Newbie/lurker

shelby101 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 09:48 AM

Hello to all,
I have been on here for a coupole of months looking, reading and studying.

I would like a Cobra and there does seem to be some good deals.
I would like to test drive a couple before deciding what brand to go with. Do dealers let folks test drive?

I currently have a 2007 Shelby GT500 Super Snake /725HP. It is a blast to drive, but...................... Those cobras keep calling me.

I am in the Chicago area and would like to see and drive the different ones available.
Any help here would be appreciated.
Thanks

mrmustang · #2 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelby101

Hello to all,

I would like to test drive a couple before deciding what brand to go with. Do dealers let folks test drive?

The last Cobra I let someone test drive they spun out and cracked the nose, got out, then told me they were no longer interested in the car. Took me 6 months before I got him to pay for the damage. That was 6+ years (and dozens of cars) ago. I do not let anyone "test drive" my cars for sale any longer. I do allow for third party inspections and I do offer to take them for a test spin, but that is it, unless of course they want to bring along my full asking price in cash as a deposit should they damage my car(s), in which case they take the risk instead of me.

Bill S.

shelby101 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 10:27 AM

Bill ,
Thanks for your reply, but I was thinking more along the lines of the dealers who sell ERA, FFR, Superformance,and backdraft.
Bill W.

Got the Bug · #4 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelby101

Bill ,
Thanks for your reply, but I was thinking more along the lines of the dealers who sell ERA, FFR, Superformance,and backdraft.
Bill W.

Welcome Bill W.!

Link up with the Cobra Club in your area and check out as many cars a possible. Once you've narrowed your search down and your ready to jump in, contact a dealer to see if you can arrange a test drive. You won't find any ERA dealers, so you're best shot would probably be a SuperFormance dealer or Backdraft. It's not easy to get a test drive, but if you're persistent you can pull it off.

When I narrowed my search, I drove a FF that was being sold by a private party and pre-owned Superformance that SPF dealer had on consignment. It's not impossible to find a car to test, but it ain't easy.

I guess Bill S. FF is out for a test drive.

mrmustang · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelby101

Bill ,
Thanks for your reply, but I was thinking more along the lines of the dealers who sell ERA, FFR, Superformance,and backdraft.
Bill W.

Haven't sold a BDR yet

Bill S.

RodKnock · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 10:40 AM

I can see where Bill is coming from. Most people aren't used to driving a car with 500-600 HP and weighing 2100-2500 lbs. I still remember that video posted some time ago with a woman driving a Cobra right into a telephone pole or something and just about took a crowd of people.

shelby101 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 10:43 AM

Beleive me I do understand.

My GT500 Super Snake has 843hp, so I know what control is about.
I also know about not letting other folks drive it.

Thanks for all the comments.
Bill W.

Got the Bug · #8 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I can see where Bill is coming from. Most people aren't used to driving a car with 500-600 HP and weighing 2100-2500 lbs. I still remember that video posted some time ago with a woman driving a Cobra right into a telephone pole or something and just about took a crowd of people.

Totally agree. But....there's no way I would buy a Cobra without driving one (hopefully the same manufacturer that you're interested in) first.

RodKnock · #9 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelby101

Beleive me I do understand.

My GT500 Super Snake has 843hp, so I know what control is about.
I also know about not letting other folks drive it.

Thanks for all the comments.
Bill W.

Bill, whether you have 725 or 843 HP, the fact of the matter is that a brand new car that weighs 4,000 lbs +/- will not accelerate, steer and handle like a Cobra, which is 1/2 the weight, no electronic gizmos and a short wheelbase.

Notwithstanding, there may be private parties or dealers out there that may allow you to drive the car, I just wouldn't be one of them. I only have 700 or so miles on my car and I'm still trying to get used to it and I've previously owned other fast cars.

Best of luck with your Cobra purchase.

RodKnock · #10 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 12:33 PM

Though I might make an exception for Doug (Got The Bug) or someone I've known for a while. Oh, and my rule doesn't apply if I were the buyer, like say of a SPF GT40

shelby101 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 02:07 PM

Guys, I am not argueing here.
I also saw the video, and all I can say is stupid, over confident and out to impress equals the results shown.

I do understand how people value there cars.

However, do not under estimate the power of a Super Snake which is turning 3.4 0-60s and 10.9 quarters.
While I truely accept that the cobra will handle different than the Super Snake, raw horse power is raw horse power and MUST BE RESPECTED!

In the end, I still want to drive before I buy.

Three Peaks · #12 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 02:25 PM

It's not the horsepower that will get you with one of these, it's the 90" wheelbase, 2100 lb weight, and weight distribution that is different than just about any other car you'll drive.
Not saying it can't happen, but I would be surprised if anyone (or their insurance) would allow you to "test drive" a Cobra without a substantial deposit or bond.

Good luck with your search...

Bob

shelby101 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 02:28 PM

Point taken.

Well, I'll see what happens.

But in the meantime I'll be looking and drooling

Got the Bug · #14 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Three Peaks

It's not the horsepower that will get you with one of these, it's the 90" wheelbase, 2100 lb weight, and weight distribution that is different than just about any other car you'll drive.
Not saying it can't happen, but I would be surprised if anyone (or their insurance) would allow you to "test drive" a Cobra without a substantial deposit or bond.

Good luck with your search...

Bob

I drove three cars when I was looking and I didn't know the owners. I flew down to Hillbank and Lance let me take a consigned car out for a test drive with him as a passenger.

Bill - If you look around, you'll find some cars to drive. Good luck in your search.

RodKnock · #15 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 02:43 PM

I have no idea what your budget may be, but you might want to fly to Provo, Utah and check out a Kirkham. The Kirkhams may let potential customers take out their demo/mule, but I can't be for certain.

You might also try D&M Motorsports in Glen Ellen, IL. They've always seemed to have a bunch of Superformance products in their showroom.

shelby101 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 02:48 PM

Thank you for all the helpful information.

I will pursue the options suggested.

My goodness I became a post monger in one day

Seriously, thanks to all.
Hopefully I will meet a few of you guys this summer.
Bill W.

RodKnock · #17 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

I drove three cars when I was looking and I didn't know the owners. I flew down to Hillbank and Lance let me take a consigned car out for a test drive with him as a passenger.

Bill - If you look around, you'll find some cars to drive. Good luck in your search.

Yes, Doug, but you look like a Silicon Valley techie, uh, maybe a few inches taller than is typical.

shelby101 · #18 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 03:04 PM

Well, I will continue reading, studying and trying to decide.

The million dollar question is "What is authenic?"

How true is true?

Last year, before the market, well you guys know...

Even as I looked at the continuation series I am seeing that some were made at shelby and now somewhere else. Does this matter in the end?
Does Superformance carry the same weight as Shelby continuation?
Why would I want one over another?
Do I want a Kirkham?

One needs to be a varitable encyclopedia

I'm working on that, but still have a lot to learn.
I still have a lot of questions??????

I do want to be around them this summer, that much I am sure of.

rokndad · #19 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 03:25 PM

Bill W.,

Read all the posts you can on this and other forums, take notes, go look at lots of cars in person at various shows and club meets, talk to the owners, and then make up your mind on where you want to be. Is it going to be a show car, a driver, a racer, both driver and racer, trailer queen, a weekend warrior, a collector, whatever. Then go for the manufacturer that has the majority of the qualities you can check off in your own personal "wants" matrix. Take your time...trust me you tastes will change the more you learn.

Some guys want an aluminum car but don't want to pay the "Shelby Tax" so they get a Kirkham and have everything they wanted. It is an outstanding car with no equals. Others, like me, couldn't afford the aluminum body but wanted the Shelby name, and a car that was fully made in Las Vegas, before the outsourcing to South Africa. My preference and I'm happy with my fiberglas car. My neighbor has a gorgeous Superformance that he installed his own 351 in and loves it and wouldn't want anything else, not even an aluminum body. Again, his own preference.

Also, don't forget to look into the 289 cars....the FIA series, etc. There's a whole other world to these Cobras that are mainly dominated by the 427 S/C copies like mine, and many times the earlier small block cars get overlooked. I personally, would be delighted with a 7000 series aluminum bodied Cobra, but no funds available.

Bottom line, have fun learning, respecting and pursuing these things. It truly is addictive and keep asking questions.

See MrMustangs' comments in this thread:

Hello All!

RodKnock · #20 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelby101

Well, I will continue reading, studying and trying to decide.

The million dollar question is "What is authenic?"

How true is true?

Last year, before the market, well you guys know...

Even as I looked at the continuation series I am seeing that some were made at shelby and now somewhere else. Does this matter in the end?
Does Superformance carry the same weight as Shelby continuation?
Why would I want one over another?
Do I want a Kirkham?

One needs to be a varitable encyclopedia

I'm working on that, but still have a lot to learn.
I still have a lot of questions??????

I do want to be around them this summer, that much I am sure of.

What is authenic? A made in the 1960's CSX 2000 or CSX 3000 series.

Even as I looked at the continuation series I am seeing that some were made at shelby and now somewhere else. Does this matter in the end?

I've read the claim that the early CSX 4000's (pre-4250 +/- or made in Las Vegas) are better and yield higher resale values, and this premium may exist, but I haven't seen any empirical evidence of that.

Does Superformance carry the same weight as Shelby continuation?

The Shelby continuation Cobras are considered more valuable and cost more.

Why would I want one over another?

What do you want in your Cobra?

Do I want a Kirkham?

One of the first questions you have to ask yourself, besides the "budget" and the "build versus roller" question, is do you want aluminum or fiberglass? Everyone has their own preference(s).