Got cold feet yesterday

[Flyin_Freddie]

If you're vassilating over $114 ... Man, Silverback...you need to get into knitting!

Wait'll you buy 16 gallons of 114 octane at Mid-Ohio in the morning....at $7.25 a gallon....and then burn it all up that afternoon...! And do it two days in a row... ...and than can't wait to get back the next time and do it all over again!

...and that's not counting the bar bills at night...!

Hell, Silverback...I've had $114 bar tabs....and STILL went home sober...! Besides...there's no way in Hell you can justify a Cobra. It's just something you NEED! ...and no one but ANOTHER Cobra owner will understand why you bought it. It doesn't make sense, or cents.

...but, I can't imagine life without it...

[CSX 4027]

..gas money

[rokndad]

You will overthink the deal, and lose the car. I just bought CSX 4758 with a Shelby Sideoiler for a lot!! And even though I'm rolling the dice in California to see if I can get a SB 100 number in Jan 2008 to get it registered, I too simply go out in the garage to just look at it. So I'm at least going to enjoy the next 60 days on the Temp Operating Permit. GET IT!!

[WarrenG]

It took me almost two years to finally laydown the deposit. Most of that research to make sure what I got was what I really wanted (as sure as I could anyway), the rest was convincing myself it was OK to spend that kind of cash on something that couldn't be logically justified. In the end the only disappointment has been that I don't get to drive it enough.

In a way, I'm guess I'm luckier than you. My past sports car driving experience has been limited to MG's, Porsche's, Corvette's, formula cars, etc. No "real" Cobra driving experience. Still, even if it had I don't think I'd be disappointed in the decision I made. Hopefully, it will replicate the thrill of driving one for you as well as the physical car.

[JBCOBRA]

Driving these cars is just Soooooo much fun!!! You will forget about the $ as soon as you turn the key and drive it. Go for it, because if you don't you will always be thinking "damnit, I should have got that car"

[Velox]

Originally Posted by Silverback51

Guess I need to provide a little history here. I'm 55. I first drove an original Cobra when I was 16. The father of a buddy of mine in high school let me drive his. I have lusted for one ever since.

Hey Silverback I know exactly what position you are in and what you are thinking. I went through the same exact thing, I'm a little older than you. A buddy had an original 289 Cobra and I got rides in it several times way many years ago I've been through a zillion cars, even got a Viper a few years back, had to try that supposedly ultimate brute grunt thing, well that V10 drone drove me nuts and nothing I did (headers, highflow cats, Corsa etc) made it any better, and even though it had big HP/TQ numbers it just didn't do it for me. I've never been a Ford guy, went through many Corvettes and several restoration projects, 64 fuelie, 67 tripower etc. About 6 years ago I almost got into an ERA project, but it fell through. About 3 years ago I saw an SPF at a GoodGuys show. I was hooked. I never even drove one, or even sat in one. I began searching for one, with specific goals in mind, BB etc. I found mine on Cobracountry, exactly what I was looking for, no stripe, several options etc. Yeh I paid probably more than was needed, but as you pointed at getting to this point in life cost is not really the issue. I got the car, have not looked back. It was everything I remembered from years ago, and exactly what I expected. Noisy, harsh, uncomfortable, hot, very fast and extraordinarily dangerous. I've tweaked a million things to make it more to my liking, but the essential SPF remains unchanged. It won't destroy your dream or disappoint you in my opinion. It didn't for me. I don't even drive it that much, just maybe once a weekend, but I go look at it all the time (I keep it in my basement) and play with it most every day Email or pm me if you want any specifics on my SPF or my BB experiences, and good luck with your decision. I think this is a chance that you don't want to pass up, and not look back years later and say/think "I shoulda done that." JMHO.

[madmaxx]

Find one that if it does not work out you minimize your losses or break even, I made 8K on my first one!!. Wait until late october, eary november to buy. I also recommend a "newer" chassis 2000 newer superformance. I will tell you right now, blue, silver,titanium sells, yellow will limit the number of buyers interested. What people ask and what they get are diametrically different. You should be thinking hard 40 plus K is not chump change.

[Silverback51]

I just want to take the time here to thank everyone for their input. Once again, I greatly appreciate it.

I'm going to give it some more thought over the weekend, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to go for it. There are many things that a person will wish they could do, and most are not achievable. This is one that I can do, and should.

Once again, thank you.

John.

[ROUSHAC]

John,

Some of the saddest words in the English language are "What might have been."

Go for it!

If it doesn't keep you grinning from ear to ear everytime you look at it or drive it, you can always sell it for a relatively small amount of loss or perhaps even make a few bucks. Only then will you be sure that it wasn't meant for you, but at least you will know rather than just guessing.

Good luck!

[rbray]

I agree with the rest of the guys.
Life is too short to wake up on your 80th birthday and look back on all the things that you should have done.

If the $114.00 is the problem ... hell we'll pass the basket and take a colletion for you.

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by rbray

I agree with the rest of the guys.
Life is too short to wake up on your 80th birthday and look back on all the things that you should have done.

If the $114.00 is the problem ... hell we'll pass the basket and take a colletion for you.

Why thank you for the "...pass the basket..." offer, but that was not really the issue.

As I think back on it, I honestly believe it was almost a panic attack. What if the owning part was not as satisfying as I had dreamed.

I have been on vacation for the last 2 1/2 weeks and spent most of today at home going through some of the e-mail I have received. I now have a bunch of things to do before I return to work on Monday. I will probably stop by there one day after work next week and give them the check.

Once again, thanks for all the positive input. I thought for sure I would get at least one response calling me a *****.

[hey,littlecobra]

nah, I think that's my job. (just guessing, of course)

drop the bucks, grab the key, and cruise on, bubba!!
Kristen

[Velox]

Originally Posted by Silverback51

I will probably stop by there one day after work next week and give them the check.

Sounds great

Remember, it didn't happen unless you post the PICS

[Got the Bug]

Silverback51,

Today is Wednesday and you have to return to work on Monday! Last time I checked, you've a couple of days to go write the check .

Go do it tomorrow before somone calls you a ******* I'm not going to call you a ******....but someone here will .

[GlynMeek]

AH...another thread to which I can add curmudgeonly comments! Silverback, what ARE you thinking?

As a 57 year old, former Englishman, I should be think more about e-types, but to me the Cobra is THE quintessential sportscar (remember, after all, Carroll Shelby stole the design from England... ). I have spent the last 14 months building one of these fabulous beasts, and it has been the best 14 months of my life (well, apart from when I dated a Playboy Centerfold during the 70s, but that's a whole other story...lol). I actually drove it TODAY for the first time, and am NOW looking forward to the next 14 best months of my life in just driving the beast around.

So, since the $114 is obviously NOT the deciding factor here, let one oldie to another say that I am appalled at your procrastination . No-one else might say it, but "what, you are going to live forever?????" JFDI...Just f***** do it!

Life is full of regrets, and I will bet that most of yours are the same as mine, not regretting what you did, but more regretting what you did NOT do. Let me quote all the familiar platitudes...

"Procrastination is the thief of time"
"Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today"
"He who hesitates is lost"
“You may delay, but time will not.”

etc.

Silverback, do NOT give it another thought, go write the check...BUY IT, and post pics for all of us to coo over!!!

I wish you the very best...

Glyn

PS You will be dead soon...GO DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by GlynMeek

AH...another thread to which I can add curmudgeonly comments! Silverback, what ARE you thinking?

As a 57 year old, former Englishman, I should be think more about e-types, but to me the Cobra is THE quintessential sportscar (remember, after all, Carroll Shelby stole the design from England... ). I have spent the last 14 months building one of these fabulous beasts, and it has been the best 14 months of my life (well, apart from when I dated a Playboy Centerfold during the 70s, but that's a whole other story...lol). I actually drove it TODAY for the first time, and am NOW looking forward to the next 14 best months of my life in just driving the beast around.

So, since the $114 is obviously NOT the deciding factor here, let one oldie to another say that I am appalled at your procrastination . No-one else might say it, but "what, you are going to live forever?????" JFDI...Just f***** do it!

Life is full of regrets, and I will bet that most of yours are the same as mine, not regretting what you did, but more regretting what you did NOT do. Let me quote all the familiar platitudes...

"Procrastination is the thief of time"
"Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today"
"He who hesitates is lost"
“You may delay, but time will not.”

etc.

Silverback, do NOT give it another thought, go write the check...BUY IT, and post pics for all of us to coo over!!!

I wish you the very best...

Glyn

PS You will be dead soon...GO DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

I'm really not going to live forever????

[GlynMeek]

possibly, but the odds are stacked against you based on historical precedent...LOL

Regards

Glyn

[Excaliber]

I think I had as much fun building my motor and getting the car sorted out as I've had driving it. Now I know thats not for everyone, but the point is: These cars are NOT like a 'big three' manufactured type of ride where everything works and if it don't you got a 'warranty'. You can EXPECT to have to have some issues not covered under any warranty, do some tinkering, some sorting out, some customization to fit your tastes. Comes with the territory, embrace it, expect it and you'll do just fine.

[Lowell W]

Since money is not the issue, what would it cost to buy the same car new? Maybe take a look at a new one and see whether any of the many upgrades since 1999 is enough to make you like the new one better.

If "owning THIS car" IS the issue, then you can buy this car or spend the rest of your life kicking yourself in the a$$. If you don't buy it, it will take on attributes in your memory that it never had in real life.

I've pi$$ed away a lot of money on things with wheels over the years, but, as Glyn said, I have more regrets about what I DIDN'T do.

I completely understand your trepidation regarding the real thing not living up to expectations. Sort of like spending an evening with (the lust object of your choice) and finding out she just lies there.

I had wanted a "427 Cobra" ever since I was 15 years old and they were brand new. Then, when I had the means to actually buy one (well, a reasonable replica of one, anyway), I also had the same reservations as you: What if I spend all this money and buy the car of my dreams and it just doesn't live up to my expectations? That seems to happen to a lot of guys, as there are so many Cobras for sale with only a few thousand miles on them. Finally, at 52 years old, I took my brand new Cobra on a 3,000 mile week long trip along Rt.66, figuring by the time I got home, either I'd love it or I'd hate it. At the end of the week I was even more enthralled with the car than I was when it was delivered. Almost 5 years and 20,000+ miles after I first got the car, I still go out to the garage and just sit in it.

It's a noisy, cramped, rough, dangerous, overpowered, high-maintenance little throwback to the 1960's and I love it. I read "Hemmings" every month, thinking maybe I'd like to get another car of some kind: not to replace the Cobra but just for something different to drive now and then. There are a lot of interesting cars, but since I got the Cobra, there's just nothing else that gets me excited.

Your results may vary...

Good luck,

Lowell

[CBattaglia]

The car is so beautiful, pictures dont do it any justice. When it is sitting in your driveway and the sun bursts are gleeming off of the curves of the body any doubts go away.

Given it will be as powerful as anyother hot rod, what you will quickly realize is that it drives and handles beyond expectations. I doubt there is another 60's era car that will drive as nicely as a new cobra.

I have also met so many nice people because of the car. I had a guy in my neighborhood who I never met flag me down to talk about the car. Super nice guy, made a new friend.

Owning a cobra is an experience unlike any other.