2003 SVT Mustang Cobra

How fortunate just as I was winding up a week with a Roush-modified Ford Mustang 360R, a 2003 SVT Mustang Cobra showed up. Fortunate for which one, you ask? Well, not so fast.

Although “fast” pretty much sums up this whole exercise. This more powerful Cobra is Ford’s answer to – or, more accurately, thumbing of the nose at -- Mustang tuners like Roush. Having the two cars side by side gave me a rare opportunity to see how that response stacks up.

Not that Ford targeted the Roush specifically. The Cobra’s goal was simply to be the hottest Mustang -- period. To that end, most every aspect from powertrain to independent rear suspension to clutch to brakes has been performance revised. That’s “performance” with a capital “P.”

The Good News
The Cobra comes in both coupe and convertible, each receiving unique spring rates to compensate for structural differences. I had the more substantial Coupe.

The bottom line: Ford’s Special Vehicle Team clearly wasn’t interested in second place here. For example, comparing to the Roush, both vehicles use a supercharged 4.6-liter V-8: the Roush a single-overhead cam affair, the Cobra’s a twin cam. The Roush uses its legendary “Roots” supercharger; the Cobra gets the legendary Eaton blower from the F-150 Lightning pickup. The Roush has 360 horses; the Cobra now produces 390. The Roush lays out 375 foot pounds of torque at 3000 rpm; the Cobra slaps down 390 at 3500. The Roush has five manual gears; the Cobra has six. You get the picture.

Of course numbers on paper mean little if it doesn’t happen on pavement. In independent tests, the Cobra turned in anywhere from a 4.5 to a 4.9-second 0-60 and a quarter mile in the 13 second range at 108 to 111 mph. If you accept Roush’s own statistics, its 0-60 is 4.3 seconds and its quarter mile in 12.3 seconds at 109. Pretty darn close.

What helps the Cobra pull away in this race is price. Roush claims it’s the fastest car under $40,000, but mine retailed for $45,8 and change with performance brakes, etc. The Cobra, fully outfitted, is only $34,750 as tested.

Prospective buyers will also be glad to know the style crew on this project understood what I call “bragging-rights aesthetic.” That means when you drive the meanest of the Mustang lineup, it should be obvious. Ford accomplishes this by stamping the Cobra signature into the rear bumper instead of relying only on subtle badges.

Otherwise, I think it shows remarkable restraint stylewise, with a vented hood, new fascia, a short rear spoiler and otherwise clean lines finishing the package. Next to the retro racing-striped Roush, it looks a grownup.

The Bad News
I’m no wimp when it comes to clutches, really I’m not. But I have never, ever put my left foot into anything as heavy as this Cobra’s clutch.

Ford says they have increased the clamping force to handle the higher torque output. I understand that, but nothing warrants this kind of heft. I could hardly drive it. Let’s hope it was just my particular car.

Given that the popularity of certain German and Japanese cars has raised the bar in terms of what discomforts we will no longer tolerate in the name of performance, refining this Cobra was also part of the mission.

Ford may have smoothed a few edges, but it’s all relative. This Cobra still reeks of raw American muscle from its jarring ride to its roaring V-8. The interior favors sport and a horizon of hood over luxury and great visibility. It’s not particularly comfortable. And I’m sure most Cobra buyers wouldn’t have it any other way.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 16 mpg city/22 highway. What did you expect?

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $33,125;
Price as tested, $34,750

Is it worth it?
From the time the Cobra name graced Carroll Shelby’s dream, it has always stood for standard-setting performance. Ford continues that vision with this 2003 SVT Cobra Mustang, striking back (you knew I had to say it somewhere) in a major way. For the money, I think this car is an absolute performance steal. But until they do something about that clutch, I’m the one who’s robbed.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.