[Clois Harlan]

Over the next few months there will be a lot of new Potential Buyers looking to buy a new or pre-owned Cobra. I wonder how many of you can be truly honest with your Cobra's most positive aspects as well as the disappointments you have encountered.
For me when I first decided I wanted a Cobra I was looking for a kit that I could afford without breaking the bank or disrupting my family’s lifestyle. I knew very little about what actually made a good kit car. Today I believe I am better informed and would make a different initial decision than I did 13 years ago.
If I were buying a new kit, I would look at a builder’s reputation as a person and as a builder. For me it all comes down to trust. Do what you say you will do and do it in the time frame you promised. That is EXTREMELY important to me. In the long run your relationship with your builder is like a marriage of sorts. You both make promises you are supposed to keep.

Some kits are very popular because of their use of media; others have a reputation built on their product. Many other kits are very good products that may be less popular on a larger scale because of their regional appeal. IMO it comes down to which price range you are shopping and which builders in that range deserve your business. The hierarchy of builders may be a personal thing but I do believe you get what you pay for in the long run. We have a vast array of owners on this site that can help anyone interested in a particular builder.
I have learned that there are key safety aspects we all need to consider when we make our decisions. Some builders do the absolute minimum to get their kit on the road and others go the extra mile to ensure you and your passenger’s safety. To me one of the MOST important things to look at in these cars is Balance. Many of us go into these deals thinking we need a thousand horsepower when in fact we don’t. Bigger is not always better (unless you are the US Military). As I said Balance with respect to engine, brakes, components (shocks, springs, steering racks, steering columns, upper and lower A-Arms, wheels and tires). For Some builders they have a product they WANT you to buy when you walk in the door because it will turn a faster profit for them. Other builders truly listen to your needs and intentions for your kit. Those are the ones I would want to do business with if it were me. Some builders will offer you a base kit and as you start to ad upgrades you find you could have bought a higher level kit for the same cost.
I can tell you my first builder installed the bare minimum in brakes and suspension to get me out the door. It took me some time to realize I needed to make changes to do anything other than drive to the Dairy Queen once a week. After 13 years of ownership I can tell you my Cobra fiberglass was the best aspect of my kit although to many it was too thick and heavy. I have literally changed every nut and bolt on my Cobra to make it as safe and dependable as possible. Now it is not only safe for the streets but it performs pretty darn well on the track too.

The long and short of any financial decision is "am I getting what I really want and will it perform the way I expect it too". To answer this question we must make honest up front decisions that must be shared between you and your builder. I have my list of builders I respect and I am sure many of you have yours as well. Maybe we can share that information here for anyone really wanting to know a little more about their potential builder.

What prompted this you ask? I have answered similar questions for potential buyers over the last couple weeks. I thought some of you might have some insight on your vehicle or thought process when making your decisions.

Clois Harlan