Backdraft Cobra

hross14 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-04-2003, 02:52 PM

Can anybody out there give me some feedback on the Backdraft Cobra. Are they comporable to the SPF and ERA?? What is your take and please back your statement. Also, what do you think the pros' and cons are over an SPF or ERA. All the info you can give me would be great and yes i do like numbers and technical stuffs

Mr.Fixit · #2 (**permalink**) 04-04-2003, 03:01 PM

Resale prices tell a good deal about the quality of a particular brand. In my opinion, ERA and SPF are in a different class than backdraft, which you won't find many used available because they are new.

hross14 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-04-2003, 03:41 PM

But that does not tell me very much, what makes you think SPF or ERA are better... i.e. are there less rattles is the car built better and made like a real car and not just wheels with a big motor?? How about rattling and fit and finish?? Durability of doors are hood etc...... Please tall me what you know...you will not bother me

George Snyder · #4 (**permalink**) 04-04-2003, 04:37 PM

hross 14,
I have never driven a SPF or ERA. I have seen them both up close, but it is hard to judge one against the other for me without them being next to each other.

The SPF & ERA are trully top shelf Cars and are priced accordingly.
The Backdraft cost is substantially less. Keeping that is mind I feel the Backdraft for the price is about as nice as you may find.

I have a Backdraft number 23. I am extremely happy with every thing about the car. The car was a completed turnkey. It is new from bumper to bumper with a cost at $37K. I believe that to be a lot less than either of the other cars.

The fit and finish on the Car is outstanding. It has many nice finishing touches, as with the stainless steel sidepipes, roll bar, engine bay. The body finish and paint seem excellent to me. The interior is all top quallity also.
I have only driven mine on the street, but the Bimmer suspession is precise and the car handles very well. The Bimmer Brakes do a great job stopping the car. To be honest the Bimmer brakes & suspession were the real selling point for me. I would definetly buy a Backdraft again in a heart beat. Especially with a price that is at the cap I set for a toy with limited use as a Cobra.

I am sorry that I could not be more help answering your question.

YOU need to inspect a couple of each brand and compare each for yourself. YOU will then better equiped to make the determination which car you want to buy!!
Bud
Ps. Since the backdraft is so new in the Cobra market, you probably could put that LS1 in it without getting your b***s cut off. Now there is food for thought! Good luck.

hross14 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-04-2003, 04:42 PM

Hey i guess you definetly got a point there LOL. Thanks for the reply and i think that i may be swayed to buy a BDR. I could certainly buy it alot sooner. Do you know of anybody or anywhere where i might be able to see a BDR out here in So Cal?? Thanks Henry

hross14 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-04-2003, 04:44 PM

And yes i would buy dinner and or lunch and or breakfeast and or Beer and Pizza and a night at the bar LOL True story Thanks

aumoore · #7 (**permalink**) 04-04-2003, 04:51 PM

Does anyone use the search function anymore?

Need input about Backdraft Cobras

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/show...ight=backdraft

Buying a new turnkey cobra

IMHO the Backdraft is a poor mans SPF. It has similar fit and finish and the BMW suspension seems to work well as I saw several at our Gainsville road course test day turn real fast times.

Done Properly the ERA is the best looking cobra I have ever seen although I have never seen a Kirkham in person. The Backdraft is not as nice as a ERA or a SPF but they are very nice for the money. Good paint job, proven suspension, Stainless Sidepipes and Standard Team III wheels. About the only thing that keeps them from comparing to a SPF is the longer WB, Cheaper Gauges, ulphostery material and carpet. They cut a few corners with taillights and a few other things but they are really nice cars.

There are a few cars you can build for less but if you want a true turnkey minus they are hard to beat.

George Snyder · #8 (**permalink**) 04-04-2003, 05:13 PM

Henry,
Call Reg Dodd at Backdraft.
Ask him if he would contact one of his CA customers to arrange for you to see and maybe drive one.
I am sure he wouldn't mind doing that for you. Cobra owners all are eager to show of their cars! I know I am!

flanker · #9 (**permalink**) 04-05-2003, 11:18 AM

hross14,

The interior is all in leather and the fit & finish is EXCELLENT! the door hinges and hood and trunk are great. Yes the BDR does not compare to the ERA or SPF but neither do the price. 25k vs 50+
Reg and crew will be out at the knott's show with 3 beautifull cars. If you are ever down south in Miami i would be more than happy to show u mine

Its a great car done right and you can't beat the price.

Forever Bitten
Frank H

P.S. and if someone could show me how to post pics that would be great

hross14 · #10 (**permalink**) 04-07-2003, 08:40 AM

Well i guess i will have to see a BDR and then go and look at the SPF again. I might just buy the BDR and then enjoy it for awhile and then sale it and buy an SPF or ERA. Just a thought. I am really curious though to see the numbers and how they perform over the others. Either way i think i will be blessed by the car gods to have such a wonderful car...So far i have heard that they are a solid car but is it just the fit and finish that really seperates them from the rest.?? HMM

Backdraft · #11 (**permalink**) 04-07-2003, 09:03 PM

Hi there,

We will be out in CA this week for the knotts Berry Farm Show. We should be in LA area from thursday on and if you are interested we will have a few cars with us to test drive.(You won't even need to buy dinner). We will have 2 demo cars with us. The one car is set up with a 302 and approx 350hp and the other car has a 351W with approx 420hp.

If you are interested in driving the cars give me a call on 954-520 2030, I am going to try and attach some pics of the new cars but I am not sure how successful I will be. We are going to try and do this by appointment as we have several people who are wanting to test drive the cars.

Regards Reg
954-5202030
www.backdraftracing.com

Backdraft · #12 (**permalink**) 04-07-2003, 09:05 PM

2nd Car

hross14 · #13 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 08:31 AM

Thanks for the invite but what days will you be there?? and what kind of time(s) do you have avaliable?? I would probably be avaliable on Sunday but i am not sure whether you guys will still be there. Also i know that you are probably a really busy person but what about some numbers on the car?? More technical numbers etc (more the better)....maybe on the website that way we could all see. So how about Sunday for a test drive and i will still even buy dinner.....Knotts has a terrific place to get some ribs and a pretty good beer. Also thanks for the reply and the oppurtunity to test drive a car. Thanks Henry

flanker · #14 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 10:26 AM

Henry call Reg on the phone as the truck already left for Cali on monday. They have three beautiful cars going to Knotts. I just spoke with Reg and he is ral excited about being out there.

Frank H

hross14 · #15 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 11:18 AM

Thanks Henry.....Hey Frank do you know whether he will be at there on Sunday or not?? or just call Reg and talk to him

Backdraft · #16 (**permalink**) 04-09-2003, 08:34 PM

Hi there,

The cars will be available on Thursday and Friday to test drive. We will be at the show Saturday and Sunday. The show finishes at 3 on sunday and we will then probably be returning unless we have to deliver any of the cars. To reach me in CA you can call 954-520 2030, lets see if we can get together.

Regards Reg

mannylopez · #17 (**permalink**) 04-10-2003, 11:47 PM

Hello hross 14:
Reg told me that he would be returning this Sunday April 15 th.
The three BDR's that are going to Cal. , more than likely will be sold at the show on the first day that they arrive, they are awesome!!!
If it were me , I would try my best to see them on either Friday or Saturday.
I am also known as dualrollbars and own BDR # 12. I show my car, race it, and drive it to most of the events all over Fl.
I have won several trophies. Auto crossing 1 st place.
Best paint BTW from the factory paint job, and Best of Show.
Last Sunday I took home a trophy for one of the top fourty cars out of almost three hundred fantastic automobiles in West Palm Beach.
Try to make it, so you can also meet Tony Martin, which is Reg's partner, winner of the Daytona 24 hour in 1984, from South Africa.

Good Luck and hope you can make it to the Show,

Manny L ( dualrollbars )

hross14 · #18 (**permalink**) 04-14-2003, 08:18 AM

Sorry guys i was not able to make it.....i had some emergency moving to do for my sister. This really pisses me off @#$@. I so looking forward to seeing the cars. I will not go into the details however lets just say some people are not that responsible in the my family. However, it is great that i have heard such good things about the BDR and i am pretty confident that it will be the car i will aim for. Thanks for the correspondence guys Henry