Girlfriend wants an AC Cobra - Page 2

jhv48 · #21 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 12:42 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.

Winner, winner! There is a school that provides cobras for you to drive. Sign her up and see if she really can handle the noise, smell and quirks that these cars have.

terry lee · #22 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 12:52 PM

Check out Ford's SVTOA driving program. They have weekend driving courses all over the country. If U Fly Em, it shouldn't be a problem.
You may need to rent a Mustang for the weekend. Hertz at LAX and Miami had Shelby GTs acouple of years ago. I assume they still do.
I took my wife to a SVTOA event at Sebring in FLA. and with the help of an instructor, she learned Her limits, as well as how the car handles on a autocross course, and on the skid path. Then it was on to the road course for a real driving experience.

PS; Your girlfriend may need to trade in the red dress for a driving suit. lol

TL

LMH · #23 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhv48

Winner, winner! There is a school that provides cobras for you to drive. Sign her up and see if she really can handle the noise, smell and quirks that these cars have.

I agree.
Larry

AL427SBF · #24 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 01:05 PM

How many of you jokers went to "cobra driving school" before you bought yours LMAO.

charles roybal · #25 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IFlyEm

There you go.

If you build it... girl friend sitting on the roll bar pic is in order.

LMH · #26 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

How many of you jokers went to "cobra driving school" before you bought yours LMAO.

School AND track experience before buying.

Larry

tcrist · #27 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

How many of you jokers went to "cobra driving school" before you bought yours LMAO.

Read this from the 1st post,

(She is self admittedly "not a good driver." )

AL427SBF · #28 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMH

School AND track experience before buying.

Larry

And what exactly did you learn - be specific, thanks.

AL427SBF · #29 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrist

Read this from the 1st post,

(She is self admittedly "not a good driver." )

True, and according to IFlyEm "not bad per se" either - at least she knows where her abilities lie, that puts her already ahead of the game imo. I'm not apposed to school or track experience, but you don't make that suggestion as an ultimatum ...

"... 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."

"... 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."

That last comment is laughable, no professional instructor would ever say that, at worst recommend more time behind the wheel.

How about you, did you go to "cobra driving school" before you got behind the wheel of your 1st cobra?

tcrist · #30 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 02:39 PM

Decided to edit my response. Not worth responding to someone that is trying to start sh!t.

AL427SBF · #31 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 03:22 PM

Not really being a smartazz as you put it, just getting a kick out of all this "righteous advice" that is being given out but not followed - I do get it even if you don't, do as I say, not as I do lol.

mrmustang · #32 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IFlyEm

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.

Might I make the following suggestion (and comments)

1: If you truly love her, you will insist that she take at least a 3 day course at the Bondurant School of High performance driving

2: If you truly love her, you'll make sure to purchase an under powered crate engine of no more than 200hp for your build. Might I suggest an FFR spec racer chassis if you really love her and care about her safety at this time.

3: If you truly love her, you'll forget about your Z06 Corvette until such time as number one on this list is accomplished with a more than suggested passing grade of the course, or a repeat until such time as she can pass the course.

4: If you truly do not give a damn, then I suggest dumping this women and finding another that you can better handle when she suggests something as stupid as your current girlfriend has.

Sorry to be blunt, but we have seen far too many people, with far more experience than you both combined that "thought they could handle it". Some are buried, some are still alive but must live with the fact that they caused the death of someone else. Perhaps teach her to fly model airplanes first.

olddog · #33 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 04:13 PM

Maybe some bias because it's a She. Although if a male said he had no experience with performance cars, I suspect the driving school would be recommended by all. Maybe not quite as negative of a tone.

There are plenty of women racing, so gender means nothing.

Someone saying that they are not that good of a driver could mean anything from being honest and realistic on needing some education, to truly being clueless behind the wheel. So you need to honestly access which she is, and what type of head she has.

I find arrogant over-confident know-it-all men to be best candidate to kill themselves in any car. It's not necessary to have the skills to drive a race car, in order to own a performance car. It is imperative to have enough control over yourself to never attempt to drive over 66% of your capabilities on the streets. You only push it on a track.

ERA Chas · #34 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 04:38 PM

Do YOU have high performance (not talking about what ever you fly) street experience? If so, buy the ZO 6 first. You teach her to handle IT and see how comfortable you are in the pass seat while she learns.
If she bashes it or craps herself-you have your answer. There-I just saved you $30K.

AL427SBF · #35 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 04:40 PM

Some well spoken wisdom there.

ZOERA-SC7XX · #36 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 04:40 PM

The only thing I see wrong here is she doesn't have to finance the Cobra. If you buy or build her ANYTHING, you will be whipped for life. Tell her if she wants a Cobra, get a job and buy one, or buy a kit and you can HELP her build it. If she doesn't have anything invested in it, It'll mean nothing to her...just a guy magnet. Think hard about this.

AL427SBF · #37 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

Some well spoken wisdom there.

--> olddog

fastd · #38 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 05:15 PM

where does IFlyEm live? If your girl knows how to drive a stick, see if you can find someone in your area to let her drive one, safely. My wife has driven mine; no biggie.

Not every Cobra has to have 700 hp to be fun.

tcrist · #39 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 05:25 PM

No bias at all because of gender on my part. I have mentioned it before to people (men and women) that are new to this type of car. I.E. high HP & light weight, power to weight ratio, whatever you want to call it. Also have mentioned schools to motorcycle riders.

AL427SBF,

Back when I was around her (assumed) age and earlier when getting into high HP vehicles, only the people that was trying to get into, or was, racing went to driving schools. I do wish that I had gone to one when I was younger. Would have been a very good experiance/training to have.

IFlyEm · #40 (**permalink**) 09-17-2011, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Perhaps teach her to fly model airplanes first.

Like mine? lol

Ironically she's got her commercial pilots license and wants to learn to fly models as well.

Anyway, everything you guys have said we have discussed. Just sounds better when a third party confirms what I have said.

We are going to definitely go through driving school together. I have had performance cars all my life. Performance as in 11 - 13 sec cars. The Z06 will be the raciest car I have driven. Eventually I would love a Cobra. Just not sure I would be comfortable turning her loose in one that I would build to suit me.

I would like her to start with a decent 300 - 400 hp modern sports car with traction control.

Anyway thanks for all the input!