2004 GTO vs 2003/4 Mustang Cobra

[poison_ivey]

which do u think will be better- the gto or the cobra?
i'm talking power, price, and expected production numbers.

dont forget to post why!

[Tekone]

Straight line will be no contest. Looking at the trap speeds, the Cobra traps signifigantly higher. Handling wise, the Cobra will be ahead as well, as it handles very well, espically for a car that weighs ~37-3800 lbs. The Cobra is produced in fewer numbers, and I rarely see them even though I see a few hundred Mustangs every day on my drive to work.

The GTO is a fast two seater sedan IMO. It is what GM has needed for some time, and I think if dealers do not mark it up sky high (which will probably happen anyways) they will sell well. Why? The GTO is probably the most refined vehicle to wear the Ponitac badge in ten years, probably many more. The refinment is there, along with the power. Mid 13 second timeslips for a sports coupe have usually been limited to cars that wear a diamond or three pointed star. Car and Driver got a high 13 out of the car, but aparently can't run better than a 13.9 when they are driving a car that traps around 103-104 mph in the 1/4th. That sort of trap speed is good for mid 13's no problem. MT ran a 13.6(?) as well. I am waiting to see a good magazine like GMHTP or MMFF get their hands on the car and see just what it has in it. The LS1 is a great motor for the car, and produces a bit more power in it than f-bodies due to a more aggressive cam and some other smal tweaks. The only downside is the vanilla styling, but at least it wears well IMO.

If I was in the market, I would probably buy the GTO. Why? It is more practical and I already own a sports car, so I would be looking for something a bit different. That is just my take on it.

[Jimster]

I debate whether the Cobra outhandles the Mustang- the Monaro is a suprisingly good (if slightly-crude) feeling car to drive- definitely agile though- for a Luxury car. and I'd take a GTO- no debate whatsoever

[syr74]

I owned the first generation Cadillac Catera which was based on the Monaro/Calibra platform and while our version had no oats under the hood...handling wasn't much changed if any. The car does handle very well and, if the stories about the Goats ride are to be believed, the Catera might be set a little further toward "kill" suspensions wies as the Caddy really didn't ride that smooth. Handled beautifully though.

As for which will be better. Well, no doubt the pony will be faster and I am fairly convinced that while handling probably won't be as "refined" it will be better in the old horse too....at least in the one that is a snake.

But, these comparissons surprise me every time I hear them because the GTO won't even get one full production year before it has a new pony to play with.

The new Mustang will be released next September at the latest...or so Ford says. Actual target is more like July or August...so the Goat is gonna be playing with the next pony a lot longer than it gets to play with this one.

Unfortunately, the new Cobra won't show until the 2006MY so Comparo's will have to be against the GT, or possibly the Mach 1 if it arrives earlier than the snake, until then.

So, while I am intrigued about the 04 Cobra/04 Goat comparo...I am much more intrigued by the 05 Mustang/05 Goat comparo