What the hell?

[ACBill]

I often wonder if some owners are actually afraid to drive their cars. They can be a handful if your used to driving a Lexus on a daily basis. Comfort would I think be another issue. The initial romance of driving a unique vehicle such as ours, may soon wear thin after a short time.

Weather has been my single determining factor on how much I can my car out. I refuse to drive it in the rain. Cold isn't a problem, as I can dress warm enough, and with the heater at full blast, still enjoy a sunny winters day cruise.

[D-CEL]

I think for a lot of guys a owning a Cobra is like having a supermodel girl friend. Beautiful to look at, absolutely incredible when driven hard. But Expensive, high maintenance, noisy…and wives hate them!! LOL
They were in love with the dream, but the reality isn’t what they expected.
We all know how different a Cobra really is. Until you spend some time in the saddle, you just can’t understand it. They require a very high level of operator involvement from all aspects, cost, maintenance, driving.
I heard a guy with a brand new SPF owner say once: “Uhhh, its nothing like my M3…”
Holy Crap! That was an understatement! I don’t think I ever saw him again.
I always tell people “It’s just like a flat bottom boat. Bumpy, windy, noisy, you kinda sit on it, not in it. Only seats two. Ya gotta be careful around the pipes.
And lastly, they really aren’t for novices.
However, it’s the most fun you can have burning gasoline..

Jason

[azfordman]

Originally Posted by Wbulk

I believe there are a certain amount of people that just do not fit in these cars and driving them is just to painful. I see a guy every year at car shows that's about 6'2" and in his sixties. He told me he only drives his car to the shows because it's just to painful to drive it more than 30 minutes. I have set in a few other cars and can't tolerate it more than a minute or two. I bought my car to build because I like building and I could fit in the car, not because it was a better kit. The options for bigger guys has gotten better over the years, but there are a lot of older cars out there that look geat but hurt really bad. These are ideal for short guys.

Hmmmmm......I never considered 6'5" short......
(Wasn't Carroll Shelby over 6' tall?)



(Thanks for the great pictures Mike!)

[ACademic]

Originally Posted by Tommy

His five year old Mazda Miata has only been to the gas station once. Try as I have, I cannot understand his thinking.

All you have to do is watch one episode of American Pickers and you'll understand. Mankind is made up of pack rats and hoarders. People buy and save stuff because they all think it will go up in value some day.

I have a general rule for my stuff...If I don't use it in two years or it's not on display or really, really sentimental, then I get rid of it. The only exceptions are some specialty tools (i.e. crank snout socket with integral degree wheel) and original take-off parts (that still work) for new cars that I still own. If I sell the car, the factory parts are either sold separately or go with the car.

[scaffold]

I cant understand it either. Bought my Contemporary in May from a guy who owned it 14 years and put 8000 miles on it. I've put 3500 on it since May. Also have an 'o4 Viper I bought new that has 78000 miles on it yet you can find lots of Vipers several years old with 500-1000-1500 miles on them. Just sit in a garage and look at'em. I tell people I didn't buy mine for my wife's next husband if I have a eart attack and die---I bought it for me.

scaffold

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by 209

Somebody or everybody tell me why someone buys a long awaited cobra and never drives it?? Am I missing something? If you have 1k or less and it's five years old, why don't you drive it? You don't even have the bugs out of it yet. The motor isn't even broken in. I can't see it. I bought mine Feb of 09 and I'm on my 2nd motor and if I don't drive it, my motor warranty will expire. It's been at the installers for 7 of those months and I've racked up 8k just yesterday. Granted I live in a place where I can drive 11 months of the year but still. I don't do shows 'cause I'd rather drive it. Please tell me. The ONLY reason I can see is "I'll be driving my new GT40 that I may purchase soon)". 209

What, drive it? Are you crazy? And get your car dirty? Why would you do that? Then you would have to wash it and scratch it.

Nope. Mine makes an excellent conversation piece right where it is. In the middle of the living room. Thank you very much. Drive it? Puh-leeze.

[N2VENOM]

I drove my Kirkham at Willow Springs Raceway yesterday IN THE RAIN!! Spun out at 65 mph with no damage. I can't imagine owning a cobra and not driving the tires off it. These cars were made to enjoy, not just to look at. Darren

[SP01715]

Too many toys for me. I have put less than 3k miles on it in almost 5 years. My Harley has 3500 miles on it and I have had it for almost 14 years. I have a vacation house in another state, boat, two jeeps, Rhino, old Caddy, 5th Wheel. We spend alot of time in the desert and at the River. I love driving the Cobra, but I have alot of other hobbies as well.

[lnfletcher]

Man, I'm glad I'm not the only one that drives mine all the time! I kept seeing these cars listed with low miles and thought I was doing something wrong!
It took a little while for my wife to "warm up" to mine after the snake bite, but now she likes/tolerates riding with me. The trick was to go house looking in the cobra. Or visiting the local flower gardens or such. (Gotta sacrifice to win them over.) But I'll drive it anywhere she wants to go!
Also, I drive it completely different when she's in the car. (Very slow and careful most of the time.)

[RET_COP]

another thought is
antique car insurance sometimes has limited miles per year the car can be driven.
To keep the pristine look
To avoid a possible accident ( you ever notice that people come at you from all directions)
Only drive it in perfect weather (in New England this can shorten you driving time)
Afraid of breaking down and don't know how to fix their own car
Not the car they thought it would be (Afraid) ??

As for ME: I'm a driver, I'm proud and I want people to see it. I love the feeling I get when I'm driving, and its the closest I'll get to the old Race Car feel of my youth without spending a ton of money
Lou

[razerwire]

A lot of owners have more than one hobby. I have 2000 miles on csx car in 3 years, 2500 miles on c6 zo6 2007 year model, 3200 miles on bennett space frame cobra in 16 years, has sit last 5 years, will redue this winter. Use buckshot sand car about 20 t0 25 days a year. Plan to go to Glamis with sand car in two weeks and stay for two weeks. But maybe there is hope for me as I have 82000 miles on Prevost bus conversion by Marathon. In between I remodeled my garage, house, added new computer controlled saw at my truss yard, now have to rebuild detached garage set on fire by someone at one of rental houses. No mater what the day is like I think I enjoy the quite time in the garage just before dinner looking and thinking about the next trip with one of toys as much as using them. I have to admit I have slowed down some and I hate waiting around for my S.S. check to come in mail. Have a nice day.

[decooney]

...And there are some people who like the idea of owning and telling others they own a Cobra but they are really not cut out for it.

[tcrist]

Originally Posted by 209

Somebody or everybody tell me why someone buys a long awaited cobra and never drives it?? Am I missing something? If you have 1k or less and it's five years old, why don't you drive it? You don't even have the bugs out of it yet. The motor isn't even broken in. I can't see it. I bought mine Feb of 09 and I'm on my 2nd motor and if I don't drive it, my motor warranty will expire. It's been at the installers for 7 of those months and I've racked up 8k just yesterday. Granted I live in a place where I can drive 11 months of the year but still. I don't do shows 'cause I'd rather drive it. Please tell me. The ONLY reason I can see is "I'll be driving my new GT40 that I may purchase soon)". 209

Maybe you have a lot of more time and money (for gas) on your hands than someone else does. Or maybe some peoples time with family is more valuable than a phucking car.

Don't mind me, I have had a really crappy day.

[209]

Well, maybe since I don't watch football, baseball, nascar, or any other stuff I have time? Or maybe I have NO life? Ok, I've heard many reasons and ok, fine. I still choose to drive anytime I can. Oh, and btw, my insurance sez unlimited mileage. I didn't wait 45 years to let it sit. 209

[timsullivan]

Consistently drive mine weekly if humanly possible. My 'ole lady tolerates it on a rare occasion, as a kindness to me but I don't care. Watching her get out after a drive is a treat in itself as the contortions she goes through is really quite funny to see. Saying that, I like driving it all by myself, fast, loud just like they're meant to be driven. Real men drive 427 Cobras like they don't give a...

Guys with too many toys and not enough time to drive 'em should sell them and put the money back into mutual funds...

[SP01715]

Originally Posted by timsullivan

Consistently drive mine weekly if humanly possible. My 'ole lady tolerates it on a rare occasion, as a kindness to me but I don't care. Watching her get out after a drive is a treat in itself as the contortions she goes through is really quite funny to see. Saying that, I like driving it all by myself, fast, loud just like they're meant to be driven. Real men drive 427 Cobras like they don't give a...

Guys with too many toys and not enough time to drive 'em should sell them and put the money back into mutual funds...

The $$$ is safer invested in the Cobra right now...

[Bill Bess]

Built my car in 2007 and now have over 12000 miles on it. Luckily my wife loves to cruise in the cobra so we just do it!
The weather here in AZ is darn near perfect...cold in the winter, hotter than hell in the summer, best of all plenty of open hwy. to go fast on.

Oh, about those "snake Bites", my wife made a couple of roll-out calf protectors out of some small welding blankets. they are attached inside the car and just roll out over the door threshhold and side pipes, no more burns.
Bill

[JBCOBRA]

Luckily, my wife loves cruising in the Cobra. We head out and try to get lost.
I put the exhaust out the back of the car, because I know she would have burned the hell out of herself with sidepipes. I do like the undercar exhaust look, and it is nice for long drives.
Hey, we both have a Bunch of other hobbies, cars etc...., but it makes for good quality time together when we are cruising.
She is a good sport too. Does not get upset in any way when I am working it hard

[Silverback51]

My wife gets upset if she cannot go for a ride for some reason. She loves it.

As far as snake bites, she gets out the same way I do. I push myself up on the seat and then step out. I know that if I tried to swing my leg out I would burn myself. Besides, I have a bad back and there is no way I could get out that way. That's why the car will never have a top on it. I could never get out.

[Kramer]

I am a guilty party as well. Can't say for sure the specific reason I don't drive mine as much as others....between the job, two you kids, and my motorcycle. I just don't drive it as much as I thought. oh...and by the way, the winters are not exactly warm here in Colorado.

Also. for a lot of us we like the building / tinkering process just as much (if not more than driving them)