2007 Ford Shelby Cobra Review
Ford has teamed up with Shelby Automotive for the first time since 1969 to produce the brand-new Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 edition Mustang. The original GT500 debuted in 1967, featuring a seven-liter, big block V8, capable of 360 horsepower. It was only produced for two years. In 1968, the GT-500 KR (King of the Road) was released, sporting a modified engine that was rated at 335 hp to keep insurance costs down, but was in fact actually capable of around 400 hp. To this day, the original Shelby Mustangs are some of the most valued vehicles on the market, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Based upon the 2005 redesign that was the North American Car of the Year and the Canadian Car of the Year, the GT-500 is the fastest and most affordable Mustang ever.
The BuyingAdvice Team Says:
When legendary designer Carroll Shelby puts his name on a Mustang the automotive world takes notice. Billed as the most powerful factory-built Mustang ever, the 2007 Ford Shelby Cobra delivers around 450 horsepower and a race-inspired suspension. Starting around $41,000, the Ford Shelby Cobra offers power, performance and stands squarely in the muscle car tradition.
What’s New For 2007:
What is the Predicted Reliability:
Ford has a mixed reputation in terms of reliability, but the Mustang has traditionally been one of their strongest models. It’s a testament to their sturdiness that many of the Mustangs from the 1960s are still on the road. As for the new GT-500, it’s all new for 2007, but is essentially a fifth-generation Mustang, a revision that has been well-received by drivers. J.D. Power and Associates gave last model year’s Mustangs three out of a possible five stars in initial reliability. There have, however, been two recurrent themes with the Mustang line over the years: Noise and cheap interiors. However, if you’re in the market for a muscle car, noise is most likely not your biggest concern. And the historical cheapness of the Mustang’s interior is easily made up for in the amount of performance you get for the dollar. All in all, expect the Ford Shelby Cobra to have an average overall reliability. Fortunately, Ford’s new updated warranty covers the drive train for five years or 60,000 miles. With its included roadside assistance that lasts just as long, you can drive off the lot in confidence.
Analysis of Safety Ratings and Features:
The 2007 Ford Mustang that the Cobra is based on received a five star frontal crash test rating, and a four star side impact rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does not currently have any information available on this model. However, the Cobra is lacking in safety features: It comes with anti-lock disc brakes, traction control, and front-seat mounted side air bags standard, but stability control and side curtain air bags are not available, and it does not come with a spare tire. There has already been a recall issued for the 2007 Mustang due to front suspension issues.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
+ Tons of power for the price
+ Retro styling
+ Tight handling
Cons
– Anemic safety features
– Bland interior
– Heavy
Head-To-Head Competition:
There’s only one new car that can truly compete with the Cobra, and that’s the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette LT1. The Corvette has a larger engine and better mileage, but the Cobra has 100 more horsepower, standard side-impact air bags, and a built-in CD changer, all for about $3,200 less than the Cobra. However, the Corvette also weighs 600 pounds less than the Cobra, making it just as fast, if not faster, and it achieves better highway fuel economy. The next closest competitor is the now-discontinued Pontiac GTO, which costs about $9,600 less and has a larger engine, with comparable gas mileage to the Cobra. But the Cobra still has a 100 hp lead over the GTO, and has standard side air bags. Another option to explore is the Dodge Viper, but at almost $40,000 more, the Viper can hardly be placed in the same bracket as the Cobra. Its ten valve engine sounds impressive, but it only offers ten more horsepower than the Cobra, while offering abysmal gas mileage, a lack of side air bags, and no traction control.
What Others Are Saying:
“It’s not too surprising that this car responds to steering inputs a wink quicker than the Mustang GT and delivers considerably more grip and major-league stopping power. What is surprising is the level of civility that goes with all of this. The GT500 is by definition a muscle car, but it’s not one of those remorseless brass bushing brutes that make their owners pay for visceral gratification with a relentless assault on their hearing and skeletal integrity.” – Car And Driver
“It was 40 years between the original GT500 and the 2007 Ford Shelby GT500. Like the original, it takes a great car design and brings it to completion. It is both impressively capable and amazingly refined. And one that has earned the right to be a Shelby.” – MotorWeek
“This new one goes fast, stops well, corners hard enough to scare dates, and should be comfortable to live with on a daily basis. But best of all, the Ford Shelby GT500 makes Chevy and Dodge fans purple with envy.” – AutomobileMag.com
Read more about the 2007 Ford Shelby Cobra at the Ford manufacturer web site.
