Should I buy

bbrock · 08-31-2003, 07:53 PM

I am looking at buying a new 03 SVT and would like to know what others think. I a stuck between this and a BMW M3. Can anyone hape me to make an informed decision. Love the HP on the SVT but not sure about the handling. I own a 73 Porsche 911 and I love the way it handles. Can anyone help.

**97whitevert** · 08-31-2003, 08:09 PM

You know the answer you will get on here!

I too looked at a BMW before I got the 97. I still love the 97, but the 03 kicks a$$ !! I did not drive the bmw to be honest. the 03 handles like it is on rails, straight from the box. No, it is not a limber little thing- it drives more like a race car than a luxury car. This is not a luxury car- we are talking pure bang for the buck.

If you can drive both, drive before you purchase. What do you want the car for? Then make your decision.

The guys on here are very knowledgeable, and are more than willing to answer any questions that you have.
Good luck!!

bbrock · 08-31-2003, 08:35 PM

I mainly want it for an everyday driver. My 911 has no heat or air but is very fast. So, I want it all. That is what everyone wants. I would love to get a car that I can take on a curvy track on the weekends as well as drive to work everyday. Is this it? In order to ge an M3, I would have to get a used one. 2000 model. So that is hanging over my head. But, I cannot ignore the shear power of the SVT. I am just not able to get crazy on a test drive. Anyone have experience on a track? How does the car really handle curves?

Are there fairly inexpensive add on's that can imporve the cornering or is it even needed. I do not want a car that can oly go fast in a straight line.

I know what answers I would get on this forum but I also belive that people driving this car also respect BMS's as they are also great cars.

Thanks for any help.

**97whitevert** · 08-31-2003, 08:44 PM

i have taken the 03 on a road course even though I swore that i wasn't going to. I thought that it handled great- like i said, bone stock. The handling was right there; no having to fight it through then turns- no 'man-handling' needed.

For an all around car, I don't know that it can be beat. I can drive it to work, and then to the track on the weekends with minimal work ( ok no work for me, i leave that to my crew chief).

This being said, the 03 is NOT my track car, and I DON'T plan on taking it out again. I want my 89 so I can drive with all the safety equipment inside. VIR here I come!!

johnbasf · 08-31-2003, 09:16 PM

Boy am I gonna here it!!! Get the M3.

You will never get a Mustang to handle like a M3. Sorry guys ans gals.

Big Daddy · 08-31-2003, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by johnbasf
Boy am I gonna here it!!! Get the M3. You will never get a Mustang to handle like a M3. Sorry guys ans gals.

Because of the Mustangs frame it is severly deficient out of the box....BUT you can make it handle like it's on rails IF you spend the bucks on bracing, k-member, and IRS geometry fix, all of which will cost you some $$$'s. So if you want stock to stock to go to a road course I agree with John the M3 is the way to go. If you want power and have the extra bucks to work on the suspension then the '03 is the bomb!

bbrock · 08-31-2003, 10:10 PM

How much are we talikng about to upgrade the suspension? I do not even know where to start looking for upgrades. This ia a hard choice. I am having a hard time getting over the extra HP.

BlackCoupe · 08-31-2003, 11:07 PM

Being a rookie to fast cars and handeling my knowledge is very limited to offer you some sound advice. All I can tell you is that I love the way this car handles. I have taken my 03 Cobra on a road course with only the full length subframe connector modification. I was very pleased at how easy the vehicle took the corners with no oversteer (unless I wanted too) or understeer. And, I was equally pleased at how fast I could gain speed going down the straight aways. Just my 2 cents.

One thing you might consider if this is going to be your everyday driver...., I've heard these cars don't really handle that well in the snow? I haven't tried it myself, and don't plan on finding out either!

It's hard to turn away from this much power!!
Good luck!

bbrock · 09-01-2003, 09:51 AM

The snow is another issue. I live in Ohio. Dayton, so we do not get a lot of snow but will these cars drive at all in the snow. I used to own a turbo 944 and you could not go anywhere in the snow but that car did not have traction control. Anyone with experience in the snow?

This is a hard decision. I am worried about getting a used M3 as it will most likely have been driven hard. A new convertible SVT with all that power is hard to pass up. I guess I will just have to make up my mind and go with it. But anyone with snow experience would help.

BlackCoupe · 09-01-2003, 12:55 PM

Here you go BBROCK, this might help as there are plenty of opinions here.

Anyone drive their 03 Cobra in the snow?

redsnake99 · 09-01-2003, 03:14 PM

Mine is definitely not a snow car, but I love passing M3's on the track. M5's are a little tougher to deal with. And I still spent less than an M3 would have cost me.

bbrock · 09-01-2003, 04:54 PM

Well I just tried to get one today. My gosh they will not deal on them. They give you $2500 off the sticker and that is it. I have never had that happen to be before. I refuse to pay 37,500 for a convertible SVT. This is the end of the year for them they should deal. The place I went to had about 20 SVT's all 03. They will not deal at all. Oh well I guess people are paying full price for them. Anyone get a good deal out there on an 03 convertible? If so let me know and I will call them. Dayton Ohio sucks for buying a SVT.

**cobrabitn** · 09-01-2003, 06:58 PM

Honestly, that's a great deal. When they were first coming out, they wanted up to 5 grand over sticker. Trust me, I'd go for it!

BlackCoupe · 09-01-2003, 07:32 PM

bbrock. Check this link out:

Ohio dealer

Sonic Blue · 09-01-2003, 08:40 PM

Like I told my friend who bought an M3

"Next time you go to buy a car, take a man with you!

08-31-2003, 07:53 PM	#1
bbrock Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	Should I buy I am looking at buying a new 03 SVT and would like to know what others think. I a stuck between this and a BMW M3. Can anyone hape me to make an informed decision. Love the HP on the SVT but not sure about the handling. I own a 73 Porsche 911 and I love the way it handles. Can anyone help.

08-31-2003, 08:09 PM	#2
97whitevert well, maybe.... Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: anywhere, everywhere....NC Posts: 11,730	You know the answer you will get on here! I too looked at a BMW before I got the 97. I still love the 97, but the 03 kicks a$$ !! I did not drive the bmw to be honest. the 03 handles like it is on rails, straight from the box. No, it is not a limber little thing- it drives more like a race car than a luxury car. This is not a luxury car- we are talking pure bang for the buck. If you can drive both, drive before you purchase. What do you want the car for? Then make your decision. The guys on here are very knowledgeable, and are more than willing to answer any questions that you have. Good luck!! __________________ Lisa 97 white convertible #99 Born on 1/28/97 03 sonic blue coupe #323 Born on 6/4/02 86 SVO Mustang track beast- The older brother of the SVT ! 99 green BAT 95 laser red F150 06 sonic blue Escape "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." -- Mahatma Gandhi

08-31-2003, 08:44 PM	#4
97whitevert well, maybe.... Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: anywhere, everywhere....NC Posts: 11,730	i have taken the 03 on a road course even though I swore that i wasn't going to. I thought that it handled great- like i said, bone stock. The handling was right there; no having to fight it through then turns- no 'man-handling' needed. For an all around car, I don't know that it can be beat. I can drive it to work, and then to the track on the weekends with minimal work ( ok no work for me, i leave that to my crew chief). This being said, the 03 is NOT my track car, and I DON'T plan on taking it out again. I want my 89 so I can drive with all the safety equipment inside. VIR here I come!! __________________ Lisa 97 white convertible #99 Born on 1/28/97 03 sonic blue coupe #323 Born on 6/4/02 86 SVO Mustang track beast- The older brother of the SVT ! 99 green BAT 95 laser red F150 06 sonic blue Escape "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." -- Mahatma Gandhi

08-31-2003, 09:16 PM	#5
johnbasf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Lewisville,NC Posts: 2,674	Boy am I gonna here it!!! Get the M3. You will never get a Mustang to handle like a M3. Sorry guys ans gals. __________________ John Pearson

09-01-2003, 03:14 PM	#11
redsnake99 SCMC Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: NV, NY, SC Posts: 1,241	Mine is definitely not a snow car, but I love passing M3's on the track. M5's are a little tougher to deal with. And I still spent less than an M3 would have cost me. __________________ Dave Stanfield - SCMC 424

08-31-2003, 08:35 PM	#3
bbrock Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	I mainly want it for an everyday driver. My 911 has no heat or air but is very fast. So, I want it all. That is what everyone wants. I would love to get a car that I can take on a curvy track on the weekends as well as drive to work everyday. Is this it? In order to ge an M3, I would have to get a used one. 2000 model. So that is hanging over my head. But, I cannot ignore the shear power of the SVT. I am just not able to get crazy on a test drive. Anyone have experience on a track? How does the car really handle curves? Are there fairly inexpensive add on's that can imporve the cornering or is it even needed. I do not want a car that can oly go fast in a straight line. I know what answers I would get on this forum but I also belive that people driving this car also respect BMS's as they are also great cars. Thanks for any help.

08-31-2003, 10:10 PM	#7
bbrock Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	How much are we talikng about to upgrade the suspension? I do not even know where to start looking for upgrades. This ia a hard choice. I am having a hard time getting over the extra HP.

08-31-2003, 11:07 PM	#8
BlackCoupe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bloomington, MN Posts: 49	Being a rookie to fast cars and handeling my knowledge is very limited to offer you some sound advice. All I can tell you is that I love the way this car handles. I have taken my 03 Cobra on a road course with only the full length subframe connector modification. I was very pleased at how easy the vehicle took the corners with no oversteer (unless I wanted too) or understeer. And, I was equally pleased at how fast I could gain speed going down the straight aways. Just my 2 cents. One thing you might consider if this is going to be your everyday driver...., I've heard these cars don't really handle that well in the snow? I haven't tried it myself, and don't plan on finding out either! It's hard to turn away from this much power!! Good luck!

09-01-2003, 09:51 AM	#9
bbrock Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	The snow is another issue. I live in Ohio. Dayton, so we do not get a lot of snow but will these cars drive at all in the snow. I used to own a turbo 944 and you could not go anywhere in the snow but that car did not have traction control. Anyone with experience in the snow? This is a hard decision. I am worried about getting a used M3 as it will most likely have been driven hard. A new convertible SVT with all that power is hard to pass up. I guess I will just have to make up my mind and go with it. But anyone with snow experience would help.

09-01-2003, 12:55 PM	#10
BlackCoupe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bloomington, MN Posts: 49	Here you go BBROCK, this might help as there are plenty of opinions here. Anyone drive their 03 Cobra in the snow?

09-01-2003, 04:54 PM	#12
bbrock Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 8	Well I just tried to get one today. My gosh they will not deal on them. They give you $2500 off the sticker and that is it. I have never had that happen to be before. I refuse to pay 37,500 for a convertible SVT. This is the end of the year for them they should deal. The place I went to had about 20 SVT's all 03. They will not deal at all. Oh well I guess people are paying full price for them. Anyone get a good deal out there on an 03 convertible? If so let me know and I will call them. Dayton Ohio sucks for buying a SVT.

09-01-2003, 06:58 PM	#13
cobrabitn Dr Jekyll on the street, Mr Hyde on the track Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 14,649	Honestly, that's a great deal. When they were first coming out, they wanted up to 5 grand over sticker. Trust me, I'd go for it! __________________ 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!

09-01-2003, 07:32 PM	#14
BlackCoupe Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bloomington, MN Posts: 49	bbrock. Check this link out: Ohio dealer

09-01-2003, 08:40 PM	#15
Sonic Blue retired ff/pm Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Katy,Texas Posts: 141	Like I told my friend who bought an M3 "Next time you go to buy a car, take a man with you! __________________ 97 Rio Red Cobra](Gone but not Forgotten) 2003 Sonic Blue Cobra](Gone but not Forgotten) Candy Red 2011 GT 6 speed manual Brembo package electronics package comfort and security 3:73 gears

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