Mike;
You are of course right, as always. Here is a bit of the rationale I used; besides my pockets aren't as deep as before.
I'm estimating the real horse power and weight of the two average cars I'm comparing and just looking at the surface... lets go.
Porsche 550 A RS Replica = 1,400 pounds dry weight. 160 horsepower. So that gives the P/W Ratio on the Spyder at 8.75 pounds per horsepower.
Cobra 427 replica = 2,300 pounds dry with a small block engine V8 at 350 horsepower. P/W Ratio of the Cobra is 6.57 pounds per horsepower.
That is approximately a 25% horsepower power to weight advantage Cobra.
I’m not sure I can make any radical judgements except to say that cubic inches and horsepower can be over come by good driving and a tight road course where the smaller and lighter car would beat hands down.
I only know a few Cobra owners who drive AutoCross, because the mid-engine just handle better in tight. Interestingly the top speed of both cars are about the same (140 to 150 MPH), certainly not a 25% advantage at top end and neither one can stop worth a nickel at speed anyway.
So, the Spyder ($25,000.00) is half the price of a good Cobra and the 25% advantage amounts to bragging rights. Yup! I made the right choice. Besides havin a sportscar and driving is better than not!
