Longing for a Cobra.

So I currently daily a 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. I really do love the thing, it’s comfortable, decently quick on the street and the laziest stoplight to stoplight vehicle I have owned.

I was planning on modding the Jeep once it was paid off but could never bring myself to spend the money on it, upwards of $20k to build it the way I want and that’s with me doing most of the labor.

I’m starting to really appreciate the cost effectiveness of modding a Terminator; even though I plan on buying one already modified if possible.

As of right now I can sell it and not have to come out of pocket much to get into a nice low mileage Terminator.

The Cobra would be a weekend cruiser only. I’d inherit my wife’s 2014 Jetta 2.5 as my new daily and she would get a (used) 4Runner TRD Pro 2018-19.

I truly believe the 03-04 Cobras are already a classic and will go down as one of the greatest muscle cars ever.

I’ve wanted a Terminator ever since they first came out, a good friend of mine had one and I loved how brutal the thing was.

I’m getting pretty excited about hunting for a Terminator and even though the Jeep will be missed I’m sure twenty years from now if I still have the Cobra I’ll be happy I made the switch.

OP, good luck on your hunt...

It's going to suck.

You'll soon find out that over 80% of all 03-04 cobras that you will come across will fall into at least one of these categories: have had more than four owners (with absolutely no prior knowledge of history about the damn car), frame damage, EXTREMELY overpriced, more than two car accidents, or alot of dumb looking exterior modifications.

I've been looking for over 3 years and came across a few contenders. The price is what always was the disconnect. I refuse to pay 22.5k for a less than mild bolt-on cobra that has over 82k miles on it.

Alot of private parties set their prices so damn high it aint even funny, man.

You'll find one, just stay positive.

That jeep looks great though

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The out of pocket could be more than you think. To find a low mileage car. But in this economy, who knows.

I have been looking and noticed that sub 10k mile terminators are in the 28-30k range from private owners. Some of the dealers and classic car stealerships are asking more to upper 30’s with low mileage. Good luck with your future purchase! They are awesome cars.

Also be prepared to pay for maintenance. These cars are now 17+ years old. Parts break. Parts wear out. Many Terminator engines are highly modified (ie. aftermarket blowers/turbos with supporting mods), many/most are driven hard (how can you NOT), and parts are becoming difficult to find. So yeah, pursue your dream, but just understand that you're not buying a newer car that will be relatively trouble free. Just spend time in the Terminator Talk forums and you'll understand how much a pain in the butt they can be because of their age. All that said, they have a definitely cult following. Their appeal never gets old. Which is why, in part, you're wanting one so bad.

Is that Screaming Yellow Cobra your dream Cobra? If so, it's a great color. I wish you the best.

It's a buyers market right now. If you watch the market section here daily, your car will pop up.
I see many cars I'd want, constantly fighting the urge to get another one.

This!!

Crimson2v said:

I have been looking and noticed that sub 10k mile terminators are in the 28-30k range from private owners. Some of the dealers and classic car stealerships are asking more to upper 30’s with low mileage. Good luck with your future purchase! They are awesome cars.

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Good advise everyone! I have been watching the Terminator market for years and have almost pulled the trigger multiple times on very nice examples. I will definitely be taking my time to find the absolutely perfect car (for me).

CobraBob said:

Is that Screaming Yellow Cobra your dream Cobra? If so, it's a great color. I wish you the best.

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Yes! My first choice would be an 04 Screaming Yellow or a Comp Orange coupe. Second would be an 04 TR or OW coupe. I’d also entertain a TR 10th.

DP

DRTYAPE_SRT said:

Good advise everyone! I have been watching the Terminator market for years and have almost pulled the trigger multiple times on very nice examples. I will definitely be taking my time to find the absolutely perfect car (for me).

Yes! My first choice would be an 04 Screaming Yellow or a Comp Orange coupe. Second would be an 04 TR or OW coupe. I’d also entertain a TR 10th.

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SY or CO are both high demand colors. Personally, I like Screaming Yellow over Competition Orange. My favorite, though, is Dark Shadow Gray.

DSG looks so good!

Those are hard to find!!

CobraBob said:

SY or CO are both high demand colors. Personally, I like Screaming Yellow over Competition Orange. My favorite, though, is Dark Shadow Gray.

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jmsa540 said:

DSG looks so good!

Those are hard to find!!

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DSG is one of my favorite colors but I just really want a bright color this time around, another thing that detours me from DSG is that the paint is hard to match/blend if anything ever happens or if it needs touch up.

Hrmm

DRTYAPE_SRT said:

DSG is one of my favorite colors but I just really want a bright color this time around, another thing that detours me from DSG is that the paint is hard to match/blend if anything ever happens or if it needs touch up.

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I love Terminators, my favorite car actually. Almost got into another one last year. Mint 2 owner 15k miles, ccw classics, kb blower, everything perfect.

Then I remembered the constant attention the car needs. It was one of the most unreliable cars I owned back in 2007. Frps blew, input shaft, clutch, differential weak....the supporting mods are endless.

I got a 13 gt500 instead. I get in it and go. Built to handle the power.

07-09 GT500 are pretty cheap, well built and plenty to choose from. Much more extensive aftermarket support.

Rods suck.

RedVenom48 said:

07-09 GT500 are pretty cheap, well built and plenty to choose from. Much more extensive aftermarket support.

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Here let me help:

Ford for Sale in Appomattox, VA | Hi-End Auto LLC

The owner is a good guy and generally has a couple 03-04’s in stock.

jmsa540 said:

Rods suck.

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You're right, but they are good to about 700 rwhp. Pistons are forged Mahle.

GT500 is just an option. OP should be prepared to pay good cash money for a Terminator that hasnt been beat. But the Shelby is the better performance avenue at this point. Of course, that M112 Eaton has that beautiful whine under boost.... so good luck to OP lol.

OP, whether it's a low mileage or higher mileage car, you'll probably be pouring money into the car in some way or another.

I picked up a black 04 coupe that had 121k miles, and I'll tell you - even for a clean title car - it's seen better days. Diff blew 3rd day I had it, somebody used coke cans as shims in the trans when I had it opened and completely rebuilt, leaky diff (even with the new FRP diff cover i put on it still has tendencies to leak), and the list goes on. Previous owner probably realized it took more $ than what it was worth and sold it, but thankfully the car is back to snuff and to my liking.

They're great cars, however it's unfortunate at how people neglect them and beat on them without any regard to preventative maintenance measures whatsoever. But that's the market nowadays. I've probably sunk around 7k into the car in the 4 months that i've had it, and unfortunately has been parked more than it's been driven.

People are scared of higher mileage cobras because of this reason, and I can see why. But when they are fixed and done the right way, they are a BLAST to drive.

OP - Do your due diligence, take your time and look over the car in person. You'll thank us later. lol