[GT11]

Wow, I am away from the computer for a few hours and the forum blows up!

To give a little more background on what I must have or want, the list is short. I want a 427SC, IRS, Blue w/ white stripes and would prefer a 427FE. I want to be able to trust the build so that is why I want a car that is built by a manufacturer. At 6'3", I also need to fit in the car.

I know the Cobra won't drive like my Mercedes or be as reliable (but it can't be worse than the Maserati I owned); I won't put 20,000 miles per year on it (I only put 5K in 18 months on my Wrangler JK) and I am pretty realistic here. I think the Cobra is one of the most pleasing to the eye cars you can buy.

As I look to buy my next toy, I struggle with it because not many cars excite me anymore. The Cobra was one I liked for a long time. I haven't spent much time in a Cobra and I may hate it. But if I hate it, I sell it and get something else. I will be as excited to look at it as I am to drive it.

A lot of you are very serious about your Cobras, which is great. It is great to have that passion but I am not that passionate about the Cobra (or most cars anymore). At the end of the day, it is a toy. Not only is it a toy, but it is a replica (a very expensive replica, too). The replica market came about when very desirable cars were out of reach of most and this was an affordable way for someone to somewhat experience a work of art that they couldn't own otherwise. Now we have entered an escalating arms race in the replica market where prices are going through the roof. Some may even call it a bubble.

Will a new BDR at $60K be as great as used SPF at $60K? To me it doesn't matter. I just want this work of art to grace my garage for a while. If I really cared about which one was truly better, I would buy the real thing (which may not really be better). I can afford it even though it would be short lived because my wife would probably kill me!

At the end of the day, I started documenting my search to develop a relationship with guys that like this awesome car, knowing that under the hood there are a lot of warts. I also value all of the feedback that you give because it helps my learning curve. I would probably be as happy with a FFR as the BDR or SPF and I may change at some point and go that route. Right now I am having fun getting to know you guys and I am enjoying the chase.