[SpotsStang]

Great article in the November issue. They really break the two down and compare and in the end................. :bullitt: is their choice! Best all around! :-B

 

[WIXBULLITT]

I`ts about time these Mags caught on to how good a car the Bullitt is. We been trying to tell everybody.

 

[SpotsStang]

I am seeing it more and more in many different publications but this is the first time a real Mustang enthusiat chose it over a Cobra. That has got to mean something. I have had both and for the initial shot in the pants whoa... the Bullitt wins hands down. HP is great but torque is thrills! :-B

 

[silvius]

Forgive me, but which Mag?

 

[SpotsStang]

5.0 Magazine. It was started when Stangs were 5.0's but they now report on both 4.6L and 5.0L's

 

[evil428]

SpotsStang, try to convince me. I'm in a real debate over which to buy. The Bullitt looks really appealing, but I too have had a Cobra ('99 black convertible), and the DOHC engine on the Cobra, although pretty tame down low, really breathes life and explodes with power above the magical 3750-4000 rpm range. Is the torque curve THAT much better in the Bullitt than a GT? How about the torque beyond 4000 rpm? Does the Bullitt just give up, or does it have plenty more to give?? Thanks in advance.

 

[roushraven99]

Hey evil428 it really comes down to where you want to put your money and what ultimately satisfies your driving ego. The cars performance wise are quite closely matched. In terms of raw power however, many of the '01 Cobras have dyno'd 280 hp and tq at the wheels. Yet, with the difference in list price between the Bullitt and Cobra that deficit can be easily made up with a fews mods while maintaining the Bullit's driveability. The styling in my opinion is what the Cobra ultimately lacks to me. As an SVT dealer believe it or not pointed out to me that the '01 Cobra is what the '99 Cobra should have been. There will be other Cobras but no more Bullits ...ever.

 

[SpotsStang]

Well the best thing I could say is try to get your hands on 5.0 Mag. November issue. The Bullitt has a much more even torque band and is definitly hotter out of the hole shot. The higher torque makes it easier to drive requiring less shifting. I can take a corner at 15 - 20 MPH in 3rd and get right back on it and have it leap. The Cobra will not do that. Up till 4,100 RPM (they are exactly equal here) the Bullitt out torques the Cobra and therefore out HP's it. Although the Bullitt does noty have IRS the modified Straight rear handles extremely well and does not give wheel hop on launch like the IRS. Yes I would say high speed cornering goes to the Cobra. The real question is how and where you are driving. Plus, I think the Bullitt is better value for the dollar and will increase in value faster and farther than the Cobra.

I feel the Bullitt is a cleaner look and more refined. The 3/4" lowering and modified 'C' pillar are very nice as are the wheels. I also love that thoaty sound of the Bullitt where the higher reving Cobra tends to sound just a bit whiney. One other touch that I feel is nice is the classy interior of the Bullitt.

Lastly, I have to say that my Bullitt has attrached a lot more attention and comments than my Cobra ever did. I really can't go anywhere without comments and admirers! :grin:

Other than the DOHC and the IRS, they are a lot a like.

 

[roushraven99]

Hey evil428 it really comes down to where you want to put your money and what ultimately satisfies your driving ego. The cars in term of performance are quite closely matched. In terms of raw power however, many of the '01 Cobras have dyno'd 280 hp and tq (plus or minus a bit) at the wheels. Yet, with the difference in list price between the Bullitt and Cobra that deficit can be easily made up with a fews mods and you will retain the Bullitt's driveability and character. The styling in my opinion is what the Cobra ultimately lacks to me. However, modified or not the Bullitt is an awsome performer, there are a lot of stockers here that have proven that point beyond a shadow of doubt. Consider this too which an SVT dealer, believe it or not, pointed out to me. He stated "the '01 Cobra is what the '99 Cobra should have been. There will be other Cobras but no more Bullitts ...ever."

 

[SpotsStang]

Well said RoushRaven!

_________________
********************
SpotsStang
Bullitt #851

<font size="1">Remembering 9/11/01</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: SpotsStang on 2001-11-11 12:35 ]</font>

 

[evil428]

Thanks for the input guys. RoushRaven, I agree with the SVT dealer, it's exactly because the '99 Cobra wasn't "what it should be" that made me give mine up to begin with. And THAT'S why I'm looking (and leaning) towards the '01 Cobra. I NEVER liked the IRS in the Cobra, the wheel hop was/is terrible. But the engine...WOW! Price is definitely the Cobra-killer for me this time around. I'd love to get my hands on something that's close to SVT, but at a "better bang for my buck" ratio. That, and a love for the feel of the live-axle rear make me think Bullitt is the way to go. Thanks.
SpotsStang, I think you've made exactly the points I was looking for: the torque of the Bullitt WITH the solid axle rear does seem to match my driving style. The crappy seats on the Cobra also made high-speed cornering a nightmare (I'm sure I don't have to explain that one to you).
More attention in a Bullitt?? God forbid. I couldn't drive or even park the Cobra without stares and questions from everyone. I hope people don't leave their grimey handprints on your Bullitt windows like they did with my Cobra.

Well, it seems like I simply need to decide on how badly I really want the DOHC Cobra engine again (and pay dearly for it) vs. going with the overall package that the Bullitt brings to the table.

Boy, it seems easy enough...but it's not.

Thanks very much guys! Much appreciated.

 

[mystang99]

Technically, the magazine is really named
5.0 Mustang & Super Fords

 

[From the other side]

evil428, we might just be a little biased, but I think the Bullitt is a pretty nice piece. I have friends that drive cars like a BMW 540 and another that has a 911 and they both really like the way the Bullitt looks. Don't worry, it's got enough power to get you into heaps of trouble. As far as the handling is concerned, this thing is a blast! I live in Los Angeles and regularly take my Bullitt over Mulholland drive and various tight twisty mountain roads. It handles like a champ and hasn't spun out yet. I was originally worried that it might handle like an 86 GT that I drove around for a few months back in the day. Not even close, this thing hooks!
As far as the Cobra is concerned, I'd rather buy a used C5 Vette (where's the brand loyalty, sheesh).

 

[crs2879]

Look at is this way. I was flagged-down the other day by a woman and her son in an Expedition. I was wondering "What the hell?"
I stop and what do I hear? "What's your number?" Never happen in a Cobra.

 

[SpotsStang]

CRS, You were flagged down???? WOW!!!!! Haven't been stopped yet.

I did manage to spin mine. Took a 90+ degree at about 70 and it wanted to follow off the road and I guess I hit the brakes a bit. It only got about a 1/4 turned though and I pulled it straight and got back on it. What a rush!

 

[crs2879]

Granted, it was in a parking lot, but it is still weird to have a woman and young boy hanging out their windows and waving you down as you are driving by.

 

[evil428]

OtherSide, there's no doubt in my mind that the Bullitt is every bit as good as everyone on here claims. The power's there (I had a '99 GT for 8 months before the trade to the Cobra, and I was pretty happy with its 260hp to begin with). So the Bullitt should just be icing on the cake!

The handling appears to be the selling feature here, but I (unfortunately) have mainly flat, highway-type drives everyday---I have to find a more scenic route to work from now on!

The Bullitt FOR SURE looks great...end of story.

Up here in Canada, the Bullitt package lists for $5,700 CAN above the price of a GT (approx. $37K total), which puts it just enough within the Cobra's $39K price tag to make it a tough choice. You can haggle with the Bullitt price at this time of year, but nobody budges on SVT.

Bottom line: if I can score a great deal on a Bullitt, then I'm in. If not...

I'm off to the dealers tomorrow night. I smell another Canuck Bullitt on the horizon!!

Thanks all.

 

[SpotsStang]

Evil

Ford says that the Bullitt is 265 HP but many of us have had it on a dyno and it really comes out closer to 280 HP. Also, I have not done it yet myself, but just swapping a K&N FIPK for the stock filter and pipe is supposed to give you another 26 HP which would then bring it darn close to Cobra horse. The FIPK is only $230 US dollars.

The price you are saying on the Bullitt is great. It equates to like $24K US and most of us paid about $26 for a Loaded Bullitt package. You should work on them a bit andd grab it!

_________________
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SpotsStang
Bullitt #851

<font size="1">Remembering 9/11/01</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: SpotsStang on 2001-11-12 19:30 ]</font>

 

[evil428]

SpotsStang, our Canadian dollar absolutely blows right now! You Americans can positively STEAL a Bullitt (or anything else you'd like) from Canada with your approx. 1.6x exchange rate...and I was giving you MSRP numbers!! It's crazy.

Anyway, the K&N kit looks like a HUGE bang-for-your-buck increase in bolt-on power. Anyone out there tried it yet??

 

[SpotsStang]

Evil,

Sorry I was thinking backwards on the exchange. I was just up that way on business and I know it was a cheap trip.

I remember some posts on people doing the K&N FIPK mod and they had very good results. Some have just used the K&N filter but the boost was not nearly as good. One of these days I may do it myself but to tell you the truth I am really happy with the power I have now. Like I said earlier, the torque band is just so good you do not miss the HP. High HP is only good when you are going straight and long. In the zero to sixty the Bullitt is just slightly off the Cobra's time and speed. Make a few mods and the Bullitt would dominate. I know guys who are beating Cobra's at the strip stock because they can drive just a bit better.