How do they rank?

[D-CEL]

Marc,

Welcome to CC.
No need to apologize, your question is valid and normal for potential owners and has been asked many times.
Sadly, as you can now see, we have several keyboard warriors that will squat and crap on a best intentioned question. They offer nothing but confusion, rhetoric or self serving advertisement. The good thing is that several of them identified themselves to you immediately.
Fortunately, we do have a lot of good people that are here to help and share their knowledge.(you just have to sort though the douche-bags to get to them)
Anyway, it would be good if you gave some details of what you want in and from a Cobra. What is important to you.
How much do you want to spend?
Do you want a Show car or a Race car?
New or used?

Jason

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Road Serpent, hands down. NO questions.

They do not paint biege or do dual roll bars, but will install a Fiat diesel with an automatic.

Now VERY hard to find, but common in Turkey.

Rick,

I hear demand is so high that they are still working on back ordered cars from 5 years ago. My slabside included


Bill S.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Marc Wulf

I was looking for some kind of guidance to avoid a big mistake ,because I'm looking to buy my first one and obviously don't know much.I do know I've wanted one all my life.At 59 years old I'm finally doing it.

Marc, a lot of guys have gone through what you're going through. With most of them, the urge to get a Cobra will pass. For others, they will buy one and, within a year or so, will realize it was not what they thought it would be. If you were paying me a ridiculously large fee to give you the best possible advice I could, I would tell you to target the spring of 2013 for getting your Cobra and, between then and now, start reading every thread on this site, starting with the oldest. You can "speed read" some of the highly technical, or goof-ball, threads. Then, make contact with your local Cobra club and meet some of the guys. Odds are, your desire for a Cobra will pass before next spring, and if it doesn't, you will, by that time, know what it is that you want. Seriously, this is the best advice money can buy.

[elmariachi]

Pick a vector: Quality, price, period correctness, company support, level of engineering etc. You need a priority or else all you get is...well....subjective opinions.

The BEST Cobra is the one beneath you at 130mph.

[Thor maine]

That question is a can of snakes!!! Best replica made from 1980's up til today, or only current kits manufactured today? Or only turnkey minus manufactures? Original, authentic or just the Cobra shape? A true sports car,racer, road racer, or a boulevard cruiser? Like I said that question is a can of snakes!!

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Marc Wulf

I do truly apologize.I didn't want to anger any owners.I should have been more specific .Im obviously a new member.I was looking for some kind of guidance to avoid a big mistake ,because I'm looking to buy my first one and obviously don't know much.I do know I've wanted one all my life.At 59 years old I'm finally doing it. Again I apologize,
Marc

Marc-You should not apologize-you're looking for help and this sentence in your first post would have made that clear.
No one is angry at you-most are just looking for the information you provide to help you best. Your budget, intended usage, and mechanical capabilities will help us help you. We all own one and many have owned many-so there's lots of experience to draw from.
I hate to admit it (because we are the human version of oil and water) but Pat's advice is very sound for starters.
Study, join, see and feel these in person over a period of time. Whether you spend $30K or $130K (and you can) the process should not be a casual one-it requires a diligent search for understanding even before a diligent search for the actual car. Otherwise, you'll piss away dough and like some flakes with too much money, move onto the next thrill.
Discovering that a replica Cobra is NOT for you is far more beneficial than jumping in to find you don't dig them.
Glad to have you and ask away. But search first here then ask questions as your preferences take shape. You'll quickly learn who you love and hate or take advice from. Hint: Hate Patrick immediately- you'll be glad you did.
We can all help you better that way.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

You'll quickly learn who you love and hate or take advice from. Hint: Hate Patrick immediately- you'll be glad you did.

But take advice from him, as his posts are chock full of the fruit of truth....

[rodneym]

Apologize?!?!?!

It's questions and threads like these that feed us.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

You need to define "best" and "replica". They mean different things to different people.

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I actually agree with what Evan posted


Bill S.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

But take advice from him, as his posts are chock full of the fruit of truth....

...and the waste that comes from having too much fruit.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

With most of them, the urge to get a Cobra will pass.

This is known as the "Just get a new Vette, you'll know you get one anyway" clause.

Before you can get to "best replica", one must really specify their budget.

[fordracing65]

1. Kirkham
2. Kirkham
3. Kirkham
4. Kirkham
5. Kirkham
In that order......

[lippy]

IMO the only three that truly sit right are CSX, Kirkham, and ERA. If you want to build it yourself then, among those, ERA is the only choice. If you want a big-block/FE, then these three are well-designed for this engine. If you don't want to build it and can't spend the dough on a CSX or Kirkham, then Superformance and Hurricane make very nice products that are less expensive. Unique makes a nice kit too that is more reasonably priced compared to the first three. FFR is a very good product, but it will take more time to build and it is highly dependent on the builder's quality. If you are good and take your time, an FFR can turn out great. But I've seen some that look like kit cars from a distance, if you know what I mean.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by lippy

But I've seen some that look like kit cars from a distance, if you know what I mean.

... and some even when the distance is slight.

[itstock]

Originally Posted by Marc Wulf

I do truly apologize.I didn't want to anger any owners.I should have been more specific .Im obviously a new member.I was looking for some kind of guidance to avoid a big mistake ,because I'm looking to buy my first one and obviously don't know much.I do know I've wanted one all my life.At 59 years old I'm finally doing it. Again I apologize,
Marc

I think you need to start with a budget before you dive in to what is the best. If money were no object, or I had a much higher budget, I would purchase a CSX for the simple fact of people asking...."Is that real?" I'm not joking either, but I'm also not saying that the Shelby is the best quality. The truth is, I think that all of the big manufactures of replica (not kits, as the quality varies too widely) cars are pretty close in quality, or kits if they are built by someone who knows what they are doing. These are simple cars with few items to go wrong, and some of the items that do have problems are shared among manufactures or are at least very similar (clutch cylinder comes to mind).

FOR THE MONEY that I was willing to spend, a new Backdraft was the "best" driver for my budget, and second was a used Superformance. A new superformance was more expensive than the backdraft by a decent amount, and there were trade-offs between the two (superformance is more authentic with slightly better paint from what I've seen, but doesn't handle on the track quite as well).

So pick a budget, sit on that budget for a little while, and decide if it's worth even having the budget. It might be worthwhile to wait a bit and up the budget to avoid any potential mistakes.

[REAL 1]

Marc: I agree with much of what Istock said.

What is your budget?
What is important to you?
If you budget is $100k+...
There is a cache' and an intangible value and enjoyment in many people's mind in owning a Shelby. They are not considered "replicas" by the SAAC Registry but genuine Shelby Cobras. However, some still do consider the CSX continuation Cobras "replicas". Every one knows where I stand on that issue but that's irrelevant here. CSX's are genuine Cobras and they are Shelbys. No other car can provide that. Further, via a Federal court decision they are the only car that can be legally referred to by their manufacturer as a Cobra or a Shelby Cobra.

As far as value. The buy in price is much higher but they do seem to retain their value and bring more money then non Shelbys.

Will they appreciate in value? I don't think so as long as Shelby is making new ones. Will they appreciate in value if Shelby goes out of business or stops Cobra production? Yes, I believe they will appreciate considerably in that case and your initial buy in price will definitely be money well spent. But who knows what the future brings? Not me.

The other issue is perhaps will current production CSX's have the same value as those produced when Carroall was alive and involved in SAI? Again, who knows, just something else to consider.

Below $100K it's a tough call between a glass CSX and a Kirkham. You need to weigh if the Shelby name and pedigree has more value to you then the aluminum body. Thats a personal call.

Below that and in the "below $$60K" range I would rank them:
1. ERA. Top flight car in every respect. Wonderful company to deal with.
2. Spf. wonderful car, great quality, great company, good dealer net work.
3. Then the rest.

I'm not saying "the rest" are not good and there are other great manufacturers and replicas out there like Backdraft, FFR etc.. but if I were choosing that would be my picking order.

Again, join a club, hang out with the cars and the owners to see if you really want to get involved with a snake.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

They are not considered "replicas" by the SAAC Registry but genuine Shelby Cobras. However, some still do consider the CSX continuation Cobras "replicas". Every one knows where I stand on that issue but that's irrelevant here. CSX's are genuine Cobras and they are Shelbys. No other car can provide that. Further, via a Federal court decision they are the only car that can be legally referred to by their manufacturer as a Cobra or a Shelby Cobra.

Marc, don't you love how my esteemed colleague here states that while it is irrelevant, he continues on the same path.

BTW, Kirkham's and Superformance GT40's and Daytona Coupes are also listed in the SAAC registry. Go figure.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

BTW, Kirkham's and Superformance GT40's and Daytona Coupes are also listed in the SAAC registry. Go figure.

My ERA was in the SAAC registry for a while because of my clever use of a fluted rotary wiper knob. It ain't that hard. See: Rick Kopec's "What's Your Beef?"

[lippy]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Below that and in the "below $$60K" range I would rank them:
1. ERA. Top flight car in every respect. Wonderful company to deal with.
2. Spf. wonderful car, great quality, great company, good dealer net work.
3. Then the rest.

I'm currently building an ERA and I can tell you it can't be done (at least not easily) for $60k. If it is optioned decently but not over the top, and you build it with an FE, it will probably be $75+.

Of course, you can buy one that is finished to a high standard for less than it could cost to build a new one, but that's a different story.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by lippy

Of course, you can buy one that is finished to a high standard for less than it could cost to build a new one, but that's a different story.

But a pertinent one.