I don't like the interior of the 10th anniversary. That being said, I'd still buy the 10th anniversary just to have it.

If you race often and like to beat on your vehicle, buy the Cobra. If you want to sport around with a quick vehicle, I'd keep the Lightning. My reasoning is you get a built motor with the Cobra and they are very fast with few mods. The Lightning will get more looks, is much more "limited", and hauls more stuff...less passengers though. Good luck, you can't go wrong either way.

 

We just bought my wife a 03 Mountaineer last month so it will be used to tow the boat. I also have a 5x8 utility trailer that I can use as a truck bed. I've made it all but two years of my life without a truck so I don't think it will be that big of a deal. I'm going out to put some miles on it in a few minutes so hopefully I can make my mind up before tomorrow.

 

Stay with the truck because it is truly unique. Though it is a Cobra there are so many mustangs on the road they all look the same. To be honest I wouldn’t want a Mustang because it seems like there is so many that someone is just giving them away, they are just not unique as they once were. That’s my opinion of course but I can tell you I never do a double take on a Mustang anymore. A Lightning on the other hand has at times gave me major neck cramps…

 

My wife drives a Buick Lesabre - not much good for hauling lumber or garden mulch. Considering the Mountaineer and trailer I might consider a Cobra too. Sure do like my new Lightning however.

 

Ok, I'm back from driving and I must say that this Cobra runs and handles great. BUT I don't think I will be keeping it. The build quality is crap on this one. I mean my L has 36K miles on it and there is only one rattle way up in the dash that happens on the interstate at 75, but this Cobra has rattles everywhere. The rear window gasket must be bad because I had my wife ride in the back and she was scared because it sounded like glass against metal. tick,tick,tick Running down the highway at 70 in sixth makes the car vibrate so bad the center air vents rattle. The passenger window clunks when you hit the switch and then rattles when you shut the door. The motor makes more noise than my Lightning's.

Don't get me wrong, this is the best handling, one of the quickest if not the quickest and most sporty car I have ever driven. I just don't think I can pay 30K for a car that has this many problems with less than 200 miles on it. I only wish they had another coupe for me to drive. I almost think this one may be a problem child. So I have every intention of coming home with my Lightning tomorrow unless they make me one hell of a deal.

Please don't post telling me that your car doesn't have these flaws because I'm not stating that all Cobras have them, but this one does and it is the one I am considering. I still really like the Cobras and one day hope to find a good one. Untill then I will stay with the truck.

 

You all know I've been on the fence over this one

Had one


And Loved it

But it was an absolute pain in the a$$ to get in and out of,
and it was waaaaaaaaay too tight inside, and I'm short.

But I Loved the 7000+ RPM's, how fun it was to drive,
how easy it was to make it dance, how it handled, etc...
But what I miss the most, --> is the Convertible

Now that they added the S/C I'm convinced I can get over
it's short commings, and I'm sure no matter how much I miss
the L, the Cobra will make up for it.

BUT I TRULY BELIEVE NOTHING IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAT OUR L's
and there's something about having all that power, good looks,
and handling wrapped up in one hot a$$ truck that keeps me saying,
THE LIGHTNING STAYS

 

Cobras suck. Keep the Lightning or have both.

 

Im glad you came to this decision now rather than after you bought it. My mom (pretty cool huh?) has a 2002 GT. The interior is the same for all intents and purposes as far as build quality is concerned, and it SUCKS. I love that car, however, there are rattles in no less than 4 different places. Imagine what would pop loose after the hard driving (abuse) would do to all those plastic interior pieces??? Our trucks were built to take a beating, and handle abuse that would destroy other vehicles. I know that the L is a bit soft durability-wise in comparison to regular f150's as far as the suspension and interior is concerned, but it is still based on that indestructible platform that allows people to put 200+k miles on them before major repair. The L just screams testosterone, and besides, BJ's are much easier with the bench seat...I am not one of those "Lightning or die" freaks, but I definitely think a wait until the new cobras come out in 05/06 would be a good idea-plus by then you wont be upside down on your payments.

 

I feel the same way. They are only making 2003 of the 10th anniversary ones so I figured they would hold their value more. Plus this is the only coupe near me. My first choice is Sonic Blue but the closest one is 250 miles away.

 

Good choice. I decided to keep the L for a little while longer 2. Did they let you take the Cobra home with you and test drive it???
It looks like it's in your driveway in that pic... thanks, Shane

 

I fought the temptation in the beginning, but finally went back and bought the Cobra.
I had only put 10,500 miles on my L in the 2 1/2 + years I had it.
It ran extremely well (12.39@112) with just bolt ons, but I felt I had taken it to its limits unless I started spraying or bought the KB blower, which I did not want to do.
I have absolutely no doubt that the Cobra, with similar bolt ons like I had on the L, will run circles around the L. I will be posting my times this week, as I have just completed installing a Metco 4# lower pulley, Troyer tuned single program Superchip, 9" conical air intake, and 26-10.50-16 E/T streets.
I do find the quality of the Cobra a little suspect.
I also still have my daily driven Supercrew that fulfills the truck thing in me.
Please do not take this as a slam against the L, as it is, and was a great vehicle.

 

The way I'm starting to look at it is, there are only so many times it will be ran 1/4 mile. The rest of the time your driving normal and putting up with all the BS. I love driving the car but not enough to put up with the crap this one has.

And yes Shane I did get to bring it home. I put about 60 miles on it with my wife and daughter.

I'm now about to go take it back and listen to them try to convience me that all the problems don't really matter because it's a SVT Cobra.

 

thats nice you were able to bring it home with you. Shane

 

If it has that many problems from the beginning, RUN , don't walk away. If you want a Cobra, find another one. I had a Cobra like that, (it sounds like you're describing it!) and Ford finally refused to work on it, and took it back. It easily qualified for the Lemon law, and the service manager that refused to work on it showed me they had spent over 39K in warranty repairs on it already. A lemon is a lemon, no matter what brand or make, so I'm not saying Cobras are lemons. But when you get a car that is going to need that much work, and combine it with the cut-rate warranty service Ford supplies, you're just asking for heartache.

IMHO, your should find another Cobra , or keep your truck.

 

I know the truck you are talking about. He lives behind a buddy of mine who has a lightning (silver 02). You work at the Base? I dont but about 2-3 at least guys are on here and www.nloc.net that have them and are on base. You should look us up sometime, we're going to start a local L club... We have semi-frequent get-togethers at Mean Pig BBQ

RAN, I thought for a bit you were dealing with NPF in NLR. Those guys are retards. I have heard they are more willing to deal now, since Ford only made like 13k 03 cobras. Thats almost as many Gen 2 lightnings, in ONE model year. They have a Sonic Blue L sitting out front that has a sticker price adjustment to something like $38k I believe.....