Opinions wanted: Modded Terminator or Modded C5?

**Stangman701** · 10-12-2011, 08:10 PM

I'm looking to unload my cobra and get something a little more radical. Initially I was looking at a terminator with a 3.4 whipple or turbo(s). I wanted to get something that was already done just because it's way cheaper to do it that way. It would be a lot more fun to do all the mods myself, but it just doesn't make sense to do when you can get a professionally built car for less.

I've been watching that market for a while and haven't really found the "perfect" car for me. Well in the mean time one the the crazy chevy people on this board *cough* Bish *cough* got me looking at vettes. To my surprise you can get a built C5 for about the same or less than an equally built terminator.

So this brings up my dilemma. I've always been a Ford guy, always hated Chevys, and now I find myself seriously considering a vette. My dad and all of my uncles have or had nice Fords, so I grew up around them. I do take some solace in the fact that Ford doesn't really make anything equivalent to the vette aside from maybe the GT which is obviously in a much different price category. I will also still have my old fox body so that will help some too. Just not sure which way to go. Emotionally I'm leaning toward the terminator still, but my more rational side says the vette is the way to go.

So I turn to my fellow Ford enthusiasts(I'm sure the chevy boys will chime in too) and ask for opinions. Built terminator or built C5.

In either car I'll be looking at something with at least 650RWHP and will most likely get something with more than that or make a few tweaks after I get it so that it makes more than that. It will mostly be a cruiser with a few rare trips to the track. I plan on taking road trips in the car and one of the things I worry about in the vette is storage space. I know when I went cross country in the cobra I had the trunk and back seat packed. Not sure if I would have gotten all the stuff in a vette. The lack of a back seat is a bit of a negative on the vette as well. I obviously don't have people in the back of the cobra often, but it is nice to have the option. Since it will probably go on some long trips it is nice that the vette will get better gas mileage. I also like the fact that I would be more comfortable to tear into the motor on the vette myself vs the 4V in the terminator.

Those are a few of the major pros/cons I've come up with. Let my know your opinions and why you feel that way

**map22** · 10-12-2011, 08:33 PM

My opinion is to just build your cobra. I am biased tho lol. Also, you already have your 03 so you dont have to go through buying/finding something else. The power possibilities are endless it seems. I dont know much about corvettes but i wouldnt trade my cobra for one any day. Just my .02. But good luck with whichever route you go!

**PaxtonShelby** · 10-12-2011, 08:36 PM

Aren't you just a KB and maybe a clutch upgrade away from the 650rwhp neighborhood? I know that means some $$$, but then you have a car that you know front-to-back, and that you obviously like a LOT. On top of that, factor in the hassle ( and cost ) of selling your car and finding / buying the new car ( sales tax/travel ), and the gap shrinks further. Just a thought...

Plus - do you want to have to explain to your Dad & Uncles why you...uh...switched teams? ( Not that there's anything WRONG with that... )

I hear ya on the Vettes. They are nice cars - especially the Z06s like u1arunit has. WOW! But if you need, or ever will need, your toy to have 4 seats, you might as well stick with the Cobra. The unwritten rule at my home is that, since we have 2 daughters, all toys need to have 4 seats. ( My Daytona coupe will have to wait until the girls are through college and moved out!! )

**Silverhatch** · 10-12-2011, 08:40 PM

I thought an '03 Cobra was a Terminator? On gas mileage, once the vette is modded to 650hp, how good is gas mileage gonna be? The c5s are reasonable, but for a few thousand more, you can get a c6 that has the power of a c5 Z06 and an updated bodystyle.

**Mitternacht** · 10-12-2011, 08:42 PM

C5 Corvette's my next sports car if all goes well. I say Corvette.

**NateSVT** · 10-12-2011, 08:52 PM

Terminator > C5

Terminator < C6 Z06

**jaa55** · 10-12-2011, 08:56 PM

never been a big fan of corvettes.... especially seeing as how the interior looks like a cavalier in that car...a terminator is way more bad ass

and maybe this isnt important to you but honestly think in the future the terminator is going to be way more desirable

**pRojekt02GT** · 10-12-2011, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by jaa55

never been a big fan of corvettes.... especially seeing as how the interior looks like a cavalier in that car...a terminator is way more bad ass

and maybe this isnt important to you but honestly think in the future the terminator is going to be way more desirable

Kind of agreed somewhat with the vett/cavy interior, i've seen a few of the clusters being closely related, or maybe its just chevy's "genre".

I would honestly keep the car, you already have a solid platform to start on, plus like stated above, you know the car top to bottom and obviously love it. When I get into the position to make a decision on another sports car, which won't be for a while, but it will be a Terminator.

My vote is = Keep it!

**Terminated** · 10-12-2011, 09:09 PM

Just build yours, you know what is in it and who put the wrench time in.

Buying one already done, there is no guarantee a "professional" built it.

**cemnt guy** · 10-12-2011, 09:21 PM

honestly i cant believe anyone would ask such a question! when a vette rolls thru town only old guys even notice it. when i drive the 03 cobra with kenne bell and full exhaust into town, it scares women and children. just sayin.good luck with whatever you decide

**Martin0660** · 10-12-2011, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by Stangman701

it just doesn't make sense to do when you can get a professionally built car for less.

Others mentioned it, but there is a trap in this ... buying someone else's mess ... Building what you have, you know what's done (at a price premium) ... Even in the Vette world, I think buying a built car is loaded with more land mines than up sides ...

Random .02

**Stroked03Cobra** · 10-12-2011, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Terminated

Just build yours, you know what is in it and who put the wrench time in.

Buying one already done, there is no guarantee a "professional" built it.

Very true there. Before I knew what I was doing with my Terminator, I was looking between the 2.8 KB Mammoth with the Liquid Cool option or the new Whipple 2.9 crusher. The 3.4 is a little overkill for anything under 23 or 24psi. On pump 93 tune at 17 to 18 psi the 2.8 and 2.9 will out perform the 3.4 esp. on stock engine. I did weeks of research talking with KB and whipple. If you do decide to keep yours and do turbo, you can help fund the build from all of the factory SC parts that you would not need, front cover, intake, intercooler, heat exchanger, pulley bridge, eaton blower and so on. Theres just something about the 03 and 04s that never get old! Best of luck with however which way you go.

**Terminated** · 10-12-2011, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by cemnt guy

honestly i cant believe anyone would ask such a question! when a vette rolls thru town only old guys even notice it. when i drive the 03 cobra with kenne bell and full exhaust into town, it scares women and children. just sayin.good luck with whatever you decide

My favorite is when little kids give me thumbs up. Reminds me of when I used to see Mustangs as a kid.,

**PaxtonShelby** · 10-12-2011, 09:43 PM

On second thought, I think you should just buy Stroked03's car...

Some really good advice here, especially on knowing the car and what has been done to it.

Can you add a poll to this thread??

**PaxtonShelby** · 10-12-2011, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by Terminated

My favorite is when little kids give me thumbs up. Reminds me of when I used to see Mustangs as a kid.,

I love it anytime I get a thumbs up - usually in the '66. But when a little kid does it, it is an awesome feeling!!

**John4cam** · 10-12-2011, 09:44 PM

I'm a complete c-5 fan for many reasons. If you do opt for a c-5 just get one done with the money you get from your termy. There are some very well put together vettes out there, and you can tell when something is done right.

That being said, how expensive is it to get to mid 600's with an 03-04 cobra? Next car I buy will be done and the person I buy from is taking the hit instead of the other way around.

Only problem with a C5 vette is you see them everywhere!

**jaa55** · 10-12-2011, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by John4cam

Only problem with a C5 vette is you see them everywhere!

how true is this^^

I get sick of people saying you see too many mustangs, Ive seen maybe two other 11 GTs in my area....go to a car show, more vettes there than anything. c5s are everywhere....c6s i dont see as often. I never see 03-04 cobras

**SAC81** · 10-12-2011, 09:54 PM

I'm not brand loyal at all and really like C5s...but with you already owning a Terminator, I can't imagine dumping it for someone else's "built" C5.

And I dunno...having put blowers on a few of my previously N/A cars, I can't imagine swapping your Eaton for a Whipple or KB could possibly be that tough. I'd stick with what you have, put a better blower on it along with whatever fuel system upgrades you need, and enjoy it.

**map22** · 10-12-2011, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by jaa55

I never see 03-04 cobras

I never unless i have mine out, then it seems like every other car is see is an
03/04

**Stroked03Cobra** · 10-12-2011, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by PaxtonShelby

On second thought, I think you should just buy Stroked03's car...

Some really good advice here, especially on knowing the car and what has been done to it.

Can you add a poll to this thread??

Lol especially if you want a sonic blue cobra with 4,900 original miles with no engine, no transmission, no fuel system and no rear end! I told the guys from Street Lethal that I am building the car once! Them guys are great over there!