Which kits have good value and quality

[boris_thespider]

Hello everyone! I'm a new cobra enthusiast just beginning the process of elimination. I want a solid "first car" kit that doesn't break the bank. I'd love to hear your opinions and reasons why. Thanks...Boris

[TheSaint71]

Well if your going for aforadability... Factory Five Racing is a good choice..

there are others I cant think of at the moment. If your going for a hott body (pun deffinately intended) try Uniqe, Shell Valley, B&B..

But off the top of my head FFR has one of the more afordable kits. Hope this helps, ask anything and everythingt you wish you'll get then info you need here.

Jamin

[mattr762]

How important are the looks of originality? Generally speaking the cheaper it is, the less original it looks.

I know you said "kit" but, do you want to put it together yourself or buy a complete rolling chassis?

And what is your definition of "Breaking the Bank"? $10,000? $20,000? $30,000? $40,000?

[mrmustang]

Boris,

Kind of a very ambiguous question, so in return, I have to ask the same question that Matt did. What is your budget like (real dollars please, as it will dictate a correct response from the members of this forum once they know how much money you have to work with).

Bill S.

[coreyc]

I have been doing the same research and by far the b&b is the best "value" (for me and my intended use). Can't coment on authenticity or performance but they have the most complete kit for the money which is, from what I heard, of comparable quality. Send me an email and I can give you all the details. I know someone is going to write back with what is "value" but the bottom line is we all don't what to spend the 39.9 on a Kirkham so there are different best values for different budgets.

[southernfriedcj]

Originally posted by coreyc


I know someone is going to write back with what is "value" but the bottom line is we all don't what to spend the 39.9 on a Kirkham so there are different best values for different budgets.

Best value? Kirkham. (it was for me, anyway)

[Jackal]

Try http://www.backdraftracing.com/home.htm, Nice car for the money I Just got one look at my photo's

[ERA649]

Boris,

Thomas Jefferson said "do not buy what you don't what just because it is cheap".

You can spend any amount you want from 20k to 500k on a cobra.

I bought the ERA because I thought it gave the best value for the money, but it's not the cheapest .

[grumpy]

Boris,
Split the group into kit or replica, that will eliminate a lot. Then originality versus cobra bodied hot rods. That will par down the list even more. Then contact the remaining on the list and get their true build costs and what you receive for your bucks. You will arrive at only two or three.
Then sit back and enjoy your build, all aboard will help all we can.
Anybody disagree on this method. I have thought about it a lot. It takes a lot of personal feelings out of the selection, of mines the best.
OOOHHHH I hope I don't get whacked on this one!
grumpy

[pgingl]

I'm about to buy a Superformance Cobra. They seem to have a better fit and finish than most. I was considering a B&B, also nice. Rolling chassis is nice especially if a warranty comes with the build.

Wanna be safe out on those roads eh? Don't want the little snake to rattle and fall apart.

FFR is nice for the do it yourselfer with a low budget.

Paul

[aumoore]

Here is my $0.01

If you want a very fast car with the lowest investment the FFR is the best way to go. You can upgrade as your budget allows.

The B&B is a little nicer car in looks than a FFR due to a more correct shape and maybe better glass work although the FFR has improved a lot. You use less "donor" parts.

If you want to have a live axle the two above are two of the best in regards to Value. The Midstates is a better kit but it does cost more than these two.

If you want a IRS rear suspension then you are at a whole different price point. FFR charges about $1800 more to set up their kit for a Ford IRS then you have to buy the IRS donor parts which are hard to find and usually pretty pricy.

I Chose the Hunter car over my first two choices which were B&B and FFR. I was just about to order a B&B when I learned about Hunter on this forum. For not much more than a live axle B&B and for less than a IRS FFR I built my Hunter. It uses less traditional C4 Corvette suspension pieces while more expensive kits use Jaguar type suspensions similar to the original. I figured if the 1984 thru 1996 corvettes handled great the lighter Hunter would be just as good with less weight. The body gets a lot of complements enen with my home done bodywork and paint. (only the second car I have painted)

If you want a original style suspension then the Unique Pallet kit is hard to beat on price and they are very nice kits.

I have been impressed with the Backdraft cars for someone wanting a nice kit without a lot of build issues. You could build one of these cars in you driveway over the weekend if you have a engine hoist and a couble of friends who work for beer. Are they as nice as a Superformance? I say not quite but then again about $10k less. The differance between a SPF and a BDR car is in the details like carpet, seats, gauges, bolt on vs knock off wheels and engine capabilities. SPF has a big block option while BDR is limited to a small block but they do have cars with strokers like 408c.i.

Afther that then you get into the high end kits from ERA, Superformance and of course the beautiful Kirkham.

ENTDOC on this froum has a finished Hunter and is building a Kirkham right now. Look him up and ask him for comparisons.

When finished all cobras look great if they were built with a little TLC.

[Jackal]

the best is for you to look at all the manufactures out there and ||||| Judge-for-Yourself |||||
and of course how big is your wallet!

[tfarhood]

Boris,

As mentioned above, you need to pick a few parameters first to narrow your choices.
If having a cool, quality car at the lowest price is your only objective, then FFR is a great fit. The down side is the time it take to get on the road if you build one rather than buy a used one.
If you don't want to go the donor car route, then B&B, Team-C, & Mid-States all have nice kits that come pretty complete.
For a few dollars more, the Unique deluxe pallet kit is a complete kit with great quality.
Personally, I was leaning very heavy towards the Unique kit. I didn't want to go the donor route, and wanted 4 wheel disc brakes, IRS was desireable, 5 lug wheels (for looks, not strength) ..... You can see how easy it is to start spending much more than you originally wanted to spend.
I narrowed down to B&B originally, then upgraded my choice to Unique. Then along came Backdraft.
Superformance was way too much, but then Backdraft (pre-price increase) shows up with a roller for less than I can build the Unique for after body prep, paint, and wheels/tires.

I wanted a father son project. My son and I are building a 302 engine right now. Economics forced me to change my plans of building the Unique to buying a Backdraft. Engine building is still a father son project, but the car will now come as a roller. The up-side is being on the road about a year earlier.

If building is you objective, pick donor vs. no-donor as your first task. If being on the road is your main objective, consider a roller, or even a re-sale of a completed car. With a little patience, you can find a good deal on a re-sale.

Now that I've said all that, here is the best bit of advice anyone can give you. Come to the Kit Car Show in Carlisle, PA in May 2004 and see every kit/replica at one place and kick all the tires, meet the manufacturers/dealers, and most importantly, the many cobra owners that bring their cars there for show.

You will go home either extremely excited or thoroughly confused, but plenty educated.

Good luck.

[trularin]

I'm not sure it is the kit as much as the amount of detail and work the person is willing to put into building the car.

There are guys who can turn raw glass into works of art.

I think you need to ask how much work people put into their cars.

Hey, just my opinion.

[Rickyd]

When looking a spending one's money wisely on a Cobra getting the best value is a sound goal. Take into consideration several factors. Purchase price, labor, breakdowns, knowing where you made short cuts, resale, reliability, and lastly knowing you have one of the best.

Buying these cars are not practical. They are fulfilling one's dream. Personally, I never compromise on a dream yet I want to make darn ceratin my dream doesn't turn into a nightmare. How would that happen with a Cobra? Over paying, poor resale, poor reliability, used parts, poor dealer / no dealer service, wrong engine choice etc.

I considered a great deal of information and maybe came to my conclusion differently then most. I wanted to own the best I could possibly afford. I wanted all new parts and technology. I wanted the dealership support and superior fit and finish. I had a strict buget but spent over $6,000 more because of the aboe compelling facts.

Without any buyer's remorse I chose a Superformance. One needs to see in person and look at the craftsmanship and technology in this vehicle. you simply won't believe your eyes. When i saw the car on the lift I was hook..price no longer was my primary motive. I had a real issue about getting a donor car and putting a cobra shell on it..I had a real issue buying something of lower quality for less money which would in return kill my pocket book come resale time.

Superformance is a steal if you really study the facts, look at resale and place value on peace of mind and safety.

I know this is a difficult decision and I wish you the very best. It took me over 18 months to decide. I think you will find everyone will have varying opinions on this and other sites. Try to concentrate on the facts. Look at the resale values on the Cobra Country web site..call the Superformance people who are selling. I did and it was helpful...many are selling to upgrade to a new one to get a bigger engine..not to get out of the Superformance Cobra.

[boris_thespider]

Hey everyone...
Thanks for all your input and keep it coming. I have to admit...I couldn't tell you if one cobra looked more authentic than another. I don't know all the particulars about the original. I do like the idea of getting portions of the car pre-assembled or getting some remanufactured parts. Tearing apart an old Mustang and having the engine or tranny blow up on me after all my hard work is a big fear.

I believe my budget will probably be on the low end. I would say no more than $30,000. Maybe less...I don't know. Is it possible to get a nice car for that much without going the donor route?

[Tongue Pirate]

Boris,

You could easily spend 50g's on any car on the market if you wanted the best of everything. Hell, You could probably spend that much on a paint job!!! But there are some great kits out there that allow for a tighter budget, FFR comes to mind. A kit that allows for donor parts such this is great for a budget & gives you the option of upgrading at a later date if you wish to do so. Not that these kits are subpar with donor parts, I don't think they are! Anyhow good luck with your research & possible future purchase!

[ENTDOC]

I can highly recommend the Hunter kit as did Aumoore.It can easily be built for 25,00 or so with great IRS and Randy will do as much or little as you want as far as assembly.It is a small company but not fly by night, so check out the website(hunter kit cars).The Kirkham is a whole different animal(in price,accuracy, and assembly).I happen to think that the sites such as clubcobra have created a very safe environment for the kit car buying public.It has forced the industry to produce quaility cars at competitive prices,the companies also have to respond to problems quickly to survive.I know of no kit cobra companies in the past year or so that have had many legitimate complaints against it.Even the much maligned Street beast seems to have a loyal following now. chuck

[PNJSNAK]

If your not too far from Buffalo or Fredonia , check out A & C in Buffalo, their Gel coat bodies are amongst the best. Fast Times Rods in Fredonia uses the A & C body but has great deals on the rest of the parts. If you need numbers let me know.
Jim

[bobl]

Boris.... I'd like your advice. Please visit our website at www.premiercobras.com. Please click on our "DIY Project" car link at the bottom of the landing page.

Let me know your thoughts regarding a donor kit or what we consider as the "real deal"? And if you're seriously interested in it, take a $4000 Club Cobra discount off the Basic package. That should get you, for about $26,000, as accurate a replica - NOT a reproduction - as can be found.

Do you want a "kit car"when it's all done or do you want, if it's done right, a car that even the experts will have to admit...."man, this thing is absolutely incredibly accurate"...

I'm thinking we will come to Carlisle at this point. We have a GREAT product with incredible VALUE for the client. If we need anything at all, it's just to have the car more widely known.
EVERY client in the last 6 months who has come to our factory, and has actually made a purchase of SOMEONE's Cobra, has bought from us.

Anyway, please drop me an E-mail or call me. Thanks for your consideration. Bob.