So, like everyone else I'm completely in love with the 2003/2004 Cobras and would love to get one...
Problem is, I'm currently paying on a 2000 GT which I'm also pretty fond of. (does this sound familiar?)
Anyhow, a friend of mine told me about a guy selling his 2003 Redfire Cobra for 20k, so I decided to check into it. After emailing the guy several times, he has invited me out to take a test drive and to tell him what I think of the car.
The Cobra in question has the following mods:
Johnny Lightning CAI (cold air intake),
MAC 2.5” catback exhaust with Magnaflow tips,
2.8” Reichard Racing upper supercharger pulley,
Diablo Sports chip (custom tuned),
Steeda anti-wheelhop rear suspension kit,
Custom welded sub-frame connectors,
Steeda Tri-Ax short-throw shifter,
SPEC Stage-III clutch,
C&P pistons
The car has 43k miles on it, but the engine was rebuilt 15k miles ago because the body shop drained the radiator wrong when they were replacing the hood and bumper. The car was in the body shop because the owner apparently fell asleep at the wheel, and plowed into a speed limit sign.
EDIT: The motor was rebuilt by a local performance machinist. The heads used in the rebuild were the updated heads Ford uses in the "head tick" fix. While the motor was apart, the owner wanted the C&P pistons installed. He said this is also when he decided to spring for the new SPEC clutch. The owner said having the motor rebuilt by this machinist turned out to be cheaper than having Ford replace the motor.
The owner had the mods installed at a shop I use and trust, and they have nothing but good things to say about the car. (In fact, they offered to check it out for me if I can bring the car by there on the test drive.)
Realistically, I can afford the car. (I'm 21 if that makes a difference to you guys) But I will have to make some sacrifices, sell the GT, and work some more hours to get it. (I'm willing to do this to have my dream car.)
What I'm worried about, is the motor or tranny going out. If I bought the Cobra and the motor went out on the way home, I would be SOL. The Cobra would not be my daily driver, but it won't be a garage queen either. I need to rely on the Cobra when my beater Omni takes a dump on me.
To sum it up, I want to know if the Cobra can be as reliable as the GT can be. If you 03-04 Cobra guys can chime in here with anything I might be overlooking, I'd appreciate it.
Problem is, I'm currently paying on a 2000 GT which I'm also pretty fond of. (does this sound familiar?)
Anyhow, a friend of mine told me about a guy selling his 2003 Redfire Cobra for 20k, so I decided to check into it. After emailing the guy several times, he has invited me out to take a test drive and to tell him what I think of the car.
The Cobra in question has the following mods:
Johnny Lightning CAI (cold air intake),
MAC 2.5” catback exhaust with Magnaflow tips,
2.8” Reichard Racing upper supercharger pulley,
Diablo Sports chip (custom tuned),
Steeda anti-wheelhop rear suspension kit,
Custom welded sub-frame connectors,
Steeda Tri-Ax short-throw shifter,
SPEC Stage-III clutch,
C&P pistons
The car has 43k miles on it, but the engine was rebuilt 15k miles ago because the body shop drained the radiator wrong when they were replacing the hood and bumper. The car was in the body shop because the owner apparently fell asleep at the wheel, and plowed into a speed limit sign.
EDIT: The motor was rebuilt by a local performance machinist. The heads used in the rebuild were the updated heads Ford uses in the "head tick" fix. While the motor was apart, the owner wanted the C&P pistons installed. He said this is also when he decided to spring for the new SPEC clutch. The owner said having the motor rebuilt by this machinist turned out to be cheaper than having Ford replace the motor.
The owner had the mods installed at a shop I use and trust, and they have nothing but good things to say about the car. (In fact, they offered to check it out for me if I can bring the car by there on the test drive.)
Realistically, I can afford the car. (I'm 21 if that makes a difference to you guys) But I will have to make some sacrifices, sell the GT, and work some more hours to get it. (I'm willing to do this to have my dream car.)
What I'm worried about, is the motor or tranny going out. If I bought the Cobra and the motor went out on the way home, I would be SOL. The Cobra would not be my daily driver, but it won't be a garage queen either. I need to rely on the Cobra when my beater Omni takes a dump on me.
To sum it up, I want to know if the Cobra can be as reliable as the GT can be. If you 03-04 Cobra guys can chime in here with anything I might be overlooking, I'd appreciate it.