Replacement for a Cobra.

[86fxst]

How 'bout a ZR1!?

[jhv48]

After driving a cobra for years, everything else is a step down.

Next for me would be a rocking chair.

[rpatton3]

My wonderful wife has a 5,000 mile Inspiration Yellow 2002 Thunderbird. It never gets driven in rain or snow and the yellow hardtop is hanging in garage above the red Backdraft Roadster.

Down on power but very handsome car. Interior looks like a bumblebee. Very nice ride, smooth and comfortable car.

[Bartruff1]

I can't imagine taking a weekend trip in the Superformance. She will love the Corvette, you can remove the roof panels in the right weather.

Assuming you want to buy in the SPF price range, you might consider a post 2003 AMG Mercedes SL. They have a retractable hardtop.

They have the same expensive repair and maintenance consideration as a Porsche. but there are a lot more dealers.

[trularin]

Reacting to the title lone,

There is no damn replacement for a cobra!

GT40 may settle your urge, but that whole open air, runs like it wants to launch you to the moon, burning rubber, idles at 1400 and lopes with each Cam LOBE EXPERIENCE can not be replaced.

Sorry, I got a little excited.

[GBowman]

Cobras are the ideal "3rd" car...if for whatever reason you do not wish to have two toy cars then you must decide what is more important, a cool/fast/powerful car that is comfy or a Cobra...there really is no replacement to the Cobra only a replacement in the actual driving experience you will realize if you make the choice between one or the other. I suppose it is an enviable decision to have to make either way! I must be hardier than a lot of people here as I do not find the Cobra an uncomfortable ride provided the weather is nice-in that the car is not uncomfortable to me at all. maybe I'm nuts or simply so enamored by the thrill of the driving experience that I overlook the supposed discomforts but either way its ok with me.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by krkucin

I am looking for a suitable replacement for my SPF 427 Cobra.

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

[REAL 1]

I agree with Sun Dude.


Blue w/white stripes '96 Viper GTS can be had for around the same price of a nice SPF. They have way more creature comforts, they are head turners, fast and likely future classics.

Not as raw as a Cobra nor near the same exhaust note but that would be my move if I was replacing a SPF for the reasons you stated. Well, actually, Jamo's suggestion would be my first move.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by GBowman

Cobras are the ideal "3rd" car...if for whatever reason you do not wish to have two toy cars then you must decide what is more important, a cool/fast/powerful car that is comfy or a Cobra...there really is no replacement to the Cobra only a replacement in the actual driving experience you will realize if you make the choice between one or the other. I suppose it is an enviable decision to have to make either way! I must be hardier than a lot of people here as I do not find the Cobra an uncomfortable ride provided the weather is nice-in that the car is not uncomfortable to me at all. maybe I'm nuts or simply so enamored by the thrill of the driving experience that I overlook the supposed discomforts but either way its ok with me.

I started this project with plans to do a Daytona Coupe, thinking it would be more comfortable and practical. But then I rode in one. I love them, but they are hot and noisy, have metal dashes, and IMO less comfortable than Cobras. The lack of roof on a Cobra isn't a big issue for me because, here in NoCal our weather is generally predicable and between March and Oct or Nov it probably won't rain even once. And compared to my '62 Vette, the Cobra has *much* better seats and materials, and a better ride due to IRS. Aside from the exhaust and wind noise and the crazy power, I think this Cobra will be pretty comfortable. BTW I like the noise and power.

[donkeykong]

Originally Posted by Cobra #3170

If you are in it for the looks you get, you probably should not be driving a Cobra because it will bite you, especially if you are not totally focused on driving it all the time every time.

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.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by donkeykong

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.

I seriously don't get it.

How much power does you car make?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by donkeykong

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 think driving anything anywhere requires total focus today. Everyone seems to be texting, talking, reading, eating, shaving, combing their hair, putting on their makeup, looking for something they dropped, etc., that few pay attention to the road anymore.

[itstock]

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.

I'm not a good driver, but I was going to make a very similar comment. In reality, it depends a LOT on the chassis/build though. I'm quite comfortable in my Backdraft, but I wouldn't consider doing a lot of things I do in this car compared to some of the other poor suspension replica's/kit cars that I see.

Magic doesn't happen just because it's a Cobra, but the short wheel base WILL get you in trouble a little bit quicker. It's pretty simple IMO....try not to do a "burnout" or dump the clutch while going around a turn and most of the cobra drivers could have avoided their accidents.

Honestly I feel more comfortable in this car than the 2nd gen viper (which the 96/97 GTS would be an excellent choice as suggested) and most certainly more confident in the cars capabilities over a C5 Z06 (with tc off in the z).

[vatdevil]

Originally Posted by Jamo

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

This option isn't reliable enough to drive regularly. Early model Viper is good option.

[itstock]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I think driving anything anywhere requires total focus today. Everyone seems to be texting, talking, reading, eating, shaving, combing their hair, putting on their makeup, looking for something they dropped, etc., that few pay attention to the road anymore.

Oh yes, if we are talking about paying attention to OTHER drivers, I completely agree. We are practically driving around in a 4 wheel motorcycle, not exactly the safest thing on the road.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Blue w/white stripes '96 Viper GTS can be had for around the same price of a nice SPF. They have way more creature comforts, they are head turners, fast and likely future classics.

Not as raw as a Cobra nor near the same exhaust note but that would be my move if I was replacing a SPF for the reasons you stated. Well, actually, Jamo's suggestion would be my first move.

I wouldn't limit myself to just the '96 GTS, but they made more improvements and upped the HP in the newer Vipers. Vipers have always intrigued me, especially the open roof RT/10 and SRT10.

[lippy]

I like Vipers but they do sound like UPS trucks.

[donkeykong]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

How much power does you car make?

Around 450 hp.

[donkeykong]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I think driving anything anywhere requires total focus today. Everyone seems to be texting, talking, reading, eating, shaving, combing their hair, putting on their makeup, looking for something they dropped, etc., that few pay attention to the road anymore.

Well, I do completely agree with that. My disagreement comes from the notion that if I'm not paying complete and total attention to my car it's going to just lose control at a moments notice and I'm going to be consumed by a fiery death!

I cruise it, I get on it, I take it thru the twisties, I DRIVE it. I've just never felt like I'm in danger at all.

It was some of the same stuff I would read or hear on the Honda S2000 forum...I touched the gas pedal in the rain and my car spun around in traffic and flipped over into a ditch! No it didn't, you were driving like an a**hole!

I drove an S2000 year round for 4 years thru Midwest Central Illinois winters. There was nothing unsafe about that particular car in the rain or snow for that matter. To some it was a death trap that was waiting to pounce at any given moment. It just wasn't true.

[donkeykong]

Originally Posted by itstock

I'm not a good driver, but I was going to make a very similar comment. In reality, it depends a LOT on the chassis/build though. I'm quite comfortable in my Backdraft, but I wouldn't consider doing a lot of things I do in this car compared to some of the other poor suspension replica's/kit cars that I see.

Magic doesn't happen just because it's a Cobra, but the short wheel base WILL get you in trouble a little bit quicker. It's pretty simple IMO....try not to do a "burnout" or dump the clutch while going around a turn and most of the cobra drivers could have avoided their accidents.

Honestly I feel more comfortable in this car than the 2nd gen viper (which the 96/97 GTS would be an excellent choice as suggested) and most certainly more confident in the cars capabilities over a C5 Z06 (with tc off in the z).

That seems to be the truth of the matter in the entire thing. It always involves a turn and a gas pedal on the floor.

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