05 Saleen S281 SC vs 04 Cobra - Which would you choose?

I'm looking to make a purchase in less than three months. I have the
funds for both of these bad boys, but I'm torn between looks and
performance. I love the new Saleen aesthetically, but I love the idea
of the iron block and smaller price tag for the Cobra.

There isn't much data around for the 05 Saleen just yet, but hp numbers
are equivalent to the Cobra's.

Though I'm leaning towards the Saleen, just for exclusivity, I'm still
not sure if that's enough to warrant an extra $15-20k! <shrug>

-Wrath

opined in oups.com:

> I'm looking to make a purchase in less than three months. I have the
> funds for both of these bad boys, but I'm torn between looks and
> performance. I love the new Saleen aesthetically, but I love the idea
> of the iron block and smaller price tag for the Cobra.
>
> There isn't much data around for the 05 Saleen just yet, but hp numbers
> are equivalent to the Cobra's.
>
> Though I'm leaning towards the Saleen, just for exclusivity, I'm still
> not sure if that's enough to warrant an extra $15-20k! <shrug>
>
> -Wrath
>
>

Well, what worries me is the opinion of the European man on the street on US
foreign policy....

Meaning - if you have to ask...




--
- Yes, I'm a crusty old geezer curmudgeon.. deal with it! -

I considered S281 before buying my '03 Cobra convertible. Looked at and
drove a couple of them and was unimpressed with the final product.
You'll find the fit and finish not up to par with the factory product
(although that's not saying much; overlook the way Cobra body panels are
joined and you'll be fine) and the brakes on S are SCARY! Sure the S
goes, but you've wrung out most of the performance right up front. With
the Cobra you can go 600-700hp without much trouble.

S also keeps the live rear axle where the Cobra has the factory IRS.
Something to consider for those occaisions when you need to turn the
wheel on a bumpy road!

Longevity and reliability need to be considered. I've go 25,000 miles on
the Cobra with only regular maintenance and no unexpected trips to the
dealer. It would be nice to hear some S owners chime in here.

Good luck with the decision. Keep us updated!


wrote:
> I'm looking to make a purchase in less than three months. I have the
> funds for both of these bad boys, but I'm torn between looks and
> performance. I love the new Saleen aesthetically, but I love the idea
> of the iron block and smaller price tag for the Cobra.
>
> There isn't much data around for the 05 Saleen just yet, but hp numbers
> are equivalent to the Cobra's.
>
> Though I'm leaning towards the Saleen, just for exclusivity, I'm still
> not sure if that's enough to warrant an extra $15-20k! <shrug>
>
> -Wrath
>

On 6 Mar 2005 08:27:32 -0800, wrote:

>I'm looking to make a purchase in less than three months. I have the
>funds for both of these bad boys, but I'm torn between looks and
>performance. I love the new Saleen aesthetically, but I love the idea
>of the iron block and smaller price tag for the Cobra.
>
>There isn't much data around for the 05 Saleen just yet, but hp numbers
>are equivalent to the Cobra's.
>
>Though I'm leaning towards the Saleen, just for exclusivity, I'm still
>not sure if that's enough to warrant an extra $15-20k! <shrug>
>
>-Wrath

I'd go for the Cobra. IMO you get more for less money.

Remove NO-SPAM from email address when replying

Are you going to leave it stock? Or do you want to mod it?

If you are planning to buy and drive it and that's it, go with your
heart. Either car will be satisfying.

If you want to play with it immediately the Cobra will be easier, less
expensive, and more parts are available. You can achieve repectable
handling and a 700 hp car as quickly as you can spend money. I know for
a fact that Saleen took long time to figure out their new supercharger
on that 3V motor. There are three computers on the system now and any
tune has to manage them all. The Saleen combo works but that's all
you'll have for at least two years except for exhaust mods and any free
tweaks people discover. It will also take about that long for the rest
of the market to even begin to get parts out the public. So, the Saleen
will most likely have to stay pretty much as you bought it for some
time.

Dan
2003 Cobra convertible
With some stuff and things

agreed...

- irs>live axle (for most apps)
- 6-speed>5-speed
- 4-valve>2-valve

also aren't the brakes also better on the cobra? or is that upgraded with
the s-281 (either way the rear brakes are bigger on the svt)

however to me: saleen body kit/wheels>cobra.

the saleen aero package looks killer!

chris
04 comp orange cobra vert


Rein wrote in message >...
>On 6 Mar 2005 08:27:32 -0800, wrote:
>
>>I'm looking to make a purchase in less than three months. I have the
>>funds for both of these bad boys, but I'm torn between looks and
>>performance. I love the new Saleen aesthetically, but I love the idea
>>of the iron block and smaller price tag for the Cobra.
>>
>>There isn't much data around for the 05 Saleen just yet, but hp numbers
>>are equivalent to the Cobra's.
>>
>>Though I'm leaning towards the Saleen, just for exclusivity, I'm still
>>not sure if that's enough to warrant an extra $15-20k! <shrug>
>>
>>-Wrath
>
>I'd go for the Cobra. IMO you get more for less money.
>
>Remove NO-SPAM from email address when replying

whoops, just realized that he's talking 05 saleen mustang, so i dont even
know if what i just posted is accurate!!

peace

Chris Shea wrote in message ...
>agreed...
>
>- irs>live axle (for most apps)
>- 6-speed>5-speed
>- 4-valve>2-valve
>
>also aren't the brakes also better on the cobra? or is that upgraded with
>the s-281 (either way the rear brakes are bigger on the svt)
>
>however to me: saleen body kit/wheels>cobra.
>
>the saleen aero package looks killer!
>
>chris
>04 comp orange cobra vert
>
>
>Rein wrote in message >...
>>On 6 Mar 2005 08:27:32 -0800, wrote:
>>
>>>I'm looking to make a purchase in less than three months. I have the
>>>funds for both of these bad boys, but I'm torn between looks and
>>>performance. I love the new Saleen aesthetically, but I love the idea
>>>of the iron block and smaller price tag for the Cobra.
>>>
>>>There isn't much data around for the 05 Saleen just yet, but hp numbers
>>>are equivalent to the Cobra's.
>>>
>>>Though I'm leaning towards the Saleen, just for exclusivity, I'm still
>>>not sure if that's enough to warrant an extra $15-20k! <shrug>
>>>
>>>-Wrath
>>
>>I'd go for the Cobra. IMO you get more for less money.
>>
>>Remove NO-SPAM from email address when replying
>
>

Yes, the Cobra's IRS is a plus for me. Fit and finish is a concern on
the Saleen. Aren't the spoilers held on with two-sided tape? Brilliant.
I shudder to think what lurks beneath the Cobra's exterior.

Did you drive the 05 or an 03 Saleen? I've heard rumors the 05's
quality is much improved over last year's. Performance is supposedly
outstanding, too, receiving a 25 pony increase over the 04's.

I think the Cobra is the best bet performance wise, but I just love the
looks of the '05 Saleen. Perhaps I could dump a Cobra motor into the
05? Yeah. That's it. <wringing sweaty palms with glazed over eyes>

-Wrath

I told myself if I ever bought a Cobra I'd never modify it, as it's
really not necessary to have more than 400 hp for a street driven car.
It's doubtful the car will ever see more than three weekends at the
track in one season, so why bother modding? But, then my rational side
takes over, and I *know* I could never be happy
with...a...<shudder>...stock hotrod. Or maybe I could.

I've driven a Cobra at length and found myself quite satisfied with the
power, but after seeing and falling madly in love with the 05 Saleen,
the Cobra just looks down right OLD. And if I can talk myself into
staying stock, the Saleen would probably keep that doofy ass grin on my
face for a very long time.

-Wrath

The 05 has an brake upgrade package to 14". Not sure what the base size
is?

And it *is* the body kit on the Saleen that has my attention. Well that
combined with the 05's overall updated look. Good grief, who could NOT
love this look?
http://www.sportscarforums.com/attac...tachmentid=177

Okay, looks *are* subjective, but to me the Saleen is beautiful.