One-Year Test Update: 2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
By Brian Vance
Photography by the author
We waved buh-bye to our long-term SVT Cobra this month, a gesture that left some staffers happy and others bummed. Our musclecar fanatics will miss the Cobra's torquey powertrain and hunky persona. The other camp won't miss the torture-chamber ergonomics, al dente chassis, or the numerous squeaks and rattles that started appearing at the 5500-mile mark.
Our SVT saw the service bay one final time for an oil/filter change and tire rotation, which was picked up by the dealer. We also had the clutch inspected, due to complaints that it chattered at takeoff and the clutch pedal disengaged low to the floor. The techs--rightly or wrongly--pronounced everything in good shape. Otherwise, this car proved rock-solid reliable, in spite of the power it makes and the thrashing it got when nobody was looking.
| 2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra |
| Base price | $37,545 |
| Price as tested | $38,170 |
| Vehicle layout | Front engine, rwd, 2-door, 4-pass |
| Engine | 4.6L V-8, DOHC, 4 valves/cyl |
| Hp @ rpm | 390 @ 6000 |
| Torque @ rpm | 390 @ 3500 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| 0-60 mph, sec | 4.7 |
| EPA mpg | 16/22 |
| Total mileage | 12,187 |
| Average test mpg | 14.3 |
| Problem areas | Trunk latch, sporadic A/C |
| Non-warr cost | $0 |