobra, I asked the salesman if I could get on it (we were on a 4 lane highway) and he said if you want to buy it. Sure enough I dropped to 2nd gear and powershifted my way into 3rd and into 4th. I put the car in neutral and rode the brakes looking for vibrations, just laughing my head off. I couldn't BELIEVE the difference. Take your GT and literally DOUBLE the feeling of power it has, thats what it's like to get into a Terminator.
The whole way home I thought about the money I threw at my 02 GT and wanted to get sick, but I didn't want to barf all over in the Terminators nice clean interior. So I just waited until I got home to vomit everywhere.
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Black 04 Cobra For Sale. Will trade for 93 older/non 4-eye fox + $$.
Team MF Member #420 Posts: 14518
Joined: 7/24/2003 Status: offline
BTW, the IRS really softens the feel of the ride. The car is MUCH more predictable when you hit the throttle and the ride quality is nothing like the GT, it's not even similar.
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Black 04 Cobra For Sale. Will trade for 93 older/non 4-eye fox + $$.
I test-drove a S197 recently and was completely disappointed. Hated the feel, hated the handling. Power felt 'close' to my '01 Cobra, but definately wasnt any better. The only thing I liked about it was the heated seats. and this is comparing it to a N/A New Edge Cobra. A termy isnt even comparable.
Thats good to hear. No way I'd buy one if it felt like the GT. That was one of the main reasons I was even considering the S197, everyone says it drives so much better than the new edge stangs.
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2004 GT w/ minor mods 2002 Yamaha R1 w/ some goodies UH-60 Blackhawk daily driver
I haven't really driven any other stangs than mine and my friend's '01 GT, but I can understand if the S197 GT's are better driving cars compared to the New Edge GT's. They have stiffer chassis and are a bit heavier, which I can see aiding day-to-day driving. The stiffness helps on the track too, but the weight doesn't really. It also has a solid axle (even the GT500) which gives a nod to the Terminators in the handling department.
This is all just talking out my a** though as I haven't driven an '05+ but from what I've read/seen. I can imagine they drive/handle as well or slightly better than the older GTs, but still not quite as well as the Terminators.
I also hear a lot about launching issues with the IRS. All of my racing has been on 2 wheels, aside from the occasional red light run, so How hard is gonna be to launch? I have quite a bit of time on the drag strip...but with motorcycles.
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2004 GT w/ minor mods 2002 Yamaha R1 w/ some goodies UH-60 Blackhawk daily driver
its not hard too launch the cobra. just make sure that if u get into wheel hop, dont drive thru it, let off! u can do different things to upgrade ur irs, such as stronger axles, irs brace, solid bushings....
Team MF Member #466 Posts: 2083
Joined: 6/16/2006 Status: offline
I used to have an 04 GT. I test drove an 05 GT. I own an 04 Cobra. Its as simple as that.
The 04 GT was a good learning car for me. First V8 I've owned and got alot of good seat time in it. Never took it too the track tho. After I got to reading how poorly the 2V responds to mods, I started to look at something different. The 4.6L 4V is just about the best you can get in the Ford world from the factory. Granted the 5.4L GT500's are great engines and respond just as well and better than the 4.6L does. But my point is, you can pretty much get all you can out of the 4.6L as it gets the job done.
That alone sold me on the cobra. I think the cobra is very comfortable to me. Alot will disagree with me on that, but for me... its a great fit. The shifter is in a good location for me and I just really like the way it feels. The 05+ stangs just felt too big for me. I just felt like I was in a GTO or something.
If your looking for performance, open tracking, autoX, and DD... the cobra wins hands down. I guess if you really like the styling tho, the 05+ stangs can make for good a good daily driver I guess. JMO tho.
I am definatly leaning toward the Terminator. I am not worried so much about the small creature comforts of the S197, thats what the wifes car is for right? And I'm already driving a slow ass mustang, drives me crazy. Sounding fast just makes it worse. I'm pretty confident that a future test drive will solidify my thoughts and your feedback. Not to mention the 6-speed you can't get w/ any other stang. I do like the styling of the S197 w/ certain body kits. But I love the cobra's body as is. I need some reassurance to buy what will be a will be 4-5 y/o car when I get back. Think it will hold up in the long run? Oh, and thanks for all the great feedback.
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2004 GT w/ minor mods 2002 Yamaha R1 w/ some goodies UH-60 Blackhawk daily driver
Pick up a cobra, power potential is much greater with stock internals, you would have to change your internals in the S197 if your looking for 475+hp. I would go for the Cobra, not just power wise, but not as many people have them, I see S197s every where I turn now, its a great looking car and an amazing platform to build on, but not too many people have the Cobras...
The 03/04 with the IRS still handles and rides better.
The S197 is QUITE a bit more comfortable. However, speaking from a base standpoint. The 03/04 has all the potential in the world with it's setup from the factory. Whereas the S197 has limitations on it's motor & transmission. It's not a huge deal, but it's quite an expensive investment..
The difference from the 04 GT to a Terminator is like this... It'll be like going from riding a BMX bicycle to getting in your 04 GT. You'll giggle like a little girl and then you might feel a little embarassed you ever tried making your GT quicker.
Hahah, ain't that the truth!
-1 Let me jus say this first, i have a certain amount of respect for the 03/04 Cobras, they are without a doubt great cars, my bro owns one so i know first hand. I know imma get bashed, but i cant understand this logic...i'll explain....and this is the main reason why i still find Terminators are overratted. Now i jus looked up Cobras an GTs retail: Cobra 03/04 $28,000 GT 03 $17,000 I was financed for 20,000 for mine an my bro 35,000 (jus rounding numbers here)...theres a $11-15K difference. So people here are pretty much saying that modding a GT is a joke compared to a stock Cobra...that looking at a $28k overall buget, spending $11-15k on a GT with $11-15k to spare in modding vs. a stock Termi is sickining? I would think that $11-15k in a GT from engine to sus and tires even wouldnt pretty much crush anything on the street (considering it was spended wisely)?
I know i didnt use exact wording from people in typin this, but im just looking at the overall picture and this is to my understanding from what i see. Maybe someone can set in a missing factor that i missed..? Not lookin for a kick in the nuts, just someone to set me strait (maybe i'll get both? ).
Posts: 4124
Joined: 3/13/2007 From: Huntsville, AL Status: offline
the fastest cars on the street have the most money in them.......when you start modding its all about how much are you willing to spend. such as a stroker 4.6->5.1L twin turbo gt will stomp the living **** out of a cobra, but you looking at 11-12k for that. then on the flip side a stock cobra is better than a stock GT. Suprise it costs more. modding is about how much do you want to spend and where do you want to go with it.
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2003 Ox Wht Mach 1 1:814 bone stock Her name is Melanie
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Cobras Suck ! - 
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