Is it what you expected

[427supr]

Now that most of us are owners of Cobra's? Is it what you expected? Listening and reading about all the Cobra folklore, of owners of the original 60's cars as being dangerous cars that were tough to drive and handle. I say yes. After driving a 427 Cobra, there is no comparison to anything else. Yeah Vipers and Vettes are fast, but you don't get that viseral feeling that a cobra brings.

[jbmatth]

From my experience there is nothing like it! The attention from kids to little old ladies is incredible. I hope I'll be able to keep it for a long time, and should as long as my upcoming child doesn't completely drain my budget. The overall experience with this car is unmatched, from the sound of the engine, to the fun of driving. I'm extremely excited to have purchased this car.

[marcocsx3121]

Frankly, I never found CSX 3121 "difficult to drive". As long as the right pedal was treated with respect in the curves, it was close to a neutral handler, and because of the intimate connection between one's butt and the wheels, it telegraphed what it was trying to do well.

We owned a Ferrari 330 GTC along with the Cobra for awhile; the Ferrari was widely touted as one of the best handling road cars in the world. I felt that on any given road, on any given day, I could get from point A to point B quicker in the Cobra, and I don't claim to have had Mark Donahue level skills.

[OCCOBRA]

I would get glassey eyed, weak knees, and salvate every time I would see a Cobra before I got my Cobra
Some things never change!

[bobcowan]

It's more than what I expected. Every time I walk out to the garage it takes my breath away. I'v owned and driven some fun cars over the years, and really enjoyed every one of them.

But the Cobra is something differant, something special. Just driving it around town makes me smile. I don't even bother to come up with an excuse to drive it, or even a place to go. SOmetimes I just go wander around for a couple of hours (I plan on doing that later today). I'll be a Cobra Guy until the day I die.

[marcocsx3121]

I guess that times have changed since my Cobra adventure of forty years ago, but mine was never about the reaction of strangers to the car, or even the "visceral experience". We had a family rule: it never left the garage without hitting triple digits at least once, sometimes by the end of our street.

[vettestr]

Others have said before and maybe better but a Cobra is a blast to drive. A Cobra is recognized anywhere you take it, somebody in a small group will know and happily explain to all around what they are seeing. If there is a car that makes most want to ask for a ride this car is it. I have given beauty queens to Granny's a ride and enjoy that as much as they they claim to have had.

I have driven cars faster by far but none as capable. What a treat for the senses.

[289fia_cobra]

Having owned a 65' Mustang 4 sp. 289, I figured the Cobra had 60% more HP the way I built it, and a few hundred pounds lighter. So I had a hunch acceleration would be huge but I forgot about gearing (running 3.55:1). The launch to 60mph is incredible!

What I wasn't prepared for was how much attention this thing gets. It's a little different when you're the one standing on the sidewalk, watching one go by, but you never really pay attention to the cars that were around it before it takes off. Now from the drivers point of view, you see more eyes, smiles and LOADS of respect from other drivers that let you go FIRST even though they have the right of way.

Summary: it is more than what I bargined for and I'm happy.

[ratdog]

I was surprised. I have had people taking pictures of my car driving behind me and at gas stations. I have a custom chopper and had guys check out my bike, but not like this. People show alot more attention which can be scary.Even the police.

[SP01715]

It's the most fun and dangerous car I have owned. I never get tired of the driving experience I have with my SPF. As far as the attention it gets, I have come to the point where it is kind of a pain in the butt.

[scaffold]

Yeah, I agree. I own both a Viper and a Cobra. No doubt my Viper will kick my Cobra's butt in raw acceleration and the Viper always draw a good amount of attention but the attention the Cobra draws is in a league all by itself. I thought people's responses were wild when I bought the Viper but I hadn't seen anything till I got the "baby snake"

[cobrarob]

I have always wanted 2 classic cars in my life , one being the SPF cobtra ( no offence to any other cobra but I have never wanted anything but an SPF ) , the other car I wanted was the 2006 FORD GT , white with blue stripes

I now have both cars and I enjoy driving both , however with the economy not doing what I thought it would I might be forced to sell at least one of the cars

My wife asked me which one I would sell and I indicated it would have to be the GT as the cobra is more fun to drive , and to hear the roar of the engine in the open air is pure therapy , dont get me wrong though the GT draws more attention than any car I have ever seen on the road , including the cobra

[YerDugliness]

I saw my first Cobra 45 years before I managed to get mine....never got a ride in one before I sat down in the drivers' seat of the one I bought. I must admit they are a bit more of a challenge in the twisties than I imagined, mine seems to want to "oversteer" quite a bit, but I'd agree with many who claim the thing that surprised them the most is the attention these things garner on the street. I can't fill up with gas without being approached about the car...and, surprisingly, the people who approach me the most seem to be young ladies between 18 and 25. I invite then to sit in the drivers' seat and hand me their cell phone, then I take a few photos so they can show their friends. They always leave with an ear-to-ear grin. Hopefully, someday I'll see one of those young ladies driving a Cobra of their own.

So....to paraphrase, driving it is MORE than I bargained for, but the ownership experience makes up for it.

Cheers from Dugly

[209]

I must admit I really didn't know what to expect. All I knew was I wanted one! Yes, as 45 years rolled by I finally brought my SPF home July of '09. Even through a few troubles this is awesome and as much fun with your clothes on. Sorry about the old cliche. And I'm with SPO1715 about being a pita. What I really don't like is people pacing me behind and to the side although I guess it can be normal. 10 seconds of that I normally hit the go pedal and put distance between us. Other than that yes, I guess. 209

[427supr]

The cobra is timeless in its design and looks. It has been always my favorite looking car. I don't want to compare it with a women, but it has all the right curves in the right places. Pure Testosterone rush!

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by 427supr

Now that most of us are owners of Cobra's? Is it what you expected? .

Not yet, mine is still sitting dissassembled in the garage waiting for Spring for paint and then hopefully assembly and late summr driving fun. Unitl then I live vicariously through the rest of you.

[SF_SN888KE]

As the members mention - my cobra gets a lot of attention. My Daytona Coupe gets even MORE attention!

What I expected? I didn't expect to keep changing parts and tinkering. I've owned my Cobra for 5 years and I'm still tinkering and spending $$$ on upgrades, replacing parts, and little things. I've gone through at least 5 shifters trying to find the perfect position, new springs and shocks, changed battery location, 2 electric fuel pumps ....

[mdross1]

For me the single biggest thrill was just sitting behind the wheel and feeling the cammed up big block shaking the car around and hearing the pipes sing their song.But yes the Cobra is everything I hoped it would be now that it is dailed in and ready for any kind of driving/racing the heart desires.The recognition is fun at times,other times feel impatient,for the need to be out on the road.

[Thieleng]

I used to own "hot rods", had a Corvette Z06, and several Porches. When I had my Cobra the Porsche sat in the garage. Ever since I rode with Carrol over 40 years ago the only car I ever really wanted was a Cobra. When I purchased my SPF I could not wait to have it completed, the car was finally done the same day as the first Cobra Bash in Reno. Normally when I buy a car it soon becomes just a car. It was not that way with the Cobra. Thereapy was working on it at nights and when it was too cold to drive I would just sit in it and let the engine run, just to enjoy the sounds of the motor and the exhaust rumble. I had to sell the car almost two years ago and miss it terribly. My screen saver is my car and every time I fire up the computer a look at the picture and think about the loss. Now I am back to where I used to be and that is anticipating the day I can start over and duplicate what I had. Pure enjoyment and raw power, quite a combination....

[mdross1]

Funny,one time thought about selling the Cobra after it sat for almost 5 yrs.As soon as it fired up knew it could never leave this property.Got so wrapped up in Harleys and John Deere antique tractors that we just sold our 69 SS Chevelle,that was body off restored back in the 80's.Did love that car but the Cobra has so much more appeal,an amazing machine like having a 4 wheel motorcycle.