FII Roadster - Thoughts

[Bartruff1]

Originally Posted by kkosche

IMHO, your quote about "moves your soul" is the most insightful thus far in this thread. Thank you.

As to the Series I . . . 4.0 liter Olds motor at 330 HP? Just could bring myself to drop a $100K on that. Don't really care for the lines of the car either.

The thing I struggle most about the FII is that it really is unique. Part Shelby (chassis) . . not a Cobra . . Cobra Like body . . In the end, I think it is a car to chase ultimate performance . . which I think the FII does a credible job doing . . but in the end "ultimate performance" is a fools errand. . .

All this dialog has me thinking that keeping the C5 is the answer . . and keeping an eye out for the right Cobra tribute / replica. . . and going back to driving school to sharpen some skills.

I have several gt cars including a C5 that are great fun to drive in the kind of weather we have in the PNW (to hot, to cold, to wet) and the Superformance when things are just right for a trip over the Cascades on one of our beautiful mountain passes or a twisty drive along the waters edge.

IMHO, you cannot beat a " Cobra " for fun or a Corvette for bang for the buck.

Like they say in Alaska, " I hope to see you down the road "....bart

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

... Buy what you love or as a friend once said to me "moves your soul" ...

+1 ... I agree and would add ... buy a car that has a soul.

It's quite clear that you have a real affinity for your C5 and a sincere interest in Cobras & Shelby related cars. Both the Corvette & Cobra have tremendous heritage and history or 'soul' for lack of a better term. IMHO the FII does not, it's a collection of interesting bits and pieces, but it's neither fish nor fowl.

Originally Posted by kkosche

All this dialog has me thinking that keeping the C5 is the answer . . and keeping an eye out for the right Cobra tribute / replica. . . and going back to driving school to sharpen some skills.

Good plan. You mention the performance bar always moving, I would think about selling the C5 and find a C6 you like. Then look for Superformance or other Cobra replica and sign up for that driving school. You will wind up with a 'practical' sports car and an 'impractical' sports car, both of which will put a smile on your face.

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by kkosche

I don't recall saying, "GT's don't handle". . . . but if we are going to solely base wether or not a car is a top tier super car purely on video evidence . . . should this car also be considered a super car?

Gremlin AMC 7 second Car!!! Great Lakes Dragaway 5/24/08 Horsepower X .Com - YouTube


Also . . . Mr. Wingard has delivered 3 of the FII's and references are available to the serious buyer. . . . and I did sit in one the other weekend . . . so I am not sure what to make about the "non existent" comment.

As I stated previously FGT's . . great car and fantastic value retention. . . just no longer makes it into the top tier of super cars. . . as the line has moved up and to the right.

The comment refers to the aerodynamics of the F11 and how stable it would be above 100 mph. A super car provides a combination of acceleration, handling, top speed and braking capability. not just one or two of these attributes. A stock Ford GT can go 211 mph which keeps it in the top tier of super cars. The original tires are its weak link, changing the tires to any of the newer tires that are similar to what the ZR1, F458, or Viper are delivered with puts the GT's performance right back in the mix with any of these cars. Granted, it doesn't have any nannies other than anti lock brakes, but if you need those nannies you probably should not be driving a super car in the first place.

REAL 1 is correct, none of the super cars can be driven anywhere near its potential on the street without risk of serious jail time. The crash rate of these cars is also very high because of driver inexperience. As others have stated, you need to assess what you are trying to accomplish and then do it.