trying to buy 1st cobra - what's it worth?

ducracer · #1 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 01:15 PM

Hello, I've been reading the board for a while but just registered. We have been doing some research to buy our 1st cobra on a budget. I have a line on a local Everett Morrison, 2500 miles, built in 1991, 351 Windsor. I would very much appreciate any feedback on how much is too much for this car. (Trying to decide if we should save our $ for a different one instead?)
Thank you very much.

luke-44 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 01:48 PM

If you can afford the EM, you have set your sights to low and you probably need to step up to a more expensive one.... First Cobra ownership should

hurt a bit.

I am sure some of the esteemed Cobra valuators who patrol this site will give you a better $ guess than I can offer. Good luck.

Excaliber · #3 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 01:50 PM

Not enough information on the car to determine "market value". But the EM is generally speaking a pretty good replica. One of this age, done right, would likely be in the 30's.

ducracer · #4 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 01:56 PM

Thanks. Our available toy funds mean either (1) one that is a bit older and the engine a bit smaller but with a better than average kit being an EM, or (2) a larger engine but set in a low quality kit for the same price. Figured the first way was better, since it is cheaper to swap engines than do the rest of the car, but I am hoping for more opinions. Either way it will be the slower toy in the stable.

(I know, I know, like we say with all of our Ducati racing friends, "there's no replacement for displacement.")

Excaliber · #5 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 01:59 PM

Well I wouldn't consider a well built 351 "slow" by any means! Many prefer that engine, it is THE choice for the new SPF Coupes.

ducracer · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 02:04 PM

Certainly not slow, just nowhere near the low-end torque of our Duc's

(Maybe a higher top speed though)

FUNFER2 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 04:16 PM

It may be a lot easier if you could inform us to a rounded dollar. Thier are some very good kits, in the lower to mid range. You may want to look at...Shell Valley/Mid States & Lonestar. You can email me if you wish.

FUNFER2 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 04:21 PM

If your interested, thier is a "Factory Five cobra for sale" posted by "imcobra" here today.

ducracer · #9 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 04:58 PM

Sounds like if I can get it for $20,000, then it would be a good deal.

ducracer · #10 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FUNFER2

It may be a lot easier if you could inform us to a rounded dollar. Thier are some very good kits, in the lower to mid range. You may want to look at...Shell Valley/Mid States & Lonestar. You can email me if you wish.

Thank you; Kits would be lots of fun, but we don't have the garage space for a project, and we'd like to drive it before the snow falls and I know I would not have it finished by then

Excaliber · #11 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 05:02 PM

Yes, depending on condition. I've seldom seen a replica go for $20K that didn't have serious problems. Generally speaking such a car will be unfinished and just a complete abomination.

ducracer · #12 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 05:04 PM

I was worried about that too, but it "passed a dealership inspection", for whatever that's worth. Here's to hopin'

HI Cobra · #13 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 05:04 PM

If you can get it for $20k it might just be a very good deal. Before you
hand over the $ you would be wise to pay a good mechanic to check it
over first (unless you are). Could save a lot of problems.

FUNFER2 · #14 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 05:15 PM

Call him up, get MANY photo's, and see if you can test drive it. Like it was said above, get a mechanic & even take it to a body shop to someone who know's about fiberglass. If this guy is in a hurry to sell, leave it be. Sometimes..........that can be a indicator that somethings wrong but, I'm sure he's a upstanding gentelman. You may even go to the extent to ask where he lives then, post a question here & ask if anyone that own's a cobra and lives near by, to check it out for you/with you. That would be a good piece of mind !

Excaliber · #15 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 05:27 PM

Look, sounds like the car is a total looser. E-mail me the guys phone number and I'll "deal" with him for trying to rip you off.

...wonder how much it would cost to ship to Hawaii anyway?

ducracer · #16 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 06:19 PM

The guy is a dealership owner which is local to us, and I also emailed other people who have bought vehicles from him before to check what they thought.

Excaliber · #17 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 06:53 PM

I'm just pulling your leg!

It would have to be pretty rough to NOT be worth $20K. Feel free to post some pics, specs, etc., were all curious as to what you might get for that kind of money. It sounds like a good deal.

For $20K right now on e-bay you can buy a VW powered silver metal flake replica of something that kind of sort of looks like a Cobra. Recently declared the "ugliest" replica Cobra out there by this esteemed web site.

Trust me, I'd take the EM in a heart beat over that one.

Robert T. Faust · #18 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 08:50 PM

Have you taken a look at kitcar.com? I was checking it out last night. 15 Superformance cars, from 38K thru 64K. Some super prices. 3 Kirkhams, FIA Hybrid 82K, 2 427SC 94 & 97K. Other completed kits, CR, EM, Hurricane, etc some starting around 20K. You ought to check it out. Many times it's cheaper to get one finished then to build it yourself. Just make sure if you live in California you'll be able to register the car.
Odds are pretty good, someone on this site will know something about the car your looking at. If you find one you like, before you go to check it out, see if you can get one of these fine Club Cobra gents to accompany you and help you out. This Club is really just a bunch of GREAT PEOPLE, who love the greatest car ever made, and would like nothing better than to have another Cobra owner as a friend. Best of luck, and DON'T BE IN A HURRY!

G.R. · #19 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 09:27 PM

I bought my NAF FIA replica from a guy in Chicago, Knowing it was "rough" but I wanted a project car something I could tinker with. Paid $15.5 + 2k enclosed trailer shipping, sight unseen other than pictures, from Illinois to WA state 3yrs ago this December. I've had fun and a few headaches with it along the way. I did have a Chicago area friend check out the vechicle and paid his mechanic friend a hundred bucks to check it out. Well worth the money spent.

Today I have a standing offer for the car if I decide to sell it for 28K. Far more than I now have in it.

Do not be swayed by the pretty paint, wheels , etc. check out the greasey side

FUNFER2 · #20 (**permalink**) 07-15-2005, 09:50 PM

The guy selling the Factory Five cobra (imcobra) posted today, tried to include photo's but, were too large. He will be sending them to me & I will try to down size them and post them for him, .......if your interested. You may want to look up his post. I know there a good car and it's ready to drive, not a kit. I could also email you with the pics when he sends them.