03-04 Cobra Demand

slowgreycobra

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I've been away from SVTP for years after I sold my 03 DSG in 2013. I regretted selling it the moment I watched it leave on the trailer. I've actually looked for it occasionally online. In 2017 I had missed out on buying it back by about 3 months. The ad is still up to this day on one site (linked below!). It had received a major upgrade and was sporting a twin turbo auto build when it was for sale. I sold it with some basic mods like ported Eaton and supporting parts. It was sold from a small dealership around Dallas. The price on a replacement is climbing quickly! I just moved back to Texas and my desire to find another Cobra has greatly increased.

2003 DSG TWIN-TURBO COUPE!! FRESH BUILD AND FAST(900+ HP!!) FINANCING/TRADES!!
 

NGO

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Pertinent thread - have been doing a lot of thinking selling and getting a track car. I have had my '03 for over 8 years. I started running it it HPDE back in '14, maybe 7 events total so far - making small mods like sub-frame connectors and H&R race springs to help with handling. Not sure how much I have hurt the value, not much I would think along with the mods in my signature. I am getting very frustrated with engine and IAT2 temps while tracking where basically the main fix is a true heat extraction hood. My buddy keeps telling my I am nuts for wanting to track the car - telling me to put a coat of wax on it and park it. Then go buy a beater GT to run at HPDE. Good plan, but I have limited parking space. What are the thoughts of open tracking these cars and the affect on value? I keep it well maintained!
 

TK1299

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Pertinent thread - have been doing a lot of thinking selling and getting a track car. I have had my '03 for over 8 years. I started running it it HPDE back in '14, maybe 7 events total so far - making small mods like sub-frame connectors and H&R race springs to help with handling. Not sure how much I have hurt the value, not much I would think along with the mods in my signature. I am getting very frustrated with engine and IAT2 temps while tracking where basically the main fix is a true heat extraction hood. My buddy keeps telling my I am nuts for wanting to track the car - telling me to put a coat of wax on it and park it. Then go buy a beater GT to run at HPDE. Good plan, but I have limited parking space. What are the thoughts of open tracking these cars and the affect on value? I keep it well maintained!
Personally, I would pass on a car that’s been tracked. I think these cars are getting into the “keep it clean and a nice example” territory. There are dime a dozen cars to use for tracking, but I don’t feel the 03-04 Cobras fit into that category.
 

NGO

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Personally, I would pass on a car that’s been tracked. I think these cars are getting into the “keep it clean and a nice example” territory. There are dime a dozen cars to use for tracking, but I don’t feel the 03-04 Cobras fit into that category.

Thanks for the input.
 

P49Y-CY

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i've always thought terminators were a terrible platform for use in road course or autocross racing. front-heavy and supercharged cars, while can be made very good for drag racing, are a bad combo for a road course.

for road racing i've always heard you want as lightweight and front-rear balanced as possible and also naturally-aspirated (like an 00 cobra r if we're talking about the mustang world) and why corvettes and miatas are so popular.

i know the handful of guys who did road course their terminators over the years always seemed to be plagued with overheating issues.
 

Tifosi2003GT

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I've been pondering selling mine for the past 2 months... Just not sure what to ask anymore for it. 2003 Tvs Vert w/ 19,500 miles
 

CSCOBRA03

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I have been tracking mine for 10 years or so, twice a year to be exact. The Cobra works great and I pass up many new GT-350's as well as new GT's. I did springs, Cobra R front Brembos, caster camber plates and a pulley with a tune. Also and most importantly track tires, in my case Nitto NT-01 tires. The Cobra is very reliable and runs for 25 minutes without a problem. The key is proper maintenance, sticky tires, big brakes and knowing how to drive. Cobras are great cars, and I believe should be used. I purchased my car new, I take great care of it and it still looks like new. I had a clear wrap put the hood and front bumper to keep track rock chips off of the paint.

SVT tested one for 12 hours on track during development with no issues. People who have Cobra's should enjoy them however they want, car shows, cruises, drag racing or just cars & coffee.
 

Bdubbs

u even lift bro?
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I have been tracking mine for 10 years or so, twice a year to be exact. The Cobra works great and I pass up many new GT-350's as well as new GT's. I did springs, Cobra R front Brembos, caster camber plates and a pulley with a tune. Also and most importantly track tires, in my case Nitto NT-01 tires. The Cobra is very reliable and runs for 25 minutes without a problem. The key is proper maintenance, sticky tires, big brakes and knowing how to drive. Cobras are great cars, and I believe should be used. I purchased my car new, I take great care of it and it still looks like new. I had a clear wrap put the hood and front bumper to keep track rock chips off of the paint.

SVT tested one for 12 hours on track during development with no issues. People who have Cobra's should enjoy them however they want, car shows, cruises, drag racing or just cars & coffee.
I'm confused by your comment that it's reliable and runs for 25 minutes without any problems, LoL.

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk
 

Venom351R

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Personally, I would pass on a car that’s been tracked. I think these cars are getting into the “keep it clean and a nice example” territory. There are dime a dozen cars to use for tracking, but I don’t feel the 03-04 Cobras fit into that category.
The previous owner of mine tracked it at seabring. Its been absolutely fine for me. One advantage with a tracked car is the mods most likely done are brakes and cooling mods. Mine has 4 piston Brembo's and an Afco Pro heat exchanger and a bigger radiator. That add's up to a lot of money I don't have to spend on upgrades for.
 

NGO

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I have been tracking mine for 10 years or so, twice a year to be exact. The Cobra works great and I pass up many new GT-350's as well as new GT's. I did springs, Cobra R front Brembos, caster camber plates and a pulley with a tune. Also and most importantly track tires, in my case Nitto NT-01 tires. The Cobra is very reliable and runs for 25 minutes without a problem. The key is proper maintenance, sticky tires, big brakes and knowing how to drive. Cobras are great cars, and I believe should be used. I purchased my car new, I take great care of it and it still looks like new. I had a clear wrap put the hood and front bumper to keep track rock chips off of the paint.

SVT tested one for 12 hours on track during development with no issues. People who have Cobra's should enjoy them however they want, car shows, cruises, drag racing or just cars & coffee.
I must say even with the poor balance on these cars, you are right, you can compete with some pretty expensive sport cars in HPDE 3/4. I have very basic chassis mods and like you said, decent tires and track pads work fine for competiveness. I do have some engine and IAT2 temp concerns when tracking with air temps above 65F. All part of overspinning a factory blower. I can get about 3 laps in on a 25 minute session at Sebring then I have to have a cool down lap - then can go back at it for a lap, then repeat. I know the fix is a better heat extaction hood. And blower :) $

As far as the debate whether to track a 59,000 mile car that is 8/10, ehhh - its made to blast around every once in awile. Been busy running ChampCar so my attention has not had to turn to her for a thrill :) Plus, I probably hurt the value when I had it repainted due to bad paint chipping and clear coat peel so maybe tracking it a few times a year doesnt't matter.

And yes, I take very good care of her, fluids, pads, rotors changed more than recommended - car detailed often. And I use Trak Tape to protect the paint when tracking.
 

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