Terminator Cobra, Anyone?

[JoeCee]

I had one…did nothing for me. And that cable clutch is awful!

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[Bob Lob Law]

I had one…did nothing for me. And that cable clutch is awful!

I liked them until I drove a couple for the same reason. The upgraded clutch sucked!

 

[Mitch03]

I bought mine brand new 23 years ago. It was my 5th mustang. I always traded up to the faster mustang every time they came out. No need after the terminator. Just a pulley change and tune was a drastic difference. Now it has every mod except LTH and twin screw. It made 511/488 with a 2.8 pulley. I still have it. Brings big smiles every time I drive it. It has 78k miles on it and not one single problem…..except the AC quit working. I say get it, you want be disappointed.

 

[wingnutt]

It’s the same with the Ford Lightning of that era…loved them back in the day and would buy another one today. They aren’t the fastest truck anymore, and ride like crap, But they are asking 50-60 for low mileage ones and 40+ for even high mileage versions…insanity

 

[CorralesR]

I loved the Terminator Cobra when it came out. Almost bought one from a friend back in the day. I currently have an 03 Saleen S281SC that I really like. It's nothing like the S550s as has been mentioned, but it looks great,runs fantastic and gets lots of attention at the local cars and coffee. I also own a 17 R model and a 18 regular GT350.

 

[NPTR]

Thanks for all the feedback guys - this is super helpful! And I get the “don’t meet your hero’s” theme but I also should have started by saying I’m not looking to beat lap times here or be “wowed” from a performance perspective relative to the 350…more so, is the experience unique enough and special enough relative the 350R to justify both.

I had a 2020 M2 CS and sold it for a 2011 V8 M3 (no nav / cloth seats / stripper spec) because I wanted a more analog and raw experience. The CS blows the absolute doors off the M3 but the high revving V8 would make me choose that one any day of the week over the more modern car. I own a first generation manual R8 over a newer generation for that exact same reason. As I add cars to my collection I’m looking to add unique experiences such that each car brings some special and unique in its own way. I get guys owning a GT350 and a 500 of the same gen, but that’s not me…if I’m adding a car, it’s costs and it’s time commitment, I want it to bring something different to the lineup.

All the feedback above is super helpful - I know I need to find a local one and just drive it, but thought this would be a good step before that, and all your feedback has been incredibly helpful so thank you guys!

 

[MAGS1]

I loved the Terminator Cobra when it came out. Almost bought one from a friend back in the day. I currently have an 03 Saleen S281SC that I really like. It's nothing like the S550s as has been mentioned, but it looks great,runs fantastic and gets lots of attention at the local cars and coffee. I also own a 17 R model and a 18 regular GT350.

Really clean looking Saleen, very nice!

 

[MACHtobers Very Own]

I loved the Terminator Cobra when it came out. Almost bought one from a friend back in the day. I currently have an 03 Saleen S281SC that I really like. It's nothing like the S550s as has been mentioned, but it looks great,runs fantastic and gets lots of attention at the local cars and coffee. I also own a 17 R model and a 18 regular GT350.

Lordy I want a new edge Saleen so bad. Just was so cool when I was in high school. I had a 2002 GT. Rode like a tank and handled like a sail boat but I was broke and always curious what they would drive like with a bit of investment.

 

[EoDevil]

I know the listing says this whip is "black" but it sure looks like the shade you are looking for:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1450120189622282/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp:f6752930-5108-4a59-bdba-706173df85bb

There is a renown dermatologist who has several practices in my area here. He is also a car collector.

He has a mystechrome Terminator Cobra, but this car is a CONVERTIBLE and all original. When we took a tour of his vast collection of cars and we came to this particular car in a very rare shade, he remarked for some time how rare and difficult it was to find it.

The Moral of the Story is when/if you find the exact car you are looking for, swoop it up immediately because these cars are truly rare and exclusive for the collector market.

Good luck and cheers!

Whoa. Something you rarely see! Can't imagine this stays up long.

 

[9secondko]

Owned s terminator since 2008.

even today, its a blast to drive.

the caveat is that its not even close to the s650 (any model) in refinement and build quality.

its bot bad, but the s550 seems like a rolls royce in comparison.

its more of a raw, connected feel. It’s more of a drivers car than the s550 GT. id imagine a gt350 destroys it in driveability snd handling.

can't even imagine what an s550 gt500 feels like in comparison.

but if the question was “is the terminator s viable performance car today?” Yes it is. But only if it’s not stock.

 

[9secondko]

I loved the Terminator Cobra when it came out. Almost bought one from a friend back in the day. I currently have an 03 Saleen S281SC that I really like. It's nothing like the S550s as has been mentioned, but it looks great,runs fantastic and gets lots of attention at the local cars and coffee. I also own a 17 R model and a 18 regular GT350.

Dang! Love that Saleen! Dream car.

 

[TreeFiddyAre]

I had an ’03 and an ’04 — the ’03 was a ported Steggy and nitrous car with a solid rear and 4.10s. That thing was an animal… until it was literally stolen right in front of me. There was a full-on chase — sirens, chaos — fun story now, not so fun then. Car got away, 18k miles on it, and I never saw it again...and to add to it I was on my 190rwhp ZX-10 race bike and cops were involved (which I had to flag down to get involved in the chase ) and yet he still got away with less than 1/8 tank of fuel smh


My ’04 was a twin-turbo, built-motor setup. That one stung when it had to go — like losing a loyal but slightly psychotic friend.


I’ve always liked the SN/New Edge platform, but let’s be real — they need work to drive up to today’s standards. There are compromises, and from my experience, it takes around $5k just in suspension and chassis upgrades to turn them into something that’s both predictable and fun.


In my book, they need at least 600 to the tire with a PD blower, or 700 with a Centri setup to feel right as a street car. If you find a clean one, go through the interior, track down every squeak and rattle, and build from there — they’re undeniably fun rides.


But yeah… nostalgia’s a bitch. A fast, loud, expensive bitch. These cars can be built into weapons — just depends how much loot you’re willing to feed the addiction.

 

[Mikepol2]

I had one, and although at the time it was awesome, you would feel like it was underpowered, and the IRS was an abomination. I spent a ton of time completely replacing all the rubber bushings with urethane, it would fishtail back-and-forth like a pendulum on that stock suspension.

 

[GAGT350]

I had an ’03 and an ’04 — the ’03 was a ported Steggy and nitrous car with a solid rear and 4.10s. That thing was an animal… until it was literally stolen right in front of me. There was a full-on chase — sirens, chaos — fun story now, not so fun then. Car got away, 18k miles on it, and I never saw it again...and to add to it I was on my 190rwhp ZX-10 race bike and cops were involved (which I had to flag down to get involved in the chase ) and yet he still got away with less than 1/8 tank of fuel smh


My ’04 was a twin-turbo, built-motor setup. That one stung when it had to go — like losing a loyal but slightly psychotic friend.


I’ve always liked the SN/New Edge platform, but let’s be real — they need work to drive up to today’s standards. There are compromises, and from my experience, it takes around $5k just in suspension and chassis upgrades to turn them into something that’s both predictable and fun.


In my book, they need at least 600 to the tire with a PD blower, or 700 with a Centri setup to feel right as a street car. If you find a clean one, go through the interior, track down every squeak and rattle, and build from there — they’re undeniably fun rides.


But yeah… nostalgia’s a bitch. A fast, loud, expensive bitch. These cars can be built into weapons — just depends how much loot you’re willing to feed the addiction.

Have you super charger the 350R? or have you left it stock?

 

[NPTR]

Awesome feedback guys thanks again - some awesome car tales above! All this has me thinking seriously…especially since a moderate mile Mysti coupe is going to be likely in the $70-80K range…my brother urging me to go comp orange which is even more rare and I agree gorgeous with some orange accents but I feel like the color would be cool for a few years and then tire on me. Will keep thinking, but all this feedback from you guys in particular has been really helpful so thank you!

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