New guy & IN the market for what else...a cobra!

[Hershey]

Jus wanted to drop by and formally introduce myself here.
In the past my stable has been an assortment of cars ranging from a LS1 Camaro SS, BMW E46 M3, BMW E60 M5 to currently a 2011 BMW M3. I guess the time for me to get into a Cobra is now

I've always been a fan of these cars so I'm preparing to take the plunge

Been doing my research and reading up on everyone's threads here. SO informative! Great forum btw!

[PDUB]

Welcome to the club.


A Cobra is a LOT different than the cars you describe... RAW! LOUD! UNREFINED! ROUGH! UNFORGIVING! not to mention WONDERFUL! and AWESOME! But, it'll be quite a switch for you.


Check some out to make sure it is the right choice for you before you jump in, then if it is right for you, jump far! Best of luck, and again welcome to the madness.

[Dwight]

good advice

drive or ride in one before you buy. A long ride would be best.

different car for sure.

here is a quote from one of the magazine from the 60's.

we had it printed onto a t-shirt.

Dwight

There is nothing nice about a Cobra. It’s stripped down to the essentials – a big engine- a small car and four wide tires to keep the whole business on the pavement. It’s loud and smells like gasoline and shakes, shudders, and bucks. It makes your arm tired and your feet hot. You nearly crash about once every 10 minutes. It’s so damn wonderful that you can’t believe it.

[jhv48]

I could not agree more with the above posts.

The cars you have owned previously have not prepared you one bit for driving a cobra. There are no nannies to protect you if you give it too much gas in a corner (a 90 inch wheelbase car can go sideways or spin in a heartbeat.) No ABS to keep you from locking up all the tires and skidding out of control. No windows, no air conditioning, no power brakes or steering. You will consult with the weather channel before you even consider taking the car out of the garage. You won't want to drive it in the rain or even if there's a possibility of rain. You will want to have other cars to drive on a daily basis or to haul luggage on a vacation. You will only eat at restaurants where your table allows you to maintain visibility of your car at all times. Both you and your passenger will burn your legs at least twice on the sidepipes. You will bang your shins multiple times on the quikjacks. There are no speedy getaways. It will take you and your passenger at least 5-10 minutes to get in the car, fasten all the belts, insert ear plugs, adjust cap and glasses, start engine and let it warm up before you dare to engage the clutch. Should you stall it in a crowded parking lot, just get out and walk away. Come back when everyone has left and try it again. If you have small kids, forget it. This car only seats one passenger, so someone will always feel slighted and you will constantly be explaining to Social Services why little Johnny keeps coming to preschool with burn marks on his arms and legs.

Most NORMAL women hate riding in the car. It will blow their hair, get too much sun on them, be either too hot or too cold most of the time and will make them deaf and smell like fuel. Also, while driving, you won't be able to hear a word she says. (ok, so there is an up side). You will have to entertain all the thumbs up, waves, and attention these cars continuously generate. Just stopping for gas can take twenty minutes and involve a hood-raise. Everyone, from the guy in the beater Honda to the bald guy with gold chains in a Corvette/Porsche (with his "niece" staring at you from the passenger seat) will try to egg you on into a race.

There is no 50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. You better know, or learn, how to turn a wrench, change the oil, adjust the carburetor, set the timing, change the plugs, bleed and adjust the clutch just for starters. You better enjoy tinkering with a car, because you will have to. If your ideal car goes 15,000 miles without any service, you are in for a big surprise.

Now, I could go on and on, but you get the point. If none of the above deters you, then go forward and be rewarded. There is no better feeling than turning that key and hearing a 500+ horsepower engine grumble and fart to life through those two nasty sounding sidepipes (well, maybe there is one better, but starting the car doesn't make you sleepy afterwards). Hopefully, you will become one of us and actually enjoy and drive your car more than 200 miles/year.

[AL427SBF]

As a guy who is no stranger to performance cars and "always a fan of these cars" I'm sure you're well aware of the cobra characteristics. Being a Bay Area guy, coastal cruises in a roadster are hard to beat and contrary to a somewhat dated mindset here, women love to get in and go for a ride. As for noise, smell, comfort and the rest of it - you can get one that drives like a cadillac cts-v convertible if that what's you want. These cars come in all variants, are not mid-60s tech and very tunable to driver preferences, best of luck and enjoy.

[Silversmith]

jhv48 said it best! If you think this is your cup of tea! Then:

WELCOME TO THE ADDICTION THERE IS NO CURE !!

[Hershey]

Originally Posted by PDUB

Welcome to the club.


A Cobra is a LOT different than the cars you describe... RAW! LOUD! UNREFINED! ROUGH! UNFORGIVING! not to mention WONDERFUL! and AWESOME! But, it'll be quite a switch for you.


Check some out to make sure it is the right choice for you before you jump in, then if it is right for you, jump far! Best of luck, and again welcome to the madness.

Yes, I definitely plan to check some out before making the plunge. I have DenBeste Motorsports and Dynamic AutoWest (SC dealers) both about 1 hour away. I'll be visiting them soon

Originally Posted by Dwight

good advice

drive or ride in one before you buy. A long ride would be best.

different car for sure.

here is a quote from one of the magazine from the 60's.

we had it printed onto a t-shirt.

Dwight

There is nothing nice about a Cobra. It’s stripped down to the essentials – a big engine- a small car and four wide tires to keep the whole business on the pavement. It’s loud and smells like gasoline and shakes, shudders, and bucks. It makes your arm tired and your feet hot. You nearly crash about once every 10 minutes. It’s so damn wonderful that you can’t believe it.

^^^ Exactly what I have been looking for!
I know it's Such a different animal from my other cars.

Originally Posted by jhv48

I could not agree more with the above posts.

The cars you have owned previously have not prepared you one bit for driving a cobra. There are no nannies to protect you if you give it too much gas in a corner (a 90 inch wheelbase car can go sideways or spin in a heartbeat.) No ABS to keep you from locking up all the tires and skidding out of control. No windows, no air conditioning, no power brakes or steering. You will consult with the weather channel before you even consider taking the car out of the garage. You won't want to drive it in the rain or even if there's a possibility of rain. You will want to have other cars to drive on a daily basis or to haul luggage on a vacation. You will only eat at restaurants where your table allows you to maintain visibility of your car at all times. Both you and your passenger will burn your legs at least twice on the sidepipes. You will bang your shins multiple times on the quikjacks. There are no speedy getaways. It will take you and your passenger at least 5-10 minutes to get in the car, fasten all the belts, insert ear plugs, adjust cap and glasses, start engine and let it warm up before you dare to engage the clutch. Should you stall it in a crowded parking lot, just get out and walk away. Come back when everyone has left and try it again. If you have small kids, forget it. This car only seats one passenger, so someone will always feel slighted and you will constantly be explaining to Social Services why little Johnny keeps coming to preschool with burn marks on his arms and legs.

Most normal women hate riding in the car. It will blow their hair, get too much sun on them, be either too hot or too cold most of the time and will make them deaf and smell like fuel. Also, while driving, you won't be able to hear a word she says. (ok, so there is an up side). You will have to entertain all the thumbs up, waves, and attention these cars continuously generate. Just stopping for gas can take twenty minutes and involve a hood-raise. Everyone, from the guy in the beater Honda to the bald guy with gold chains in a Corvette/Porsche (with his "niece" staring at you from the passenger seat) will try to egg you on into a race.

There is no 50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. You better know, or learn, how to turn a wrench, change the oil, adjust the carburetor, set the timing, change the plugs, bleed and adjust the clutch just for starters. You better enjoy tinkering with a car, because you will have to. If your ideal car goes 15,000 miles without any service, you are in for a big surprise.

Now, I could go on and on, but you get the point. If none of the above deters you, then go forward and be rewarded. There is no better feeling than turning that key and hearing a 500+ horsepower engine grumble and fart to life through those two nasty sounding sidepipes (well, maybe there is one better, but starting the car doesn't make you sleepy afterwards). Hopefully, you will become one of us and actually enjoy and drive your car more than 200 miles/year.

^^Thanks for the logical advice haha. I have thought about these things. yes, i realize the rain aspect with the car AND I have been "bitten" by the exhaust on the leg by my friends Viper so I'll be watching my entry approach

also, I have another car that will be my DD (Honda Accord), my Wife has her Audi SUV to tow kids, dogs around.

This purchase will simply be to own and experience the joys/nuisances of a Shelby Cobra

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

As a guy who is no stranger to performance cars and "always a fan of these cars" I'm sure you're well aware of the cobra characteristics. Being a Bay Area guy, coastal cruises in a roadster are hard to beat and contrary to a somewhat dated mindset here, women love to get in and go for a ride. As for noise, smell, comfort and the rest of it - you can get one that drives like a cadillac cts-v convertible if that what's you want. These cars come in all variants, are not mid-60s tech and very tunable to driver preferences, best of luck and enjoy.

Thanks. Looking forward to the coastal cruises myself

Originally Posted by Silversmith

jhv48 said it best! If you think this is your cup of tea! Then:

WELCOME TO THE ADDICTION THERE IS NO CURE !!

crossing my fingers I can get my hands on one!

[Hershey]

What is "high- mileage" considered for these cars? I'm not familiar with the market.

also- any thoughts on this SC...

Cars Dawydiak 2001 Superformance Cobra Mk III - | Used Inventory

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by Hershey

What is "high- mileage" considered for these cars? I'm not familiar with the market.

also- any thoughts on this SC...

Cars Dawydiak 2001 Superformance Cobra Mk III - | Used Inventory

That's a nice looking car, and has the same powertrain as mine (392W stroker and Tremec TR-3550). SP01118 used to belong to a guy in New York, so you might want to find out more about its recent owner history.

Superformance builds a great product. As long as this car was well maintained and never "bent," it should be a safe bet.

Personally I wouldn't be worried about 12K miles on a 2001 model; this is about average from what I've seen and it's not always good for a car to sit too much. The asking price is about average for a 2001 as well.

Some things to look for: after 11 years those Goodyear GTIIs are probably hard as rock and need replacing. You should also ensure the rear shock tower mounts have been replaced with Cobra Valley R/T mounts or similar. Intake gaskets on those Windsor motors often leak coolant, so check that too. A 2001 SPF would've come fully equipped with soft top, side curtains and tonneau cover so make sure those are still there and in good nick.

Go see the car if you can and take it for a test spin. Make sure the car "fits" you.

Good luck.

[Hershey]

Originally Posted by SunDude

That's a nice looking car, and has the same powertrain as mine (392W stroker and Tremec TR-3550). SP01118 used to belong to a guy in New York, so you might want to find out more about its recent owner history.

Superformance builds a great product. As long as this car was well maintained and never "bent," it should be a safe bet.

Personally I wouldn't be worried about 12K miles on a 2001 model; this is about average from what I've seen and it's not always good for a car to sit too much. The asking price is about average for a 2001 as well.

Some things to look for: after 11 years those Goodyear GTIIs are probably hard as rock and need replacing. You should also ensure the rear shock tower mounts have been replaced with Cobra Valley R/T mounts or similar. Intake gaskets on those Windsor motors often leak coolant, so check that too. A 2001 SPF would've come fully equipped with soft top, side curtains and tonneau cover so make sure those are still there and in good nick.

Go see the car if you can and take it for a test spin. Make sure the car "fits" you.

Good luck.

Sundude- THANK YOU for the info. It is very much appreciated.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

A Cobra will live quite nicely along side of a BMW M3 or M5. I've had my M3 for about ten years and I love it. I also love my ERA 427 Cobra and wouldn't sell or trade it for anything. It's RAW, different as night and day from the BMW, but also a 'driving' machine that will give you hours of enjoyment. I love many types of cars, but having these two among my vehicles is like having my cake and eating it too. Just doesn't get any better. Good luck with your search and don't exclude an ERA. Thay are among the closest to original as you can get without taking out a mortgage.

[Randy Rosenberg]

Ditto on the mileage - my 2001 SPF has 23k, which is actually kinda low considering the "almost year-round" driving season we have here in the Bay Area. Since the SPF you're looking at originated from the East Coast, the question would be: how long has it been on West Coast? The SB100 Sequence Number should give you an indication, since the number will include the year the Sequence Number was assigned.

And ditto on the tires and shock mounts... For me, the top and side curtains are just more parts to pass along to the next owner - I have never used them, nor do I plan to. I used the tonneau cover a few times. Depending upon the condition of the car cover, you might want to buy a new one - I've had good luck with California Car Covers.

[chucks1]

When I was looking for a Cobra I researched for months and months. Went to look at several different (used) cars before finally pulling the trigger on a new SPF with a Windsor stroker and 5-speed Tremec. It's an awesome car, couldn't be happier.

And unlike you guys from CA, I enjoy using my top from time to time because I come from MN.

[Hershey]

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

A Cobra will live quite nicely along side of a BMW M3 or M5. I've had my M3 for about ten years and I love it. I also love my ERA 427 Cobra and wouldn't sell or trade it for anything. It's RAW, different as night and day from the BMW, but also a 'driving' machine that will give you hours of enjoyment. I love many types of cars, but having these two among my vehicles is like having my cake and eating it too. Just doesn't get any better. Good luck with your search and don't exclude an ERA. Thay are among the closest to original as you can get without taking out a mortgage.

My thoughts exactly!

Originally Posted by Randy Rosenberg

Ditto on the mileage - my 2001 SPF has 23k, which is actually kinda low considering the "almost year-round" driving season we have here in the Bay Area. Since the SPF you're looking at originated from the East Coast, the question would be: how long has it been on West Coast? The SB100 Sequence Number should give you an indication, since the number will include the year the Sequence Number was assigned.

And ditto on the tires and shock mounts... For me, the top and side curtains are just more parts to pass along to the next owner - I have never used them, nor do I plan to. I used the tonneau cover a few times. Depending upon the condition of the car cover, you might want to buy a new one - I've had good luck with California Car Covers.

Originally Posted by chucks1

When I was looking for a Cobra I researched for months and months. Went to look at several different (used) cars before finally pulling the trigger on a new SPF with a Windsor stroker and 5-speed Tremec. It's an awesome car, couldn't be happier.

And unlike you guys from CA, I enjoy using my top from time to time because I come from MN.

Yes, doing research as we speak. I traveled to Dynamic Auto West, spoke with Dennis and he schooled me up on a few things and looked at the SC's around his shop. The one SC that caught my eye/withing my budget was already sold!!

[Slick61]

... check out a Backdraft... nothing against the other manufacturers... they're all great... but a Backdraft would be a nice complement to your BMWs... and maybe a tad familiar. The Backdraft suspension is BMW-based (E36)... handles very well, and is quite comfortable. Also, the cockpit is roomier than most. Once you've looked at a few different cars, I think you'll refine your selection criteria rather quickly... By the time I looked at my 4th car, I pretty much knew exactly what I wanted... was just a matter of finding the right car, and at the right price. Good luck!