Review: 2003 Mustang SVT Cobra 

@8:40 it is not a Borg Warner t-45. They stopped putting that transmission in the cobra after 99. They used the tremec t56 in the 2000 cobra R, tremec tr-3650 in the 01 cobra, and the tremec t56 in the 2003 and 2004 cobras.

Who doesn't love an '03-'04 Cobra? Even Camaro guys give a Terminator a thumbs up

3 things I've learned from owning a Terminator: 1. Traction control OFF ALWAYS 2. Speak louder...I mean LOUDER even during idle 3. One of the most fun and thrilling cars you'll ever drive

Gotta be one of the best looking Mustangs ever!

I can say that Subaruwrxfan is a great dude. I was there during this whole review the owner of the car is my brother. Awesome review man!

This guy kills me! I feel his excitement! True gear head...car enthusiast

The terminator was actually completely underrated from the factory. There have been people that I know that have made around 390 to the rear wheels bone stock. I'm guessing it actually made about 450 to the crank.

Hi Subaruwrxfan, this is a really special car. This is lead SVT Engineer *John Coletti's - IRON FIST LEAD FOOT* Terminator for good reason. I was really hoping you dived into the history about this vehicle because it shaped the course of history for all muscle cars today. Here's why: It took such a collective effort to build these cars from Ford that Ford almost didn't want to IIRC from the book. It is not just the rotating assembly that's in the motor, its the whole drivetrain from nose to rear. The reason why the car felt so agile was because it has a second generation IRS that came from the 2000 Cobra R. The famous eaton supercharger was sourced from SVT Lightning and the shape of the hood was inspired by the 2005/2006 future protype Ford GT. If it wasn't for this car you wouldn't have Camaro ZL1, Corvette ZR1, Hellcat cars, etc etc. They can all trace there lineage back to this car because it caused such a problem for its competitors back in early 2000's. This car was direct response to Camaro SS of 2002 but Chevy killed the camaro for a half a decade.

The car that paved the path for so many to this day. Drove my Terminator to work today. Puts a smile on my face every time I do!

Ha Ha... I love it. "plastic dash is cracking, no worries just give it more gas and listen to that sound". lol

10:06 The reason why you came lol

One of the most underrated Cobra's. Like a freight train in a straight line. Back in the day at FoMoCo, our SVT Manager was so uptight about this generation Cobra that he had to be told by the GM to "Lighten up a little Bob. We're not gonna sell any of these things if you keep lecturing everybody on how to 'properly' drive it...". He was a SCCA racer and became quite obsessed with this generation Cobra, and for good reason. This thing is a blast to drive! Eventually he purchased one which coincidentally ended up in my neighbors garage many years later. However it was no longer a track car but rather a drag car. My neighbor had installed twin turbos and painted it highlighter green. I miss that guy. Fun little fact, if you have access to race fuel or anything 98 octane or higher, then you potentially gain a substantial amount of power. I don't know if that was intended when designed by the engineers, but I'm sure glad he tested it out for us on his car. He had a Firebird WS6 that he tried that on and blew up the motor which subsequently led him to purchase the Cobra. Good times. Keep up the good work my friend.

I can't believe they dropped this body style for the 2005 style.

The 03/04 Cobras were factory rated at 390. In reality they were about 420 crank b/c Ford wanted to keep it in a certain class so they under rated it. The transmission is a T-56, like the ones used in the 6 speed Camaro and Vipers. Stock 0-60 was actually 4.5 sec and a 1/4 mile about 12.5 or so.

Terminator cobras are badass as fuck

I think it's crazy these cars still sell for an easy 20 grand today in 2017

These cars sold for roughly $30,000 14 years ago, and for roughly $20,000 today. That's amazing resale for a car of this type from that era. They were under-rated from the factory, like many Mustangs post-1999. With very simple mods, I've seen them make 700+ horsepower and they are very reliable and easy to work on, unlike today's models. I will never forget a video I saw in 2003 where a guy in a Cobra was toying with a guy in a 2002 Camaro SS on the highway and he would just pull away from him at will. Completely trolled the guy. I had just graduated college and I wanted a Cobra so bad after that.

I love it... at the beginning he is giving his honest review... Interior, how things hold up etc... (plastic door pieces, not alot of room etc)... Things change when he starts the engine and goes for a spin. LOL!!!! THAT is why we love our Terminators. That rumble, that windy noise from the supercharger and being thrown back into the seats... I love how your face couldn't stop smiling while driving too. LOL!!! great stuff bro

Just bought a 2003 Cobra a month ago from US and can't wait for it to arrive in Finland :/

Make no mistake, the 03 Cobra IS the GRAND DADDY to the modern shelby's, ZL1s and hellcats of today. Legendary.

390hp was underated

Love that super charger wine.

10:10 I love the "Lets turn on this backroad here" Part! :D

my old assistant manager at Walgreen's had that exact car and it was stupid fast.

they underrated the motor from the factory most of them dyno from 370rwhp to 390 which is above 400hp and they are almost just as fast as a coyote just a tad slower coyote 0-60 is 4.3 and termi is around 4.4 or 4.5 coupe and coyote runs usually around 12.6 or 12.7 stock and the cobra runs about 12.8 so they are a legendary car still

i love how excited he gets when he hits the gas!

all that backfiring when you're letting off the gas when you're talking! Man, that Stang is lovely!

My 2003 chassis dyno'd at 386 hp stock. Ford definitely underrated the numbers.

I want to see your reaction in mine. 900hp GT500.

That's what a real mustang should sound like none of that ecoboost 6 cylinder bullshit

It makes me so happy to see and hear your reactions when you step on it! Infectious enthusiasm!

He ain’t lying about those clutches 😭 I drove one and they MAD heavy bro omg

still one of favorite youtubers

I love your channel because you definitely have the best mix of New and used cars that you review

I think this is one of the best looking mustangs. Anyone else agree?

i like the look of the car. It's a keeper. Future classic.

Cars so fast, he transformed into beavis

By far my all time favorite whip

You have no idea how much I want this as a first car...

Most consistent car reviews on RU-vid! Keep it up, sir!

dollar for dollar best mustang ford ever produced

The change of tone from 9:58 and at 10:10 in his voice pretty much sums up this car 😂😂😂. Had the pleasure of driving one and to this day I still want one 😫

Love my American v8 Supra

It was about 15 years ago and I never forget that day riding the interstate in Charleston I had to take a friend of mine's mother to the hospital to visit him we was behind a Terminator on the interstate and it was a car in the express lane riding slow once he once he hit the throttle a couple of times making it bark the car moved out of the way but the thing I loved about it the the most was watching that back in bounce and he made it back

I love that supercharger whine

Great review. Sweet car, huh! Everyone loves the terminator! 390 was under-rated. They put down 360-380 at the wheels, so it's closer to 420 HP stock *t-56 six speed (t45 was 5 speed and ended half way through 2001). *03/04 Cobras already came with an aluminum driveshaft

Ended up buying a Terminator with 24k miles 2 years ago. Still have it and daily it. 😄Just stock with wheels and a free flowing exhaust. Just to comment, your video helped me in my purchase. ❤

Even though I'm watching it through a screen it's still able to put a smile on my face

I had a 01 Svt Cobra when I was 21. now I'm 31 and own a prius 🤤

It was a game changer. It wasn’t just the greatest mustang ever made, it still is one of the best domestic cars made in our generation. The aftermarket was so strong for it that it’s easy for it to still be relevant as they were withstanding close to 1000hp before seeing catastrophic problems....and let’s be real, these cars still sound better than pretty much everything. The 4.6DOHC was a great motor, the 4.6 supercharged DOHC was an incredible motor and the true SVT deserves credit for pushing the domestic performance market to where it is today. The lightning was the Cobras equal in the truck market. Special Vehicles Team FTW. 99 cobra was my first car, currently in a 730whp 18 ZL1 built by vengeance racing....And still can’t stop thinking of the Terminators.

I had your reviews on autoplay for u could get some add Revenue I guess my dog watched u all day I hope everything your ok with your mustang

wish they would've kept the stock Cobra wheels! awesome review Matt, glad you finally got to do one of these cars!

Matt, I’ve watched this video atleast a hundred times now. Never in my life have I seen a better review of this car. This is on my dream car list and every time I see this video I want the car more lol.

Not gonna lie but im 20 years old and ive seen 2 03/04 cobras in my entire life one white and the other one silver they look way better in person this is still my dream car till this day!

That explosion into 2nd gear was beautiful!

I had a 2004 in 2004, this car was a screamer with a free flowing intake, so big i could almost fit my entire forearm inside the air filter. With just that big air filter i pulled 415 rwhp, 360 rwhp in stock form good for a 114 mph trap speed. I now have a 2013 Boss 302, the 7500 redline in the Boss is addicting too.

Whoever’s car that is looks like he has every single year “phone charger cord” from 03-17 😆

The clutch is pretty stiff because it's a cable not hydraulic

One of the best, if not the best, mustangs ever built.

WHATS UP EVERYBODY?! SUBRUWXFAN HERE!!! That’s the reason I came

I think the best part of SWF is his reaction when he drives fast cars and puts the pedal to the metal.

Thanks. This is one of my dream cars. Had a 2000 GT 5spd. Loved it. Lots of fun.

The transmission in the 03 Cobra is actually the T56.

*Bone Stock 0-60 4.4 sec

My favorite Mustang. I'll be buying one .

Shifting these cars takes awhile to get used to, It feels like youre going to break something, but its okay its just notchy as heck. 😂 You really gotta muscle everything in this car. Its worth it. These cars are very mechanical feeling. Only question though, would he daily it? 😂

Best looking mustang by far !

let's turn on this straight road and see how it does this is why I love his videos

That's a Tremec T56. Shared from Vipers, F-bodies, Corvettes, GTO's and even Aston Martin. Combined with the IRS and 32V heads those 3 things are the selling points for the 03-04 Cobra.

dang thing is awesome. I absolutely love the sound of the

These cars are famously underrated in power by Ford. Tons of stock dyno graphs confirm that they are in the 420-430 HP range right out of the factory. They were being conservative after getting sued over the '99 Cobra's actual power output. If this one that you're driving has a few bolt-ons (minus a pulley) and a tune, it's probably making 460-470 HP at the crank. If you pulley and tune them, you're sitting at about 530 to the crank. Port the blower along with it, 580-ish. If that's not enough, slap on a Kenne Bell or Whipple and you can make more than than you'd ever need on a public street. This car is a legend.

"Gas Pedal Mod" where a spacer can be put inline and position the pedal higher to even out the pedals. Worked for me. Also the Steeda shifter, at least the version I have, can be put in two positions, it might be in the lower position and moving it to the upper position would also help the reach. That Cobra sounds awesome!

dude the cobra is so sinsiter 😈😈

Sn95 went out with a bang. Love it.

Very good review 👍 Terminator my dream car 🐍🐴 but price is 20K + and good condition 30K + .. ☹️ in Europe is very rare in see this beatiful car

My dream car but in Sonic Blue. Sweet Jesus.

Matt I got a 2017 Mustang GT Performance Package and a 2003 Terminator Cobra, I dynod them both and guess what, they both made 390 hp to the WHEELS... keep in mind terminator is 400 lbs lighter, then I went ahead and changed the supercharger pully to a 2.81 inch pulley and now the terminator is making 460 HP to the wheels and 530 HP to the engine... It's that simple with this car man... It's that simple, that's why it's the best, my 2017 has 0 on it man 0. My terminator can literally leave it in dust in seconds, I wrecken it 0-60s in 2.9 seconds with slicks.

Love the pops and cracks of the V8's

Lol man i swear i watch your videos for the expressions on your face when you floor it. I love it.

I love that you love Mustangs.

Pretty accurate review minus the T-45 mix up. Has a T-56. Bought mine in the same color in 2003. Still have it. Only new car I’ve ever owned.

Lmao always a good time watching this guy when he really gets on those cars

10:01 we are all here for it..

05:50 i remember in high school. A friend of mine had a 07 mustang. We had 4 people in that car. They stuck my 6ft 3in self in the back seat. My feet couldnt physically fit in the floor board, so i kicked my feet up on the center console & we went down the road lol.

I've been waiting for this review! great vid

I searched to see if you reviewed one of these the other day and look, you just posted one haha

added to favorites before even watching... update: this review was fuckin great 😍😍👌🏻

Nice review, my friend has one as well it's on my page. He said after the mods he got it was night and day better.

always loved these only mustang I ever wanted was terminator

Nice review, Matt. I pined for this car back in the day. Sweet ride for the time.

Dat Whine Tho...

finaly you get your hands on one of these :)

COOL Review: 2003 Mustang SVT Cobra

This is pretty much the Hellcat of the 2000s. Badass car.

The only Mustang I would get hell yeah!!!

Not a huge mustang guy, but that's my favorite gen Cobra. Just the right color too.

I'm looking to getting a mach 1 from this generation, so glad they share the same motor just n/a! Great review btw man keep it up!

This will be my favorite swf video

I absolutely love my 2003 twin Turbo Cobra

Still the only into on RU-vid I enjoy. Meanwhile instead of making cars like this, Ford is telling me a v6 is all I want