Newbie Questions

MG Man · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 10:54 AM

Hello,

Another newbie has arrived...but don't worry, I did a search on "newbie" in the forums and found LOTS of advice about Cobras, so I'll try not to repeat questions here.

Personal history...I come from a family that was not really "into" cars...I was always the one who dropjawed at the pass of a custom car.

I started off with an MGB and still have one...but I've always been strongly attracted to the Cobra. For me, the Cobra visuals are a high point...overwhelming performance is great too. At work, I have a die-cast Cobra 427 (ERTL) that I've had for about 6 years.

Anyway, I turn 40 in about 6 months and it's about time I try for the dream. My major constraints are the wife and budget, in that order.

I live in the Eugene OR area...are there any Cobra owners nearby?

Thanks for listening,

Michael Lytton (MG Man)

rdorman · #2 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 11:10 AM

I am certain that you will suceed in your Cobra dream. You have already demonstrated more intelligance than most new people to this forum by using the search function

My wife supported the purchase but did not 'get it' until the car was here and she took a ride.

She had never seen one much less riden in one so it had little appeal to her. So get her in one! You should see the expression on her face the first time she got in, buckled up and we prepared to leave. Like a child at an amusement park. She is a person that really could give a $hit about cars. Before she met me, zero interest in cars. As time when on, passing interest. Since we got the Cobra, interest increased two fold.

Be sure whomever she rides with demonstrates the 'softer' side of the car. You know, the open road, the sun, the wind, the reaction of others. I had the car for months before I stood on it with my wife. That may have been to soon.

'Pay it forward' also seems to work well with the wife. If she is getting what she wants, she would probably feel bad denying you!

You know her best. I an tell you, having a wife that supports the whole experience sure does make life more pleasent.

Rick

HIQ · #3 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 11:13 AM

Good Luck with the wife. As far as the budget goes take a look at the used cars available here, at cobracountry.com, or eBay. You can buy a nice Cobra for $40K, a very nice Cobra at $50k, or spend big $$ on a super nice Cobra. If your budget is closer to $30k there are cars to be had from "home builders" but make sure you know what you are getting.

Best of Luck!

foothills gary · #4 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 06:18 PM

It's really important to have the wife on board!The reason that I am not taking delivery of my car until'05 is to give my wife a couple years to start in her new career.She finally got a chance to go back to school to upgrade her Interior Design creds(increasing important in Ca. as codes rapidly change),and just this little consideration has gone a long way.Once she spotted Duane Cooney's ERA she said "That's the one we are going to get!It looks like a real race car".What could I say but "Yes,Dear!"

Scott S · #5 (**permalink**) 11-12-2003, 04:12 PM

I am near Sublimity about an hour north of you, in the midde of my second Cobra build. There a few Cobras in Salem and one kit manufacturer.

Take your time on your selection.

Scott S

Tongue Pirate · #6 (**permalink**) 11-12-2003, 04:43 PM

Yes take your time! If you can budget in ERA or even more$$$ you really will have a hard time going wrong. ERA makes a quality car as do some others in the same $ range.

MG Man · #7 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 10:52 AM

I wanted to let you guys know I really appreciate these posts...I agree, I need to be patient and work this slowly. In the end, I may be able to afford more $$ for a better car this way too. <sigh>...what was that song by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers? "The Waiting is the Hardest Part"...

Mike Braatz · #8 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 01:44 PM

YES, BUT WAITING MAKES IT ALL WORTH WHILE

WAIT DO YOUR HOME WORK AND MAKE AN INTELLIGENT DECISION---

THEN ENJOY---

MIKE

trctrdrvr · #9 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 07:25 PM

I agree with every one else, I drove to LA to show my wife the cars at House of Cobras, just to get a reaction out of her before she even got out of the truck she spotted the line of cobras, an asked " is that what you want" I replied " yes " and now I am in the last part of the build and loved every minute, well close but we won't go into details.

LURK · #10 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 07:08 AM

Here's a good thread to read while you wait...

What is the LATEST recognition your Cobra has had recently?

-JT