Is the 2003-2004 Mustang Cobra the best straightline performance car ever?

I'm simply amazed with the Mustang Cobra, the amount of power these cars put down stock, and the potential to make even more for so little is amazing. I have also searched other forums, such as Viper and LS1 forums, and all of them seem to have trouble with Cobras. In stock form for $30,000-$35,000 you get a car that puts out more horsepower stock than Z06, and in some cases even Vipers (Non SRT-10s). Despite it's weight, it still runs mid to high 12s with very good drivers, and with $2,000-$3,000 worth of performance mods, can make close to or surpass 500WHP (with pulleys and a good tune of course). My question is, do you think the 2003-2004 Mustang SVT Cobras are the best straightline performance vehicles for the price, EVER? Yes EVER? I know there are faster 1/4 mile vehicles stock, but they usually double the price of the Cobra, and the Cobra with a couple of the right mods could easily beat many of these cars in a straightline. I know there are faster cars stock, and I know there are quicker cars around a race track, but for it's price tag and potential, is the Cobra the best straightline car EVER? Before you answer think about what I'm saying, not everybody can afford $80,000 cars, the Cobra is affordable for most people and can touch 10s just as easy as those $80,000 cars, but you only spent $30,000 on the vehicle purchase. Also don't use a $2,000 CRX hatchback, yes it only cost you $2,000, but to run 10s your gonna have to spend a lot of dough, well over $20,000, the Cobra will cost you less than half of that to do the same. Remember I'm only asking the question for straightline performance.

So let me get this straight, we're talking about the best handling car?

I believe the Hemi Darts are still the fastest straight line cars.

^Hemi Dart what about the Fairlane Thunderbolt they owned the track when they were first realesed. Then they changed the rules so Ford couldn't afford to use them.

And I think the Cobras are very good strait line car for the price and for little money you can go very fast. As for the best ever that is a very broad subject.

I don't know enough about old muscle cars to answer this, but out of all the modern cars I've seen, I'd have to agree with you. The fact that for $40,000 (including cost of vehicle) you can have well over 500 reliable wheel horsepower is just insane.

The Cobra is pretty amazing, and it's probably the best bang for the buck in recent years. And the Hemi Dart came stock with slicks, and I'm not sure if it was a street car...but it's still amazing.

Ya I would have to agree as far as modern cars it is the cheapest and fastest thing you can get as far as strait line.

Can a Cobra smoke my RX-7 in a straight line?

If you RX7 is stock, oh yeah, you could say that.

To put it real short, "yes."
If some people disagree with me though then I'll be nice and say it's in the top three.

yeah I'd have to agree, just incredible performance for your money. At least in recent history

i wish gm would sell supercharged maros and vettes. (stock)well the sti wrx is same around 1/4 and is a better track car and there pretty close in price range. there both are forced induction cars thats why i compare(turbo-supercharged). The 4.6 dohc is a pretty good motor but id take a vette any day over a mustang.remember the first year of the mustang ford targeted women for sales, and it took alot of money and arm twisting to get shelby 2 work on them cars. after all these years it ended up an ok car after all.

If you RX7 is stock, oh yeah, you could say that.
Are you serious? A Cobra can smoke a FD3S(5MT)?

your FD3S has only 255hp, a cobra has a underrated 390hp. your car puts down 230ish whp, the cobra puts down 350whp.

simple math, it does weight around 500lbs more then your FD, but the extra 120whp more then makes up for it.

if u threw the same 4.6(SUPERCHARGED) in your rx7 or a cheap old fc for 1000.00 or so + cobra driveline, the cobra would never ever win. it would look like a log next 2 a speed boat. u could build a fc + corbra driveline for under 10k or so.

It's not quite that simple. A cheap old FC that you buy for $1000 is going to have a very hard time handling that kind of power, and it will be damn near impossible to launch properly. You'd have to do significant chassis and suspension upgrades to make it work.

The 4.6 dohc is a pretty good motor but id take a vette any day over a mustang.

It depends what Corvette we are talking about. I'd take a ZO6 any time over a Mustang but I'd take a Cobra over a basic Corvette.

remember the first year of the mustang ford targeted women for sales.

Actually the Mustang was called the "poor man's sports car" which was actually targeted at the teenager crowd. It was considered the first car for the baby boomer generation.

and it took alot of money and arm twisting to get shelby 2 work on them cars. after all these years it ended up an ok car after all.

Shelby thought the Mustang was never ment to go against the Corvette. He thought Ford was wanting him to make a Mustang a sports car to beat the Corvette and he didn't see it as that. Well after working with it his eyes were opened.

It's just an ok car? It's still the only car to ever grace the covers of Time and Newsweek magazine at the same time. It's still the only pony car on the market today. We're debating right now if it's the best straight line performance car ever. I think we can safely say the Mustang turned out as an amazing car and not just ok.

It depends what Corvette we are talking about. I'd take a ZO6 any time over a Mustang but I'd take a Cobra over a basic Corvette.



Actually the Mustang was called the "poor man's sports car" which was actually targeted at the teenager crowd. It was considered the first car for the baby boomer generation.



Shelby thought the Mustang was never ment to go against the Corvette. He thought Ford was wanting him to make a Mustang a sports car to beat the Corvette and he didn't see it as that. Well after working with it his eyes were opened.

It's just an ok car? It's still the only car to ever grace the covers of Time and Newsweek magazine at the same time. It's still the only pony car on the market today. We're debating right now if it's the best straight line performance car ever. I think we can safely say the Mustang turned out as an amazing car and not just ok.

The Mustang(not cobra)'s strength lies in all the stories and loyalty from the first few years. No other car could get away with using the same platform for 30 years, THe 4th Gen F-bodies handed the SN95 stangs their asses in every single category, but the stangs fan base won out.

The Mustang(not cobra)'s strength lies in all the stories and loyalty from the first few years.

Are you saying the Mustang is so popular because of stories and the loyalty of its fans? I'm sorry but I think its performance has something to do with it.

No other car could get away with using the same platform for 30 years

If it works, why not keep using it?

THe 4th Gen F-bodies handed the SN95 stangs their asses in every single category, but the stangs fan base won out.

Nope, the Mustang was able to win out because the Mustang was cheaper. The base Mustang that sold a whole lot was the V6 version. When put up against the Camaro V6 the Mustang was a cheaper buy and that lead to Ford getting more sales.

its Great Car.. feel better, good motor 2. but im pretty sure the speed channel said it was targeted for college women. it dosent matter- look what the supra became, the most head turning import car. its nice 2 see 3.0 get 1000hp for under 10k of parts. cant hardly find a nice one for under 20k tho. Back to the subject, the mustang cobra gets the thumbs up. i just like driving something thats different imo.

Simply put, no, there are faster cars out there in the 1/4 stock than the Mustang that are and were cheaper.

On a side note, the least powerful Viper, the RT-10 came in at 405HP. Last time I checked the Mustang isn't rated over 400HP. Also, the Viper was never designed as a drag racer and neither was the Z06. They are track cars.

Simply put, no, there are faster cars out there in the 1/4 stock than the Mustang that are and were cheaper.

Do you mind naming a few for us?

On a side note, the least powerful Viper, the RT-10 came in at 405HP. Last time I checked the Mustang isn't rated over 400HP.

Is there a point to this? The Viper cost almost triple of what the Cobra cost. Besides, the Viper comes with a performance exhaust, chip, ect on it. The Cobra has a crappy exhaust system that couldn't stand to a SUV and it has a computer fuel shut off on it. You slap a performance chip and exhaust system in there you're over 400 hp.

Also, the Viper was never designed as a drag racer and neither was the Z06. They are track cars.

Again, what does this have to do with the Cobra?

Do you mind naming a few for us?



Is there a point to this? The Viper cost almost triple of what the Cobra cost. Besides, the Viper comes with a performance exhaust, chip, ect on it. The Cobra has a crappy exhaust system that couldn't stand to a SUV and it has a computer fuel shut off on it. You slap a performance chip and exhaust system in there you're over 400 hp.



Again, what does this have to do with the Cobra?

The Vipers With 405 hp retailed for 50k.

considering money? yes.

The cobra is supercharged though, that makes it a little difficut to compare to the vette. I would imagine that there are quite a few cheap production cars that would be quite fast if they were supercharged. They would still be cheaper than a Cobra. Maybe some of the manufacturers need to prove my point.

Do you mind naming a few for us?

Is there a point to this? The Viper cost almost triple of what the Cobra cost. Besides, the Viper comes with a performance exhaust, chip, ect on it. The Cobra has a crappy exhaust system that couldn't stand to a SUV and it has a computer fuel shut off on it. You slap a performance chip and exhaust system in there you're over 400 hp.

Again, what does this have to do with the Cobra?

1. The Shelby Cobra, Hemi Dart or Belvedere, Copo Nova, and even the new Firebirds and Camaro are comparable. My point is that it isn't the ultimate, but it is up there on the list.

2. The reason I brought up the Viper was because the thread starter claimed that the Mustang had more HP than the Z06 and the Viper, which isn't true. Also, the RT-10 retailed for around $50,000. Now the Viper costs a lot more than the Mustang these days because they are hand built and they do have things like a performance exhaust. They aren't just going to throw in a ton of extras for free. The Viper and the Corvette are not in the same class as the Mustang. Also, the Viper does not come with a performance chip. Let's also not forget that the Mustang is supercharged while the Viper and Corvette are N/A. Add a supercharger to those and see what happends. Arguments like that can go both ways.

The Shelby Cobra

It has been said that the new 2007 SVT Cobra will actually be a 2007 Shelby/SVT Cobra thing. So you may get your wish there.

The reason I brought up the Viper was because the thread starter claimed that the Mustang had more HP than the Z06 and the Viper, which isn't true.

No that isn't true because stock for stock it doesn't. I'll agree though that when it comes to horsepower per dollar the Mustang wins.

The Viper and the Corvette are not in the same class as the Mustang.

It's fun to compare them though.

Let's also not forget that the Mustang is supercharged while the Viper and Corvette are N/A. Add a supercharger to those and see what happends.

The thing is the Mustang has the smallest engine of the three. Give the Mustang two extra cylinders and 3.7 extra liters and see how it does then. How about putting the 351 from the Lightning into the Mustang so it can have respectable size to the Corvette.

Arguments like that can go both ways.

Agreed. Like I said above arguments can be said for both that backs the other's side. In the end we'd all just go around and around and around until we're sick and tired. The best thing is to like what you like and go on.

It has been said that the new 2007 SVT Cobra will actually be a 2007 Shelby/SVT Cobra thing. So you may get your wish there.



No that isn't true because stock for stock it doesn't. I'll agree though that when it comes to horsepower per dollar the Mustang wins.



It's fun to compare them though.



The thing is the Mustang has the smallest engine of the three. Give the Mustang two extra cylinders and 3.7 extra liters and see how it does then. How about putting the 351 from the Lightning into the Mustang so it can have respectable size to the Corvette.



Agreed. Like I said above arguments can be said for both that backs the other's side. In the end we'd all just go around and around and around until we're sick and tired. The best thing is to like what you like and go on.


Lightnings use a 5.4, not a 5.7.

Plus the Lighting motor is still Supercharged..

The thing is the Mustang has the smallest engine of the three. Give the Mustang two extra cylinders and 3.7 extra liters and see how it does then. How about putting the 351 from the Lightning into the Mustang so it can have respectable size to the Corvette oh jeez c'mon you can do that with a alot of cars, like the 2.5 wrx sti which is not far from the same peformance spec as cobra and price.You also comapre the little 3.0 toyota supra v6 which runs mid 13's stock. Maybe we should bump the engines up some liters too. the mustang still is going stong because all the crappy v6 sales thats the only reason. ford should only sell the cobras. IMO the cobra is a good buy for performance, but ill pay little more for a car with class.

Lightnings use a 5.4, not a 5.7.

Plus the Lighting motor is still Supercharged..

The older model Lightnings used the 5.7 I'm sure of that but the very last models I don't know.
Also Saleen's S-351 Mustang showed what it could do. Even though they were supercharged they still made a whole lot of power. You take the superchargers off and those things still would probably make around 400 hp.

oh jeez c'mon you can do that with a alot of cars, like the 2.5 wrx sti which is not far from the same peformance spec as cobra and price.You also comapre the little 3.0 toyota supra v6 which runs mid 13's stock. Maybe we should bump the engines up some liters too. the mustang still is going stong because all the crappy v6 sales thats the only reason. ford should only sell the cobras. IMO the cobra is a good buy for performance, but ill pay little more for a car with class.

I didn't mean to piss you off ls1. It's just you hear people complaining that the Cobra had to be supercharged just to compete. Well it has a smaller engine so it needed to make it up somehow.

I didn't mean to piss you off ls1. It's just you hear people complaining that the Cobra had to be supercharged just to compete. Well it has a smaller engine so it needed to make it up somehow. ok ok i get you point :smile:

I think the Supercharged VS. N/A is a stupid argument because the motor is built with SC in mind lower compresion and such. The Cobra motors are also hand built by two man teams both names engraved on the motor. The Cobra is not the faster strait line performer of all, but it is very fast for the price. And the 1999 up Lightnings do use a 5.4L with SC. Also Saleen is releasing a S-281E I think thats what it is called, but anyway it has 500hp. The E stand for Exstream or something like that.

2. The reason I brought up the Viper was because the thread starter claimed that the Mustang had more HP than the Z06 and the Viper, which isn't true. Also, the RT-10 retailed for around $50,000. Now the Viper costs a lot more than the Mustang these days because they are hand built and they do have things like a performance exhaust. They aren't just going to throw in a ton of extras for free. The Viper and the Corvette are not in the same class as the Mustang. Also, the Viper does not come with a performance chip. Let's also not forget that the Mustang is supercharged while the Viper and Corvette are N/A. Add a supercharger to those and see what happends. Arguments like that can go both ways.

Are you talking factory rated horsepower, then yes the Z06 does make f more power, but in reality the Cobras are underrated and have been posting similiar or on more than one occasion higher dyno numbers.

Example- http://svtperformance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149983

There are many more examples of this, the Cobras have been putting down dyno numbers anywhere from 360RWHP to 390RWHP, and I'm sorry 360RWHP or 390RWHP does not equal 390 Flywheel HP. Not trying to argue, just putting that out.

I'll say a couple things here...

1. The original thread poster did not ask if this was the fastest 1/4 production car ever he is asking you to look at the whole package of original price, what can be done wit the car, and how cheapily it can be done.

2. Comparing Viper and Vettes is not winning on 2 fronts because of a.) The much greater cost of either b.) The Cobra could be in the 10's with the money difference between them.(All this thread was about was 1/4)

3. Stop bitching about the S/C you fucking whiney ass panzies!!! Hey a Viper has 8.0L and new LS2 is a 6.0L but your gonna whine about the 4.6L have a S/C...... that's like me crying about and STI or EVO having a turbo. :loser:

4. Naming old cars as faster.... well #1 many of you forget what these old cars sold for new back in the day and how expensive they really were. With simple inflation calculated in many of them are way beyond the Cobra's price.


I dunno if the 03-04 Cobra is the best ever but top #5 easy unless your just biased.

3. Stop bitching about the S/C you fucking whiney ass panzies!!! Hey a Viper has 8.0L and new LS2 is a 6.0L but your gonna whine about the 4.6L have a S/C...... that's like me crying about and STI or EVO having a turbo. :loser:

:iagree:

I dunno if the 03-04 Cobra is the best ever but top #5 easy unless your just biased.

I'll just go ahead and say it, I'm biased.

I would have to agree with you. A recent ford magazine published an article where they simply replaced the stock supercharger on the 5.4 and replaced it with a Kenne Belle unit. The result was over 600 rear wheel horsepower instantly.
I am afraid that the Buick Grand National may have had just as much potential. I raced at a drag strip with dad in the early nineties, and there were always two kinds of cars there. Ford Mustangs wiith t 5.0 and the Buick Grand National. On a good day you could see upwards of ten street driven Buicks. Almost all ran in the 11.00 range.
Would be a good comparo, I think it may very well be a draw.