New member and need advice

jobu137 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2012, 08:14 PM

First off, new member and have been reading this forum for info on a possible Cobra.

I am looking at a Superformance MKIII for sale with only 600 miles. My concern is the car was built in 2003. That is a lot of sitting around. Is that a problem with a SPF Cobra. Afraid seals could dry out with only 70 miles a year on it.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Derek

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-16-2012, 04:54 AM

Derek,

Any car that sets around for a long period will have problems with seals and rubber hoses deteriorating. Also the old gas and fluids should be changed just to be on the safe side. Valve seals are bad for drying out and you can normally tell if there is oil getting into n the combustion chamber by starting the car and watching for blue smoke out the pipes. The hoses you just have to check for soft spots but I would n just replace them anyway to be on the safe side. Same if your spark plug wires are rubber wrapped. You may not see a crack but they could have one and it could arc to a valve cover of other ground and cause a miss. Also was the 70 miles driven each year or has it set idle for a few years? Check the tires also.

Ron

vector1 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-16-2012, 05:02 AM

get the owner to put 400 mi. on it, which would be about 2 tanks of fuel, then see how it looks.

Silversmith · #4 (**permalink**) 10-16-2012, 05:16 AM

Vector's idea sound good! Have the owner put a tank or so worth of miles on the AC. It's true condition will then be shown. Or have the owner let you run it for 3 or 400 miles.

Either way Vectors idea makes sence!

Dwight · #5 (**permalink**) 10-16-2012, 10:41 AM

I would think that the gas in the carb bowl has turned to shellac!

all the fluids should be changed. Wheel bearings re-greased.

fuel lines blown out and anything the gas has touched needs cleaning. New fuel filter. Open the carb and check the inside.

I did this on a nine year old Cobra, last fall with 11,000 miles on it. It had set in a garage for the last few years and I was surprised at the condition of the grease and brake fluid. It's a good thing the owner wanted everything checked out.

Dwight

itstock · #6 (**permalink**) 10-16-2012, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vector1

get the owner to put 400 mi. on it, which would be about 2 tanks of fuel, then see how it looks.

2 tanks?

If the current owner barely put that much miles on it in nearly 10 years, I doubt it's just "that easy" to immediately put 400 miles on it.

Otherwise, it's a good suggestion.

rgnbull1227 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-16-2012, 02:55 PM

I just purchased a 2006 built SPF car with 800 miles on it. No Issues whatsoever other than a pretty rich jetting. Already swapped jets and car is flawless. Met the shipper in NJ and drove the car 120 miles home. Been driving it weekly since.

madmaxx · #8 (**permalink**) 10-16-2012, 03:16 PM

R U sure odometer is working?

Dimis · #9 (**permalink**) 10-16-2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmaxx

R U sure odometer is working?

Bada bing!!!
My first thought also

Next thought is car built in 2003?
What does built mean??
Built in South Africa? Engine installed? Completed and ready for reg?

When was it first registered? 20??

What's the chassis no.?

jobu137 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-16-2012, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimis

Bada bing!!!
My first thought also

Next thought is car built in 2003?
What does built mean??
Built in South Africa? Engine installed? Completed and ready for reg?

When was it first registered? 20??

What's the chassis no.?

Chassis number #1741

WardL · #11 (**permalink**) 10-17-2012, 02:14 AM

I am amazed at the number of Cobras with such low miles when sold. Mine had 1,700 and I suspected a couple of speedo replacements, etc. But you can tell the difference between 1,700 miles and 5,000 miles in the wear and tear of the tires, carpet, body chips, etc. There are other places where miles show up easy. Gasoline evaporates, fill it with gas and check the other levels. I would eventually change the brake fluid and crankcase oil. It wouldn't hurt to change everything, but wheel bearing grease? You can't change rear wheel bearing grease! OK, I don't know how to change the rear wheel bearing grease. It matters more who assembled it in 2003. Are they still around?

Dimis · #12 (**permalink**) 10-17-2012, 03:37 AM

Chassis #1741 is seemingly consistent with 2003 build out of SA.
But it doesn't tell us when the car was first finished or registered.
Either way if genuine 600miles, barring any accidents that may have bent stuff there wouldn't be too much wrong with it that can't be fixed.

Price dependent I wouldn't rule it out.
It's a reputable brand and factory built roller.
If she's straight then you're off to a good start.

If I was purchasing it, I'd do so knowing that I'd change all rubber hoses, bushing, grease and fluids (maybe even tyres).

I'd take my chances on the engine & driveline (& ultimately offer a price with this in mind).
If the engine or drive line failed, hell it wouldn't bother me much there, by that time I'd know what I wanted in my next engine and by changing all the other stuff I'd have gotten to know my car pretty well. (Which i think, is part of the fun of ownership).

Changing hoses, grease & fluids isn't something to fear. Almost any goose can do it, even me! And if you got, stuck the corner shop could help you for a small fee.

Either way worth investigating further.

Best of luck and enjoy the hunt.

mrmustang · #13 (**permalink**) 10-17-2012, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobu137

First off, new member and have been reading this forum for info on a possible Cobra.

I am looking at a Superformance MKIII for sale with only 600 miles. My concern is the car was built in 2003. That is a lot of sitting around. Is that a problem with a SPF Cobra. Afraid seals could dry out with only 70 miles a year on it.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Derek

Ask yourself why the owner woulds only drive the car so little after sinking all that money into the car? Lot's of small tweaks that have not even been found and fixed at this point as the car is not broken in.

Bill S.

jobu137 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-17-2012, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Ask yourself why the owner woulds only drive the car so little after sinking all that money into the car? Lot's of small tweaks that have not even been found and fixed at this point as the car is not broken in.

Bill S.

I had the same thoughts.

JLip · #15 (**permalink**) 10-17-2012, 11:32 PM

The speedometer is so easy to disconnect that I very seldom believe the numbers on the face. Take a look at other things. I went to look at a car with 1500 miles and asked the guy why the tires were so bald since he never tracked or drove it. There were other indicators that told a much bigger story. Be careful!

Jaydee · #16 (**permalink**) 10-18-2012, 04:52 AM

I've just bought a 2003 kit, half finished, and most of the ball joint rubbers are perished. Have a mechanic go over the car very carefully. Brakefluid can attract moisture, corroding lines and calipers, etc.
Good luck.
JD

vatdevil · #17 (**permalink**) 10-18-2012, 05:03 AM

Verify date code on tires and measure tread depth....that will indicate miles driven and tire age. Should replace tires older than 10 years.

jobu137 · #18 (**permalink**) 10-18-2012, 06:27 PM

All good suggestions. Thanks.

Looks like there are many Cobras on the market and maybe it is best to wait and find one that is close to what I want. Was set on a SPF Cobra but may look at an ERA as well.

MRGEORGE077 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-20-2012, 08:33 PM

Maybe he has been sorting it out all of that time, new owner will continue the process. Good luck!

MRGEORGE077 · #20 (**permalink**) 10-22-2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Ask yourself why the owner woulds only drive the car so little after sinking all that money into the car? Lot's of small tweaks that have not even been found and fixed at this point as the car is not broken in.

Bill S.

Ummmm, he never got though sorting it out?