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

[cycleguy55]

I'm looking at a very small number of used Cobras as my first, after many years of interest. None of them are closer than 1,700 miles from where I live and I'm giving serious thought to driving it home, rather than shipping it. I've got the time and it could be a great adventure, taking 3 or 4 days.

Pros and cons? Thoughts? Comments?

[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.

[saturnkk]

Sounds like a long, loud, rough ride! Does it have a roof?

[bobcowan]

I would agree with ACademic. Buying any used car like that is a bit of a risk. Immediatly heading out across country like that rarely turns out well.

Same with the comfort/experiance thing. It takes a little bit of time to figure out what's comfortable. You don't want to be 1,000 miles from home, with back pain from an uncomfortable seat. Or hemorrhoids.

[lippy]

If it get's 10 MPG at $4.25/gal the cost will be $700+. If you ship it the cost will be about $1700 (my guess) but you will save the time, mileage, and risk of driving an unfamiliar car. I'd ship it.

[xlr8tr]

ship. If you get there to drive it and you cant, it can take a while to organize shipping. Better yet, drive there with a truck + rental trailer and a buddy- then you can drive it home as much as you want while your buddy drives the truck/trailer! I wish I'd done this with mine.

[GregAgrest]

Ship it for all the above reasons. That long of a drive in a car that is uncomfortable after a short while, loud, possibly rough riding would most likely be much more difficult than you expected. You also have to consider weather. Safer to ship then get to know the car at home.

[Grubby]

Drive. What an adventure.

John

[Dwight]

where is the car and where do you live?

how old are you?

Dwight

[Grey 65]

Since you do not know the car or the guy who owns it you have no real idea of if the car would make it 1,700 miles without an issue. The car probably has never been driven more than 100 miles on any given day.

You won't really be saving much money once you subtract the cost of your getting there, the fuel to get back plus food and hotel costs.

Do you really want to park car at some hotel on side of the interstate at night in an area you aren't familiar with? Think theft. What if it rains, I have driven my car in the rain quite a few times and it is VERY dangerous..

Be safe... Ship it.....

Kevin.....

[john chesnut]

I'm for road trips. I left on a 7,000 mile trip the day I finished one of my cars. No top, no heater. I had a blast. But, I would be hesitant about purchasing one and driving it 1700 miles with out giving it a good going over.

What ever you decide be safe and have fun!

[dallas_]

If you like adventure, do the car trip.

But have a backup plan for if (when) it breaks down.

[kayakjack]

My wife and I flew about 600 miles to Richmond, VA in November 2006 to buy our Superformance. Paid for the car, had lunch with the owner and his wife and headed to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

We had the most magnificent time. Blue Ridge Parkway. A little chilly in November on the Parkway. Just cruising home down the Parkway.

Car never missed a beat. Great trip.

For that matter, it hasn't missed a beat since I have owned it. Bulletproof.

Jack

[timsullivan]

Drive for sure! Take a couple of credit cards and your cell phone. Have the car checked out and carefully inspected on a lift and change the oil at the City of departure and then drive the sucker home!! A trip and experience you'll never forget and will long remember.

[WardL]

Pretty funny! When I was debating driving my SPF from Pensacola, FL to Bellingham, WA the guys on this site seemed to say drive overwhelmingly it home! There were guys that were going to meet me along the road and run with me for awhile as I passed through their area. It was going to be a pretty exciting 2,800 mile trip! Of course I shipped it for $1,500 and glad I did. My new Cobra was in pristine condition and if I had driven it home it would have had tons of road rash, rained on and many other issues. When I picked it up it was set up so low every time I went over a bump in the freeway I could smell rubber... So glad I had it shipped1

[Thor maine]

1700 miles. " To wind in the face" GUMBALL

[cycleguy55]

To answer some of the questions:
1. I'm 59 years old, but in pretty decent shape.
2. My wife and I drive 2 Infinitis - G35x and an FX35.
3. A few years ago I set the track record for FWD cars at a local track. I know, FWD is no Cobra, but I'm probably as capable as any newbie, and also feel no need to test the limits of something that can bite me in the ass until I've had enough seat time to get a feel for the beast.
4. I'm no ace mechanic, but I have done an engine swap and I'm comfortable with tools, diagnosing problems and fixing things.
5. I'm whittling down my short list of vehicles to ones that look like they're well maintained, but I certainly will check out thoroughly before buying.
6. Current quotes for enclosed shipping are running in the $2,000+ range. My best guess is it will cost about 1/2 that to drive it (including hotel rooms), but this is about more than the $$.

[Randy Rosenberg]

If the weather forecast is for dry, then go for it! Cobras (nor their occupants) don't do well in the rain. Just be prepared for elements, as there's no escaping them in a Cobra (think "Harley on 4 wheels"). Don't forget to extend the tow miles on your AAA card

[1795]

Pick good weather and go for it. I had a choice of trailering mine or driving it 300 miles in the cold with no top and chose the latter I had a smile plastered to my face the whole time

Just be careful and light on the gas pedal and you should be fine. bring ear plugs!!! That is a long drive and the last thing you need to do is go deaf by the time you get home. Pack some oil, as you never know what the consumption may be and some fix a flat, as there usually is no spare. Enjoy the ride.

[Bartruff1]

IMHO....driving a Cobra for 5 hours is about a hour too long. They are more like a motorcycle than a grand touring car with all the noise and exposure to the elements.

In addition to the probability of trouble... leaving one out overnight is risky.

If you have the time, you can trailer it, you will likely want a trailer anyway and perhaps you can rent one or borrow one before you decide.

If you have a partner, driving it on occasion on the right road in the right weather would be fun.

Now, I am under the impression that if the car and your home are not on a weekly route for a commercial hauler it may take some time to find hauler and it will cost more like $2 a mile ??

For example, you will find a hauler that will take the car from LA to Seattle but not to Omak, so you may have to drive it or make additional arrangements for the last miles to home. Door to Door with one car will be expensive.