Used Cobra 1,700+ miles away: drive or ship?

[Fullchat289]

Cycleguy…first welcome and early congrats on the purchase of your car…

I’m in favor of you taking the trip b/c I can sense just from you considering it that you have the right attitude and sense of adventure….”…this is about more than the $$$” <=== you said that.

It also sounds to me like you may be getting this car b/c you intend to enjoy it and not just let it take up space in your garage.

You are 59yrs old, you’ve had your share of challenges in your life to this point, your mind is conditioned to problem solve, consider risks and prepare, adapt and make do, etc. Also, you are buying this car in the US, correct? We have NAPA’s and Autozones all over the place, and you are likely considering a replica whose running gear/systems are of a rather common variety, assuming here that if something were to go wrong, you could get the part you need easily, do the repair/replace, and get back on the road with minimal hardship. A cellphone with GPS, Google, and a AAA account are good additional tools to have along with you, but I’m sure you know this already…

Watch some of these Roadkill episodes on Youtube. These guys are real car guys with a great attitude and sense of adventure…have a look at episodes 4 with the El Camino, and Episodes 13 & 14 with the Ranchero.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...C0C916CECEA3BC

Speaking of what to pack or buy at a Walmart once you pick up the car, there are threads on here that are good food for thought. Here’s one:

What tool kit do you carry?

There are guys on this site all over the country, we can help you find a car, inspect a car, give you biased/unbiased feedback, come to your rescue during your journey if need be, etc… Someone asked you where you live presently…I don’t think you answered that one.

It would be great if you would start a thread on your search for a car (if you think feedback from owners on cars you are considering would be helpful to you), then follow it up with a thread that documents your trip adventures. We need to see some full-circle stuff like that on this site. I’ll subscribe for sure.

Some things to consider:

- Take a friend along to share in the experience and the driving. (preferably a buddy that can pack everything he needs for four days in a small duffle) I’ve done a trip like this, buying a car sight unseen, and driving it home 1,600 miles, and the stories that unfolded along the trip has made it one of the most enjoyably memorable experiences of my life.
- Seek interesting things along the way to add character to the trip, like finding some muffler men, or taking in the tail of the dragon, a national park, or visiting a restaurant that Guy Fieri has featured on “Triple D”.
- Hit this forum up for feedback on cars you are considering if you have questions
- Sunscreen
- The map below:



- Allen.

[legenmetals]

Do you have any mechanical skills? How old are you? I'm 58 and I would just as soon pay and have it delivered than to struggle with problems along the side of the road.

Do your homework on haulers if you have it shipped. I'm still trying to get reimbursed from damage by a hauler out of Fla.

[Igofastr]

I can't tell you what to do, but there are a few things I'd consider...

1. Take a very good friend, a car guy is best. Do not take the wife (if there is one).

2. Have your AAA paid up (towing insurance).

3. Bring some basic tools, and obviously a phone and a way to charge it (the car may not have a power outlet).

4. Don't rush yourself. I probably would not take this trip if I had to use vacation. On the other hand, if you are retired...hell, you've got the rest of your life to get home.

5. Bring protection (I don't mean a gun, but why not?) No, I mean against the elements. Bring layers of clothes...LONG SLEEVES,, sunglasses, SUN BLOCK, HATS, and maybe even gloves. 10 hours a day in a roadster could lead to a significant sunburn.

6. Keep in touch, and tell people your route.

7. Bring a gas can.

8. I would probably tell the seller of your intentions....maybe a sense of guilt will get them to fess up about any problems that could potentially strand you in the boonies...leading to a "Deliverance-type" experience.

9. Will the car have a spare tire, a jack, maybe bring some fix-a-flat goo.

I'm sure that there's more, but those are things that cross my mind. I'd probably do it, but i have lots of experience of being stranded in the middle of nowhere by vintage vehicles :O.

[blown]

Drive it take a few tools look it over and hit the road some of my best memories were road trips you only live once and that's one thing off your bucket list and you will meet a lot of good people I live in Albuquerque N.M. if you are going through here send me a pm and I will give you my # if you would need anything or just to have lunch and car talk.

[Dirkdaddy]

Originally Posted by Grubby

Drive. What an adventure.

John

I agree, but have the car looked over - especially if you are not a mechanic. Check all fluids, run it about town and on highway, see if it overheats, vibrates, has a steering pull, etc. But dang, what an adventure!! I bought a motorcycle after checking it out on a business trip in Dallas, but I lived in Maryland. Took me 3 days to come back, and I hauled my stuff with me in a pack and slept in a tent like Easy Rider (w/o all the weed LOL). Turned out fine, and was a life adventure. Good thing is these are made with good ol american parts and if it breaks, well most shops can fix it.

Bring ear plugs. And a camera.

[PSB]

I personally wouldn't do it unless I had enough time to take the backroads and limit the drive to 300-400 miles a day. Driving a Cobra on the interstate is NO FUN. It's loud, hot, windy, wet (on that long a trip you WILL get rained on), beats you up, and you're the smallest thing on the road. The first time passing a semi is an experience.

If you do it, bring raincoats, earplugs, and sunscreen. Consider the size of the trunk of the car you're buying also. Most Cobras are pretty limited on luggage space, but there are some that you won't fit much more than a lunchbox in the trunk.

Important safety tip: If wearing a t-shirt, put sunscreen on before putting on your shirt. If you put in on after putting on your shirt, when your shirt sleeve blows up your arm when you rest it on the door, the part of you arm where you didn't get the sunscreen on will get burned to a crisp and you're wife won't let you forget how dumb that was for a least a couple weeks. ...at least that's what I've heard...

[PSB]

BTW, if you're not looking for a used Cobra here: http://www.cobracountry.com, you're not looking in the right place.

[saturnkk]

Originally Posted by PSB

BTW, if you're not looking for a used Cobra here: http://www.cobracountry.com, you're not using AOL.

Fixed.

[PSB]

Originally Posted by saturnkk

Fixed.

Yeah, if I'm going to travel 1700 miles to look at a used car, then drive it back 1700 miles, then Craigslist is the place to look! What could possibly go wrong?

[saturnkk]

Originally Posted by PSB

Yeah, if I'm going to travel 1700 miles to look at a used car, then drive it back 1700 miles, then Craigslist is the place to look! What could possibly go wrong?

I was just refering to the "retro" Interwebs look over there....

[Bartruff1]

Ya sure, 59 is the new 19...

[Kobura]

There is a saying in Japan: “A wise man will climb Mt Fuji once; a fool will climb Mt Fuji twice.”

[Dwight]

almost three years ago a buddy bought a Cobra in Chicago and drove it to Birmingham, Al. Then he drove it to my shop (another 110 miles) for me to change the brake fluid, fix the seat, antifreeze, oil, general maintenance stuff. I found one bolt missing out of the drive shaft and two so loose I took them out with my fingers and the last one took a half turn of a wrench to get out. They were 7/16 bolt but the 8.8 uses 12 MM.
He was lucky.
The seat was so bad it took him three days in bed to get back on his feet.
I had another friend who drove a Austin Healy replica from Austin, TX to Florence, Al last summer. He had lots of problems.
I have more stories but

1700 miles in a car build by who knows who with who knows what parts. I think you can get a tow truck to haul it from where it breaks down to your house for $2000.
Go for it.

Dwight

and then there was Crazy Jack who bought a cheap build Cobra that did not look like it could make it across Nashville, who drove it to Daytona, Fl the first month he owned it and back to Nashville. Then to the London Cobra Show. From there almost to Canada, then back to Nashville by way of Penn. and several other states with out the first problem. The car was a pile of wore out parts.

[CobraBD408]

A road trip in a car that you don't really know? Save that potential problems and have it shipped to you. Cobra's in the rain can be problematic for the interior as well on your comfort level. 1,700 miles, think about this one carefully.

[BAsque1]

Originally Posted by ACademic

Make and model? Year built? Is the car fully sorted out? Pin drive wheels or bolt-ons? You have to think about what might leave you stranded on the side of the road vs. what you can fix on the spot. Pack tools.

Also, it sounds like you don't have much seat time in one. It's a much different ride given the shorter wheelbase and higher power-to-weight ratio. Given that fact, I would recommend you ship and get more acquainted with your new ride in ever-increasing radiuses from your home. The long drives can then be better planned and you'll have the right tools with you, too.

Just my two cents.

I agree wholeheartedly, we realize how much you want to drive the car, after 2 hrs you will be reconsidering your decision. These car are not your regular driver. Also, you need to get to know it, they have their own personality if you will. I will recommend Dependable Auto Shippers as firm to deliver your car.
My two cents
Basque 1 (Lou)

[jcam]

On November 4th, 2013, I flew into Roswell, NM to pick up my newly purchased Cobra. I test drove it, checked all of the fluids, picked up the needed items from Wal Mart (see other thread for list) and hit the road the next morning for a 1,600 mile trip back to NC. It was a great trip and I would do it again tomorrow. With this said, the following items helped me make my decision to drive verses ship:

1. I was having a hard time finding a quality shipping company that would go to Roswell, NM.

2. The car I purchased had a hard top and was well sorted with over 14k miles logged.

3. It was always part of my dream to buy a Cobra and drive it home.

I took a four days to make the trip and always stopped to top off the fuel and check fluids every few hours. I made it a point to only drive in the daylight hours and only stayed at hotels that would allow me to keep the Cobra parked under the covered luggage drop area over night. I had no problems with any hotel staff as they all loved the car.

I purchased a driver and I have logged over 2,300 miles since returning home with the Cobra in November.

I also goggled a road trip planner with weather forecast to help me plan my trip. Enjoy the ride!

Jamie

[twobjshelbys]

I wouldn't take any new to me used car on a 1700 mile drive. Add to that that the cobra will beat you to death - your back and kidneys will not be happy. Plus no cruise control if you are on freeways. And your realistic range with a 427 is about 200 miles per tank.

Don't forget you'll need some tools in the trunk too. Do you have some to bring?

All of this says ship and get to know the ins and outs of the car in your own back yard.

After you are comfortable with it be adventuresome!

Just my 2c

[cycleguy55]

Sage advice. While I'm keen on the adventure, it may fall into the category of "be careful what you ask for." At this point I'm leaning toward shipping it and waiting impatiently for it to arrive.

[BevanWright]

I did a road trip across New Zealand to get mine. The tow car ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere at 1 in the morning so we unloaded the cobra, and I drove off into the frozen night in a car that had only ever been used as a race car, almost spun it on gravel road, just about collected a tree that had fallen across the road, but... Made it and headed back with fuel for the tow car. It was all part of the experience.

I say do the drive. Take your time and make it a holiday.

[Frank Messina]

Drive it. Look at it this way, by the time you get home you will be intimately acquainted with your new ride and you'll know exactly what's right and what isn't. Or you can trailer it home then drive around the block for the next 6 months trying to figure it out and where's the fun in that? Anything can conk out, many don't so don't sweat it. Buy the best built most well sorted car you can find and hit the road. My 2¢.
Frank