Questions from newbie

[azfordman]

Hi! I am new to this site and would just like to throw out a few questions. For starters, I am planning to purchase a Cobra this year. I would like to get some feedback on which manufacturers are the best and perhaps which ones to avoid based on the real life experiences of the members here. With prices ranging from 25k to over 50k I would not only like to get the best price, but more importantly get my moneys worth. I should clarify that I want to buy a completed and registered vehicle, not build from scratch. I have seen a few factory built units from Excalibur and Aurora....any reason to seek or avoid these as compared to the kits? I suppose I should add that this vehicle will be a weekend driver, not a trailer queen. Any feedback you could give me would be most appreciated! Mark in Tucson.

[double ugly]

The top of the "affordable" list is probably ERA. Good car and accurate body and cockpit.
Go to the "for sale" section on this forum and Curt Scotts website. Lots of information there. 427 Cobra Country--Ford AC Cobra replica manufacturers SUPER-SITE
I can't think of any reason to avoid Aurora or Excaliber.
Call me if you want details.
John
602 692 5108

[4into4]

Mark

I sent you an email. Come on over to the weigh in Sat. morning, 4262 N. Flowing Wells, around 9:30. As for which manufacturer, hard to go wrong with Factory Five, if the builder did a good job. Other brands will probably be just fine for a weekend driver. I don't know anything about the two manufacturers you mentioned.

[ENTDOC]

I would suggest a pre owned ERA, Unique, Superformance, with Superformance having the most consistent build quaility in general. Any of these cars will perform fantastic on weekends or any other day for that matter as has been proven many times over the years.

[767Jockey]

We're an odd group. generally, if you ask advice of one of us, the answer you'll usually get is to buy the same make car that the person you're asking happens to own. Why this is I'll never understand.

That being said, you'd probably get more accurate info if you asked two questions:
Why did you buy the make car you own, and if you couldn't buy that car which would you buy and why?

Don't let anyone tell you that "I own Brand "X" and you should too."
Good luck, the search is as much fun as owning it. ENTDOC is right about looking for a used car. Decide what you want, and look for a good used one, there's lots of them out there, and good buys to be had. Do your research, look into each and every brand and take your time making your decision, you'll live with it for a long time.

To me the three biggest differences are level of accuracy, type of rear suspension, and engine type.

More accurate cars (at least as body look goes) are known to be (In no particular order, and not by any means a complete list) Shelby, Kirkham, ERA, Contemporary, Unique, etc.

IRS vs. Solid rear: All the above have IRS, GENERALLY the more expensive cars are IRS. The argument rages about this, personally I like IRS, you may not. Look carefully into the pros and cons of eack. Again, IN GENERAL, IRS handles better, solid is stronger for things like drag racing. Most if your more expensive and accurate cars have IRS.

Big block vs. small block - If you want to liven up a Cobra gathering, just ask which is better, step back, open a cold beer and watch the fireworks begin!
Really, it's up to you. Again, don't let anyone tell you that one s better than the other - you decide what you want. Big block FE's are more expensive, and in 427 type cars more accurate, After that, it's up to you.
Good luck and enjoy the ride.... If you want email me and I'll send you my phone number, we'll talk. I have a Contemporary, I won't even try to sell you on one!
Doug

[DTurnbull]

I think a lot is going to depend on what you can actually afford. There are plenty of FFR's out there in the mid-twenty's, but if you can spend 40-50K you'll have a lot of options. There's a beautiful High Tech in the for sale section here that's very reasonable if you got the bucks. We have an FFR that we bought built & paid 27K for it & are very happy with the car. The builder probably spent 35-37K putting it together so we really got our moneys worth. Look in the for sale section here, Ebay, FFCobra.com, and maybe even Cobra Country.com - though the prices are often inflated there.

Dave -

[Don]

Not knowing your location, but attending shows which feature kit cars such as Carlisle PA on May-16-18

Carlisle Events - Import-Kit/Replicar Nationals - Home

would give you a good cross section on the various manufacturers. In addition, you would be able to talk in person with the representatives and owners, see for yourself the models, kit or turnkey, that would fit your needs , desires, budget, etc. To me, well worth the time to look at as many alternatives as possible.

[LRcobradreamer]

I agree with all of the previous posts on this subject. It is best to go to some events (London Cobra Show, Run & Gun, etc...) and many guys will give you a ride or possibly let you drive one. I went to D&M (or is it D&S) Motorsports outside Chicago with the WCCC (Windy City Cobra Club) last fall. They sell Superformance and was offered to drive a "used" Superformance Cobra. Want a great car. The best part was talking to all the guys in the club. Saw at least four or five different manufacturers in the club that day. I ended up buying a FFR Cobra with 3200 miles and love it also. Is there a club in your area? If yes then join it BEFORE you buy the Cobra. One guy in the WCCC did not own a Cobra for quite a while, I have been told, but now has one.

If you want to see some photos and a describtion of mine please send a PM to me with your e-mail. Good luck and enjoy the MADNESS. This site will make you crazy and help you spend $$$$$$$

Lee

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by azfordman

I am planning to purchase a Cobra this year...

I'll stop there. You should buy one this Spring, I won't even offer a suggestion as to which one you should buy. Instead, I will tell you that I can only remember one thread on this board where the fella bought his Cobra and then was unhappy with it (because of non-mechanical issues, I mean). That guy, as I recall, let the magic time pass and when he finally got his car the spark was no longer there (everyone who has been on this board a while can remember that sad, sad thread and the ball-busting that went with it). The truth is that the vast and overwhelming majority of us absolutely love our cars. They are a treat in every way -- even when they are "misbehaving." Don't let time pass you by. Bone up on the different cars, sit in them, drive them if you can, and then just buy one. I will throw out one general rule, and that is "the more you spend the happier you'll be." But don't go broke doing it; remember, these are just toys for kids who never managed to grow up.

[RodKnock]

patrickt, excellent thought. azfordman should read this thread from rsimones (Rob), who left this site many, many months ago.

New to the Cobra world? Have you always dreamed of having a Cobra? Read carefully.

[azfordman]

Thanks for the replies so far. I have been doing alot of online research and am now just trying to get some real world feedback from people who aren't trying to sell me something...if that makes sense. I live in Tucson, AZ and have not yet tried to find any local clubs. I have 50k to play with so I know I have alot of options. I have been looking at Mustang fastbacks, old roadsters('28-'32 era) and the Cobras. In a perfect world I would have at least two of the three in the garage..... My heart tells me if I can have only one it would be a Cobra. If I can find a car for 25-35 grand, that would be great, but like I said before, I would rather spend more money on a higher quality product. Thanks again and any more imput is greatly appreciated.

[Poolw]

azfordman,
You first need to decide if you want a new or a used cobra. There 244 list for sale on this site alone and more listed under Shelby on Classic Cars Photo Classified Ads. You'll get more for your money buying one of these great used cobras that have been dialed in. Go with one the is titled as a 1965 or 1966 to avoid title problems. You really won't know exactly what you want until you have owned 2 two or three. They're so much fun that want ever you get you'll just love it. Go buy one and Good Luck

[CHRIS DAMSCH]

Get in touch with a local club. That is the best way to find out what you really want. You should be able to find a nice car for $50k.

Ride in them (more than once), hang out with them, and learn, learn, learn.

[azfordman]

I read briefly thru the rsimones thread but never really got the point of what he "did wrong"..... Just hoping to learn from others mistakes, thanks.

[RodKnock]

He should have bought a Corvette, not a Cobra. Once he decided he didn't like his 3rd Cobra, after he decided he didn't like his previous FFR and SPF Cobras (if I remember all that correctly-I'm not reading the thread again), and after spending $125K, he turned around within a month or two of completion and sold his Kirkham for $88,000, maybe $90,000.

[John-Tucson]

Azfordman. You are formally invited to the Tucson, Arizona Cobra gangs " Third Cobra Weigh-In" this Saturday, Feb. 9th. We will have coffee and donuts starting at 8:30 am and hot dogs at noon. The location is the North End Auto Repair, 4262 N. Flowing Wells. The owner is a Cobra owner. The cross streets are Flowing Wells and Wetmore. We should have about four to five different manufactured Cobras for you to look at and ask questions about. I can be reached at 520-825-9197. John