03-04 Cobra vs 07 GT-500

Alright guys, what are your thoughts on the new shelby vs the previous supercharged svt offering? Granted it hasn't been out long, but I dont know how impressed I am. Sure it has 500 hp for 40k or so (without dealer mark up), but the mag times i've seen are very comparable to the older gen cobra. I've seen around a 13 flat 1/4 while trapping 115 and about a 4.5 0-60. The 03 cobras were doing that with their underrated 390hp 4.6 engines (although the trap speeds weren't so high). It has alot more weight on it thanks to the 5.4 liter engine + supercharger, so thats not helping, but the skidpad was pretty impressive with a .95. The interior looks to be alot better, and I am more a fan of the look this go around, despite last gen's cobra being a fav everyday car of mine.

Anyways, just wondering what public opinion was

GT500 is a great bang for the buck but the older generation is that much better used.

i personally like the 03s and with the money saved i would modify it. but im also a modifying whore! :lol:

'03 is a lot more bang-for-buck. I mean seriously, good luck finding a new GT500 for $40,000. Hell, good luck finding one for $50,000. Sure, the new GT500 is a more complete package, with a much better interior and good handling to go with its power, but from a pure bang-for-buck perspective, the 03/04 wins.

One magazine compare the GT500 to a base C6 and it couldn't even hang with that never mind the ZO6. I'm a Chevy man so I was worried when I first heard of the GT500 coming out with 500 horses but the car is kind of dissapointing. Don't get me wrong it's a fast car for the price but like kman10587 said, your are not going to find one near sticker price. The GT500 just isn't the ZO6 killer Ford and all automotive publications hyped it up to be. The 03/04 Cobra could pretty much hang with a C5 for $10,000 less and the new GT500 is the same price as a C6 and it gets beat by it. So bang for buck definately goes with the 03/04 Cobra.

Well the new GT500 is cheaper than the C6 so I really can't see how their prices are considered to be even. I have all the magazines with the GT500 in it and I have seen everywhere from 13 sec to 12.5 for a quartermile. I think that the GT500 is a better bang for the buck because it is one of the only cars I have seen in a while that could loosely be called an investment. It will likely be the last production vehical with the SHELBY name on it and (not to be morbid or anything) Carrol Shelby is getting up in years. Everything with his name on it will go up in value with his eventual passing, particularly the first cars with his name on it and the last ones (being the GT500s). I have always been a fan of the 03/04 cobras and I was considering getting one but as solid of a performer as it is, its not the car that the GT500 is. Also, comparing a Mustang of any kind to a Vette is crazy.....Its like comparing an M3 to a 911. The vette is a purebred performer and the mustang is a pony car.

I like them both. but the new Gt500 just seems a little better with all i've read about it compared to the '03 cobra. both are great cars for the $, but the '03 cobra is deff going to be cheaper.

Also, comparing a Mustang of any kind to a Vette is crazy.....Its like comparing an M3 to a 911.

M3's compete against 911's all the time in the Le Mans series in GT3 or whatever it's called.

GT500 is RWD, sports car, that cost about 50k (if you can find one for that price, you can just forget about the MSRP of 40k). So is the Corvette C6 (non ZO6).

Comparing a Mustang to a Corvette is when talking about the non-performance versions (Cobra/GT500 and Z06) is a little one sided to the Corvette. But they do and you wouldnt expect M3 CSL's to compete with 911 GT3's. But they do. Just because cars are in different price ranges doesnt mean they dont compete.

I have a hard time believing that the GT500 is competition for even the base C6. It may be able to match its acceleration numbers with massive power output, and it may be able to keep up in the corners with tight enough suspension tuning, but it still weighs nearly 1000 lbs more than the 'Vette, gets about half as many miles per gallon, is probably a harsher ride, and doesn't have the same upgrade potential.

The only reason why I can see anyone buying a GT500 is for the prestige of owning one. Not that people don't buy Corvettes just based on image alone, but the Corvette is a significantly better car for almost $50,000.

^ I see what you're saying.

Hey, all I am saying is that a base C6 MSRP can aproach 65000 dollars with full options. I wouldn't be surprised to see an early model of the GT500 sell for that either but I don't think comparing the high end of GT500 prices to the low end of C6 prices is really fair. Also I was by no means saying that an M3 is a poor performer, but a 911 is definately designed with more thought into raw performance. Arguing race versions is rediculous because last year some FR500C Mustangs beat the BMWs and the Porsches.....I wouldn't call that a typical real world situation. Lastly, I don't see how a corvette has more upgrade potential than a Supercharged mustang. If anything I would say thats one thing the GT500 has going for it.

Arguing race versions is rediculous because last year some FR500C Mustangs beat the BMWs and the Porsches.....I wouldn't call that a typical real world situation.

CSL isn't the race version...the GTR is more towards the race version. the CSL is a better suited competitor for the 911 beings the price difference is a little more minimal than comparing a standard M3.

http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/bmw_m3csl.asp

Hey, all I am saying is that a base C6 MSRP can aproach 65000 dollars with full options. I wouldn't be surprised to see an early model of the GT500 sell for that either but I don't think comparing the high end of GT500 prices to the low end of C6 prices is really fair. Also I was by no means saying that an M3 is a poor performer, but a 911 is definately designed with more thought into raw performance. Arguing race versions is rediculous because last year some FR500C Mustangs beat the BMWs and the Porsches.....I wouldn't call that a typical real world situation. Lastly, I don't see how a corvette has more upgrade potential than a Supercharged mustang. If anything I would say thats one thing the GT500 has going for it.

I'm not comparing the C6's low-end to the GT500's high-end. The VERY cheapest you will find an off-the-lot GT500 for is $50,000. Maybe $45,000 if you are really lucky. Meanwhile, the C6 costs $45,000 base, you could get it for around $50,000 with a few nice options. They are going to end up costing about the same.

Also, with the "upgrades" comment, I was talking more about the Corvette's better chassis and suspension design. Not that the GT500 is bad in those areas, but it's not in the same class as the Corvette. Though if you wanna talk about acceleration, I look at it this way: the GT500 is already supercharged, and it matches the C6's 0-60 and quarter mile times. Think about what kind of power it can make with a supercharger or twin turbocharger setup. Hell, you don't even have to bother speculating about it, the LS1/LS2 has proven itself to be an absolute powerhouse, second only to the Viper. I mean, it's kind of a moot point, since anything much over 750ish horsepower is just going to slow you down with wheelspin, and both cars are capable of 750, but still.

you wouldnt expect M3 CSL's to compete with 911 GT3's.
I thought the M3 that currently/recently competed was the M3 GTR, not the M3 CSL.

http://www.jm-fotoservice.de/EssenMotorShow/2001/bmw%20m3%20gtr.jpg

I've never like the Mustang because of it being a dog in the twisties. I'd rather buy and older used M3 and kill it. Around here, we're lucky to get 100yrds of a straight away. The GT500 to me is a better deal for that reason.

I'm throwing in the best deal yet on this thread. My car was $3,400 new and runs under 5.5 seconds 0 to 60 and about 13 seconds 1/4 mile (not sure the speed). So my car beats the Cobra, Corvette and GT500 in best bang for the buck!!! Even today you can buy one for $15K. For $40K you can get one like mine completely restored, have a car going UP in value AND hang with the cars you are talking about!

(see the avatar) :rofl:

What motor and gearing do you have on the Charger?

As a Mustang fan I'll say this...

I think the 2007 Shelby is the biggest disappointment EVER! A car with that much horsepower with a car God's name on it SHOULD NOT struggle to break into the 12's. Ford really messed up on this one and really fumbled the ball.

I mean what happens when the Camaro comes out and they start dropping LS7s (which they will) into it? That's a 500 horsepower Camaro and what if it's almost or is hitting 11s? What kind of message will that send about the new Mustang? The message now is it's a big overweight brick.

Mustang GT 300 hp-13.5 1/4 mile
Shelby Mustang 500 hp-12.9 1/4 mile

So 200 extra horsepower ONLY gets me 0.6 extra in the 1/4? Can anybody see what's wrong with this picture?

My car was $3,400 new and runs under 5.5 seconds 0 to 60 and about 13 seconds 1/4 mile (not sure the speed). So my car beats the Cobra, Corvette and GT500 in best bang for the buck!!!

Yea but does it have the saftey, creature comforts, styling, sex appeal like the GT500 or Corvette does? Dont think so. Plus the gas mileage must be atrocious.

Anyways, I think we were talking about new cars anyways...hard to beat.

As a Mustang fan I'll say this...

I think the 2007 Shelby is the biggest disappointment EVER! A car with that much horsepower with a car God's name on it SHOULD NOT struggle to break into the 12's. Ford really messed up on this one and really fumbled the ball.

I mean what happens when the Camaro comes out and they start dropping LS7s (which they will) into it? That's a 500 horsepower Camaro and what if it's almost or is hitting 11s? What kind of message will that send about the new Mustang? The message now is it's a big overweight brick.

Mustang GT 300 hp-13.5 1/4 mile
Shelby Mustang 500 hp-12.9 1/4 mile

So 200 extra horsepower ONLY gets me 0.6 extra in the 1/4? Can anybody see what's wrong with this picture?


Ive seen a 12.6 but yeah, its pretty sad. Dropping the 5.4 s/c into it added about 300 lbs. When/if they put in the ls7 into the camaro, it wont be as bad, because its aluminum.

Ive seen a 12.6 but yeah, its pretty sad. Dropping the 5.4 s/c into it added about 300 lbs. When/if they put in the ls7 into the camaro, it wont be as bad, because its aluminum.

That's the problem, and my biggest gripe with the GT500: it weighs about 4000 pounds. I don't know if it was the motor, or the chassis reinforcement, or what, but that's just unacceptable. Even if the motor does match the LS7's power output, it's still quite a bit heavier and using forced induction. I think Ford could have done better.

That's the problem, and my biggest gripe with the GT500: it weighs about 4000 pounds. I don't know if it was the motor, or the chassis reinforcement, or what, but that's just unacceptable. Even if the motor does match the LS7's power output, it's still quite a bit heavier and using forced induction. I think Ford could have done better.

Hell they have that 6.0 V10 that's based off the V10 Mustang concept that pumps out 600 horsepower. It's all aluminum so weight wouldn't be that bad.

Right now I think this would be the best bet for Ford. Take the 5.4 engine that was in the 2000 Cobra R and tweak it to around 400 N/A horsepower. Have it as an option or something after the GT in performance. Maybe it could be the new Cobras or Boss' or something. Anyway, a 100 hp jump with not too much weight added. Sounds good to me.

Yea but does it have the saftey, creature comforts, styling, sex appeal like the GT500 or Corvette does? Dont think so. Plus the gas mileage must be atrocious.

Anyways, I think we were talking about new cars anyways...hard to beat.


not to mention it would get killed on a track with curves.

the gt500 is slow for having 500hp. its fast but not 500hp fast. i agree with muscletangs post about the gt being only .6 seconds slower and being alot cheaper and less powered. theres an article i read about the roucshe stage 3 mustang that is about the same price, looks better, and holds pretty close in acceleration and according to the article handles much better than the shelby. all this with only 415hp.

theres an article i read about the roucshe stage 3 mustang that is about the same price, looks better, and holds pretty close in acceleration and according to the article handles much better than the shelby. all this with only 415hp.

The 2005 Saleen S-281 E has 500 horsepower like the Shelby and has an official time of 12.1 but it's said they can easily hit 11s if you can drive it well. The newer '06 models with 550 are said maybe hit mid 11s. Sure, the thing cost as much as a Viper but Saleen is pricey for their stuff even if it is a nice performance buy. Still, why can they do it and Ford can't?

The 2005 Saleen S-281 E has 500 horsepower like the Shelby and has an official time of 12.1 but it's said they can easily hit 11s if you can drive it well. The newer '06 models with 550 are said maybe hit mid 11s. Sure, the thing cost as much as a Viper but Saleen is pricey for their stuff even if it is a nice performance buy. Still, why can they do it and Ford can't?

My guess is no incentive. People will pay more than MSRP for a GT500 just because of the name, regardless of whether it's a good car or not. Why put time and money into making it the best car it can be when people were lining up for it the second it was announced?

My guess is no incentive. People will pay more than MSRP for a GT500 just because of the name, regardless of whether it's a good car or not. Why put time and money into making it the best car it can be when people were lining up for it the second it was announced?

and this is what is so sad about car companies...i honestly feel that with some cars they half-ass them. no matter the maker or where they came from. i see a declining trend of mercedes benz quality and reliability but sales so not seem to be disturbed. its all about the name or that particular model. car manufacturers can get away with half-a**ing some of their cars.

this is what i like about the smaller companies...they are more than likely the underdog that has to prove itself better than the competitor. even when they do, they dont get the credit in sales usually. only exception i can think of is the 350Z doing so well in a mustang biased market.

its frustrating in general for true car enthusiasts to see cars not do well in sales when the manufacturer worked so hard for it to be the best and it is the best. but the average american would rather have the other brand because of an ego or standard thing.

To be realistic the Shelby has alot more than just a big engine to differentiate it from a GT. Almost every part of the Shelby is different. The Saleen and the Roush, although nice cars, started as a GT than were tuned by an aftermarket company. The Shelby has alot more to offer and I am sure isn't beginning to hit its performance peak. I mean look how much the 03 Cobras could put out, this car has a better blower and more displacement.

Also, calling the Shelby half assed would be an inaccurate statement to say the least. A mustang is a mustang. You can't make it a sports car. You can give it more power, acceleration, cornering, and braking...even give it a nice interior and exterior.....but its still not a real sports car. The new Shelby has everything you could want in a car...name something it dosn't have (within reason). To complain about the weight is really short sighted. Who would want a supercharged 3V in their shelby? Even if it did hit 500 HP it would be stretching its limits of performance. It won't be long after it hits the market that you see near factory Shelbys hitting HP numbers far exceeding the already ludicrous 500 HP factory output. The only way to save weight on that car would have been to add price. Who wants to pay more I am talking viper prices for a mustang? I think that Ford put out a solid performing car and that you couldn't have a much better mustang even though its heavy.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Mustang's original intent was to never be a true sports car but a car that was both a daily driver and a very sporty like car. It was meant to be a cheaper end performance vehichle whose price was within reach of many teenagers and early 20's. It fit the bill very well for a long time. It also picked up another crowd, semi-professional women such as secrataries and nurses etc. It's what gave the Mustang the nickname "Secratary Car." It wasn't a brute beast like a 426 Hemi or 454 LS6, but it was fun, attractive and fairly affordable. It's also what has kept it alive when the A-Bodies and F-Bodies went the way of the Dodo.

I wouldn't want the Mustang to compete with the Corvette/360 Modena/911 Carrera/Viper etc. Instead it needs to reaffirm it's standing in the niche it has created for itself. It generated it's own class of car...The Pony Car. It should stay there. I would like the Mustang if they would do 3-things to it,
1) make the clutch on the manual more driver friendly, it's like the stupid things want to fight you...needs too much force to work and hinder's double-clutching and heal-toe
2) cut weight on the vehichle since that also hurts it's cornering abilities and why they're loosing some ground to the compact market
3) drop the prices on them

...otherwise, they're beatiful cars and they're black on silver convertables is one of the most beautiful cars on this planet