10 Things I HATE About my Terminator Cobra | Chasing Dust
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มิ.ย. 2024
- Ever wonder if owning or driving your dream car is all you'd think it would be? In this episode of Chasing Dust, Matt talks to us about the ten things he hates about his dream car, which he bought just 2 months ago.
The 2003-2004 Mustang SVT Cobra was a performance machine that impresses even by today's standards. With gobs of horsepower coming from the supercharged DOHC V8, it sounds and drives like a rocket. But other than the powertrain, Ford didn't change much about the Cobra from it's lesser counterparts.
From cheap interior panels, to a traction control system that simply doesn't work, to wheel hop and failing alternators, the Terminator is riddled with issues that most people don't talk about. But spending $20-30k on a car and finding out about these problems is no fun, so the DesertChief's got your back.
Watch this video if you're considering buying one of these muscle monster Mustangs, and decide for yourself if you can live with it's flaws.
0:00 | Intro
1:55 | Cheap Interior
4:21 | Seating Position and Shifting
5:37 | Poor Sound System
6:33 | Seat Belt Loops
7:45 | Water Routing in the Trunk
9:39 | Interrupted by Goose and Maverick
10:30 | Clutch is Way too Heavy
11:51 | Very Notchy Shifter
12:39 | Wheel Hop
14:49 | Traction Control Sucks
16:28 | Bad Alternator Design
20:58 | Wrap Up
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Just joining Matt's journey? Watch his reaction to buying this Cobra just two months ago!
• Buying My Dream Car | ... - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
Since theirs so much you don’t like about your car how about selling it to someone who’ll appreciate it more…
This is the last OG muscle car that felt like a legit muscle car fuck the interior all the money went to performance. And that’s what this is.
Well put
The 07-09 gt500 feels like a pretty legit muscle car. It's more refined than a new edge in some ways but still plenty raw and with the solid axle out back may even be more "muscle car feeling" if anything. My 07 is lovely. Perfect mesh between old and new.
The s-197 feels like a muscle car to but mustangs might not have the best interior but its more about the driving experience all you need to do it drive a straight pipe GT then you’ll know what iam talking about
@@midnight347 the 07 GT500 is on a handicapped jaguar platform. Hardly what anyone would consider a muscle car.
The 03/04 cobra’s have such a following that people tend to get upset when things get critiqued on a car we’ve all loved, and had posters of on our walls. With that being said I’ll just say a few things. For starters the interior, yes it’s been the same interior from 94-04. Not much has changed aside seats, and airbag on the steering wheel. Once again as you stated these kept costs down and focused more on performance based things such as the IRS, built motor, T-56 transmission. To be honest I can’t think of to many cars in 2003 that I’ve been in that have blown me away with the interior. I think what many people fail to realize is in that time that interior wasn’t bad. We all get spoiled with technology, such as speakers, seats, and every comforts that most cars come with from factory. From 79-04 ford used the same chassis so it doesn’t feel much different. Obviously the S197 changed a lot of that. As for the seatbelt being wonky and not retracting, once again it’s an older car as you’ve mentioned. However it’s also based on how well someone took care of it. The creaking, and rattles happen from time to time. I’m sure that car wasn’t garage kept, and if it’s a California car I’m sure that lovely sun bakes a lot of the glue that held the door panel leather down, etc. the shifting is a bit crazy, I can agree that it shouldn’t be that far away. I guess what I’m trying to say in my long message is. Everyone who owns these cars buys them for the nostalgia of owning one. We all know it’s a 20 year old car that will have its issues. Some people just tend to be more picky because they got spoiled with new technology, and other features. In todays standards technology advances so much even 12 months after. Look at your computer from 2003, and compare it to your computer today. Not much of a comparison I’d say. I own a 1988 foxbody notch coupe, two 03 cobras, and a 13 Shelby GT500. So I’ve got an idea of how they differ from eachother. Even the navigation in my 13 Shelby is laughable considering in 2015 the navigation is light years ahead. Just in 2 years it’s changed drastically. There is an old wise saying. “Sometimes the things you take for granted, someone else is praying for”. Many people drool, and dream of owning one of these beautiful iconic cars, it’s just a shame to see someone who owns one complain about little things. I wouldn’t jump into a 1970 Chevelle and be like man, I have to roll the windows down.. seriously in my 2022 I can roll the windows down by clicking my unlock button twice and holding it.
Agree with you 100%, I was watching a video a couple months back about a young man on TH-cam that has a 14 Shelby GT500, a car that I also own. And he was complaining about how the navigation and GPS on the car was low grade quality and of course this is on a technology package vehicle. And I am a older gentleman, and I had to leave my comment about how all the cars that I have owned in my life didn't even offer this type of technology. Kids these days they have so much technology that we never even thought of growing up and they're still complaining LOL.
Haha, very well put. You need to take things for what they are! I'm quite positive no one had a gun to this guys head forcing him to buy it. He seems like a hellcat guy. I also own a 13gt500, previous owner to several terminators, that being said...I can't wait for my next 03 vert!
Ford payed $8 per each rod to make the run
If don't like it I take 😂😂 I love this car "Terminator 👍💖🔥💯"
Watching the water beads dry in the hot sunlight on your paint is giving me major anxiety!
SAME.. thank God I’m not alone haha 👊🏼👊🏼 fellow car brother
Some of these things are due to the car just being old I mean it is damn near 20 years old you can't expect it to be up to modern standards ecspecially when it comes to comfort and interior stuff. It's an old raw muscle car with tons of potential and a stout driveline ecspecially for its age. There is a reason they are sought after.
Bingo
Exactly. Most of his complaints are centered around the fact its a 20 year old car. Some of the complaints i can get on board with. Some are pure bullsh*t.
I honestly can't even finish this video. All I can say is that you should have test driven 1 first. I owned several, sold my last 1 for a 13gt500. I have ZERO regrets, I will be purchasing a 03 anniversary vert to park right next to the 13 and be in perfect harmony😊
It’s also my dream car, and it’s EXACTLY what I wanted/expected! 👍👍
I am at: 10 years of wanting, 4 years of saving and 3 days away from buying a terminator. Please don't ruin it for me
This is nitpicking bullshit, def wouldn’t let anything in this video deter me from buying one
Dude don’t worry about this video lol the car is awesome. Upgrade a few things and enjoy it.
so did you get it? If so, are you liking it? I'm going to go look at one in a few days and the position of the stick shift seems uncomfortable.
My interiors mint and I love it! I think it’s beautiful, still smells new too.
I like the interior style too, all the hate by some people is unjustified, yes there's hard plastic but also lots of soft touch plastic . What domestic car back then was much better? I will say the quality of the leather Ford used in Mustangs then was crap, in need of constant maintenance to keep it from disintegrating.
@@9145709902 yea I never owned a new edge until just a year or so ago. So it’s new to me!
My dad had a 95 Mustang back in the day. I sort of remember the interior but not really. It just brings me back. I miss the late 90s early 2000s
Mine too!
Mine has almost 150k and people still say it has the new car smell.
My interior is so clean i honestly do not care about how it looks though. Got to buy a clean one “not you” people beat these up so i bought a low mile bone stock one. MGW shifter will do you wonders man
Love mine too! Love the shifter position but I have long arms for being kind of short.
@@Wretched2JZ Im 5”10 and not longest arms. You were made for the 03-04 bro. Otherwise Im snug as a bug in mine.
@@aceburgers8801 haha yea I absolutely love the position of everything. Half the stuff this guy complains about isn’t even true!
Dude the IRS is awesome.. what’s wrong w you man. And when you put new bushings in and diff mounts the rear is so smooth!
I’ve NEVER had wheel hop. And that’s with it without drag radials on. 2nd and 3rd gear on a 650wheel car.
Ya, he’s going a bit far to say the least…All of the stuff he’s talking about can be fixed with numerous aftermarket options also…
I got this video as an ad, and was like this chick complaining has a deep voice.
Sounds like you expected a Mercedes out of your Ford. Nobody buys this car for any of the crap you described... they buy it for the power potential it has right out of the box which a lot of cars just didn't have in this era. They also buy it because it's arguably one of the best looking Mustangs ever built. This is just nitpicking that can be done with any car really.
Its traction control not launch control lol. It was designed to keep people from killing themselves in rain or snow. It wasn't a performance thing then.
*edit*
Turn TC OFF...if if isn't permanently disabled.
Exactly, it’s to help you in the rain, bad weather, it’s not launch control. Some of these owners of cobra now adays really don’t know anything about these cars.
Gotta embrace the suck! but it’s obvious this guy is not a real Cobra enthusiast, shame he owns that gorgeous car.
KMJ motorsports altenator for 300 with the correct pulley size is a life saver and I love mine.
Boys I’m exactly 12 months away from owning a stock terminator!
Did you buy one and why stock?
The first mustang with irs was the 99 cobra.
If you go back to the stock head unit your speakers will sound way better, it’s the aftermarket stereo working with the factory amps that destroys the sound quality…
First issue I had was my alternator when I got my cobra. I went with a KMJ alt and I havnt had an issue since. The thing I hate the most about my cobra is burping the coolant system
This is the greatest, most truthful review of an 03/04. 😂 I lost it with the seat belt.
I'm with you on the driving ergonomics. I'm 5'9" and the shifter position caught my attention also. Ref, the wheel hop, check with Steeda or BMR and see if they have any upgrades for the IRS on a 03,04 Cobra. I bought just one component for my S550, and wheel hop was eliminated. Hopefully they have something for that Cobra as popular as it is.
Honestly most of the things u hate are the things that make the car what it is. Raw driving feel things the new cars lack…
Another awesome video! I have a 96 GT and a 2019 GT, you should bring the cobra out next time Adams polishes holds a car meet in Anaheim 👍
I have my 04 since new. After having a 01, i already knew i needed a short throw shifter.
Mine is a 04 Mystichrome coupe. Rarely drive it, but love it.
Audience, you’re right about the inside plastic material, the no hit stereo, and the notchy clutch while engaging the gears. I purchased mine new in 04. It’s garage Kept and ONLY has 8k original miles. The water also lags around the back bumper after a wash 🧼, even when you wipe it several times. You forgot to mention about the rear window rubber molding coming unglued. No biggie, but mine has. No need to repair it, because it’s ONLY there for looks🙌🏾✌🏾.
Open the trunk after a wash and wipe the bottom side of the trunk lid. Will solve the water issue coming back onto the bumper after drying it.
The terminator is legendary
Hey don't know if you know or not but the shifter (at least the T5) arm is a 2 hole mount like old 4 speeds I would imagine a shift arm that either angles back or the s shaped arm either would put it significantly closer. I didn't want to invest in a aftermarket short shifter on my 95 GT but I did spend $30 on a short shifter arm and it does reduce the throw quite a bit also the one shifter had rubber bushings that made the shifter feel squishy and disconnected but the cheap aftermarket arm was solid mount that was a huge improvement with it and it took 20 to 30 casual min to swap out and it's visually no different..
I have a 04 cobra convertible. That coin holder is where the switch to the top goes in the convertible. Maybe your car had a hard life. Mine only has 35k miles on it but she is tight no squeaks creeks or rattles on mine.
I was thinking he got a ragged out termi
I drove a highly modified 91 Foxbody for years. This interior might as well be a Rolls Royce lol. Also i shop at Aldi so i LOVE the quarter holder
I agree 100% about the stock clutch and shifter everything else is nitpicking that I can live with.
"launch this thing into a tree or crowd or something" LMAOOOO
The clutch on my 01 GT was super heavy, I actually liked it. I’ve driven newer manual cars where the clutch is super light, but they’re not satisfying in the slightest. They’re too easy to drive to the point where I don’t feel as engaged.
My mach 1 had a very heavy clutch. I had a mcloud clutch installed. It is light as a feather. When I got it back, I was convinced on first start up the cable wasn't connected. I asked him and he said that's how a clutch should feel correctly installed and adjusted. Makes me question every other clutch I've had installed.
Spec 2 plus is heavy as hell.
It is not the clutch that is heavy. It is the pressure plate. The clutch can make things feel grabby or slip, but the pressure plate dictates how much leg pressure is needed.
great vid. i agree w u on most of all of it
Bro I own a 2017 grabber blue 5.0. These terminators was all about the performance I still til this day haven't heard a mustang that sounds more badass than these Cobras not even my 2017 5.0 sounds as badass as these Cobras do. I take one in a heartbeat!!!
That coin holder is the switch for the convertible top on all the other models. Lol but yes i get what you mean.
Forgot number 12, getting the hood to close with the stock latch, talk about causing an earthquake, lol.
Sounds like you need to watch Danny Johnsons video on how to adjust the latch.
When you come into the chat thinking your car is broken but turns out its just OEM status.
I like the interiors on sn95's better than the newer ones interiors
irs started in 99’. That’s the reason for the 305 to 320 hp bump in 01’
Ford got a lot of sh*t for that. Terminator is still an absolute legend. Overbuilt motor. With a simple interior. Sounds like a muscle car to me!
Like the south OC cars and coffee hat 👍I go there all the time with my terminator
It should be a law that if you get a cobra imprint on your face after an accident, it should become a tattoo. (Idc that is backwards)
He’s complaining about a 20 year old sound system smh
Isn't the sound of the motor the sound system anyway? I'm on my second Mustang (V6 pony package, now GT with a Borla Catback) and not once have I bought a Mustang because of the sound system that came with it.
Coin holder used to be a for fog light switch on the olsee cars ...
The mach 460 sound system was an outstanding sound system but once you change the head unit the speakers wont match the ohms. I've had my 03 mach 1 since 04 and once I changed the head unit it sounded horrible. Then I changed the speakers with component speakers and ran them off an amp.
I agree the sound system sounds good if you have a mach 460 or mach 1000
Get some light racing seats on it and a backseat delete kit
Corbeau’s was the first thing I did to mine, then every carbon fiber interior piece they make, also check out a McLeod twin disk clutch, it’s Honda soft. These cars have a lot of terrible features that in the process of upgrading
I love all COBRA mustangs. Mad Brad's customs.
I'm a Terminator Cobra 🐍 fan, but that cover pic looks like a Pontiac Bonneville. I want one but my current S550 takes up so much time. I'm either fixing something on it or putting something on it.
Bought an 03 terminator a couple weeks ago for my new daily. Enjoying it so far... minus the damn shifter position lol. You’re totally not exaggerating it.
I spaced mine back about 2" with about $10 worth of stuff from the hardware store. Made a huge difference! I couldn't stand it before. I sit fairly reclined so I had to lean way forward for 1.3.5.
You bought a cobra for a daily ?
😂😂😂😂😂
Way bad idea !
Sell it to someone that will appreciate it
That's what that coin thing is actually for a switch on the convertibles
I still can't figure out why people get so excited over pleather...lol
I own 01 GT Mach 460 works great..ck out video by you tube channel "5 star car stereo " You have to really understand the speaker set up when installing after market head units.The 4 large speakers are subs only.the things that look like tweeters are actually the full range.
The absolute only thing that I hate about the terminator Cobra is that I don't own one
99 cobra was the first mustang with irs
Give you $5 for it! It'll go nicely beside my 1995 GT.
One good thing abt cheap interior is lighweight
It’s not that bad bro
The coin slot is a switch but your model didn't come with it.
I was just looking for this comment. I just ran across this video and I own a 2003 GT convertible. It's obvious that they didn't bother to think of anything as useful as the switch that would be there if it wasn't a coupe. But who cares when the car is as great as it already is.
That shifter position does look like it sucks. I still want one though. My 06 shifter is in the perfect position for me. Someone just make a shifter that puts it closer to the driver?
Having owned both an 04 cobra and a 12 GT500 the Shelby is much easier to live with, and much more well built.
Speakers? 😂 I listen to the whine and beautiful exhaust notes
Hope you are still enjoying the cobra 🐍 ☺️
What's wrong with mowing your lawn at 4pm on a Friday??
why i got rid cause terrible wheel hop
You can modify the shifter back a few inches with $10 worth of stuff from the hardware store. Also, those Optima batteries are garbage nowadays. Total waste of money. I bet you won't get more than 2 years out of it. Go to Costco and get an interstate for 1/2 the price. I used to love Optima's cuz they would last a decade, then they shipped manufacturing to Mexico and they went to shit.
Lol washing a black car in the sun on a hot day..
Come on, aren’t you a car guy?
Badass car
88k miles too many for me to pursue my dream, or go for it? I don’t know how long these beasts last?
They last as long as you're willing to put time into it. Helps if you know what it's been through.
Having been lucky enough to drive LOTS of my dream cars… you can find things to pick apart in even the most prestigious and expensive ones. The terminator is awesome looking, sounding, driving.. the interior is junk. The shifter position is junk. But would it stop me from buying one? Hell no! I own an 07 saleen s331. I call it my “dumb truck”. It makes power, it’s fun but the interior is just dated compared to what is available from any American company now.
It’s funny Ford does the same thing with their new mustangs too
things i hate ….
wheel hop
seats are to narrow and im not a big guy
the shifter is too far forward. traded for s2000 never looked back
Couldn't you take a pipe bender and rework your shifter position so it sits a few inches back farther... or something.
Plenty you can do for a better shifting position. Buy aftermarket or fab something up
Car seat does fit
Late 90s, Early 2000s traction control is awful in all cars just early tc wasn't great by comparison to modern day safety systems.
My Friend...You need to get a newer Mustang I'd say...This one is too much of a GUYS car for you!!!
You complaining about the radio ..
🤦♂️
Just shut up and put it up for sale !
Car is 20 years old. Wtf. Sell the thing. Seriously. The only thing I agree with is the alternator. It's overdrive and stuffed in a bay that gets super heated. Replace the alternator with a Jfab abd problem solved. Easy. The interior? It's a 90s car wtf did you expect, most 90s car were cheap interiors, even early 2000s, since this car was based on a 94 design with a chassis from the 80s. The seat belt issue? Replace it. Car is 20 years old, rubber dry rots and shrinks over time causing leaks. A frigging ferrari would do the same thing. Trash example. Clutch is cable, that's why. It's a t56, replace the shifter, stop comparing it to your grandma's civic. Or better yet, buy a sports car and fix those issues smh. Why would you even care about traction control? I tuned mine out of my Terminator. That's an immediate lol on that argument. Wheel hop has been addressed. Requires firmer bushings. Don't just axle swap it like most newbs do. It's from people like you who don't understand how IRS works so they just think it's bad. Quite simply, replace the weak points and your IRS will hold 1000whp and drive pretty dreamy considering the chassis platform. This is not picking 10x. It's like all you've driven is new cars and think a 20 year old car will be the same smh. I could only imagine what you'd say about a fox body or older smh. Go to FTBR and your IRS issues will be cured. Only 1 thing belongs here, the rest is literally due to Era it was from and issues from being 20 years old.
2:00 you serious bruh?
Bro... Just buy an OEM Alternator and put a bigger pulley on it...
U either love the car or hate it and if u hate the little things about this car then is it really ur dream car 🤷♂️🤷♂️probably shouldn't own it
the back isn’t that bad if your under 6ft
9 years too late. 😂 Still got my 04 with 76k
Thanks for the woman's view of the Terminator ;)
I’ll take it bro. I don’t care
**no cobra embroider rear seats”
That would have been cool tho.
They are. Sunlight didn’t show it but they both have the logo embroidered
@@desertchief5769 so someone had to have had it added onto the car then. They only come from factory with embroidered snakes on the tops of seats!
@@Wretched2JZ that’s what I was talking about. The cobra logo.
@@desertchief5769 they have them on front seats but not rears.
@@desertchief5769 they are what? On the rear seats?
Should have bought a KMJ Titan alternator instead. Lmao. $300 and it comes with a lifetime warranty. 200 amps as well. Oh and they are in stock.
I have one, works great.!
Your nit picking ..
best thing you can do is get rid of !
It’s not for you !
Bad alternator. 100 percent. It’s a mustang though for all the other things
Just sell the car if you don’t like it. It’s 03-04 what do you expect? From 20 years ago?
This clown would complain about finding $100 bill on the ground.
Whaaaaaaaaa
@ford
It’s a raw powered muscle car if you want a comfy interior go buy a luxury car
So many city code violations
Old hate to build this guy a car lol. Its 20 years old. I have had 2 of these. I kindly disagree.
KAREN???
Should probably just sell it to someone who actually likes the car