Girlfriend wants an AC Cobra

IFlyEm · #1 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 10:03 AM

So here's my situation. Girlfriend wants me to build her a Cobra. She is self admittedly "not a good driver." Honestly, she's not bad per se, but she's not real strong either.

I told her that I think she's biting off more than she can chew. She's never driven a car with more than 200 hp. She's not buying it. She's positive she can learn how to drive it.

So I am putting it out here. What do you guys think?

BTW, I know the response is going to be build one for myself. My end of the deal is that she's letting me get a Z06.

Three Peaks · #2 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 10:07 AM

Not a good driver, never drove a performance car, let alone one with a short wheelbase/high horsepower-weight ratio and she wants a Cobra? Not a chance.....

In the long run, cheaper to get your own ZO6 and a new girlfriend..........

Bob

jhv48 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 10:12 AM

She wants YOU to build HER a cobra?

She's LETTING you get a Z06?

She's never driven a high performance car before?

Which one of you is the male in this relationship?

IFlyEm · #4 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 10:16 AM

Well if Mama isn't happy NO ONE is happy. I am getting the Z regardless. Just trying to talk her out of wanting a Cobra for herself. So I am looking for 3rd party comments to help me out so I don't get cut off. ;-)

gsharapa · #5 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 10:28 AM

V6 with an automatic!

IFlyEm · #6 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 10:29 AM

That's what I was thinking. lol Maybe a Fiero kit?

charles roybal · #7 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 10:35 AM

Very one..please forgive me. Have your girl friend watch this:
Cobra Wipeout - YouTube

IFlyEm · #8 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 10:37 AM

Already showed her all the crashes on YouTube. lol

LMH · #9 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 10:46 AM

Brother, you guys... geez! Of course she could learn to drive it and that's what she would need to do. You have to have respect for it and not be affraid of it but it's all about education.
Don't go over-board on the build or make it unstreetable. Spend money on brakes and not just engine. I see a lot of cars built with goobs of HP and tiny little brakes.
Thats my $.02

Larry

AL427SBF · #10 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhv48

She wants YOU to build HER a cobra?

She's LETTING you get a Z06?

She's never driven a high performance car before?

Which one of you is the male in this relationship?

The man has a point, but a few more questions are in order -

1. Cobra's are a damn fine looking auto, putting anything less behind the wheel would be disservice to us all as well as the car

2. You can build a mild mannered cobra with an automatic that would remove some of the risk of her "diving expertise". If she is hard over on a standard, then you should let her test drive one in a safe place 1st (like the airstrip at an abandoned AF base).
3. You building the car does afford you some options, how's the relationship generally? A properly insured cobra should return all expenses paid on a total, and of course you would have a free & clear path to the Z06.

But realistically, what looms big in all our minds (even if some have chosen to remain silent on it), is your dilemma as you have posted it. You are working through the negotiation process that most of us have already gone through with our WIVES! If she is just your girlfriend, this almost becomes a no brainer (provided she is not supporting you and would be buying the Z06 - that's a biggie). Assuming that's not the case, it's real simple -

1. She doesn't have a vote on the Z06 period.
2. She should pay for all parts & materials to build the cobra, plus you for you labor (you can pro-rate based on how good the sex is) lol.

IFlyEm · #11 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

The man has a point, but a few more questions are in order -

1. Cobra's are a damn fine looking auto, putting anything less behind the wheel would be disservice to us all as well as the car

She's got that covered!

But realistically, what looms big in all our minds (even if some have chosen to remain silent on it), is your dilemma as you have posted it. You are working through the negotiation process that most of us have already gone through with our WIVES! If she is just your girlfriend, this almost becomes a no brainer (provided she is not supporting you and would be buying the Z06 - that's a biggie). Assuming that's not the case, it's real simple -

1. She doesn't have a vote on the Z06 period.
2. She should pay for all parts & materials to build the cobra, plus you for you labor (you can pro-rate based on how good the sex is) lol.

Fiance would be a better term.

As for finances at the moment I am the bread winner.

AL427SBF · #12 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMH

Brother, you guys... geez! Of course she could learn to drive it and that's what she would need to do. You have to have respect for it and not be affraid of it but it's all about education.
Don't go over-board on the build or make it unstreetable. Spend money on brakes and not just engine. I see a lot of cars built with goobs of HP and tiny little brakes.
Thats my $.02

Larry

I can be swayed the other way, just need to see a girlfriend pic

I bet if you let her pick the particulars after some reading, motor-trans-brakes etc, the build would be a better thought out car than 50% of the cobras here.

twin turbo · #13 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 11:08 AM

I don't know where you are located, but I seem to remember some place in Vegas where you can rent one. That way she could see if she likes driving one vs looking at one. In addition, with this economy, it would be cheaper to buy a used one instead of building one, much less all the 100's of labor hours it will take you. My .02 cents is to tell her if she wants one then she can buy one, with her money and your permission. Cheers.

IFlyEm · #14 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

I can be swayed the other way, just need to see a girlfriend pic

I bet if you let her pick the particulars after some reading, motor-trans-brakes etc, the build would be a better thought out car than 50% of the cobras here.

There you go.

Austin_Snake · #15 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 11:15 AM

All you guys,
Don't be a Spoil Sport. I have a friend that owns one of the Exact Carbon Cars. She is not one of the best driver in the world either but has seen all the youtube stuff and knows these cars can be a handfull.
But she imaged having such a road going sculpture of her own to appreciate anytime she wanted, not when someone happened by. :-) Caution to the wind she says.
So if she had listened to the scary people there would not be over 5K of Cobra smiles driving the Texas Hill Country including taking part in a track day at the Spring meet. Not blazing fast but still out there!

Her car is under 2k pounds does not need a lot of horses to get the go fast feel. A mild 351 moves it along nicely as well as reducing the steering weight. One this we did when building it though was disable the kick down on the T4. (Yes it has an auto just like Mr. Shelbys).

So I say let your girlfriend have her car and enjoy life. Wear a seat belt and get the grin!

Regards,
Richard

AL427SBF · #16 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IFlyEm

Fiance would be a better term.

As for finances at the moment I am the bread winner.

Well, 1st congrats on the engagement and glad to hear she is worthy to at least pose behind the wheel

Best advice given is to have her test drive one, and in a safe place where she can put her foot into it a little. Only then will she know what she is getting into, and I bet common sense will prevail if she finds it too unwieldy.

tcrist · #17 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 11:38 AM

If you feel like building her a Cobra, make it part of the deal that BEFORE she ever takes it on the road she has to take it to a performance driving class with professionals that can teach her how to drive it.

The other idea is to take her to a performance driving class (before you build the Cobra, sometimes they have cars that you can drive I think) and she has to agree that if the professional tells her that she should not get within 100 feet of any performance car, she gives up on the idea.

You could be building her a death trap (in her case).

Just something to think about.

FWB · #18 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 11:46 AM

build her a cobra....small block mild motor.......but read her the riot act.....you crash it, your done........also if it gets dirty your washing it. and you'll help to build it. let her do the interior or some other tasks that makes her appreciate what it takes to build a car.
its the way i would handle it.......

AL427SBF · #19 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IFlyEm

There you go.

That one passes my inspection

I can also tell that she will be trouble once she gets the hang of the cobra handling, under no circumstances should you build the cobra with a power to weight ratio that exceeds the Z06 lol.

AL427SBF · #20 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrist

If you feel like building her a Cobra, make it part of the deal that BEFORE she ever takes it on the road she has to take it to a performance driving class with professionals that can teach her how to drive it.

The other idea is to take her to a performance driving class (before you build the Cobra, sometimes they have cars that you can drive I think) and she has to agree that if the professional tells her that she should not get within 100 feet of any performance car, she gives up on the idea.

You could be building her a death trap (in her case).

Just something to think about.

Now that thar be a bunch of BS and I don't care what ya all think.