What's the cost of the mods that it would take to get the 650hp you are talking about?
I am almost to 650rwhp in my s197 it will cost you 14k minimum to get there if you need add the cost of a supercharger (3.4L whipple) and then you need to upgrade the tranny, so say 19k.
Its funny how so many people with s197's will tell someone else to get a cobra instead of an s197... It's not like theres too much of a price difference, why didn't you get one then?
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If you disagree with the post above, you are wrong.
You are coming to the s197 specific forum and asking a loaded question. I am all about the retro styling of the s197s and do not particularly care for the body style of the 04 Cobra. However, I respect the Cobra (especially those with spoiler deletes ) and its powerful engine. But for the money, you could build the s197 just how you want it.
I am totally biased. S197 all the way. They are sexy!
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FR Springs, 20's w/ Nitto's, AEM CAI & SCT tune, 4.10's, Steeda Triax, CMDP, UD pulleys, JBA Shorties, Magnaflow exhaust w/ SLP catbacks, Tokico D-Specs, Eibach Rear Sway, Steeda UCA & LCAs, BMR PH Bar, dyno'd at 308 rwhp/318 rwtq
I didn't buy one because I was overseas when they were new. I don't buy used cars, It's like sharing toilet paper.
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ORIGINAL: SONICBOOST3
Its funny how so many people with s197's will tell someone else to get a cobra instead of an s197... It's not like theres too much of a price difference, why didn't you get one then?
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Whipple Crew Member
468whp 463 lb/ft tq 2007 Black premium GT BMC member #07208
Well, I dont know much about the "terminator". But I recently smoked a presumably stock 04 svt cobra from a roll in 2nd through third. I have Brenspeeds stage one saleen. I think its safe to say it would have been even worse had it been from the hole cause I run DR's and the cobra was on street tires. I really dont know what advice to give you, I just know the feeling I had when I saw the look on that guys face was priceless. He egged the "race" because he was so sure he had me beat, and when I put him down like that I think he was really hurt... Hah. But that being said, I have a car that cost me 28K new (08)and about 8k into mods, so thats around 36k, a cobra with that much into it would kill me and I know it. But, it was priceless none the less. Good luck, and welcome to the forum.
Im getting a 08' GT in August, and I was torn between a cobra and a GT as well, but can say this, after reading this, I'll probably go with the GT, to me the GT seems like you can make it just as fast as a Cobra, but honstly, I think going past 500 HP is a little overboard ( I know you guys would disagree). I making your car individual is what having a 'stang is all about. If I cant beat a cobra, so what, if smoke a cobra, Im gonna jump for joy, but either way, my car is my car....now if I could get a GT500 KR..........
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98 GT 4 Speed Auto Non Factory Intake Manifold K&N Filter Removed Air Silencer Chip that does something..... Rusted Mufflers 4.6 Badge on Trunk
03/04 Cobra all the way. I have had an 07 GT for almost 2 years now, and had three previous Mustangs before this one.......I am not overly impressed with these cars. They look cool, have some decent hardware, but as a performance car aren't in the same leauge as a Cobra. The seats suck and the gauges are awful for a performance car.
03/04 Cobra all the way. I have had an 07 GT for almost 2 years now, and had three previous Mustangs before this one.......I am not overly impressed with these cars. They look cool, have some decent hardware, but as a performance car aren't in the same leauge as a Cobra. The seats suck and the gauges are awful for a performance car.
Then sell your piece of crap s197 and get a 03/04 cobra...
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If you disagree with the post above, you are wrong.
You get an 05 SC GT but the thing is does the GT still have stock suspension, and all the other supporting mods to help the car transfer that power?
A stock 05 GT with just a SC I give it to the Cobra. Now if you beef up the rear suspension, and gears and have a good S/C kit then its all most equal. Now the thing is that Forged block mmm yeah thats a taker and duel over head cams.
Both are just great cars but if I could do it all over again I would of did the same thing :) the GT500 was just way to much money right away and I needed a car in 05 not 07.
Both cars look killer but if built right out cars own for style and looks there is no comparision inside and out. Engine wise yeah the cobra has us. Shoot why not do best of both worlds. Just put an 04 block in our 05 and wha la :) thats what I opted for.
I'm sure the OP has chosen by now or isn't around anymore..(month old thread) but.. as far as the gauges go.. I think they are cool and unique.. very retro style.. and.. if it really is a toss up to you between the looks of the 03-04 cobra vs the looks of the new s197s then go for the cobra.. I honestly hated the looks of the 99-2004 mustangs.. I even had a friend that had a 95 mustang was going to buy a(this was in 99) 2000 cobra.. but after seeing the new body style he bought a 2000 trans am instead.. I know there are others that felt the same way..
Seats? I think the leather seats are fairly comfortable(my friend has leather in his, and i go for rides with him)... but I don't like leather so I got cloth.. and yes. the seats aren't the most comfortable but I've sat in much worse.. I think the seats in most honda/toyota/subaru cars are pretty uncomfortable.. heck.. most cars for less than 30,000 aren't as comfortable as the seats in a more luxurious car.. If it bothers you that much you can replace them with lighter, more comfortable seats for relatively very little money.. about $100 a piece i believe was the price.
anyway..
1) If looks are a tossup go with the cobra.. otherwise go with the one you like the looks of the best.. because you can make an s197 really fast too.
2) If you want cheapest route to 700rwhp Cobra will do it
3) if you want to just stick to sub 500rwhp I'd choose the S197 if looks go either way. (so you can have a brand new car)
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2007 Mustang GT Automatic Steeda CAI & Brenspeed Tune 14.6 @ 98MPH (DA of 6395 = 13.3 @ 106mph)
I would say go with the cobra. I had an 06 gt that was supercharged and all that other good stuff and then traded it in for the cobra, which I wish I would have just got the cobra from the beginning. The only thing I liked about my 06 was it had a stiffer suspension. And it is a lot cheaper to do add performance to the cobra than the newer ones.
if you put the same setup of the terminator on an s197 it'll outrun and have more power than the terminator. i love the gauges and seats in my s197. these have much more potential than what the last generation mustangs had. tune it and blow it and you'll look better and be faster
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2007 GT Premium 5 spd w/ IUP Diablo Predator BamaChips 93 race tune JLT II CAI SLP LoudMouths SLP X pipe Spyder Shaft
Personally I love the looks and power potential of the terminator and alot of my friends ask why I bought a new mustang instead of a terminator. I just tell them the terminators still have a fox chassis and even though they are fun to drive its not a very comfortable car. To me the s197's are more lincoln like compared to sn-95's. If you want raw fun power go with the terminator, but if you want a more refined comfortable mustang that can be made fast get the s197.
Printable Version
RE: '05 SC GT or '04 Cobra - 
) and its powerful engine. But for the money, you could build the s197 just how you want it. 
. But that being said, I have a car that cost me 28K new (08)and about 8k into mods, so thats around 36k, a cobra with that much into it would kill me and I know it. But, it was priceless none the less. Good luck, and welcome to the forum.
