Girlfriend wants an AC Cobra

[D&M2]

When I originally purchased my cobra kit, I was going to build it and then we were going to get a matching kit for my wife. Having read a number of instances and watched the u-tube experience that some people had had, my wife got me a Racing Adventures driving class as gift. She chose Racing Adventures specifically because they use cobras (as well as vets) for the classes and they have sessions thruout the country with a couple of locations within driving distance from where we live.

When we got there they still had openings so I signed her up as well. The closest thing that she had ever driven in the way of a high performance car at that time was my T-bird SC. Inspite of that and that she is partially blind in one eye, she was able to get thru all of the preliminary training and the open track time just fine. The track time made us both a lot comfortable that we could safely handle the cobra.

Jump ahead a few years, I'm still in the process of building the cobra and the wife is too impatient for me to finish mine and build her's so we purchaseda Shelby GT. Not the most potent machine but still a lot of fun to drive. We have added a few more to the stable including a GT500 KR with 540 HP and she is able to handle them just fine as long as we keep her away from curbs.

Bottom line is, if you have both done your homework and she really has a good idea of what living with a cobra is like, spend a day and a few extra dollars to really learn how to drive the cobra. Not only will she (and you if you decide to take the course together) improve her driving skills but will be able to verify that a cobra is what she wants.

[sspano01]

my recommendation is to build one together.
i think, after the expense and time you spend building one - you would have to be a goof to then pull it out on the street, hammer the gas, and crash into a tree.

it would probably be more dangerous to go buy one and drive it - then you don't have a vested interest in keeping it in one piece.

just keep in mind, the cobra generates alot of attention. maybe more so if she is out driving it by herself :O

[Buzz]

Edited - hit the post button too hastily

Edit #2 - Damn - I was hoping my edit came before any other posts. Oh well.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by Three Peaks

Al, with all the snarky comments you're throwing around someone would think you have something personal going on here...... so what gives? Did the pic give you a whole new definition of a "qualified driver"??????

The OP asked for opinions and that is exactly what he is getting. Let it go, would ya'?

Bob

I have let it go, some of you guys I think take yourselves and advice a little too seriously. If IFlyEm followed half the advice given here and delivered it to his fiancé in the condescending manner suggested, he probably wouldn't be engaged. Now here is where I sit on this whole issue -

First, it seems what Driving School emphasizes is being a responsible driver and exercising common sense. I already knew that, I'm sure you did to - but I asked that question to get it on the table.

AL427SBF
What did LMH learned in Driving School?

LMH
Probably the best thing I learned was that what I thought I knew, I really didn't know at all. Ego gets in the way though and that's a hard pill to swallow. You learn the basics and how to be consistent. You also learn how not to be a loose cannon. I'm speaking of road racing, not just everyday driving.

Ok, an honest guy true to his conscious will notice that most of those traits belong to men, not woman. Women don't play the "mine is bigger/faster than yours" game, their battlefield is much more subtle - experts in back-handed compliments and stature erosion, I digress. The truth is, when it comes to common sense I would put my money on the female species vs. male any day of the week (as a collective whole). In fact, that's one of the checks & balances I use with my wife - she is very good with helping me take that "reality check", and I believe we all need that occasionally.

Now to answer this question -
Did the pic give you a whole new definition of a "qualified driver"??????

No, but it definitely didn't hurt What nailed it for me is that IFlyEm's fiancé has her commercial pilot's license. Obviously she is responsible, has common sense and BRAINS (yes, that's another criteria). That license she has says her judgment is rock solid and the FAA trusts her with the lives of many, enough said.

In closing, IFlyEm has his input and is already on his way with his fiancé to take the next steps. I also think a cobra is in his future and a done deed, the fun you have behind the wheel is not exclusive to men. I only wish some of the fairer sex who do drive cobra's had chimed in here, I'm unaware of any who have - my bad if I'm wrong. They were probably thinking, "listen to these jackazzes, they are clueless". The truth is, we have a "hotrod boy's club" mentality out there, and I saw some of that here. Not so much what you say but how you say it. A prime example of this can be found by googling Danica Patrick's move to NASCAR (any forum) and reading the comments. She has been trashed totally, and based on no NASCAR history - yet she is an established Indy driver that can drive circles around all of us.

Done, I've said all I intend to on the subject - time to move on.
-----

[Buzz]

Seems you are way more caught up in the gender issue than anyone else who responded. Many of those who submitted their opinions stated or implied that their advice and cautions would apply to anyone with no hi-po driving experience considering jumping into a Cobra purchase.

[4RE KLR]

I say if she wants a Cobra, get her a Cobra. Teach her to drive it safely and go and have fun together as a couple.

Not all, but most people can be taught to safely drive these cars.

Last time I checked this is still America and we are still free to do what we want to do.

_______________
Ferrari Killer
Steve

Must Sell Right Now

.

[Buzz]

First gender liberation, and now this becomes a civil liberties issue?
Geez guys - the man (who knows his fiancee better than anyone else here) is concerned about the choice of a Cobra for her and came seeking input from Cobra owners, some of whom are responding with all good intentions. That's it. So why all the contention and digression into heavy peripheral issues?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

I have let it go, some of you guys I think take yourselves and advice a little too seriously.

Personally, around this joint I wouldn't take anyone seriously that takes me seriously.

[CHANMADD]

I hate to break it to you guys, but a lot of men are not very good drivers either, and I do mean Cobra owners too!!!

[86Sebring]

Very entertaining thread
I have a fire extinguisher for sale in the classifieds area, will give you a good deal

[rockman539]

What makes you all think you are such good drivers? How did you learn? Everyone deserves a chance as long as they have common sense. A governor, that's called a gas pedal. USE it with wisdom, road conditions, traffic and weather. Everyone who has the means is entitled to learn. A driving school would benefit us ALL. Get off your high horse and come into the 21st century. If he loves her, who gives a flying fu***k what you think about her looks. They seem like they decide things TOGETHER, which makes their relationship stronger. They both wear the pants so to speak. The rest of you need to grow up.
A cobra is a hot rod, screw you purist. Shelby went to chevy first, then ford. If they picked it up, it would have a ls in it now. I don't find that offifense at all ! Its a british body with an american engine. I don't have time for all you little *****es to cry. I don't come on here often, my wife does under my name, and whatever she says, I stand behind her 100 % I think a lot of you have an ego problem and are not man enough to come out of the closet. GET OVER IT !

[twin turbo]

Rockman, don't hold back, tell us what you really think, lol. Cheers.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by rockman539

What makes you all think you are such good drivers? How did you learn? Everyone deserves a chance as long as they have common sense. A governor, that's called a gas pedal. USE it with wisdom, road conditions, traffic and weather. Everyone who has the means is entitled to learn. A driving school would benefit us ALL. Get off your high horse and come into the 21st century. If he loves her, who gives a flying fu***k what you think about her looks. They seem like they decide things TOGETHER, which makes their relationship stronger. They both wear the pants so to speak. The rest of you need to grow up.
A cobra is a hot rod, screw you purist. Shelby went to chevy first, then ford. If they picked it up, it would have a ls in it now. I don't find that offifense at all ! Its a british body with an american engine. I don't have time for all you little *****es to cry. I don't come on here often, my wife does under my name, and whatever she says, I stand behind her 100 % I think a lot of you have an ego problem and are not man enough to come out of the closet. GET OVER IT !

He doesn't get on here often, but he always seems to sugar-coat things!

[ratsnst1]

Originally Posted by twin turbo

I'm not too worried about if she can learn to drive the car, I'm just curious if she realizes how crude these cars are in terms of noise, ride comfort, and smell. Some people just don't enjoy driving these unrefined beasts. For me, my car is a safer substitute for riding a crotch rocket, but I'm kinda warped. No matter what, if you get a Cobra, insist she always use the full harness and not just the lap belt. Cheers.

I think alot of these cobra owners think that there cars are scary fast, unless you have 650 plus hp then ya, car is scary fast, not really but thats just me, but for a woman or a man not used to power a 400 hp car would be a good start in an open area , such as a huge parking lot or race track, I have alwayes said this with a car. No your push limits in a car, befor you find out in the street and hurt your self or someone else.This goes for any car, when I was 16 my dad and I went to my high school parking lot, he said go ahed lets see what this will do, which at the time I had built my dream car a big block 66 chevelle ss 396, with one exception he said stay in these lines in the parking lot which he painted , back then nobody was a round and not a big deal, so I opened it up learned very fast what this car could do, lesson here dont learn this on the street.

[ccomt]

Just my $.02 -- and that's probably all that it's worth.

I read all of your posts and I didn't see the reasons listed on WHY your girlfriend wants the Cobra. Is it because she wants a very high performance car or is it because she likes the looks? Or both? Not trying to be sexist but it didn't seem that those details were mentioned.

Most cobras can be a handful and tend to be very unforgiving.

One possibility;

1. Purchase a used, running Cobra (There are several very nice cars for sale on cobracountry listed in the low $30K range)
2. Negotiate the price down to the $20K range but make sure the car will pass MVA regs in your state (It's a buyer's market)
3. Yank the high performance engine and store it temporarily
4. Purchase a 5.0L from a junked Mustang (Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, Town Car, etc.)
5. You and your girlfriend can clean up the 5.0 and install it in the Cobra (This is a very quick way of getting a drivable car)
6. You and she will have had the enjoyment of working on the car together and you both will know how to work on parts of it. She will have a nice cobra that is "relatively" safe to drive
7. Sometime in the future, after sufficient learning time, reinstall the original engine or sell everything if the fun wears off

I had an acquaintance who gave his 17 year old son a Corvette and the outcome was very, very sad. A low-powered Cobra can still be a lot of fun and will provide an upgrade path at a very attractive cost.

[tin-man]

Originally Posted by Buzz

So why all the contention and digression into heavy peripheral issues?

Buzz, short attention span and notions of talking heads spouting off. Of interest tho', is the total number of views and posts this thread has generated in less that a few days, who wuda thunk?

Cheers, John AKA, tin-man

[G-Pete]

Girlfriend --- building a Cobra? Let me think.....nah.

My wife? Anytime anything!

BTW: say hi to Nadya

[Buzz]

Reading some of the rants in this thread - Folks have serious issues! The poor OP must be watching all this and wondering wtf kind of ASSylum he went and stumbled into.

The man came in and asked for opinions. If yours differs from someone else who is trying to be helpful, and you're reasonably capable of expressing your thoughts, then just post it and let it stand on its own merit so the OP can filter through the feedback and make up his own mind. Is it just internet big ballz syndrome or do these therapy cases freak out and throw a hissy-fit meltdown when people disagree with them in real life? Geezus!!

[D-CEL]

Holy Freakin Crap! Are you guys retarded?
He has a woman (Beautiful, yes, but irrelevant, move to strike)
Who is “asking” to be involved in the hobby (for lack of a better term) he loves. And goes on to say they also need another ridiculously fast sports car to drive when it rains? And you bunch of arm-chair sages say “well ya know, they are very difficult to drive and women crash them so get her a ”….
Really? What is that? jealousy?
Men crash them all the time When anyone’s ego outweighs their skills and they will pay for it.
This is what I hear:
“We will spend our weekends building cars, going to the racetrack or hanging with other car friends” That is HUGE!! How many car guys that struggle to stay in the hobby because the wifey has no interest? (read my miserable x wife!)
He puts that on the shelf before they ever get hitched
And if the relationship doesn’t work out, (Im just sayin!) She keeps hers , He keeps his….

IFlyEm,
Listen carefully:
Buy the Z06 today (your property before the marriage is YOURS and will not be split)
Marry her (with pre-nup)
Buy a Cobra that is finished, much cheaper and easier and ultimately half yours

Dcel

[RodKnock]

Buy a Prius for both of you and save the environment.

You gotta enjoy the nonsense here.