Request for DRIVING TIPS

[RalphSchmalph]

Stay relaxed when you drive. Focused but relaxed. Stay within yourself. Don't get tense, nervous or uptight. If so, you're probably going too fast for the conditions. After you get comfortable with the car be even more careful.......always stay cool.

[427 S/O]

You guys that have pictures of wrecked cobras........postem'. I get into my cobra everytime thinking...easy boy....course it don't last long.

[Clois Harlan]

These are all good suggestions, but another thing you can do when you have the opportunity is to go and put your car on an autocross in one of the parking lots that the SCCA has set up. You will learn so much about your car and yourself you will become a much better driver in a hurry and without damaging your car. Granted you probably won't get out of second gear but you will understand your torque issues immediately. Then when you are comfortable with that take your car to an open track day and test yourself and your car at some higher speeds. What you will learn in these two senario's will be invaluable to you in everything you drive. Did I mention you will have a great time and it will take about a week for you to remove the grin from your face. These cars are a ton of fun but they require a lot of respect and understanding of limits.

Clois

[CWCobra]

I would suggest you have someone set your throttle at 50% for the first few months. No one says you have to learn to drive the car overnight.
con

[JBCOBRA]

Excellent advise from everyone.
If cars could talk, a German car would say "Yes Sir, Where would you like to go Sir"

An Italian car would say "Ah, lets-a-go for a cruise"

A Cobra would say "You, I am going to try and kill you today" LOL

Avoid Al-Kee-haul

PS. You will love driving your car. They are simply awesome and fun.

[MaSnaka]

JBCOBRA, very funny. Best advise I could add would be not to drive if even having one beer. It impairs your judgement just enough to make you want to show off a little when you shouldn't. Remember a Cobra has nothing to prove, it's already been done. I looks like the fastest car on the road when it's just parked.

John

[cdog]

At heart, it's just a car like any other car. Don't push on the accelerator too hard and everything will be the same as in your Camry.

[Madmiles442]

Originally Posted by CWCobra

I would suggest you have someone set your throttle at 50% for the first few months. No one says you have to learn to drive the car overnight.
con

Actually not a bad idea at all.
I didn't learn until 1000 miles into ownership that my linkage was set so that my foot on the firewall = 80% WOT. After I saw how fast it was when adjusted, I thought to myself, "damn, I would not have been ready for that previously."
That big, wood steering wheel can be a bit slick and cumbersome so take some time and get used to it.

[poboy427]

GET USED TO THE PEDAL SPACING. Especialy if your feet are over size 10. I have a SPF too. Trailered the car to a winter car show and jumped in to roll the car out of the trailer. Had not been in the car for two or three months. Got my feet tangled up-good thing no one was behnd me for several feet when I rolled out of the trailer. Lots of guys have had pedal grief 1st time out. There was a flight surgeon (can't think of his name) who had an early SPF. He let a friend get in the car. Friend slammed a wall and totaled the car before he could get out of the parking lot. Totaled it not with speed but not used to the pedal/seat angle and spacing of the pedals. Jabbed the gas and could not find brake.

I early on remember out cruising on the freeway for sevearl minutes. Went to jam in the clutch to down shift and hit the brake insted. They soon will be second nature to you-but do not let unfamiliar friends/family take the wheel. Wife or older son want to drive-take them to the wide open spaces away from traffic
-They are differant.-Good luck

[poboy427]

MaSnaka-You are so right. One beer will cause you to be unable to resist the young ricer or load mouth that wants to see a hole shot. You have nothing to prove. Make a commitment to you family to not drink and drive the Cobra.

It has been said that only a man over age 50 can own and enjoy a Cobra.
Maturity to resit the boose and hecklers is what it is about.They can be lethal.

[wtm442]

Originally Posted by poboy427

GET USED TO THE PEDAL SPACING.

.... Went to jam in the clutch to down shift and hit the brake instead.

I did that about 4 times on the first few rides until I got use to the pedals even though I have dainty little 13 1/2 size shoes.