First post on the CC forum!! Now talk me into buying a cobra!!

Backdraft73 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 12:48 PM

This is my first day on the cobra forum, I have been in love with these cars my whole life (as I am sure most of you are) and I got a chance to spend a weekend at Texas World Speedway and watch James and the guys with backdraft racing. Needless to say I was hooked after seeing a cobra blazing down the track at 120 mph and hearing that incredible roar!!

Now in my heart I have been a corvette guy for many years and planned to buy my first one in 2011, but now I am having serious second thoughts. I have my Tundra for work and so this would be a second car for me, mostly weekend but I would like to drive it during the week. With the cobra I will have to cover it at work and there is of course the weather issues. With the vette I simply put up the top. The vette has a/c and heat, radio, top, and all the creature comforts, but nothing looks or sounds like that cobra, so talk me in or out of buying one.

Thanks for your time!! BJ

HI Cobra · #2 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 01:09 PM

Sorry - that is a choice YOU have to make. You have been nipped - now do your research and make an informed decision. This is a great place to get all the information you can use.

Now - go for it!

blykins · #3 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 01:10 PM

Buy a Cobra....

And buy an engine/drivetrain from me...

lamaluv · #4 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 01:26 PM

If you really need to be convinced by us you probably don't want the Cobra bad enough.

Clayboy · #5 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 02:13 PM

Lamaluv has it spot on...! We're all big boys, it's your call.

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamaluv

If you really need to be convinced by us you probably don't want the Cobra bad enough.

Well put. Backdraft73, don't buy one. They're dirty, nasty, expensive pieces of crap that are too loud and they're just begging to come out from under you and put you in a grave. I say turn back now, while you still can.

lnfletcher · #7 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 01:24 PM

Simple, go drive one and we will not have to "talk" you into anything!
(Plus, Cobra owners are not near as snobby!)

(You see vettes EVERYWHERE!)

zrayr · #8 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lnfletcher

Simple, go drive one and we will not have to "talk" you into anything!
(Plus, Cobra owners are not near as snobby!)

(You see vettes EVERYWHERE!)

isn't it the truth. I don't understand why the snobbishness since they are so common. But there it is anyway. Heck, even the xke owners don't have the too -good-to be-bothered-with-you attitude as bad as the corvette crowd.
Z.

SP01715 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 02:28 PM

I would buy the Vette if you plan on using it as a part time daily driver. I love my SPF, but I would not use it as a DD.

snakebitekit · #10 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 02:36 PM

If I have to explain it you wouldn't understand.

john chesnut · #11 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 02:35 PM

They are completely different cars. The new Corvettes offer current suspension, brake, engine and transmission technology. Plus they are real cars with creature comforts. But, they don't stir the soul. The Cobra shape and driving experience is soul stirring. It's the same emotionally as riding a great motorcycle. You are one with the car and with the enviroment. the Vette insulates you from the enviroment.

I like both cars. That's why I built my own Cobra replica with all C5 Corvette parts. It has the shape and the driving experience of the Cobra, with the reliability, servicabilty, and incredible performance the new generation of parts can offer. I love them all.

STL Mark · #12 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 02:37 PM

I had a Vette. Great car. Reliable, comfortable, plenty of power, sporty, nice looking - AND BORING. Hit the throttle, take 'er up to 130 or so, change the radio station, adjust the AC, tilt the steering - YAWN. But don't forget to wave at the other Vettes.

Take a Cobra up to 130 - watch your passenger search for something to grab on to. Shift gears over 100 and it's a life threatening situation. And don't even think of taking your eye off the road. You'll need ear plugs, and your arm will get tired of waving at passing cars, bikes, cops, neighbors, kids in ricers, Vette pilots, and girls. Everyday is a parade and you are the star. Fire up the car in your garage and your pulse will immediately increase - as well as you next door neighbors. Pop the hood at the gas station and you're a 1 man car show. Everybody in town knows you - you're the Cobra guy. Pull up to any stoplight with any muscle car, exotic, etc. in the other lane and know - you got this one.

SP01715 · #13 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STL Mark

I had a Vette. Great car. Reliable, comfortable, plenty of power, sporty, nice looking - AND BORING. Hit the throttle, take 'er up to 130 or so, change the radio station, adjust the AC, tilt the steering - YAWN. But don't forget to wave at the other Vettes.

Take a Cobra up to 130 - watch your passenger search for something to grab on to. Shift gears over 100 and it's a life threatening situation. And don't even think of taking your eye off the road. You'll need ear plugs, and your arm will get tired of waving at passing cars, bikes, cops, neighbors, kids in ricers, Vette pilots, and girls. Everyday is a parade and you are the star. Fire up the car in your garage and your pulse will immediately increase - as well as you next door neighbors. Pop the hood at the gas station and you're a 1 man car show. Everybody in town knows you - you're the Cobra guy. Pull up to any stoplight with any muscle car, exotic, etc. in the other lane and know - you got this one.

Great description of both...

RangerMac · #14 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP01715

Great description of both...

I concur. That was the best description.

Backdraft73 · #15 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STL Mark

I had a Vette. Great car. Reliable, comfortable, plenty of power, sporty, nice looking - AND BORING. Hit the throttle, take 'er up to 130 or so, change the radio station, adjust the AC, tilt the steering - YAWN. But don't forget to wave at the other Vettes.

Take a Cobra up to 130 - watch your passenger search for something to grab on to. Shift gears over 100 and it's a life threatening situation. And don't even think of taking your eye off the road. You'll need ear plugs, and your arm will get tired of waving at passing cars, bikes, cops, neighbors, kids in ricers, Vette pilots, and girls. Everyday is a parade and you are the star. Fire up the car in your garage and your pulse will immediately increase - as well as you next door neighbors. Pop the hood at the gas station and you're a 1 man car show. Everybody in town knows you - you're the Cobra guy. Pull up to any stoplight with any muscle car, exotic, etc. in the other lane and know - you got this one.

Great quote, exactly what I am thinking, do I want the everyday reliability with all the creature comforts, or the car that stirs the soul and is a blast to drive everytime you get behind the wheel!

RichardCSX6000 · #16 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STL Mark

I had a Vette. Great car. Reliable, comfortable, plenty of power, sporty, nice looking - AND BORING. Hit the throttle, take 'er up to 130 or so, change the radio station, adjust the AC, tilt the steering - YAWN. But don't forget to wave at the other Vettes.

Take a Cobra up to 130 - watch your passenger search for something to grab on to. Shift gears over 100 and it's a life threatening situation. And don't even think of taking your eye off the road. You'll need ear plugs, and your arm will get tired of waving at passing cars, bikes, cops, neighbors, kids in ricers, Vette pilots, and girls. Everyday is a parade and you are the star. Fire up the car in your garage and your pulse will immediately increase - as well as you next door neighbors. Pop the hood at the gas station and you're a 1 man car show. Everybody in town knows you - you're the Cobra guy. Pull up to any stoplight with any muscle car, exotic, etc. in the other lane and know - you got this one.

Great post!!!!!

RodKnock · #17 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 02:58 PM

rsimones anyone?

ekrupa2 · #18 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backdraft73

But then the analytical side of my brian kicks in and says what "Ron AZ" said about worrying about where you drive it, and is it going to rain, or will it get cold, and then I only drive it on a nice Saturday. I want to drive it at least 3 days a week! I am not a garage queen kind of guy, I am going to go track events, car shows, and just cruzing. I know that I can do all of these things in a vette too, but nothing compares to these cars!!

I used to be afraid of getting a drop of water on mine. Well this summer caught in a storm and vaccumed out 1/2 inch of water in the footwells. Guess what...the car didn't melt. Loud...smelly...obnoxious...some will give you dirty looks. Maybe I should give someone else the keys to my SPF...

when they pry them from my cold dead hands!

boxhead · #19 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 04:34 PM

If you need to be talked into it then you dont really want one.

Cobra ownership is exactly how STL Mark describes.

Here is a pic from a recent trip.

By the time I got to my destination, I had about 3 inches in the cabin, a cordless drill got most of it out.

elmariachi · #20 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 04:37 PM

Written by Cobra owner Hal Copple, This is a little verbose, but it says it all:

"If you want to just gas and go, and never have to worry about replacing an alternator, or snugging down the header bolts, or getting a wet leg driving in a rainstorm, or learning how to set your carb float level, or driving in traffic on a warm winter day with "winter gas" in the tank, get a Corvette. With a Cobra you have to remind yourself that you are driving a hand made race car on the street. There is no compromise for anything other than pure speed. These cars are brutal and unforgiving, with all the refinement of a medieval battle axe. Like being in a relationship with an exotic dancer, you can never take anything for granted. These cars don't have millions of miles of testing refinement before you get yours. For any trip longer than an hour, you need earplugs, and goggles, and carry Advil and eye drops. You will need to learn to "read" the clouds for rain in your path, and have experience in unwrapping your frozen fingers from the MotoLita. You will experience lady passengers "wetting" the passenger seat when you merge into traffic from an on ramp, and then nearly burn their calf getting out of the car. You will have all the invisibility of a burning Hindenburg, and flee from underground parking lots when uncountable car alarms are screaming your departure. When you shop, you will remind yourself that these cars get more attention than a dead body in a parking lot. With a power to weight ratio better than almost every supercar, you will find your 1/4 mile times, traction, rather than power limited. On the other hand, when you stage, out of the corner of your helmet's visor you will see almost the entire audience lining up at the fence, most with cameras up. If you track on a road course with a Porsche club, owners of expensive German machines will come to the fence to watch you power out in smoking oversteer. You won't even try to start your engine in the garage, but push it out onto the driveway, else your loyal watch dog will croak from the exhaust fumes. If you idle next to other "sports" cars at a traffic light, by the green, their girlfriend will be coughing green phlegm into her hanky, yelling at her date to just go! When you refuel, you might as well prop the "bonnet" open, because you are going to have to show your motor to just about every other guy there. When you order your wings at Hooters, your waitress will whisper in you ear, "take me for a ride." When you stop at the red light, the girl in the convertible next to you will invite you to "take my top off too." When you slowly pass a troop of Harley riders, they will look over and give you thumbs up. When you want to ease out into traffic, other cars will immediately pause to let you go ahead of them. When your engine has its hot, crackling, intimidating exhause sidepipe aimed right at the flank of the GTO, or the Z28, your exhaust pulsation's slowly unscrewing his lug nuts, the other car will remain motionless, as if the slightest quiver of his car will cause your car to stomp it dead. When you leave it open in a parking lot, and come back to find your sunglasses and cell phone still sitting on the tunnel, it is because your car has sullenly warned those who came over to admire it "touch me and I will rise up here and kill you dead." When you put that tiny silver key into the ignition, and begin your start countdown, you car will whisper, "take me for granted, and I will kill you." When other drivers just hop in and snap up their belts while backing out of their parking space, you will still have two more minutes before you even get all the Simpson's properly on and snugged down. Pulling up in a Cobra is like landing an F4U at an ultralite convention. In summary, very, very few drivers want this kind of attention, or can tolerate all that a formidable Cobra demands. These cars are intolerant mistresses. But remember, there will come a day when you have to hang up your keys for the last time. And perhaps you want to say then, "I did it."