What don't you like about your Cobra?

mattr762 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 10:35 AM

Hi all, my name is Matt and this is my first post on this forum. I'm not new to forums, on a daily basis I am on several WRX forums. I own a modded 285hp '02 Subaru WRX right now but have always dreamed of owning a Cobra. The WRX is a great, fun, fast, daily driver but I still want my dream car. The 300hp Subaru WRX STi is also a dream car of mine so I'm having trouble deciding.

I have sat in one Cobra but have never driven one. I do come from a muscle car background though. My dad has 4 Corvettes and 3 Chevelles. I've rebuild engines and love working on cars.

If you wouldn't mind, please tell me what you don't like about your Cobra. You could even provide pro's and con's if you like.

Thanks for your input.

Excaliber · #2 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 10:40 AM

I got a "bum" leg, not to bad, but sometimes it bothers me. On a bad day it's hard to get in and out of the Cobra. Then again when I'm driving the Cobra, "bad" days seem to disappear! It's the ONLY car I've ever had that consistently (YEARS) could bring a smile to my face.

Other cars at some point I grew "bored" with, that's never happened with the Cobra, which I find remarkable!

Ernie

mattr762 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 10:40 AM

I noticed some of you are knocking ricers. Most WRX owners do not like ricers either. All though the WRX is made in Japan it is gear more to performance than looks.

FYI. It's no Cobra, but I run a 13.8 1/4 mile and still get 25 MPG!

Excaliber · #4 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 11:07 AM

I run against the WRX's in SCCA Solo II. I beat them, but I always "worry" about them. The STI in particular is fast.

.......I hate that...... LOL

Haven't really seen any "ricers" at the track. There more into the street and cruise thing. I suspect if they did some serious real racing, parts would start flying off their car! A wing here, coffee can muffler over there, CD banging around in the trunk, neon lights scattered about, ha ha.

Ernie

Back in Black · #5 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 11:30 AM

That's what the stickers are for, to hold the loose parts together...

The only thing I don't like about my cobra is the guy who turned the wrenches (My manufacturer) who screwed up several aspects of this otherwise fine car... I am having to fix them the right way at my own additional expense now..

avanti-176 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 11:34 AM

I test drove one of the WRX STi's a couple of weeks ago and I have to say it was one of the more impressive cars I have driven
lately and it was alot of fun.

but as much fun as the Cobra?...not even close!

alot more practical though.

Have a good one,
Dan

CowtownCobra · #7 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 11:38 AM

What don't I like about my Cobra?

That I don't get to spend as much time with it as I want to...

RallySnake · #8 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 12:30 PM

I don't like bad weather in my Cobra. While others cruise in comfort during long rallies, we are getting beat up by the wind, noise, heat and cold. However, when I run a rally in another car, ANY other car, it's pretty boring.

There is an element of danger when you're in the Cobra. A sense of being on the edge. When we get out of the car, my favorite saying is: "We cheated death again!"

Paul

cobrashoch · #9 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 01:00 PM

I'll second B in B's response. Owning a Cobra is a on going trip. It's for sure not a quick sprint. That said I most reciently fixed a bump steer problem, did a brake upgrade and switched over to a powerglide tranny. While there is several folks that own these cars that don't par-take in such radical surgury, the truth is even a modest Cobra requires much more up keep that most hobby cars. I think that is a turn off for some folks but not for me though. As I get older the weather thing weighs more heavy too. My solution to that is to keep the car and move to a warmer setting. Maybe soon. cobrashock

mattr762 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 01:32 PM

Do you guys feel you are constantly working on your Cobra's out of wants OR needs? Do things break easy and you have to repair them or you just upgrading to tinker?

Lets say I buy a Superformance, Kirkham or Shelby American. If I don't race it or push it to the extreme will I have much maintenance? (assuming the car is just the way I want it)

Which replica's should I stay far, far away from? I don't like the idea of a donor car. Example: I don't want a mustang 5.0 motor/suspension in my car.

Junket · #11 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 01:34 PM

I belive the bigest con of the Cobra is after a 100+ miles the buff of the wind and you have to chase your hat

once in a while pro it gets a lot of thumbs up and people seem to apreciate the car don't like hearing about someone's friend that has a ricer that can beat me or wants to run (not in to that) If you into working on cars it seams you can always find somthing to do or up grade.
Ken

Gordon Claunch · #12 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 01:35 PM

And were off!!!

Chaplin · #13 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 01:40 PM

Gordo-
Noticing Wilf's absence from this thread, I feel I must correct your grammar.

I believe you meant: And we're off!

mattr762 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 01:46 PM

Looks like this forum is plagued with the same post whOres and topic changer as any other forum.

If you're going to post in this thread (sarcastic or otherwise) the least you could do is respond to my questions. Thank you and have a nice day.

klayfish · #15 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 02:06 PM

OK, Matt. Some anwers. What I like least is not being able to drive it year round. Beyond that, not much. It is a rough ride, loud, and "brutal", but that's part of the experience of the car.

Parts will break depending on what parts you use and how you treat the car. If you use junkyard parts, you're more liable to break. If you use all new high performance parts, probably less likely. If you race the car, sure things will break at some point. Any car will break parts when pushed really hard.

The donor car is probably not what you think. It's not taking some whooped, beaten Mustang and droping a body on it. Nothing wrong with a donor, rebuilt motor. Remember, the car is only 2200lbs. I had a 302 when I got it, it was damn fast. Of course, more power is always better. I don't know there are any kits to stay far, far away from. Probably just one that was very poorly built.

Most guys here are V8 muscle car guys. Sure the 4 cylinders can be fast when done right. Hell, I've had my doors blown off at the road course by some fast "ricers" with experienced drivers. I even own an '85 Toyota MR2 (purely stock), but I just find the whole 4' wing, 40 stickers and silly rims on a Honda Civic, which is an economy car, kinda silly. If you already have a WRX, which no doubt is a phenomenal performer, forget the STi and go for the Cobra. You'll be happy.

Steve

Rich · #16 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 02:08 PM

Way to go Matt! Keep these guys in line.

One thing I don't like is all the car alarms that go off when I drive by. Even alarms with the sensitivity set higher will go off if you stop and rev the motor.

Rich

larryar · #17 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 02:19 PM

I just wish I had a little more leg room. I'm 6'3" and am a little cramped. I know they make stretch models, but I don't like the way they look. This is a small complaint and is WAY overshadowed by the cobra driving experience that is in a class by itself!
Larry

REDSC400 · #18 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 03:07 PM

Hi Matt:
First off the WRX is a real nice car. My daily driver is a Lexus SC400 (1993), I have 110K miles on my V8 280 HP SC (a V8 Supra in Lexus clothing) and she is still going strong. A quick and luxurious ride.

I am new to the Cobra, only having it for 2 months now but here are my observations on the car, many of which are well documented in early original Cobra road tests....

First off, at this stage (early) I can only "take" the car for about one and one half hours of steady driving. It is so much fun and fast and scary and work, that you just have to stop and rest and kind of roll you neck and loosen up. After a few minutes, you get to smiling and you and your significant other look at each other and say.... "are you ready?"... and then there you go.

In short .. the Cobra is NOT a civilized car.

The noise, heat and wind that are ever-present in the big block S/C with side pipes are simultaneously a plus and minus.... and a reason for the rest breaks noted above.

In short .. the Cobra is a brutal car.

The ride is actually better than you would suspect in a short wheelbase car. The acceleration is utterly breath-taking as is the decible cacaphony of intake suction, exhaust exhume, engine whine and ever present G force thwacking your belly button against your spine.

In short .. the Cobra is scary fast.

The paint job on my car is showroom near perfect even after 11 years and 9K miles. As such, every time I drive it I am in utter anticipation of an errant rock or ding-making somthing or other. Also the car has never ever been in the rain or snow or even on a wet road. So as you might suspect, it has been babied.

In short .. the Typical Cobra is not an errand car... we do not in general get to drive them enough or as much as we all would like. (I could take flack for that statement but from what I can see this is true... mandated by our restricted insurance policies which are common to most of us).

In short ... we do not drive our Cobras enough, they are not lockable.

No true Cobra owner would have a RADIO or Sound system in their car. (I may get flack for this too) but IMHO you are much better off with a good portable pocket CD player and earphones rather than battling the Cobra exhaust noise, ignition RFI, and engine noise as well as weighing down the car with monster speakers, etc. (the Cobra is small and does not lend itself to these sound system accomodations).

In Short ... the Cobra makes for a poor sound stage or rolling boom box.

The Cobra is a bit of a nusance for the new Cobra owner. We do not know how to deal with the constant thumbs ups we get, the constant similes, the constant finger pointing, the ooogling, the questions, the cars pulling into a gas station just to ask you what it is.. or folks stopping to take pictures... the occasional police man pulling you over to ask what it is.... etc etc etc this NEVER seems to end. Having been a Vette owner and owner of many other sports cars, this NEVER happen ANY WHERE near as frequently as it does in the Cobra. I and others are constantly amazed at this.... sheesh.

In Short ... the Cobra attracts alot of attention which can be both positive and negative. You are the judge of that.

In summary... I have the best of all worlds, as do most Cobra owners, a luxo sporte coupe that is smooth and fast for a daily driver and a raucus, rabid, fast, brutal nasty and gorgeous roadster that takes YOU prisoner for life.

I would not have it any other way....

Cheers

mattr762 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 03:31 PM

WOW REDSC400! Awesome review! Keep them coming guys. Everything you've said makes perfect sense.

Like I said earlier...
I've never driven one, so I'd say the closest thing I have driven would be my dad's 1965 Corvette Conv. 377ci small block with side pipes. My wife and I just LOVED crusing around in that thing. The great thing is she is on board with eventually getting a Cobra. She loves it as much as I do.

How would you say it compares the a '65 corvette conv?

Just for fun here is my dad's '57:

Bill Wells · #20 (**permalink**) 10-24-2003, 03:38 PM

dislikes: 5 months of winter hibernation in midwest and NO CUPHOLDERS ! but, that can be fixed. b