Nothing but complaints on this forum.

[TBSVTOA]

Is the 03 that bad or are SVT owners that picky?

I can tell you that My 03 has its quarks. But it is one bad mother.

It has all the LS1 boys panties all bunched up.

This car is one heck of a car. Nothing compares stock for stock in its price range.

With 100miles on the car I dyno'd at 356rwhp SEA corrected.

With 1000mile 362rwhp. and I will be getting another Dyno done this weekend with about 2400 miles on it. With new additions of Flow Masters and a K&N.

These cars are doing low 12's in the 1/4 and high 11's with small mods. LS1 cannot get near that number without major mods or juice.

Check it out ! http://www.nmraracing.com/news/102902/cobra_shootout/


There even have been a couple 03 putting down 10's with juice.


The best thing about the car is that it’s not supposed to be a straight line car. The car is all performance. Specifically on a winding road.


You now are seeing LS1 owners dump there cars and getting the 03 Cobra because they know were the bang for the buck is. But they also know that Ford is moving in the correct direction.

[Beabout]

:)

I agree this car was not designed to be smooth. It was built for performance and handling not ride comfort and numb driving.

At first, after reading the comments on this board, I became unsure of my own rides performance. Now, I just read and feel sorry for those that are so unhappy with their purchase.

This is not to say that Ford did not make some mistakes with the Cobra. What ever maybe wrong is fixable with the right mechanical knowledge and skill.

Great Car.... :bna :bna :bna :bna

[DaveSVT03]

I agree that sometimes the complaints can seem like nitpicking.

I don't think my car is perfect, but it doesn't take away from the fun. I think some people expect too much "refinement" from these cars. They're made to drive enthusiatically and were designed to be a great bang for the buck. Fit and finish on the Cobra is about the same as the mustang that can be bought for ~$14K. So I don't get too hung up by minor rattles, etc. Maybe I should expect more, but I get a huge grin/thrill everytime I drive this car and that's why I bought it.

However, I do like reading about all issues just to see if there is a quick fix I can tackle myself. And of course, some people just need to vent or get help about serious real problems.

I would like to see more posts that share the good experiences. That gives me an idea for a new post:)

[Intense]

i agree with you guys. there is a lot of nitpicking on several forums, and i'm sick of it. most of the people that are buying these cars don't understand WHAT they are buying. they think b/c it's in the same price range as a BMW or Lexus etc. that it should be ultra quiet,smooth and so on. it is a musclecar! we are buying performance per dollar not refinement per dollar. ahh, nevermind. i could go on forever.

[rachrse]

I agree I recently took my Cobra home to North Carolina, and took it on the blue ridge parkway nothing but winding roads and truly had a blast. The car performed great and responded to the roads like it was born there. Due to the fact that Mom lives deep in the country and the local law is something you don't see to offten and with close to 3000 miles on the car it was such a rush to let the car loose, yes this is a muscle car. Rachrse

[ASP1]

I have nothing but good to say about my 03. I had an 01 convert and really enjoyed it, but the increase in hp/torque on the 03 is awesome. So far, I've had no problems, rattles, bangs (except the standard IRS clunk, which I expected), nor have I noticed any vibration problem. In short, I'm extremely pleased in the car for the bucks.

Prior to my 01, I drove Corvettes through the years...old, new, state of the art, big blocks, etc. I have always been a die-hard Corvette fan, but this car has convinced me there is better out there for the money.

Press on, regardless, SVT; you're doing a great job.:cbra: :cbra: :cbra:

[RingTheory]

I have about 6000 miles on it so far. And during every one of those miles I have been consciously aware that I was driving an 03 Cobra. I might get premature facial wrinkles because I still grin ear-to-ear when I'm in it. :D

No problems or complaints with mine. It's one hell of a car, and I drive it quite enthusiastically! I'm having fun. :bna

[Elapidae]

Complainers are vocal :o
Happy people are quiet :p

(by comparison anyway)

[Brad12]

Just for the record,I do have a vibration.I am not complaining but am trying to isolate what is causing it.Yes,THANK YOU SVT for having the ambition to make this car.I love my 03 Sonic Blue Coupe and I am always smiling after driving it.

[jguerre1]

i too have been enjoying every second of driving 03 cobra, and have had no problems so far, except some slight vibration when stopping. what is this caused by. it doesnt do it all the time, and is nothing major., but i would like to know?

[TBSVTOA]

Man I thought it was just me.

Yes the The car in not perfect. I went through the mills with my 01 and got rid of it .


Look ! Love the car. Problem are there. Ford, GM, whoever !

The problem lies when they cannot fix it.

I also agree that the forums are a place to share and obtain info.
This is the correct place to share what we know about our cars and trucks. Im just amazed that all I have been seing is problem posts.

I sure the LS1 boys like that .




:huh:

P.S my typing stinks. I hate computers but love the infomation it provides.

[RichW33176]

I'm with you on that TBSA. My Mineral Gray 2003 is the BEST car I've ever owned!!!!! had many muscle cars but nothing beats this!!!!!

RichW
Miami,Fl

[Kino]

I love my car. I think the power, the handling, the ride, the looks are top notch. I have no rattles or squeaks. Only complaints I have is the fit and finish is not up to par even for mustang standards. Other than fit and finish, I'm too happy driving the hell out of my car.

[trmn8tr]

Here Here, For the $ spent you can't touch it baby!

[ATLCobraVicBoy19]

Ok, I've had my car about 2 months now, 5600 or so miles, all of which I put on (took delivery with 5 original miles). This has got to be the most awesome machine I've ever driven. I've been lucky enough to drive some of the greatest cars in the world, a 2000 Stage II Dinan M5, a 2002 M3 Convertible, 2001 Cobra 'vert, etc. etc. All of those cars were great in their own respect, but THIS car is just awesome. Its the second fastest car I've ever driven (first was just a test drive in a Porsche 996 911 T-Turbo), but for 120K, shouldnt the seat raise and lower itself!? :wtf: Anyway, enough rambling. I've experienced 0, nada, zip, zilcho problems with my car. Its slightly out of alignment, but that I am afraid I have to take credit for, along with the curb on my ex's driveway.:( Everyone keeps saying that this car is the best you can get "for the money"...where is the need to add "for the money"? Of course there are faster cars, and of course they cost quite a deal more, but does any car really have this blend of form and function? Yeah, a Z06 will beat it 0-60, but where is the Z's backseat?? Sure a viper will beat it...but anyone ever tried to get comfortable in one of those?? This car is one of the best blends of pure tire smoking grin inducing performance, and every day functionality that I've ever seen, and all of this for under 40 grand?!?! :jawdrop: It's like a dream come true. So, as the suntan lotion company put it...Kwitcherbeeatchin, and go out and blow some 'vette's doors off, and see how much you gripe as YOUR hottie in the passenger seat is making eyes at you and not at the guy in the 'vette thats playing catch up from the last redlight. Drive 'em like you stole 'em!

Ok, yea, so I'm done ranting now, back to vacuuming out the trail mix that got spilled all over the backseat last night LOL. :mad:
ok, and these guys are just kinda cute, so what the hey:
:bna :bna :bna

[127bull]

:tmb: I'm new here and its good to hear some good info on the Cobra. I am looking at a black one, the dealer is at sticker and now I have to figure out wether to trade my 02 Super Crew and make my Bullitt the daily driver or trade the Bullitt and keep the Screw. This is Missouri and we do have bad winters not only that but with the screw I would be giving up the room and hauling capablities so I'm still at a lost on what to do but I am going to have to make up my mind quick the Cobra won't last long. Anyway thanks for the positive remarks I was about to give up on the Cobra.
Roy

[MadMax]

I also have had the pleasure of driving / owning lots of fast cars and my 03 Cobra is right at the top of the stack. I was content with my 1985 GT modified to about 350hp as far as whupping LT-1 Camaros goes. But, I always knew that Ford would tweak the Cobra Mustang till it was "just right" from the factory. To me, "just right" in a street driven car is anywhere north of 400hp flywheel. The fastest street car I've ever owned was an Everett Morrison Cobra Roadster with a 428 Ford Police Interceptor motor, 4-speed Toploader trans with 3.91 rear gears. It ran low-low 12's on street radials and 11.7 in the 1/4. It only weighed 2600 lbs. ! Other cars I've owned; 1990 Twin Turbo Nissan 300ZX with 420hp, 1998 BMW M3 coupe ( nice car but no big deal ), 1995 Nissan Twin Turbo 300ZX with 420hp mods ( old habits die hard ) and 2002 Subaru WRX with 280hp ( traded it for the Cobra...was wife's car! ). Anyway the 2003 Cobra reminds me of the Cobra roadster I had as in it has POWER everywhere ! I'm never in the wrong gear and the reserve of usable Torque is just ridiculous. This car could be dangerous in the hands of an idiot !!! It is very had to drive around calmly in this car and I've had a rough time taking it easy during break-in. Do I love my 03 ? Ohhhhhhhh Yeeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh!

[Stunt Stangs]

I've got a second generation with 2700 miles. I'll be 50 in Feb. and this car is the most fun I've ever had with a vehicle in my LIFE! I've owned Corvettes, Turbo Supras and everything in between including a 1991 Rolls Royce Silver Spur II. There is a possibility that I am going through my mid-life crisis but I'm having a ball with this machine. Absolutely no problems, vibrations, rattles, clunking and whatever. Even the Ford dealer has been a joy to work with in every aspect of the experience. The bottom line is that it's a great screaming machine for under 40 grand with a 3 year warrantee. Drive it..enjoy it..and remember that it's just a car that can have problems like any other object made by man!:)

[GaborVincer]

Hey Tampa Bay what do you mean " nothing but complaints on this forum" :huh:

I don't drive a 03 holding out for the next gen mustang but all I have read so far is positive and if not then informative.:tmb:

:allhail: :cbra: :allhail:

[Brad12]

Until recently alot of the threads were not very positive,That is what TBSVTOA was refering to.It is a much happier place here now as it should be with this awesome car Brad

[TBSVTOA]

Originally posted by GaborVincer
Hey Tampa Bay what do you mean " nothing but complaints on this forum" :huh:

I don't drive a 03 holding out for the next gen mustang but all I have read so far is positive and if not then informative.:tmb:

:allhail: :cbra: :allhail:


I was not talking about this thread, but the other threads.
the majority was negative.

The respons to this thread has been uplifting. Its nice to see people luuv these cars rather than pick'em apart.

[Rocket]

:D
I too have posted a few times with some
minor problems, just sharing info here is
a great way to aid the process of common issues
like the driveshaft. Just like many others here
I've owned some great machines, the 99 Lightning
was outrageous for a truck!! This 03 is hands down
the greatest thing since the mustang was first built.
I look at posting common problems here as
positive feedback aiding the slightly obsessed
people and there cars, and SVT.
"That would definately be me :D !!" Where else
can you say hey I've got this street legal race
car, I'm havin a small problem here, hand them the keys
and know they appreciate your car and your enthusiasm.
SVT what a great thing to be a part of. :tmb:

[Cobra40]

I would like to see more posts that share the good experiences. :) [/B][/QUOTE]

Here's your good experience...

After buying a '98-3.8 for my bro-inlaw for college, I started joking about getting a Cobra for my 40th. Buying the 3.8 brought back memories of my '73 Mach I and my '90 GT. I figuered 1K per year, good deal, right?
Well, behind my back mind you, my wife started looking. And believe me, I HAD NO CLUE!!! To get my helmet size, she said our horse trainer need to borrow my Stetson and by the way, what is my hat size? She told me that while looking into extended warrenties for my Excursion, she came across an event (Lone Star Round Up at Texas Motor Speedway - Fort Worth) where we could test drive the '03 and take a performance driving class, quote "to get it outa my system". Sounded like a great weekend away. Well in the meantime, our salesman, David Wilks, contacted SVTOA and planned to have it revealed after the driving class on the first day. I wanted to get to the track early, but David called my wife to stall me, he was cleaning it up.
I went to the performance driving class, and afterwards, the instructor asked everyone to stick around for a "reveal" of a new car. I thought it was going to be the '03 for test drives. Since I was on the front row, they asked for my help with removing the cover.
As I was doing so, David said this is the new '03 Cobra (black convert) that his wife is giving to him as a birthday present. I have a great wife, even if she didn't just buy me an 03 Cobra!!! Sorry, her sister is only 16.

The pictures scrolling at the top of the forums page, that's me and my wife sitting in the front seat grinning ear-to-ear holding a blue-oval watch tin. She'll never top that, but there's always 45...

[MadMax]

I love reading stories like that ! Hey my wife was pretty cool too as I just turned 40. She let me trade her Subaru WRX 5-speed for my current 03 Cobra. Of course I had to reciprocate by giving her a BMW 525ia Sport !!! The Beemer is a fantastic, safe, family hauler ( easy on the eyes too) but my Cobra.....I worship !

[norcal_cobra]

I really like my 03 Cobra a lot so far, had it about 6 weeks. It is an extreme contrast to my 93 GT. Even though the GT is a lot faster (for now) it is definitely a more rudimentary vehicle.

The 03 Cobra is a complete package, it is fast with many easy upgrade possibilities, comfortable, easy to drive, etc. I cannot say this for my heavily modified GT... it is only fast.

For me the real reason I got the 03 Cobra was because the idea of a car with a factory blower with a factory warranty was very appealing. THe fact that this was packaged into a nice looking, nice riding car made it a done deal in my mind.

Let's face it, nothing's ever perfect, I am sure the guys on the Ferrari forums are complaining about things as well. But for the money, and therefore my own expectations, the 03 Cobra is awesome.

-norcal_cobra

[Venmus]

All I can say is I have a 99 that I have always enjoyed. Now Ive purchased a 03 and the more I drive it the more I like it. What an amazing platform. Its handles crisp, ride is great, and the engine is amazing. Looking forward to the next year to make it a 500hp monster. I actually purchased the car to re sell it, but I think the 99 is gunna have to go to make room in the garage for the 03.

[Venmus]

one more thing, speakin of the problems posted here. No car, especially one with a new engine package and this much performace, goes to market without some difficulties.
The post about the Ferrari made me think. I have a business that I share a building with a automotive company that specializes in european autos. Just this week he was working on a Ferrari 555 Modena (????). Beautiful automobile. Only 4k miles on it. 250k worth of car. This was the 4th time the cylinder heads have come off for leak problems. The water pump has been replaced to the tune of 1800 bucks. Warrenty? Lets just say the Italians are not famous for there warrenties. So that all being said, be glad Ford will take care of our problems if they arise. And enjoy the bloody car for what it is, the best dollar for dollar sports car with the most available HP for the money in the WORLD today. Plus my freakin top goes down with a push of a button! I can overlook a noisy clutch or a clunk in the rear end when some guy with a 65K c5 cant catch me..........(plus he has to pull over to put his top down) lol

[ox03]

Not compliants, merely observations. Some of which merit warranty attention:

1. Rattle at junction between passenger seat and passenger side door panel.
2. Popping noise from rear when turning.
3. Loose handbrake.
4. Intermittent stalls.
5. Condensation in left fog light.
6. Sweeping idle during cold starts.
7. Hesitation at WOT.
8. Clunking sound in drivetrain with AC or heat on.