soontobeLS1

Hey,

Just sold my 95 stang. So, it's time to replace my baby with a new baby. Want to upgrade as well, got to the point where the next thing was big money on heads/intake etc. or power adder blower.

So, my choices are:

2002 WS6

2002 SS (Like the red 35th's with silver/white stripes).

2003 Cobra

So, what would be best. Thanks for any and all help.

jrp

iTrader: (16)

best at what? my vote is 03 cobra.

SLP LS1

I was going to buy one of those, but I decided to go on SVTperformance to do research and found out they had problems with their heads. Some people said it was minor and others have said that it is major and Ford still hasn't fixed the issue. Some people on the site said they were pissed off and wanted to claim the lemon law. Thus, I decided that I didn't want to take the chance on buying a 30k car. Kind of funny how Ford came out with the 03&04(iron block) and then stopped them. They didn't produce a Cobra this year, if you ask me they are trying to get it right this time. Also, I've heard many people say that those cars are hard to get into the 12s stock. I live in the Motor City(Detroit) and the fastest cars over here are mainly the LS1, soon the LS2. I'm not saying that because I'm a GM guy, think of it this way, Ford supercharges their engines and GM doesn't. GM still keeps up! If you are going to buy a 03 Cobra, I suggest not doing any serious mods to the engine, such as raising the boost. Heard a lot of problems came up when people did that.

I love all muscle cars! Especially mustangs, but Ford I think needs to work on their engineering!!! I'd play it safe and go with a F-body

As for WS.6 or SS. I chose the WS.6, because those were the only ones left on the lot. Couldn't even find a brand new SS when I was looking for one in the dealerships. I'm proud to say that I made a right choice!

soontobeLS1

Makes sense, that's what I was thinking, it's still a 4.6, I like displacement. I love the f-bods too.

TheBlurLS1

iTrader: (8)

i like the all black SS better than any f-body as far as looks go. look into the prices of the older ls1 z28's and trans ams before you make your choice. you might be able to save enough money on one of those to buy some serious mods

its not uncommon to pick up an ls1 car for under 10k. i'm not real sure, but i'm guessing a new cobra will run you 20k+? thats at least 10k of mod money you COULDA spent on an f-body and be spankin serious ***.

i like the 03 cobra's, but it just seems like you can do more with less, as far as money goes. sure, its easy to make alot of hp with one, but you have to GET one first.

soontobeLS1

Another point I was thinking about, save money and use it for mods. We'll see. My fav colour is black as well, my stang was black.

mattkimsey

I'd go with the Cobra without a doubt!!!! It's hard to beat a FI, forged motor from the factory. 500hp with bolt-ons

The flip side is buying a used LS1 for about 11-13k.....that would leave you with almost 10k in mod money + the mod money you would have spent on the Cobra ~$2,000?~ thats 12k in mod money. Spend a couple grand on a 12bolt(irs in Cobra isnt too good from what I hear) and the rest on the motor.

2_wacko

iTrader: (2)

Another vote for the Cobra.

BowtieFreak

I have to go with the ws6. The cobra engines are cute, but it is entirely too expensive to make one go fast. For the same $$$ in mods your ws6 will blow its doors off.

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

03 cobra $25k - $30k

02 camaro $18k

Theres a pretty big difference in the price of the cars ($7k-$12k). Are those just the cars you like? You may want to look into a 02 Z06 in the low $30k price range. Thats what im getting as soon as I start demodding and sell all the stuff on my car.

ActionJack

These answers are always sooo opinionated.

Go with what suits YOU.

I would choose the WS6 hands down. I figure any of the 3 can be modded to do whatever you are looking to do. Go with the car that fits you and your tatstes. Just on that alone I would choose the WS6 but others will choose something else.

All 3 cars are great IMO.

Best of luck!

Ws6_Pownage

Im not a fan of fords, but will admit the cobras are fast, I would pick a new WS6


Death by Displacement my friend!!!

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

Cobra

mattkimsey

You also need to decide what your goals are....12 sec car? 11? 10?

Lets say you wanna go 10's with a Cobra.....the car cost 23-25k, 8.8 swap 3k, Kenne Bell 4k + all the bolt ons. With those mods it would be one hell of a car.

v DaN 02

iTrader: (2)

hmm, if i was you, i would go with ls1. like SLP LS1 said, ford supercharges their motor, GM doesnt, and they still keep up. hmm, if i was you, i would be thinking of what FI would do to a ls1. if you save $20,000 thats plenty of money to blow the doors off a cobra easy. and then have some money left over from mods. to fix stuff when you break it...

stock rear end in a cobra isnt exactly a good rear end... my friend blew his out his first time at the track, with stock motor (no mods) and stock tires.... i dont see to many ls1's doing that unless you have nittos... i'm not to impressed with the cobra... people go "ga ga" over somthing thats not....

i know i am a GM guy... but i have respect for others if i find them halfway decent... but i was dissappointed in the 390 claimed wheel horsepower cobra...

but thats just my $0.02...

Dan @ www.ChicagoStreetRacing.net

jrp

iTrader: (16)

its just to easy to wring power out of the 03. we all know that with a h/c/i package the ls1 can be a ****** monster, but that also comes with alot of sacrifices. the 03 fits the bill of a better daily driver and at the strip. plus cobra prices are comming down everyday.

the whole get the ls1 and spend a shitload of money is kind of a moot point, you can do that with an 5.0, lt1, ect.

and SLP LS1 your full of ****. ever heard of piston slap, oil consumption, shitty windoww motors, leaky pinion seals, shitty 10 bolts. the 03 isnt the only one without problem.

v DaN 02

iTrader: (2)

every car has problems no matter if you drive them or not...

jrp

iTrader: (16)

were the hell is Dan (unit123) when you need him.

BriancWS6

iTrader: (18)

My thoughts exactly.

RB185AFM

Well I have owned both. A cammed 02 Z28 and a chipped and pullied 03 Cobra. Hands down I say go with the Cobra. The head issue you are talking about is only on the first run of 03 Cobras. Mine did not have it. I believe any built after Feb of 03 had the updated heads. Do some more research to make sure as I dont remember the exact date of the updated heads. And as far as price I found brand new 04's for $28,500 just 3 weeks ago still at a couple of dealers around the country. I ended up getting a Z06 instead but the price on Cobras has really dropped.

I still miss that supercharged whine. I had 474 RWHP with Bolt-ons. I am not brand biased as I ended up going with the Z06 over the another cobra. After owning both I believe the 03 Cobra is a superior vehicle to the F body and worth the extra money. Now compared to a Z06 that's another story.