Turnkey Cobra on a budget?

sporqster · #1 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 11:30 AM

Hello all,

This is my first post, so please don't flame me for my ignorance. My wife and I recently moved down here to Savannah from Indiana, and we've decided our next 'extra' car is definately going to be open-top. She's thinking 'Miata', I'm thinking 'Cobra'... I had a buddy of mine from where we lived in Indiana that built a FF Cobra in his garage with a wrecked Mustang donor car for pretty inexpensive- and it was all kinds of wicked fast fun. What I wouldn't give to make that a reality for me...

However, I can't quite cash in my 401k for it. I don't need (or want) a show car, nor the fastest Cobra kit ever built, but I would like to find a turn-key Cobra within reach of the price of a gently used Miata... say $15k or so? I don't want to buy another project (as I have enough of those aready) but don't mind doing a little fix-up and maintence. Any advice for building a case against the Miata and for something with bit more character?

Anyone interested in trading me projects? I have most all the parts for a V6 Opel GT with a 6-point cage in the garage...

DrC · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 11:39 AM

I don't know what the others have experienced but I can put my 2 cents in. I have researched for nearly 2 years before I pulled the trigger to buy a cobra. What you can get out there is anything you want, but it comes with a price. Basic kits start at 16,000. That doesn't include much. Now figure in engine, tranny, seats, wheels, tires etc. If you look at some of the cars for sale the cars are going for 39,000 and up. Give you an idea you can get out of it for 35,000 and go as high as 125,000. Remember this is not a used Miata. Do yourself a huge favor and do research. Great starts are on the web. GOOD luck

mr bruce · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 11:53 AM

TurnKey for $15k, don't think so unless you find sumbuddy having bad luck, deevorce ,loss of job , etc. Some times you might find a deal (Evilbay). Now if you can build one yourself, I can do it for under $10k, but I have my own molds and fabrication company.

sporqster · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 12:20 PM

I guess I'll heve to keep my eyes peeled for a bargain, then... When bargain hunting, are there any kits that I should just steer clear of, or anything I should look out for so I don't end up buying $15k worth of junk roughly in the shape of a Cobra? Obviously, I would avoid anything with obvious junk welding, but anything else I should be aware of?

What should I expect to pay for the most basic of complete Cobras (donor car motor with some mileage, low 'bling' factor, fiberglass body) but turnkey drivable and licensable?

FYI, this is the very beginning of my research, so assume I know nothing.

LwCwb · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 01:01 PM

If you go the donor route, you can have a very nice FFR for about 20 grand, give or take a few k's, IF you do the paint work and all of the assembly yourself.

As for a completed, ready to drive car thats brand new, Levy Racing builds turnkey FFR's for about 30 grand.

Take a look at the Hurricane too. (They Advertise on the forum, just look for their banner ad.)

C4 Cross Fire · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 02:57 PM

No flaming, but please allow me these few words: Ha ha ha!

*Now, I PROMISE to eat those words if you find a manufacturer who will do this for you!

If you don't want to build it yourself, you're probably not going to ever find what you're looking for. Probably not ever. Probably not. OK, no, you'll never find a turnkey Cobra for $15,000. But for 20-25 G's you can build a nice FFR.

Good fortune to you, though, my brother Cobra lover! Just for kicks, try this neat search: http://search.ebay.com/_Passenger-Ve...Z1QQsacatZ6001

You can also check out my web site's wacky, ever-changing FINAL DECISION feature stories...yes, they've been changing every month or so!

C4 Cross Fire · #7 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 03:10 PM

Wait--check this out--I may have to eat my words!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=7251

C4 Cross Fire · #8 (**permalink**) 05-09-2005, 03:20 PM

You may also give this a shot: http://www.cobrasnvettes.com/index.html Jeff may be able to build you a nice Chevy-based Cobra.

*You'll never find this information on any Ford-oriented web site or publication, but Shelby actually intended the Cobra to have the 'Heartbeat of America' (Chevy Vette engine) but Chevrolet turned his offer down. Been kicking themselves since then! As for me, I'm afraid I've got terminal snake fever--the kind that takes all the Chevy out of a guy. Gotta be a Ford power train for me. It's just not a snake without the right sound.

Engineer Ed · #9 (**permalink**) 05-10-2005, 09:08 PM

For $15K, I agree a turnkey would be nearly impossible to find unless you got lucky and came across a sob story. Then again, I'd be weary about someone selling a turn key Cobra for $15K.
There would definetly be some issues with a Cobra at that price.

I know you said "no projects" but you can get yourself an FFR for that just over that price with a wrecked donor with roughly 100K miles or more.
To do it in the price you are talking would mean it would have to be a "stock" build using only the used donor parts.

To give you an example:
The FFR is $11,900
$700 delivery?
$1-2K for donor
Another $1-2K for odds and ends (you will want to replace worn parts, seals, clutch, etc..... Add more $$ for non-donor wheels and tires.
Now figure a few hundred for an inexpensive paint job (Done by yourself) including all the body work.
Now figure $$ for tax, title and registration.

Expect to spend closer to $18-20K for a simple but decent Cobra you will be happy with.

If you have questions, these guys on the forum will give you good info, dont hesitate to ask. We will be glad to help in any way we can.

As for the Miata, the two cars are nothing alike.
The Cobra is beyond words... The Miata is a grocery getter.
With a competent driver and some decent mods, the Miata will make a fun track car, but there is nothing like the brute power of the Cobra.
And the miata doesnt draw a crowd of gawkers.

Have fun and good luck,
Ed
President, Deep South Cobra Club

C4 Cross Fire · #10 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 05:38 AM

Well said, Ed.

trularin · #11 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 05:49 AM

You get what you pay for.

Jim Barnett · #12 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 07:08 AM

I agree with the other guys who've already given their opinions. I search the "cobras for sale" adds on Ebay and in the various publications like Hemmings, Auto Trader, Cars-On-Line, on a daily basis to just see what's out there and the price range that all the cars are selling for. You MAY find a cobra project that someone has lost interest in or "has to move" or has "run out of time or money" and you might be able to get a great deal on something like that. I HAVE seen a few of these types of deals crop up from time to time. Email me your personal email address and I'll let you know IF I find something that you might be interested in. BTW: when I bought my LAE a couple of months ago, my wife wanted me to get a more "sensible" kind of car and I certainly could have bought nearly any car I wanted, BUT after owning a CR cobra for a couple of months prior to that, I JUST HAD TO HAVE another COBRA!!! Most FUN I have EVER HAD driving a car. I love 'em!!!

BDRCobra · #13 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 07:19 AM

I have owned both. Are you sure you know what a Cobra is, I mean more than just looks. I saw a used Cobra for 18K. From 5 feet away it looked good and would stand on it own in a pack. If you got up close you could see the spyder cracking in the fendors, the powersteering rack that did not have any power steering, the owner had no idea of what kit it was, the thing caused my back to hurt for 4 hours after the 20 minute test drive, it vibrated, shook, and the brakes bordered on dangerous. The answer is yes you can get a Cobra close to 15K, will you be happy with it, probably not. I passed one up in NC for 15K. I bought a backdraft. Was it worth more than twice as much, yes. I can drive for hours and do not feel pain, I have a factory assembled car, 4 wheel disc brakes, 4 wheel independent suspension, Era correct components. Is a Superformance worth 14k more than my backdraft, to me no.

I purchased a Miata (years ago) and it was a good dailey driver(although I bought for a toy). Do not purchase a 99 or 2000, they installed the incorrect thrust bearings in some engines which results in catastrophic failures. Get on the Miata foruum (one of the best i have ever been on and do research).

I am confident you are not ready for a Cobra at this point, especially if you are considering a Miata. Now if you were looking for a Corvette Zo6 than it may be worth your money for the extra perfromance but if you are happy with 140hp than get you a gently used 2001 Miata with less than 40K miles for 10K.

I am not trying to be rude but a Cobra is a once a week take a drive car. It has no top, no ac, no heat, no windows, extremely loud, etc. You could drive a Miata from Houston to Alaska, To drive a Cobra from Houston to Galveston (30miles) is tiring

grumpy · #14 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 07:51 AM

BDR,
Tiring, from Houston to Galveston? I understand the need to constanty be alert for the blue, oops white now, cars with radar on 45, getting tired from waving at all the hornblowers, taking thirty minutes of filing up at the service station even with speed talking, tensed up all the way since you have to weave in and out to stay ahead of a C5, turning your head so much looking for admirers, and on and on and on.
I know you wouldn't have all that to do in a run of the mill MIATA with the top down, but that's what a COBRAs about.
Put a top up on the COBRA, they had heaters in them to begin with, and you could add air for the same price as one costs in a new Vette. The original seats a good and comfortable unlike a lot of the $150 kit seats.
Also in the same fashion if the MIATA had fgrp shell seats, racing springs and sway bars, side exhaust sytem, fast ratio steering, and other items like the typical COBRA, then it would be pretty close to the driving portion of the this tiresome trip.
Why would anyone drive a Cobra or MIATA to ALASKA, is the real question.
Just had to chime in, ha, see you at one of the local meets, even if you show up tired.
grumpy

BDRCobra · #15 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 09:06 AM

I agree I would much rather be in a Lexus in a drive to Alaska. I was trying to exagerate the point that the cars are completely different. Amazing thing is I sold the Miata because it agravated a nevrve in my hip (I am to tall for one) and could not walk for days afterwards. I actually have my BDR seat up about 3" from the rear wall. My brother is 6"5" and drove my BDR with out any problem!!

sporqster · #16 (**permalink**) 05-17-2005, 10:48 AM

Hey all, I've been away for a while and just now checking back in on this thread...

Just a point of clarity... my WIFE wants the Miata... and I think it's alright for what it is- a drop-top grocery getter. I apologize for having used the word Miata and Cobra in the same post!

Thing is, we both already have reasonbly powerful (for ricemobiles) sedans (I drive a EJ20 WRX mostly stock save for suspension work and aesthetic things, wife drives a D16Y8 T3/T4 powered Civic.) They get us both to work. We're both pretty handy under the hood- Carrie actually did most of the research and much of the work on her on Civic motor swap herself.

The convertible is for the weekend (or for when the sedans are undergoing home upgrades) It is clearly to be the 3rd car. I do care about comfort to some degree- but the farthest I would expect the Cobra to travel would be up and down the strip at the beach, and maybe up the Atlanta once in a blue moon. Ain't driving the Miata or the Cobra to Alaska...

And while this is a Cobra site, I thought I would talk about Cobras, but I'd be interested in finding a well built 7-car in that price range too... Co-drove a friend's CB1000 powered Locost at SCCA nationals year fore last, and it was pretty fun too... it just feels only slightly bigger than a go-cart though!

Thanks for the input, all. I'm in no hurry, so I can just work on projects I've already got, and when the opportunity arrises "I'll know". Meanwhile I've got to just not buy a miata ;-)

zipzip · #17 (**permalink**) 05-17-2005, 11:12 AM

It's not exactly a turnkey, but it's not far from it:

Midstates Kit for sale (unfinished)

And it's close to your price range... albeit without engine and paint...

Excaliber · #18 (**permalink**) 05-17-2005, 11:26 AM

My buddy got his FFR for $17K and has steadily worked on it oveer the years. It just keeps getting better and better and looks great!

Summer is here, prices are up, "bargains" ARE out there, but the best ones show up in winter. I would highly recommend a used replica for those on a budget (like myself).

vettestr · #19 (**permalink**) 05-17-2005, 12:37 PM

C4 Cross Fire,
Thanks for the mention, The Cobray can be completed (all new or rebuilt assemblies and painted etc..) for under 24K. We do offer plates and mounts for Ford drivetrains also. The mounts or adapters themselves are not expensive but the largest cost increase will be the exhaust system. Hooker sells Chevy sidepipes right off the shelf but custom headers need to be purchased to fit our chassis. The last set cost an extra grand in the end.

Excaliber · #20 (**permalink**) 05-17-2005, 02:54 PM

On CobraCountry.com

For Sale: 1983 Shelby Cobra replica by Esprit Coachworks. Dark blue/black upholstery. Chevy 327 V8 powerplant, Edelbrock intake & valve covers, dual-point Mallory points, electric cooling fan with automatic thermostat. Four-speed gearbox. Front disc brakes, new brake lines, master cylinder, new clutch master cylinder and clutch lines. Stewart-Warner instrument gauges, new 15-gallon fuel cell, new battery, black tonneau cover and removable fiberglass hard top. Only 1,164 miles. Must sell promptly, asking $15,000, cash only. Contact Andrew at (336) 188-1466, or email: AndrewTillery@yahoo.com
Greensboro, North Carolina
17 May/August

For Sale: Johnspeed 427SC Cobra. Charcoal/silver body stripe, red fender stripe. The BIG Picture--Click Here. 1967 327/300 hp engine, Muncie M-20 4 speed and Jaguar IRS--solid drivetrain mated to a sturdy 2X4 retangular steel tube frame with awesome suspension package. Engine starts easy and still runs strong but has a blown headgasket. Texas titled and priced to sell promptly. $19,800. Call Kevin (903) 526-7172 or email: gsf@tyler.net
Tyler,Texas
9 May

Chevy powered (just keep the hood closed if you park next to me)

Or how about this VW powered "replica" (just couldn't call it a Cobra). Not only keep the hood closed, please park "over there", somewhere away from me!

Offered at $20K