Hi, looking to learn inorder to buy a cobra

Newsnake · #1 (**permalink**) 12-18-2010, 04:33 PM

Hi,
I'm Mike from San Anselmo, Ca.
I am totally shocked I have developed this Cobra obsessive compulsive affliction, it is totally out of character. There is just something about them, I saw a beautiful silver 427 while taking my family to the Monterey Bay Aquarium two years ago and I haven't been able to forget it. I am in negotiations with my wife and am gearing up for a long campaign of bribery and all out beggary to get my dream car.

I have been reading the forum for several months and have been very impressed by the knowledgable, friendly, community. It is very obvious that this is the place to learn about Cobras.

I am intrigued with the idea of buying or having built a 289 FIA with Le Mons top. in order drive year round in Northern California weather with an emission friendly coyote 5.0 engine, It sounds crazy but I am interested in a semi daily driver inspired by 1963 CSX 2142.

Does anyone have advice for which make of car would be a good candidate for daily driving (semi-weather resistant) yet still be fun to merge with authority.

Thanks for any advice,
Mike

LMH · #2 (**permalink**) 12-18-2010, 05:25 PM

Hey Mike
Welcome!
My advice; Don't go too wild on the engine and add a heater/defroster.
What manufacturer are you looking at?
Larry

gsharapa · #3 (**permalink**) 12-18-2010, 06:01 PM

I say look at Superformance as they have a great hardtop and now offer the new Ford Coyote engine you want.....

Newsnake · #4 (**permalink**) 12-18-2010, 06:22 PM

Thanks for responding, I love ERA, Superformance, Unique. I am open to others however I have very few mechanical skills so I would need a builder. I am also open to other engines however I would like to stay between 350-425hp with as few headache as possible. Thanks for the heater/ defrost tip.

FIA-ERA · #5 (**permalink**) 12-18-2010, 06:56 PM

Hello Newsnake, Of course I'm bias but ERA makes a great product. As for the heater subject, these cars put out some heat of their own. I just drove mine yesterday in 30 degree weather and it was very nice (without a heater)! I would think the process of getting one registered in Ca. would be the biggest hurdle and or the wife too. Take a look on CC for ideas. A fellow CC member has a car like mine, then added a very nice top from Mr. Bruce and now your set! You definitely have nicer weather on your side of town which equals more days of fun!! By the way, my car is available and is ready to go! I'll even put a bow on it for Christmas!! Great luck on the research and purchase. LISTEN to the advice here, these guy's have the experience and will steer you right! Regards, Matt

Newsnake · #6 (**permalink**) 12-18-2010, 07:19 PM

Matt, your car is amazing. I have looked at it many, many times in the advertisement section. Ca registration is still an unknown that's one of the reason I like the idea of a 5.0 coyote. Your car is literally almost my dream car so who knows , I will keep working on the wife. Does it come with a soft top that works like most English sports cars? ;-)

LMH · #7 (**permalink**) 12-18-2010, 07:25 PM

You should go to a gathering of local cars and see a couple up close if you haven't done so. Talk to the owners and maybe drive one if you're real nice to them!
My personal fav of FIA cars would be Kirkham first, then ERA. The new SPF is also nice.
Larry

FIA-ERA · #8 (**permalink**) 12-18-2010, 08:04 PM

Thanks Newsnake for the great comments! I really appreciated that! The great thing about ERA's, Kirkham's, and Contemporary's are that they EXTREMELY accurate bodies of the originals! It's a lot easier for these cars to have a soft top because the contours are right, the spacing is right, etc. As for other manufacturers it is harder because you have to custom fit them more. I think "Robbins" tops are the ones that most will agree fit the best. If you have to have a soft top, I would stick with one of these cars first. Just my opinion though. Mine doesn't have a top or a tonneau cover, I just "man up" and take it good or bad! Ha! Good luck with the wife! Either she will love it, like mine, or your just out of luck. Hang in there! Matt

SPF1061 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-19-2010, 11:01 AM

ERA, Superformance and Unique would all be good choices. If you are not particularly mechanically inclined, I think the scale tips towards SPF. While not exactly a daily driver, I have put 57,000 miles on my SPF MkIII and it is still as tight as the day I bought it with very few minor mechanical problems along the way. There are perhaps a half dozen or so very good replica manufacturers, each having their own strengths. If you want a car that you can drive a lot, with good parts and regional dealer support, I know from experience that Superformance is a good (not the only) choice.

Bartruff1 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-19-2010, 04:58 PM

Buy a used one from someone in here or some other trusted source.....have it inspected by a competent mechanic...be honest about the level of use and performance you want and are willing to pay for....I wish I had....

Got the Bug · #11 (**permalink**) 12-19-2010, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newsnake

Matt, your car is amazing. I have looked at it many, many times in the advertisement section. Ca registration is still an unknown that's one of the reason I like the idea of a 5.0 coyote. Your car is literally almost my dream car so who knows , I will keep working on the wife. Does it come with a soft top that works like most English sports cars? ;-)

Welcome Newsnake and good luck on your search. In terms of CA emission laws, the only way the Coyote will help you is if you're running catalytic converters. SB100 is the way to go in CA...you never have to worry about smog stuff.