Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches E. Great Lakes Motor Trend TV...03 Cobra road test & comments

Before I get flamed for this let me just say that I like the new Cobra, alot, but comparing it to a Z06 and M3 :rolleyes: Some guy they were talking to said, and I quote, "its not going to compare with build quality of the BMW M3 but the guys who buy these cars don't care about that!" I have to disagree strongly because I'd say that the person who buys the 03 Cobra is just like us, but has more money to spend and I don't think anyone of us would accept "flaws". Then the guy started on the Z06 and that for $15K less the Cobra is a better car :rolleyes: Come on guys, get a grip and compare apples to apples, the Z06 is a sports car, a "world class" sports car, that doesn't make exuses for build quality because that car doesn't have that kinda of a problem :p I'm sure the 03 Cobra is put together just fine and don't know why the guy said what he said about the car, but compare cars that are in the same league, ok By the way, I'll take my 03 Cobra in silver frost or even the new Sonic Blue

id take a 03 cobra, just for the simple fact that not everyone owns one like the corvette.

Well it just came out, keep that in mind and also consider that some people just want something fast and if they can save that $15K they will. It doesn't matter to everyone whether its a Ford or GM, heck when the 2006 Charger comes out w/ the Hemi, people will buy that too

I drove the 03 Cobra and the base Vette (not Z06) in Phoenix back-to-back in comparison in April at Bondurant. There is a $15K price difference in the base Vette and the Cobra Coupe. I had never driven a Vette, and practically never really driven a Cobra hard, but I thought the Vette would handle heads and shoulders above the Cobra, especially on a road course. I was pleasantly surprised that the Cobra more than held its own - it handled great as well! The Vette had HUD and a couple of other trivial extras, but GM always tries to throw gimmicks in with their cars. As far as fit and finish, maybe some parts of the Vette are put together better, but your tolerances (ie body gaps and such) can only be so good with a chopped fiberglass body. Bottom line is that although the Vette has a truer sports car look, I'd take the Cobra with it's SVT tuned suspension and bact seat, then put the $15K towards a Focus SVT as my daily driver.

Seth

I agree with the magazine's (and TV show's) statement. The build quality and material quality is going to be less than the Z06 and M3 and the owners will not care. The owners (in Detroit) will not care about that because most people in Detroit care about (the potential for) going fast in a straight line. They just don't find the value in spending a little more to get a little refinement and build quality.

There are many more Mustang owners than Corvette owners. 90% of the public probably couldn't tell the difference between a V6 Mustang and a Cobra.

I have driven an 03 on the street and lets say the Vette no longer wanted to look at the tail lights....the car is on rails as far as I am concerned. It is a world class sports car in my definition of one. It is made to go fast and handle without all the frilly crap on the Vette. I would and have thought about buying one..if they would take the Contour off my hands for close to what I owe on it I am going to do it. The Cobra is a bad arse car (I had it going speeds that would make most of you cry).....

Well said Judge, and I agree 100% with all you have said (dang those triple digits come fast don't they )

I got to go for a all day ride in the 03 Cobra prototype, the exact one pictured in Motor Trend and we tested that car if you know what I mean to see how big its balls really were and let me tell you they far outweigh any stock vette. Ive never been in a Z06 so I can't speak on that matter, but the ride quality was better, the pull through all gears, the cornering was better and the looks, well you've seen it, Better,Better,Better. I would take an 03 Cobra over that Chevy **** any day.

The one I drove approached the 200 mark....they said the speedo was off 10mph.....it was a highlevel tweak job to see worse case scenario (what a customer could do to the car if they wanted to).....it almost scared me how quick 150 came and went.....it almost accelerates as fast as a bike on the top end.....I was impressed....