A sad day for me (I guess) or Hurricane?

[JoshBiz]

I want to tell my story so people can see the disappointment I have for my favorite replica company. I have been researching Cobra replicas for over a year and was very excited to buy a Hurricane (just ask my wife). Every day I go to the Hurricane site reading any post that goes up on the site also to see how the builds are going and I also read Club Cobra as well to get any update that I possibly can to book mark so I can return when I purchase my kit.
I have been trying to buy a kit from Hurricane since the end of November after talking to Mike on the phone many times as well as Jason and they were amazing to talk to and full of information. Jason gets me my sales agreement (I think I’m kit # 1119) and I wanted to add a few more things to the kit (a little more money for them) So I shot Mike an email and he would not return my emails till the middle of January to tell me I cannot order my kit nor can he give me a date when I can.
But I could not wait to order my Hurricane so I have recently wrote personal email directly to Mike, Jason, Rich and Tamara who were all amazing help 1 month earlier and now I get no reply not even a hello. This company was so customer orientated and that’s why I wanted to build my dream and let me tell you they completely ruined it for me as well as many other potential buyers. I was so grateful there was a company out there that would help me get this build completed not only with great customer service but with an amazing product. Everyone here knows that they would do anything to help their customer and now they won’t even write back or take an order to put money in their pockets and help make our dreams come true. Why not take orders?
I think that we all deserve a more then we are restructuring and not going to offer a kit just a roller.
If the pervious buys were only offered a roller option how many hurricanes would be out there?
If I was to get an email from anyone of them to tell me that I could order my kit on February 1st I would be in line a week before like I was buying a Iphone but to not even give a date or even reply.
I personal want an original kit from Hurricane not a roller but after this experience I don’t think I want a Hurricane at all and I don’t want to wait till they decide to start to offer there kits again.
What are they doing?
I am sorry about my rant I have been holding this in for 2 months.
I just hope I can put my focus to another company maybe like unique that will take my emails..

I don’t want to start any fights !
I just want to tell my Hurricane story that I will be telling my kids about for years to come.
What do you guys think?
Is it me? Am I wrong?
I will keep everyone posted if I receive any emails from the folks at Hurricane..

[FST FOX]

I think the main thing is you did have a sales agreement and anticipated a kit from them and now you are being keeped in the dark, Just order a car from James Yale and that will solve your customer relation issues, btw he is a BDR Texas Dealer

[saltytri]

Certainly, anybody is entitled to feel disappointed if personal hopes are not met. And I don't want to undervalue the time and effort that you may have put into making your decision to buy a Hurricane. But I'm having a hard time understanding the swipe at this company (which I know almost nothing about) if you didn't have a signed deal. They are entitled to change their business model whether or not that suits some segment of the market.

Many members of this forum have had excellent experiences with other makers of quality kits. With so many products competing in this market at various levels, you shouldn't be deterred from realizing your dream of building and owning a Cobra within your price and equipment requirements.

Shopping is a lot of the fun, so have at it!

[MaSnaka]

Josh, Thanks for sharing. I tend to agree with Saltytri. I'm sure your message has atleast helped you get it off your chest. Feel lucky your money is still in your pocket and your not caught up in between kits and rollers and a third party. Move on to another kit my friend. Life is way to short and remember you WANT this you don't NEED this. Good luck!

John

[jwd]

Josh

You have every right to feel the way you do.
I have touted the advantages of the Hurricane since you first started looking for a Cobra. They are/were definitely the highest quality, most complete kit on the market. The fact that they answered all calls and e-mails within 24 hrs. really pushed me over the edge and I had to have one. I'm pretty much finished with mine and had planned on building 2 more for friends.
That said, I'm confused as to what is going on with them. The fact that they don't communicate is inexcusable. They have alot of damage control to do.
As far as only offering rollers, if that was what I wanted, I would have gone with a Superformance but I wanted to build a car, not just drop a motor into one. There is no way they can compete with cheap foreign labor.

[Mastiff107]

JWD....I was under the impression that you had your green card.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Mastiff107

JWD....I was under the impression that you had your green card.

Hey Whitney

No green card. I am cheap labor for friends though How's your car running? Put any miles on it in this lovely weather we've been having lately?

Jim

[joey_hv]

I think what Hurricane is doing is respectable. How many other companies (now defunct) would have just taken your money and delivered nothing for months...if ever.
I would move on and be thankful that they didn't accept a deposit and kept it.

[ENTDOC]

You are way too emotional about this, the kit car industry is full of stories like this. Just order a Unique or ERA or FFR and be done with it. These companys have withstood the test of time and scrutiny and your dollars should be safest with them. BTW, check out the Unique for sale on Cobra Country, it is the best deal going.

[Rick Parker]

joey hv has made a very good point. This is a very cash sensitive business, sometimes easy to enter without realizing the venture is under-capitalized. Many have stuck their toes in the water to later find it is not what it's cracked up to be. It's not very romantic blowing fiberglass out of a chopper gun, or welding at 2:00 AM in the morning, attempting to meet a deadline. As in any business, if the return on investment is not what is needed or expected by the owners then they are certainly entitled to (as is any business) to rethink how they can present their product and turn an expected profit. They do it for a living, it is not a hobby to them therefore they cannot be asked to do it for less than what they expect or need to survive or flourish, they too have families that depend on them. Give them an opportunity to retink their position and then consider there wares, otherwise move on. Be grateful they had the good business practices to not accept deposits and vanish as has happened in the past with other companies or individuals. It's been reported on this site in the past.

[jwd]

Originally Posted by Rick Parker

They do it for a living, it is not a hobby to them therefore they cannot be asked to do it for less than what they expect or need to survive or flourish, they too have families that depend on them.

Certainly, they are not a a non-profit business.

[wetdog]

Josh I am in the build process with no contact from the manufacturer , consider yourself lucky that you dont have thousands of dollars and a bunch of parts in limbo . I hope all turns out ok but this is not what i expected ! move on and buy something else.

[Venamm]

I don't know why some folks get so hooked on labels or who's kit like a weird religion. Next thing we know Cobra's will have gang insignia's......
Just move on and get into another fine builder they're out there. Kirkham would be a good start. Do not get so involved with the build as you might loose your focus to be driving one day. Unless you are the type of person that believes the chase is better then the catch. I could care less about climbing the mountain and want to get to the summit.

[jdog]

......................................Try a Shelby!

jdog

[Tallguy]

Josh,

I am almost in the same boat as you, but like others have said, Look on the bright side, at least you still have your money and other options. I am not losing sleep over this, although dissapointed.

I absolutely respect the Hurricane owners for not messing with peoples deposits, and I truly hope that those in mid build are able to finish their cars and be supported down the road.....


Save the Hurricane!!

Mark

[1985 CCX]

It is a tough business and with CSX glass cars dropping in price it will continue to get harder for rep companies. SAI will no doubt keep making cars and that equates to better pricing in the future.
I think its Hillbank that offers a CSX4000 S/C roller w/o stripes for $50K and SPF's at $43k. KMS are $40k (+lots of work) and production brisk and top notch.

There are plenty of other options which will provide a solid support network and quality. I agree Unique, FFR, and ERA are all great options which have stood the test of time.

Consider a used purchase as it may save a few $. Don't be fooled into thinking that a running car will be free and clear as they never are. Even if they are running great and look great you will catch the sickness. It will be new rubber, chrome, deatils like mirrors, 16" split wheel, new spinners, carb spacers, etc...... you get my point I am sure.

They are never done!

[Fred Z]

Josh....I wasn't going to reply to the thread...just wanted to read and get a handle on what you had occur, and other's opinions regarding same! But, after reading the whole thread....just wanted to say that when I was looking for my car, I looked into a lot of options. I am not rich, but I can and did, afford to build the car I wanted....to the 9's. I looked at all the issues, and one that was looming largest to me was customer support. The other was varied options to get the build I wanted. I happened to chose FFR. My builder not only raced them, he built them professionally and knew the thing, inside and out! Now, I realize many here do not prefer FFR, and some do. There are things FFR has going for it that other's do not, and vice versa. But, if you want a car that is easy to build in a budget, this is one to consider. If you hate the 'perky butt' thing...just mod it. The frame and suspension is great. You can mod it anyway you like, and they have years of handling issues, and DO get back to you right away, should you have a problem. There are others out there that are good makers too. I just wanted to try and give you something from someone that perceived the problem BEfore it materialzed!
Good luck! I always do wonder why some companies, as well as people themselves, do things that make us crazy! But no one is on earth to live up to our expectations....no one! Thank God we have choices!! You definitely do.
fred z

[cal.cheesehead]

Josh, my cobra has been a dream for 30 years. Now my kids are grown and I'm a bit like you, ready to make the plunge. I have reasearched this for about 2 plus years. Being over 50, I wanted an independant rear suspension and I didn't want a piece meal car. I will go with Uinque for the reasons you are disappointed with Hurricane. I have spoken to 6 or 7 builders. Allan at Unique is always happy to spend time explaining and answering questions. They have been in the biz for over 30 years. I am planning a trip to visit them and place my order in the next month or so. Good luck

[TXWOOD]

MAN UP and move on to another kit car company. If you study the FFR base model, it is almost as complete as the Hurrican kit and is less money and a better chassis in my opinoin and if you buy during the FFR special you get an extra $2000 in goodies

[decooney]

Originally Posted by cal.cheesehead

Josh, my cobra has been a dream for 30 years. Now my kids are grown and I'm a bit like you, ready to make the plunge. I have reasearched this for about 2 plus years. Being over 50, I wanted an independant rear suspension and I didn't want a piece meal car. I will go with Uinque for the reasons you are disappointed with Hurricane. I have spoken to 6 or 7 builders. Allan at Unique is always happy to spend time explaining and answering questions. They have been in the biz for over 30 years. I am planning a trip to visit them and place my order in the next month or so. Good luck

Cal.cheeshead,
I second your comments about Unique, 110%. Alan, Maurice, Gene and the whole crew there are stand up people. They make the build a home town experience. I had a Unique. Got a nice trophy for it once too. Built it, drove it, and helped my friend on his Hurricane and drove that too. Both of us had Unique's at the time and he did a Hurricane afterwards just to see what they were like. I was around for that Hurricane build start to end as well. When this thread started, my first thoughts were..well, "if it does not work out for the Hurricane customers in that price range...just go buy a Unique and be done with it".
_______________________________________________
For those of you who want to wait for a Hurricane, maybe just give them until March or something and check back. I wouldn't answer the phone either if I was restructing a company and just told everyone that. Things sometimes take longer than expected. Maybe wait and see. If you guys can't wait 2 months for them, you'd never want to buy an ERA, it takes up to two years when they get backed up. Hang tight and see. You never know... might be worth the wait, and if not, you'll have your answer in a few months anyhow. Hopefully the Hurricane can make it and there will be good stuff around the corner for those who are patient.