Cobra R vs. C6 Corvette vs. Crossfire SRT-6

[3000ways]

Three very fast American cars, which do you like? Two have yet to be introduced, but should be awesome cars, and one was introduced in 2000 but is still one of the best cars till this day.

The Naturally Aspirated SVT Cobra R is perhaps the best Mustang model Ford ever introduced. No other Ford Mustang model can touch it's combination of acceleration, handling and braking. The Cobra R came equipped with almost the same power as the 2003-04 SVT Cobra, yet has very impressive handling and braking despite it's weight, something the Supercharged SVT Cobra is lacking.

New for 2005 is Chevrolet latest version of the Corvette, the C6 will come with a standard 6.0L 8-Cylinder making an impressive 400HP/400TQ. No this is not the ZO6, but the base model 2005 C6 Corvette. The base C6 Corvette is much improved over the base C5 Corvette, not just in power (50 more HP), in many areas including all around performance and livability.

Also new for 2005 is Chrysler's new Crossfire SRT-6. While the SRT-6 is new, the engine is not. The engine from the SLK32 AMG (SLK will now use a 5.4L V8), is carried over into the SRT-6. The SRT-6 engine version makes a little less power than the Mercedes version, but it's still lethal at 330HP. The Crossfire SRT-6 should be an awesome sport car.

So which is the best performance vehicle? Which offers the best combination of styling and all around performance?

2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R (Only 300 Built)
5.4L 8-Cylinder
385TQ@6250RPM
385TQ@4250RPM
6-Speed Manual
3590Lbs
0-60- 4.7 Seconds
1/4 Mile- 12.9 Seconds
Skidpad- .99g
Slalom- 69MPH
Price Tag- $44,000 (Price New-$55,000)

2005 Chevrolet Corvette
6.0L 8-Cylinder
400HP@6000RPM
400TQ@4400RPM
6-Speed Manual
3250Lbs
0-60- 4.4 Seconds
1/4 Mile- 12.7 Seconds
Skidpad- .96g
Slalom- 68MPH
Price Tag- $45,000

2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6
3.2L Supercharged 6-Cylinder
330HP@6100RPM
310TQ@3500RPM
5-Speed Automatic
3240Lbs
0-60- 5.0 Seconds
1/4 Mile- 13.4 Seconds
Skidpad- .90g
Slalom- 68MPH
Price Tag- $45,000

[Jimster]

New Corvette, very easy decision.

[Demon_Mustang]

Actually, I believe it was either 2003 or 2004 Cobra R that is the fastest Cobra Ford has ever built. I'm not sure about the cornering, but I've heard the handling is greatly improves over the SVT Cobra.

I would say the new Corvette because of it's weight and power, but 6.0L V8 for 400hp? It seems like a step backward, I could have sworn Chevy has done much better than that before...

Also, the new look is pretty attrocious in my opinion. The new front is just really reall ugly. Even though the flip-up lights might have some mechanical problems int he long-run (not sure it did, but just trying to figure out why they did away with them), but it looked a whole hell of a lot better with them than the weird bubble eye heardlights it has now.

I've also never been a huge fan of fibreglass bodies...

About the crossfire... It's a light car, and that's a lot of power for it's weight, but again, it's just so damn ugly. If perhaps they took the performance of the Corvette and put it into a better looking shell, I'll put my money on that make-believe car, but the way they are now, it's hard to pick the Corvette, because I know I'll have to look at it everytime I go out to my driveway. I'd rather sacrifice a bit of performance for something that will actually please my eyes when I see it. I'm not sure about the 2000 Cobra R, I don't recall exactly what you're talking about, so I can't judge on the looks. I know the newer 2003 or 2004 Cobra R has this big wing in the back that I just really really don't like, so I wouldn't be too surprised if the year 2000 one was the same, so perhaps I won't like that either...

This is hard...

[Jimster]

With the Crossfire they need to start from scratch.


The SLK only ever appealed to anybody because of it's wicked (before everyone copied) roof. The Steering is awful, on the Crossfire (No surprise as it's a Recirculating ball set up), the handling is average, but not in the league of a BMW by any measure. The engines are pretty good though, I'll credit them that much.

I don't see what's wrong with the Corvette's look, I think it is a bold step in a cool new direction and it actually has an interior, unlike the Cobra R, which is more like a mess. BTW. 400bhp is more than enough, anymore and the idiots that buy Corvettes (not calling Corvette owners idiots, but there are some that do buy them) will be ass-sliing along the highway into SUV's and what have you.

[freakonaleash1187]

i would choose the c6 because it does look really good and it now has as much horsepower as the z06 does. i don't like the cobra because i really have never liked mustangs. and since the crossfire has come out, i haven't really liked its styling.

[3000ways]

Originally Posted by Demon_Mustang

Actually, I believe it was either 2003 or 2004 Cobra R that is the fastest Cobra Ford has ever built. I'm not sure about the cornering, but I've heard the handling is greatly improves over the SVT Cobra.

I think your a little mixed up, the last Cobra R model was 2000, they only made 300 of them. Yeah it the one with the side exit exhaust and big spoiler. Cobra R models came out in 1993, 1995, and 2000.

Here is some more information on it and pictures-
http://www.supercars.net/cars/2000@$Ford@$Mustang%20Cobra%20Rg.html

[pre98zetec]

Cobra R...

[stang_guy]

COBRA R. the new vett is cool but i like the blue oval. the 03/04' cobras arn't the fastest cobras. they are electronicaly limited to 155. the 00' cobra r did 175. although the new cobras can reach over 180 without the governor. some guy drove his 03' cobra from Georgia to Utah and got on the salt flats. he had some eibach springs to lower the car and a diablosport chip and reached 176 mph in 6th gear at @ 4k rpms. his wheel tire combo was only legal for 180. he plans to hit 200 mph on a stock cobra in 04'. remember its just they chip for the governor and the springs.

[MITSU-EVO]

I would go for the new Vette as well...

[NerveAgent]

the C6..BEAUTIFUL preformance

[DinanM3_S2]

The C6 will be a beast, especially when the Z06 comes out. Still, kinda sad it takes 6.0L to get 400bhp... (M3 gets 333 from a 3.2L). Best American sports car for the money, period.

SRT-6 pales in comparison to the C6. It might have a nicer interior, but the car is overall inferior, much less power for the same price. And if this is your standard Chrystler/Dodge, handling will suffer.

Cobra R... I personally think Ford could do better then this. It has less power and more weight then the C6. Hopefully the next generation mustang will be capable of being tuned to compete with the Z06. C&D mentioned that Ford hopes to make a version capable of competing with the S4 and the M3.

So when it comes down to it, I would have to go with the Vette if I were stuck buying an American car.

[Demon_Mustang]

Jimster wrote:
"I don't see what's wrong with the Corvette's look"

It's called "personal preference" perhaps you've heard of it?

BTW 3000ways, you're right, the one I'm talking about is the 2000, I just saw it recently, and I guess I assumed it was a newer one. When I actually looked it up I realized I was talking about the year 2000 one you're also talking about.

[Demon_Mustang]

I hope Ford does not try to compete with the Corvette. Because the only real way is to decrease the weight dramatically, and the only real way to do that is to make it lower, and change the material to something like fibreglass. I would hate to see some low sleak curvy Mustang, that will be when the Mustang name will finally end. Mustangs are supposed to have a prominant flat nose, big hood, high canopy, and either a flat back or where the bottom extends farther than the top. (meaning tilted inward toward the top)

If they drastically change the shape and design of it to be as aerodynamic as the Corvette, and weigh as much or less than the Corvette, then they might as well call it the Ford Corvette.

[Filthy Sanchez]

I'd go with the Cobra R because of rarity and I really love it, I love the Vette as well C4 C5 C6 all of them. I personally wouldn't consider the Crossfire I like the front end but the rear just makes it an ugly car to me.

[EmeraldPrelude]

This doesn't seem like too much of a comparison to me. The Corvette outclasses both vehicles, and overpowers them. The new look and new interior just make it that much nicer of a car. Seems the only reason to go Mustang is the rarity, or if you see "blue oval" over the truth of the better car. Just what I see anyways.

Ford doesn't directly compete with the Corvette, but they do have a hell of a beast in the GT40. So its not like they are without a high end sports car.