Replacement for a Cobra.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by donkeykong

I can get into trouble with a Miata under the same circumstances.

That ain't a bad replacement idea for the OP. Why not an early 1st Gen Miata, say an R package?

[itstock]

I rolled my 91 Mustang LX with a 351 when I was 17 doing just that. It's truly a simply concept.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by donkeykong

I'll have to say, I've read that comment 1,000 times on this site and find it to be complete horse s**t!

There's nothing different about the Cobra than any other high performance vehicle I've ever driven, or I'm just that good of a driver.

People must be driving these things like complete a**holes to require Total Focus at all times every time you sit in a Cobra.

I seriously don't get it.

Yup...evidently you don't.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by vatdevil

This option isn't reliable enough to drive regularly.

Obviously senior, you did not have enough pesos.

[twobjshelbys]

Simple. I went through the same thing. Needed something visceral, fast, scary and comfortable.

Ford GT.

A/C, three point seat belts on the passenger side, harness on mine, same weight:hp as the Cobra. Still don't deliberately take it out in the rain (we get hail if it rains and it's aluminum), but not uncomfortable if it does.

I will second that a Daytona Coupe was a very close second for me but overruled by the boss. The new Shelby CSX9000 (taken over for the SPF coupe) are even more civilized with A/C, radio, electric windows, etc. Plus a trunk that can carry a suitcase and not melt everything in it (compared to the FGT). The early SPF cars will be more proper replicas of the race cars and will be brutal on your kidneys and bake you.

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by donkeykong

Around 450 hp.

If you have watched this forum for very long you will see that there are a large number of accidents with these cars both on and off tracks. Short wheel base
relatively wide track and throttle on and off oversteer can make a deadly combination for inexperienced drivers. Most of the accidents happen to relatively new or inexperienced drivers, buying one of these cars and not taking driving it very seriously is an invitation to disaster. I have driven lots of high performance cars and none was as difficult to maintain control over as a Cobra.
By the way, you are a bit light on horsepower, perhaps yours is easier to drive than some. If your car has a solid rear axle you also don't have a rear toe steer issue that can make handling tricky.

[Bartruff1]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

That ain't a bad replacement idea for the OP. Why not an early 1st Gen Miata, say an R package?

This year (or next) Alfa is coming out with a Miata based model. A Italian beauty that actually works....I am definitely looking forward to seeing it.

Some pictures of that hot Latina would be appreciated, they were very affordable in T Town in the mid 60s.

[snakebittexan]

My son and I participated in the 2013 Hot Rod Power Tour. One of the cars that caught our eye was a 1969 GT500 which is a 2005 Mustang wrapped in a skin to give the appearance of a '69GT500. The fit, paint and finish was right on with all the modern safety, conveniences, etc of a late model car. Apparently you provide the car and they do the rest.
I have a GT500CR which not only runs and handles great but in the past year I've won nine (9) "Best of Show" awards.

Retrobuilt.com

GT500CR.com

[madmaxx]

There is no substitute for a cobra. I have tried. Currently in a little 07 miata, haven't had the top down in over a month. AC in Texas sure is nice!! It's a dead ass as far as power but for all practical purposes free compared to the price of a cobra. Mine has the power retractable roof which impresses the heck out of me. I suggest the cobra and miata, if not and your pockets are deep, ford gt. vipers are to much like me red neck with $. Although I love myself never liked vipers. Shelby gt 500 to refined and boring. Mercedes sl580 nice but hard ride and more buttons than a computer and $$$ to fix and although they dont usually break down the do require repairs. Suspension pump $2900 at 30k miles, ouch.

[SigSauer]

Originally Posted by Jamo

A hot Latina, cash, a secluded beach and tequila.

Best post I've seen yet!

Any one of the above can hurt you more than any Cobra could

[Bill E]

[madmaxx]

Very cool, does it have ac?

Originally Posted by Bill E

[PCW]

I have a friend that owns a 2013 Nissan GT-R, that car is a monster. If I could afford both I would have a Kirkham and a GT-R, best of both worlds

pcw

[Bill E]

Max Yes it has AC and can have traction control and cup holders and charging ports for phone and tablits

[Frank Messina]

There is not a current production line vehicle that can compare to a Cobra. The Cobra has a total lock on the "holy crap" factor. We go to Cars and Coffee in Irvine almost every week and have looked at and studied every exotic known to man. Sure, some of them are pretty spectacular and I wouldn't mind taking one for a spin, but speaking for me only, I wouldn't trade my car for any of them.

This is the only car I've ever owned that I can roll out for a 30 minute drive and when I pull back into the garage I feel exhilarated. And before stepping into the house, stop and turn around for one last look. Damn! It's the whole package I tell you.
Frank

[JoeT]

I've toyed with this myself lately. I've given some thought to a big block chevelle convertible... or a GTO 'vert, or maybe a roadrunner

we have 2 kids, and the wife and I seem to take her '66 mustang 'vert out as a family. the cobra sits home because it doesn't have enough seats for us.

[mdross1]

Once saw an SRT8 Challenger with the right wheels and suspension setup that peaked my interest.Approached the wife with the idea of building us one,her response our Cobra like our Harleys will never leave this ranch.She is right these new hot rods are way too refined and leave no feel for raw door shaking,exhaust burbling hp.

[289fia_cobra]

When I was going to order my FFR back in 2006, I hesitated... for just a few thousand more, I could get the Daytona Coupe kit. But in the 45 years on this earth, I've never owned a topless or convertible car, only been driven around in just a couple: a VW Golf and a neighbors Fairlane but those two rides convinced me I had to have a topless car so the Roadster it is.

I would seriously go for either a Daytona (perhaps a SPF since I'm not sure I have that much time to build another these days), or a Ford GT.

Mind you, I recently attended the Gold Rush Rally in S.F. a couple of weeks ago and had taken a lot of pictures of a lot of exotics. The only ones in my price range that I'd consider outside of the Ford GT would be an Audi R8, or a Porsche 911 Carrera. If price wasnt' an object, one car I would love to have is the Carrera GT. I knew someone that owned one of those and they sounded awesome and built originally as a LeMan's or Petite Lemans car... truly a race car for the street... sounds familiar...

[donkeykong]

I personally wouldn't drive a Miata, not trying to offend anybody, but there's ZERO power, ZERO aesthetics and ZERO cool factor!

I would however own a Honda S2000. It's the Miata on steroids! Decent power, power top, fantastic handling, unbelievable shifting and very good looking. An S2000 with a supercharger is a damn fun car to drive!

While I wouldn't call it a replacent for my Cobra I have owned 2 of them and would have one back in my garage the day after I let my Cobra go!

[madmaxx]

I agree with zero power. What a miata has is an extremely cheap/free fun factor. I racked up 1k miles in last 4 weeks. That was a year of cobra driving. I looking for a cobra, but will also keep the miata.