Why Sell?

[SuperHart]

I hate to admit this, but most of the fun my Cobra has given me was obtained during the building phase. Now that the car is for all practical purposes finished it is less fun. Not to imply that I don't enjoy driving it and the thumbs up comments I receive, but I just enjoyed building it more than driving it. If the economy was better, I would probably be listing my car for sale only because I have this uncontrollable urge to buy a Superformance Daytona Coupe and I only have room to store ONE car. I Know the Coupe comes through factory finished as a roller but at least I can have fun putting together the drive train and a wicked 351W based motor to make it go and tweaking the car to be what I want it to be.

[madmaxx]

The number 1 reason in my opinion why people sell their cobras is so transparent. THEY ARE JUNK. A new replica regardless of builder will have over 20 issues during the first year. Could be leaks, electrical, brakes, wipers, fan switches, ignitions, carburators etc. YOU WILL HAVE PROBLEMS and if you are not an accomplished shade tree mechanic you will be miserable. Warranty for the most part is useless unless your dealer and installer is within 20 miles of the house. Get used to the phrase "we have never seen that before" better yet get a lawyer.

Even a fully sorted cobra will need attention. The engine unless you go with a OEM Ford or GM will leak somewhere. How many times are you interested in retorquing the intake bolts? How many times are you interested in checking the air cleaner bolt, fiddling with a plastic oil line to a oil gauge on a $70K car before you order the braided hose and spend an afternoon on your head replacing?

You better have more passion to work on cars then drive them if you get a Cobra. A ford pinto is a superior car.

As far as the good part of owning one, it is like a priest told me when getting married, we aint discussing the fun stuff you figure that out on your own.

[STL Mark]

Originally Posted by digginfool

Your stats are probably true. Of the three sports cars I've owned in my life ('68 MGB, '80 Turbo TransAm, '85 Mustang GT), only the GT was owned for more than 2 years. The B was too many headaches, the TransAm was a nightmare (sold it the day the warranty expired) but the GT was a kick; kept it five years. The Grand Sport has been out but not in convertible yet. I would only get the GT500 as a convertible as well.

Oh yea, the Grand Sport convertible has been out for a while. Maybe you're thinking of the the convertible Camaro.

http://www.chevrolet.com/corvette-family/

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10-TW...item19c26e4bae

[jmimac351]

Maxx, all of my pushrod engines leak. That's how I know they still have oil in them.

If you want bumper to bumper, better buy a Honda. Some people should not own cobras, no doubt.

[tin-man]

Originally Posted by Double Venom

"You" guys are great & Truthful!

Going on 40 years building these "toys" and I can't wait for 60 years!

"Young Lady" tighten those straps up until your bra hurts....and hang on!

DV

but just outa curiosity who were you talking to, your car or one o' them there ladies that likes it hard and rough? tin-man

[WardL]

These are all so true and here are mine: 1) Many spouses won't go with you on rides 2) It really is a beast. I love the club with a rock analogy. 3) It helps if you are a dyed in the wool Ford man and don't care what breaks because it is "fun to fix". 3) If you have a Corvette, don't trade. Keep the Corvette and buy a Cobra because they are two completely different cars. 4) There is nothing safe about it. 5) The leather is intoxicating, but the exhaust stinks 6) It get's lousy gas mileage. If you get past all that - Oh my! Is it a thrill of a lifetime!!

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by digginfool

My search for a Cobra brought me to this forum. So far, looks like a great place; tons of information. The question on my mind is why do so many people end up selling their Cobras after only a few thousand (sometimes not even a thousand) miles?

As much as owning this car becomes a "passion" with the faithful, the process of building them becomes even more of a passion for some.

I remember a guy who was on the GT40s forum....he had an incredible build thread going, then once the car was finished it appeared suddenly in the for sale section. He was asked why he would sell the car, and we all expected to hear something about tough economy, that sort of thing.

Not so, I remember his reply very well: "Some guys play golf, I build cars". For him it was just a hobby or an enjoyable way to pass the time.

Few of us make money on these cars, most feel lucky to break even and don't even count their time in the "cost" of building the cars. Often times, the sale of a recently completed car is just a way to finance the initial cost of the next one.....such is the way it is to be passionate about the process!

Originally Posted by WardL

These are all so true and here are mine: 1) Many spouses won't go with you on rides!!

Ward, this is one of the GREATEST benefits to owning one of these....I find that it is much more pleasant to drive my Cobra without all the tears and impassioned pleading originating from the passenger's seat .

When I get my FIA model with the forward braced roll bar, I will leave the passenger's seat out and tell the next S.O. that there wasn't room for a seat with the brace in the way , then I'll find a way to secure an ice chest in the place where the seat would have been mounted .

Cheers from Dugly

[cdog]

Most of the faint of heart drive their cars to the Dairy Queen on warm summer nights. That's why you see 2003 cars with 1,500 miles.

Then they get hot/cold/wet too often and trade them in on Vettes.

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by vanoochka

I brought my beloved SPF with me from Northern California to South Florida and sold it after a year. I can't imagine a worse place to own one of these cars. Very few great, or even good, drives, the longest traffic lights I've ever experienced (and lots of them!) and not a very active Cobra community. Frankly, I think a 'Vette is much better suited car for the SFL environment.

I'm spending most of 2011 in Australia, but then moving back to Northern California and am already laying the plans for my next Cobra (ERA, this time) when I get get there. Once bitten...

Chuck,

ERA is a great choice ( unbiased opinion of course ) and there are some very nice examples that come up on this site and on Cobra Country from time to time.

Now ... if you are thinking of having one built, and have not done so already, I would suggest you send Peter a deposit and get yourself on the list. They are as busy as ever and it does take some time, but well worth the wait ... as I am soon to find out, my car is nearing completion

For driving ... with some nice roads and almost year round driving weather, hard to beat the Bay Area ... look forward to seeing you back here.

- Tim

[twobjshelbys]

The Cobra is the most fun you can have sitting in a chair in public with your clothes on.

My wife hates it, and I love my wife. I have a very tough day job and I do like to spend time with her. But she told me in no uncertain terms she will not sit in the passenger seat. In reply #4, see a-e.

With regard to #4, #c, rain is a piece of cake compared to hail.

They are an uncivilized beast. All the fun in the world for the driver, but not passenger friendly (the opinion of the wife).

#4 forgot to mention frequent snake bites - getting bitten on the calf or shin by the exhaust. For most people that is a one-time lesson learned, but some seem to forget. Heat shields will fix this.

I can personally attest to f, multiple times. But I don't drive it like an old lady when I'm alone, and wife was not with me (that is when I drive it like an old lady.)

For "l", I can attest I've never found the circumstances where I could have the accelerator to the bottom.

Did I mention how much fun it is?

[tin-man]

Originally Posted by digginfool

My search for a Cobra brought me to this forum.

........as did mine and I surfed these threads for a long long time before I decided to get my Cobra and that decision took over ten years to make but I had that compelling desire to own one and it never, ever, went away. That said, two of the single biggest drivers for getting a Cobra were because a) its going to provide me with all the needed excitement during my transition to and during my retirement and b) on a more personal note, its going to provide me with the opportunity of meeting with some mighty fine upstandin' gents who belong the Arizona Cobra Club.

Now all I gotta do is take delivery of it, when its ready....

Cheers, John AKA, tin-man

[Bill Bess]

After reading all the comments, I just got to say something.

[b]Things that made me love my cobra:[/B
]1. I'm old and fell in love with the cobra when they first started running
around Holywood, Ca. in the sixties.
2. The history of Shelby.
3. The cars rermarkable performance.
4. It's beautiful and ageless style.
5. The uniqueness of the car...bad ass and good lookin.
6. The Smiles that you get from jealous folks when they see your cobra.
7. My wife loves the thing and always wants to go with me.
8. Most of all...it is just way too much FUN.

I could go on forever about this thing.

[601HP]

#4 forgot to mention frequent snake bites - getting bitten on the calf or shin by the exhaust. For most people that is a one-time lesson learned, but some seem to forget. Heat shields will fix this.

I've been "bitten" twice. The second time was about 15 years ago. I reckon I should prepare for the 3rd "bite" after bragging how long ago it happened.

I added line (n.) to my original post #4. Ouch!

Now, if this darn snow will go away. I got home to 12 more inches of it last night!!!

David

[charlandk]

The only difficult part of owning my cobra is having to watch the daily weather report before deciding to take it to work. Hate to have it sit in the parking lot out side my office window and watch it get rained on. The heat doesnt bother me nor does the noise. I have a heater and soft top for the really cool days which for me will expand the driving season significantly living in New England. Absolutely love, love, love my car. I spent most of my study hall time in high school reading about and looking at pictures of these cars in any mags and books I could find. I told myself that I would own one some day and that passion never went away so when I got divorced I got it for a gift to myself for putting up with the ex's **** for 21 years. My kids are out of school and I deserved it.

You cant go wrong with Jay and Brian at Vinatage. They are good guys. You will experience some minor issues the first year with it but they were great with helping me sort through my minor issues. Brian really knows his stuff when it comes to these cars. There are lots of really nice cobra replicas out there but If I were to do it again, I would have no issues with getting another Backdraft. Take your time and really put a lot of thought into what you want and how you want it set up. I rushed into mine a bit and there are things that I am changing now. It was like Christmas for me. I couldnt wait to get my gift.

[Rick Weber]

Dunno if anyone mentioned it but: sometimes the small amount of mileage is due to the fact that the specialty insurance one has limits the amount mileage one can put on the beast each year. And then there is the WEATHER, limiting the number of months in the year that one dares drive such a car!!! Anyone got tank treads for mine?

Rick

[mkassab]

At the end of the day.... a Cobra is a "street legal" race car. All that comes with a race car is in the Cobra.

I suggest you read these two links: The first one help me a lot. The secone one is my experience.

http://www.pflanzer-aviation.com/Red...g%20ready.html

http://www.uniquecobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8240

Good luck.... Mark

[marco454v8]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

To upgrade to a KIRKHAM

Ditto!
Mark

[lnfletcher]

The only reason I delayed buying one was the money. I knew I wanted one, no question. I had never seen one in person, much less drove one before I visited the manufacturer.
The first one I drove was mine in go cart fashion!
My original plan was to build it, drive it for a little while and then sell it to build another.
Now I know that it will be the last car I own.
My wife loves to go with me to dinner, Starbucks for coffee, ice cream, or a "drive" to look at new neighborhoods, and I drive it like an old lady when she's in the car. (I think that's what keeps her happy)
One of the guys I went cruising with one time said, "I'm the coolest guy when I'm driving my cobra", but I don't think that's what makes me like it so much.
Mine is not "JUNK", it has not left me stranded, (yet) and I feel comfortable driving 100's of miles away from home. (Always carrying my cell phone) I have not been snake bitten but my wife and son has. The worst I have gotten is a 3rd degree sun burn on a LONG cruise on a very hot summer day. (No sun screen or hat)
I'd do it again today if I could, and I probably will.
My daughter tells me not ever to sell mine every time she rides in it. She doesn't have to worry.
If you are trying to decide because your not sure you want one, don't buy it!
If you are unsure because you think you don't need to spend the money, buy it! It's gonna get spent on something! Just make sure you can afford it.
If you can't afford one built, (like me) then build it as you can afford it.

[kobrabytes]

Funny, on most of my hobbies the building of the project tends to be the satisfying part. With the Cobra I was pleasantly surprised to find that the excitement didn't end there. I love this car! It has been the most amazing toy I've ever owned. I drive it to the tune of about 6k per year, and that's a fairly short window. In fact, I get irritated now when I have to work on it. Not because of the work, it's just the time off the road. These cars are made to drive, and I have the patina all over a polished Kirkham to prove it.

The analogy about the stone on a stick is so very true. A Cobra is HOT, LOUD, STINKY, and about the most fun one can have that is legal... (mostly) They are not for everyone. 55% would not tolerate the gas consumption,
30% the lack of creature comforts, and 14.9999 everything else. It's the .0001% that can "tame" one of these beasts.

I've never looked back on the money spent. At this point I can't even conceive of parting with my Cobra. The friends I've made and the memories I have accumulated are worth one thousand times what I have in my build.

Just like many of the comments above:

I still feel a pit in my stomach when I crank over an engine that produces 700HP in a vehicle that has more in common with a go cart than a car. The crowds of onlookers is cool. It is fun to "make someones day" by letting them take a picture, or even sit in the drivers seat for a pose! Looking back I could have never imagined how interesting and enjoyable this journey could have been, and it continues...

len

[JoeT]

I'm married with 2 kids under 10. There is something every weekend- soccer, cheerleading, karate, something. . .

Add to that there is only 2 seats. You have a great weather day and want to go for a family ride, 2 have to stay home. My wife loves the car, my oldest daughter Loves the car, my youngest likes the motorcycle much more than the car.

I have no plans to sell, it's payed for, insurance is cheap enough, and I get enough enjoyment that it's worth keeping around (but it's only driven about 3000 miles a year)

all that said, I find myself currently searching a "family" fun car. . . something with a convertible, 4 seats, heat and ac