Hey guys. I have been looking into buying an 03 Lightning due to their heads. But then I thought, I can pick up an 03 Cobra for the same price or cheaper than a Lightning. Why would I want to spend $23-28,000 on a Lightning that only runs 15's here in CO stock, when I can pay the same price and run low to mid 13's here stock?

 

Uhh, L's don't run that slow. Mid 13's are more like it. IF you're running a 15 in a stock L, you should sell it.

 

Altitude is very bad for speed. That was the point being made.

 

I have been pricing 01+Lightning's vs 03 Cobra's for the last two or three months. The 03 Cobra is consistently about $4,000 more.

 

Well yeah, you're talking about a 2 year newer vehicle also.

 

2 seconds slower on the 1/4 mile? I dunno if I belive it but it could be. When I was at Ft Carson, it was a heck of a time to run 2 miles, but I say go with the L. Everyone has a mustang and most people think they are fast cars, so when you show them your cobra they wont be that impressed. F150s on the other hand are thought of as slow, so when you show of your L people will say, "wow that truck really moves"

31C

 

KickerStang- A stock 03 Cobra should be about 1 second faster than an 03 Lightning.

 

I say get a cobra if you can. I wanted one. The only reason I have a lightning now, is because the cobra's insurance was almost 3 times more.

 

I had intended on getting a Cobra but than I got an insurance quote ..... I also had to look at loading things into a vehicle. So the L was a better fit for me. I really do enjoy having a fast truck.

I have heard of many people also breaking the half-shafts on the 03 Cobra. Do not let that deter you from getting one. Ls can break as well. Bottom line is if I were to get a Cobra it would be a DSG and have a KB on it and running low 11s by the 2nd day I owned it. Good luck. Functionality dictates that you get a truck!

 

If you own a home' or plan to soon it is sure handy to have a little truck.
I live in CO and the roads here absolutly suck. I guess because of the constant expansion and contraction due to weather. I sometimes wonder how I would get around in a car like a cobra.

The L is fun to drive. Sits a little higher for a nice veiw of the road to.

 

Hauling stuff and full size vs. manual transmission and lighter???
hmmmm

 

Thanks for responding fellas. I will address each post...

EZGZ:I do own my own home right now. My wife has an Explorer so that has served us well somewhat. If I really want/need a truck, I think I am going to go for more of a beater truck than a fast truck that I will end up treating like a car.

QWIK 150:I got an insurance quote for the Cobra and the Lightning. The Cobra is only a little bit more expensive with both the Explorer and Cobra adding up to $130/month. That is great! I love being 25! As far as breaking, that is why I am looking to get an 03 lightning because I have heard of the other models blowing spark plugs ect. DSG is definately one of my top choices.

AmoJohnny:Never settle for what you want or else you will never be truly happy. I have wanted an 03 Cobra since they came out and I thought about a Mach 1, GT, lightning, but ultimately, I only REALLY want a 03 Cobra and now they are becoming more affordable.

fast1:The other night I went to T&T and there were 2 lightnings there and they were running 15.1-15.3. My buddy who has never raced before drove his 03 Cobra to a 13.5@110mph at 4800 elevation. Bandimere is 5800ft so they will be about another .2 slower up there. That is almost 2 full seconds. As far as comparing 01 L's price to 03's are somewhat faulty because of the years. Now if I could get a 01 that I was looking at and replace the heads, ect to be like the 03, then I would consider it, but then I would be settling again.

31C:I figured you were in the Army. See the above posts on altitude. As far as comparing the 03 Cobra to another mustang is like comparing a lightning with another F150. Yes, there is a shock factor of beating up on someone with a heavy ol' truck, but that only lasts for a bit. I would rather have a car that is fast like the 03 Cobra for less money.

lifeguardjoe:bring anything you have here to CO and if you run the same times you are at sea level I will pay you $1,000,000. No sandbagging either. haha

 

You need to go to the cobra forum

 

I love my truck. I love my fast truck. Cobras are faster stock. Modded L's beat stock Cobras. Modded Cobras beat modded Ls. Modded L's beat modded Cobras. If you like the Cobra, buy one. If you like the L, buy an L instead. It's all what you like. I really like Cobras. Maybe if I ever get tired of the L (HA!) I'll get a Cobra next. But right now I love fast trucks that can beat fast cars.

Don't be concerned that the L breaks easily (blows plugs or whatever). The Cobras have their own issues (the IRS is a nightmare). Both are quality vehicles that will never be 100% perfect at the power levels they produce. Go buy what you like better and get into the boost!

 

I'd buy the Lightning because of its utility purposes vs the Mustang Cobra. That's just my opinion.