new owner with questions

Lana · #1 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 05:56 PM

I have just taken posession of a new cobra replica turnkey. I'd like any advise and help for breaking in my new car. Also any advise that will keep me safe and out of trouble until I become aquainted with the power and speed. Tell me what not to do so I don't wreck it in the first 15 minutes or less. I'm a 58 year old grandma that just enjoys getting thrown back in my seat every time I shift gears. Want to kick it around corners and enjoy the ride. Have no interest in racing. Coming from a Z3 4 cylinder that got me excited about driving. Passed on a Viper-not fast enough. Any advise appreciated. lana@tiadon.com

Excaliber · #2 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 06:22 PM

Which car you got?

Ernie

Mark Roe · #3 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 06:23 PM

Congrats on your purchase

.

Some things to think about initially..

DO NOT step on the gas around corners--or you'll be facing the other way

Go fast in the beginning straight.

Warm up the car BEFORE putting your foot in it--get your engine oil temp up

Look into a professional driving school so you can get used to how your car handles...the power/weight ratio gives these cars unusual handling characteristics...its best to know them before your get your foot stuck in the carburator...

Be sure to tweek the gas pedal when traveling through a garage--you'll have fun hearing ALL the car alarms go off.

And Have fun!! Welcome to the world of Cobras!

Ron61 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 06:40 PM

All that Mark said above and get used to the car before trying anything to wild. A Cobra dos not drive like any other car and you may find that you can change some suspension settings to make your ride more enjoyable if you have the adjustable type. As for the car alarms going off just drive through the neighborhood. So far my record is 11 in three blocks. Enjoy the car and welcome to the group.

Ron

KobraKarl · #5 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 07:01 PM

Hi mom,

(1) get a feel for your brakes!!

(2) never "stomp it" unless your wheel is dead ahead!!

(3) dont do donuts in your own neighbourhood

Karl

agro1 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 08:04 PM

One thing that gets allot fo people into trouble when the backend starts to come out, is lifting or lifting and then braking while they correct steer. BAD IDEA. With a 90" wheelbase it'll snap around on you the other way and you'll end up off the road in exactly the direction you were corrective steering...Keep your foot in it just enough to control the slide and then lift GRADUALLY to straighten it out. Basically just be SMOOTH, any quick steering input or quick gas/brake changes upsets such a twitchy car; and it WILL snap around on you before you can do anything - I don't care how good of a driver you are. Best to test this on the skidpad and get used to steering the car with your right foot while making small gradual steering changes. That way if/when it ever happens to you, you just instinctually know how to control it. Just make sure you put a diaper on the passanger seat for your friend -

Congrats, and enjoy...

agro1 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 08:14 PM

KobraKarl - RE: #3 - I have a woman a couple blocks away who literally comes out of her house and yells at me as I pass by. Most of the time I'm only going 25mph, but in 1st so it makes a crazy racket...Thus I have turned the street in front of her house into my dragster burnout area...

I think she likes me...

Bad thing though, a Sheriff showed up at my front door the other day asking why my car had no plates on it..."WHO ME ???"

CRZN427 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-25-2003, 10:28 PM

Lana,

Welcome to the group.

The most important thing you have to learn is to remain stone faced at the next stop light after you "Wax" the "Silver Haired Wolf" in the 'Vette.

The advice on a driving school will probably give you the best input for these kinds of cars. If a driving school is not available in your area, try to find one that you can attend on a weekend jaunt to a neighboring city, or someone (qualified) who can give you a couple private lessons, at an appropriate location.

Learn to drive the car as if it were an ordinary vehicle first, then start to expand your envelope of experiences, all within the law, of course.

Get used to the perminant smile these cars seem to give to their owners.

Study a little Cobra history, you will be asked lots of questions about what it is and who made it. Mostly you will be asked "Is it real?" and "What engine does it have?".

My wife was asked if she would adopt a couple college students as she drove by them on a street corner.

Double Venom · #9 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 06:04 AM

Lana,
Become as "one" with the Cobra family. Do a search on the Double Venom Spring Fling, or DVSF! Or simply pick up the latest issue of Kit car and read all about it.

Then..regardless of where you're located bring your new toy to the Fling next Spring. We'll give you a chance to use all those cubic inches!

And, welcome to the greatest car family on earth! Watch out for those "Gasholes"!

DV...NOT a grandfather yet! Whats up with that?

casaleenie · #10 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 06:38 AM

Somethings not

GeorgiaSnake · #11 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 07:10 AM

I think Lana might be Jamo cross dressing

or turk

or one of the other gasholes jerking our collective chains.

kountzecobra · #12 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 08:36 AM

Has this thread turned into a "Gashole Bashing" free-for-all? Gee, what did we do to deserve all this print? We are all perfectly harmless!

GeorgiaSnake · #13 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 08:44 AM

I was taught when the target pops up you fire for effect

And a few of the gasholes have such nice big targets - 300 lb

ones to be precise. This thread seemed to be one of those targets. Plus my car hasn't been delivered yet and I don't attend one of the local places of worship and need something to do

What better than trophy hunting gasholes.

Randy

kountzecobra · #14 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 08:59 AM

I'm only a "svelt" 275lbs

JWheaton · #15 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 09:05 AM

Lana,

What kind of Cobra did you get?

How did you get turned onto the Cobra?

Why wasn't the Viper fast enough?

hmmmmm....

Sorry to be skeptical here, but how many Grandma's happen by and purchase a Cobra?

Paint me a fan if true though

Put a picture up in the galary

Excaliber · #16 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 09:35 AM

It should now be obvious why the first question asked was:

What kind of car you got?

Ernie

Slow Dawg · #17 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 09:56 AM

Ok, I'll bite. Since I did the finish work. Lana's car is a B&B, VERY healthy 350, Richmond 4+1, 9 inch (3.25?), short dual roll bars, NO kicker bars, heater and defroster, and the killer is the custom chopped top. Had to lean the windshield back pretty far to get the top to fit. 11 inch brakes front and rear with power booster. I can't remember the paint code, but it is a couple shades darker than red. Almost a light maroon. No stripes. They're supposed to bring it back later so I can finish some minor details. If Lana doesn't take pictures, then I'll take some and post when they bring it back.

Ron

GeorgiaSnake · #18 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 10:42 AM

Save your watches guys it's too late for your shoes

Excaliber · #19 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 12:05 PM

Is that "350" as in "cheby" power?

Ernie

Slow Dawg · #20 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 06:47 PM

Yup!
Boat Anchor!

Ron