Looking at a high mileage Terminator need your opinion

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ROUSHS2

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Been outta the game for a couple years and made the mistake of riding in a friends pullied 04 Cobra and now have the burning desire to come back to the dark side. (That supercharger whine is intoxicating :D)

Not wanting to spend a ton 15,000 or less I found the car in the link below.
Long story short its an 03 10th anniversary with 122,000 on the clock, one owner (older gent), completely bone stock they are asking 14,995.

I'm an LS1 guy (chevy family) but have always had a secret love affair with the Terminator :cryying: so I need your opinion on this car based off the pics. I have read the numerous threads on high mileage Terminators and for the most part they seem solid. This car will not be a daily driver and will end up with the basic pulley,CI, catback and tune.


Anything I should look out for?

2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Convertible - 10th A For Sale In SPRING VALLEY CA - Import Motors

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mavericks-03svt

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Compression/leak down test and I would check for any structure damage or signs of previous wrecks or crappy repairs.
 
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05satinGT

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No way in hell I would buy a Terminator with that mileage already.

Seriously? Already? lol the car is 12 years old since it's an 03....

Anyways, OP that is not a 10th anniversary cobra. It doesn't have any of the 10th anniversary parts, but it looks exceptionally clean for the mileage. I'd try beating them up a little more though. Good luck.
 

ROUSHS2

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Seriously? Already? lol the car is 12 years old since it's an 03....

Anyways, OP that is not a 10th anniversary cobra. It doesn't have any of the 10th anniversary parts, but it looks exceptionally clean for the mileage. I'd try beating them up a little more though. Good luck.


I was wondering that because I thought the 10th had different rims and interior pieces. Thanks I was going to offer 13,500
 

X3FBrian

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Seriously? Already? lol the car is 12 years old since it's an 03....

Anyways, OP that is not a 10th anniversary cobra. It doesn't have any of the 10th anniversary parts, but it looks exceptionally clean for the mileage. I'd try beating them up a little more though. Good luck.

He was asking for opinions, I shared mine. My car is about to clock 40k and I may shed a tear.
 

05satinGT

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He was asking for opinions, I shared mine. My car is about to clock 40k and I may shed a tear.

That's fine. I'm about 100 miles away from 49K. I'm just saying, realistically for a 12 year old car 122k miles isn't anything surprising, cobra or not.
 

X3FBrian

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That's fine. I'm about 100 miles away from 49K. I'm just saying, realistically for a 12 year old car 122k miles isn't anything surprising, cobra or not.

10k a year on a Terminator is a lot in my opinion. How many Terminators have you ever seen with more than 120k on the clock? I've heard/read of a few maybe, but how tested are these engines in the wear and tear department? I would hold out for a lower mileage one even if that meant saving a little more. I think 18k would get you in a much much lower mileage Cobra.
 

redrocket16

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10k a year on a Terminator is a lot in my opinion. How many Terminators have you ever seen with more than 120k on the clock? I've heard/read of a few maybe, but how tested are these engines in the wear and tear department? I would hold out for a lower mileage one even if that meant saving a little more. I think 18k would get you in a much much lower mileage Cobra.

Paging HotCobra03

While I think we all can agree that we would rather have less miles if we can, but this car seems to not have been modified if at all so that is a positive for it. As mentioned though the structure of the car will tell the tale, esp with being a vert.

OP if all checked out I would offer 13 and see if they budge, throw a light bar on it, lower it and wheels of your choice and have an awesome car.
 

R.D.P.

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I know it's a California car, but no way that's a 15k car. It's also not a Anniversary. That is a 11k car, maybe 12k if it does awesome on compression\leak down. It's really going to come down to if the previous owner was diligent with maintenance and ran a good full synthetic.
 

X3FBrian

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Paging HotCobra03

While I think we all can agree that we would rather have less miles if we can, but this car seems to not have been modified if at all so that is a positive for it. As mentioned though the structure of the car will tell the tale, esp with being a vert.

OP if all checked out I would offer 13 and see if they budge, throw a light bar on it, lower it and wheels of your choice and have an awesome car.

I have read of a few but you can't even begin to say that even 5% of these cars has more than 100k on them.
 

SuperBlownGT

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I paid 12k for mine with 125k on the clock one owner car no accidents bone stock. Did a leak down and compression test. Runs like a champ. Made 428 rwhp with jlt and catback.
 

03cobraracer

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I have read of a few but you can't even begin to say that even 5% of these cars has more than 100k on them.

I have 106k on mine and ive owned it since 04. As long as you take care of them they will last. Look at hotcobra on here he has over 350k on his car. They were built to be driven, not sit in a garage collecting dust.. ive barely driven my car in 3 years since ive been stationed overseas and its driving me nuts! You guys are lucky to be able to drive your cars when you want I wish I could.
 

Fox-4

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No way in hell I would buy a Terminator with that mileage already.
As long as the motor is healthy I could give a crap about milage... Hell, my Dad's 125K Cobra just put down 609hp on saturday and it still runs like a champ. :rockon:
 

ademily87

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10k a year on a Terminator is a lot in my opinion. How many Terminators have you ever seen with more than 120k on the clock? I've heard/read of a few maybe, but how tested are these engines in the wear and tear department? I would hold out for a lower mileage one even if that meant saving a little more. I think 18k would get you in a much much lower mileage Cobra.

131K miles on mine. Bought it not even 2 years ago with 100K miles for $14k. Had a compression test done last summer and it's lost around 3% or less on all cylinders. Then dynoed and made 479/505 with a cheap intake, slp lm II, off road x, and a 2.8 pulley set up. Haven't done anything to it but put tires on it, changed the oil, the crappy electric fan, and put gas in her.

I'd drive this car to California if I had the opportunity to do so!

I say go for it op. Looks to be better taken care of than even mine was.
 

dutch

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114k on mine (with reman engine, so I won't comment on the engine though I'm sure they can take the high miles just fine) the rest of the car with perfect, everything works, nothing wrong with it apart from the usual rockchips from the miles. I wouldn't hesitate buying that vert for 13.5k! specially since it seems unabused.
 

1Kona_Venom

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As long as the motor is healthy I could give a crap about milage... Hell, my Dad's 125K Cobra just put down 609hp on saturday and it still runs like a champ. :rockon:

Win!

Back to the topic, OP did you pick it up yet?
 

Pantera1

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10k a year on a Terminator is a lot in my opinion. How many Terminators have you ever seen with more than 120k on the clock? I've heard/read of a few maybe, but how tested are these engines in the wear and tear department? I would hold out for a lower mileage one even if that meant saving a little more. I think 18k would get you in a much much lower mileage Cobra.

I'm at 128k on mine and still kickin ass, there's far more high mileage cobras out there than you think
 

MADDOGsrfr81

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I just hit 50k. I bought it with 19. It will be 2 years in October. I want a beater, but it is so awesome to drive. There is a thread about high milage cobras on here somewhere.
 

amoosenamedhank

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10k a year on a Terminator is a lot in my opinion. How many Terminators have you ever seen with more than 120k on the clock? I've heard/read of a few maybe, but how tested are these engines in the wear and tear department? I would hold out for a lower mileage one even if that meant saving a little more. I think 18k would get you in a much much lower mileage Cobra.

He already said his budget was $15k or less... why would you suggest he spends $18k? How is that helpful at all?

He asked for advise on potential issues to look for in a higher mileage cobra... not to be chastised by elitists for considering a car with higher miles.

Just out of curiosity, if a cobra with 100k should just be crushed immediately because of its blatant lack of value... what do you intend on doing with your car when it reaches that point?

There are a lot of cobras out there with over 100k miles on them... and if well maintained, there's nothing wrong with purchasing one.
 
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