Help me with this decision..

Tom Champagne · 07-25-2003, 03:29 PM

Hello,I'm new to this board and want you guys(gals) to help me make a decision. I want to get a 2003 Cobra,but I live in the snowbelt(Michigan)and was wondering is it possible to enjoy this car in the bad winter months? I used to have a TBird SC(auto trans) that I got around in the winter(although not very well)and since both cars are rear wheel drive,well...... I could put on some all season tires,since I only have to drive it back and forth to work(7 miles roundtrip).what about a convertible? how are they in the cold? sorry for all the questions,but I'd rather hear the skinnny from a Cobra owner and not someone who thinks he(she)knows. thanks in advance. TomC.

**cobrabitn** · 07-25-2003, 04:44 PM

Honestly? I think you will have everyone telling you to buy a beater for daily driving and put the Snake in the garage for nice weather. Salt can be hard on a car as well as the harsh winters you may have in Northern, MI. Rear wheel drive Mustangs are not very favorable for winter driving as they are light in the back and heavier in the front which is not good for snow driving or should I say plowing?

Whatever you decide, I think you will enjoy the ownership of a New Cobra. Good luck with your dilemma!

venomous · 07-25-2003, 04:54 PM

I agree with tony, salt can be very hard on a car in which it makes it rust underneath. Definetly, store it dring winter months.

cowboyharry · 07-27-2003, 10:33 PM

Do not drive it in the snow. You could weight the trunk down and probaly make it but it is not worth it when you mess it up or some one slides into it. Conver top are very nice These days. With the top up you will stay very warm just as in a coupe. On cool days if top down turn the heater on. I have my top down on hot days and turn the ac on. Happy motoring. You could also move south.

Tom Champagne · 07-28-2003, 06:22 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I really thought deep down that your responses would be what they were. I guess I'm going to have to try to talk my wife into a 3rd vehicle for the winter. thanks again...hope to join your "club" in the very near future.

cowboyharry · 07-29-2003, 12:10 AM

Yes, most defintly. I dont even drive mine in the rain unless I just out and get caught in it. be good.

STU · 07-29-2003, 08:33 AM

I would say it depends on your budget, parking situation, wether you like entering car shows, etc.

While I store mine in the winter, the reality is that cars are a poor investment and their value drops like a rock. Expecially recently with the 0 % financing. My barber just bought a 3 year old Lincoln Town Car from a customer for half what he paid for it. Depreciated $7,000 per year. My $28,000 95 Explorer is now only worth about $7,000.

If driving in the slush does not bother you and you feel like getting your moneys worth then drive it.

07-25-2003, 03:29 PM	#1
Tom Champagne Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: St. Joseph,MI Posts: 2	Help me with this decision.. Hello,I'm new to this board and want you guys(gals) to help me make a decision. I want to get a 2003 Cobra,but I live in the snowbelt(Michigan)and was wondering is it possible to enjoy this car in the bad winter months? I used to have a TBird SC(auto trans) that I got around in the winter(although not very well)and since both cars are rear wheel drive,well...... I could put on some all season tires,since I only have to drive it back and forth to work(7 miles roundtrip).what about a convertible? how are they in the cold? sorry for all the questions,but I'd rather hear the skinnny from a Cobra owner and not someone who thinks he(she)knows. thanks in advance. TomC.

07-25-2003, 04:44 PM	#2
cobrabitn Dr Jekyll on the street, Mr Hyde on the track Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 14,649	Honestly? I think you will have everyone telling you to buy a beater for daily driving and put the Snake in the garage for nice weather. Salt can be hard on a car as well as the harsh winters you may have in Northern, MI. Rear wheel drive Mustangs are not very favorable for winter driving as they are light in the back and heavier in the front which is not good for snow driving or should I say plowing? Whatever you decide, I think you will enjoy the ownership of a New Cobra. Good luck with your dilemma! __________________ Cobrabitn 2016 Ruby Red Metallic with Caribou accent F-350 Crew Cab Stump Puller! 6.7 Diesel Automatic with Chrome Package, Off Road Package, 3.55 Locking axles, and Ultimate Lariat Interior Trim Package! 2017 Shelby GT350 Coupe - track car! Mods: JLT True Cold Air oil catch can 2009 Vista Blue Shelby GT 500 Coupe - Garage Queen Tinted Windows JLT True Cold Air Kit Pro-Dyno Tune 526 rwhp - 511 rwtq 1994 Rio Red Indy Pace Car #22 "Runabout" Snake in the grill MGW shift knob 1996 SVT Cobra Wheels 1969 New Lime Mustang Mach 1 Sportsroof - Second owner - bone stock with shaker. One SVT Cobra, one Shelby GT500, one 69 mach 1, and a Shelby GT350 is better than nothing! Custom Data Plates for your Mustang or Ford! Buy "Cool Merchandise" at Data Plates Plus www.dataplatesplus.com See my MSR Video here!

07-25-2003, 04:54 PM	#3
venomous Polk County Redneck Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Polk County, NC Posts: 557	I agree with tony, salt can be very hard on a car in which it makes it rust underneath. Definetly, store it dring winter months. __________________ ~1995 "Rio Red" Cobra #3379 of 4005 2.2 Kenne Bell Blowzilla/ Flowzilla Supercharger (12# Boost), AFR 165 Aluminum Heads 61cc, TMoss Port Matched Cobra Lower, Trickflow 1.7 Roller Rockers, Crane 2031 Camshaft, 3/8" Intake Spacer, 60# Injectors, Accufab 75mm Throttle Body w/ Blank Spacer, DynoJet Wideband Commander, MSD Pro Billet Distributor, MSD Blaster Coil, SCT Big Mouth Meter BAF 2400, JLT Custom Cold Air intake, Deleted EGR/ Smog, Mac Chrome Radiator Pipes, Mac Ceramic Coated Shorty Headers, Mac O/R H-Pipe, Flowmaster Cat-Back, Pro 5.0 Shifter, Ford Racing 3:73 Gears, H&R Sport Springs, Chrome Cobra R Wheels Pro Dyno Tuned to 498 RWHP 497 RWTQ

07-27-2003, 10:33 PM	#4
cowboyharry Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Knoxville Tn Posts: 355	Do not drive it in the snow. You could weight the trunk down and probaly make it but it is not worth it when you mess it up or some one slides into it. Conver top are very nice These days. With the top up you will stay very warm just as in a coupe. On cool days if top down turn the heater on. I have my top down on hot days and turn the ac on. Happy motoring. You could also move south.

07-28-2003, 06:22 PM	#5
Tom Champagne Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: St. Joseph,MI Posts: 2	Thanks for the replies guys. I really thought deep down that your responses would be what they were. I guess I'm going to have to try to talk my wife into a 3rd vehicle for the winter. thanks again...hope to join your "club" in the very near future.

07-29-2003, 12:10 AM	#6
cowboyharry Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Knoxville Tn Posts: 355	Yes, most defintly. I dont even drive mine in the rain unless I just out and get caught in it. be good.

07-29-2003, 08:33 AM	#7
STU Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 713	I would say it depends on your budget, parking situation, wether you like entering car shows, etc. While I store mine in the winter, the reality is that cars are a poor investment and their value drops like a rock. Expecially recently with the 0 % financing. My barber just bought a 3 year old Lincoln Town Car from a customer for half what he paid for it. Depreciated $7,000 per year. My $28,000 95 Explorer is now only worth about $7,000. If driving in the slush does not bother you and you feel like getting your moneys worth then drive it.

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