I just read this thread over on FFR and found it very good reading:
http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12804
Not to start an argument but just want those of you who do not read "all things Cobra" related to be aware of the posting. I enjoy reading all the sites.
I do not have an FFR car, but I have certainly read that many replica owners, builders, and manufacturer's look down on them.
Yet they have the best forum following (the forum owner even being sued by CS for being so popular I believe) and the most loyal owners and builders. Several have built more than one Cobra and they choose to build another FFR. I would think that after building one, attending kit car shows and seeing other replicas, talking with other builders of many manufacturer's and still deciding to build another FFR says a lot.
So, why are they so often disparaged?
I believe it is mostly due to the very low entry cost to build a Factory Five car. I have only seen a few replicas in person (only one FFR) and some are built very, very well, and some are not. Certainly the finished car is dependent on the time, effort, desire, and money put into the build. And I am sure that some who build an FFR car have very limited amounts of each.
Whereas replicas from other manufacturers that cost more, are more complete from the start so there is less for the builder to do poorly with. And the person who starts with a more expensive car is in the financial bracket to hire out more work than a budget builder is.
But I think the bottom line is snobbishness (is that a word?).
Someone who has spent $60k on his replica is not going to think highly of a smarter person who spent half as much building a better finished car. Like justifying the hp increase you can "feel" because you spent a lot of money on it.
I drive a Miata. Yes, a lowly Miata. It is not impressive, it is not fast, it is not expensive, and yet it will blow the doors off most cars at autocross. It is fun to drive, extremely reliable, and always handles excellently. And yet is looked down on by most performance car owners. Especially when my car turns a quicker time around the course than their Corvette, Mustang, or whatever...
I have always been very impressed by FFR as a company and what value they supply for the money. They are not perfect and do make mistakes and let the ball drop at times. Yet if I was in the market to buy a car to build, and could not afford a Kirkham, the FFR is the one I would spend my hard earned money on.
I do believe there are many fine replica kits manufactured, some better than others of course, but I think you have to spend a
LOT more cash to get a better all around kit car than the one built by Factory Five.
Just my thoughts
