NW newbie looking for help

[1Trkpony]

Hi guys!
I was hoping to pick up some info from the collective whole of the NW section of club cobra. I am in the market for a cobra, but I am still debating on which one, etc. Based on the values and the abundance of nice cars it seems like a great time to be a buyer. I have a max I will spend of ~40K, but as always the cars I really want seem to fall above that

I am most likey going to buy a completed car or buy a roller (turnkey -). Of all the cobra's I have researched I seem to gravitate to the IRS cars. Of the "kit" cars I like ERA, Unique and Contemporary (completed ones only now). On rollers I like the backdraft, venom and Superformance.

I would like to meet/talk/email with owners of the brands listed above to pick your brain and benefit from your experience. I am in the Portland area, but it seems most of the NW folks are in the Seattle area. Are there clubs or get togethers for the NW Cobra members? Any advice or words of wisdom you can provide?

For Oregon members I would like to hear your experiences with DMV and titling a used or built cobra. It seems many states are titling to the year assembled rather then the year it resembles. That could be troublesome with emissions testing if you can't get that changed. Also I have hear of some company Tiltes unlimited that caused a bunch of problems too.

Also if anyone knows of any cars for sale locally please let me know. I routinely check the for sale section here, cobra country and eBay. Thanks in advance!

Russ

[saltytri]

Russ:

I've researched the licensing situation pretty thoroughly. I'm in a DEQ area (Jackson County) as you are and I didn't want an unpleasant surprise.

A Cobra reproduction qualifies as a replica under ORS 801.425: "...a vehicle with a body built to resemble and be a reproduction of another vehicle of a given year and given manufacturer." It is simply titled as a replica under ORS 803.015(12). It doesn't matter when the vehicle was built or what year the engine block was built. The applicable emission standards are those in effect for the year of the engine, as defined by the model year that the car replicates. In other words, we skate through without testing - there wasn't any in the Sixties. I've confirmed this by speaking with the manager of the local DEQ test facility. So you just visit DMV, pay for the license, and you're good to go.

Have fun looking for car.

David

[Edley Rondinone]

That's what California needs! No-Hassle auto registration!!! NO 500-car limit, NO worrying about smog issues!!

[G.R.]

Russ I owned a SPF fine car, fit, finish, build quality was great. But I had 52+K in it by the time it was finished...pricey

There is an older ERA here on CC still for sale I think, very nice and well thought out build from all accounts. 30k
Ogasman(Paul) has it for sale
http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/t55039-20&pagenumber=2

Might be worth your checking out.

IRS is nice but don't discount the solid axle unless you plan on a lot of track time. A solid axle is a bit better if you do "hard" launches, easier on the drive train for sure...don't see to many IRS at the dragstrip

There are a lot of cars out there it is a buyers market right now and there are some good buys to be had.

A NWCC member from the Seattle area,Todd has IMO a great buy on a well fitted out replica---
Beautiful Custom Cobra


B&B is a nice solid car, a great kit. Might again be worth your time.

Good luck and Welcome!


Gary

[DonC]

Russ:
Boy, are you in trouble now. Experience will teach you about asking for advice on the CC Forum. You've left yourself open to innumerable forum responses, email, junk mails and strangers in dark clothing knocking on your door at late hours trying to sell you things. A piece of advice, NEVER ask about big block or small block.
All kidding aside you've come to the right place with what is valid information. Specifically how much you want to spend. Its amazing how many people start off without a number. These types can waste a tremendous amount of time just thrashing around looking at things that will never be.
Gary has very sound advise in that you may be most satisfied with an already assembled car that someone else has already gotten the bugs out of.
When people refer to a roller they are usually referring to a car that’s complete less the engine and part or all of the drive train. Turn-key’s are generally newly manufactured complete ready to start and drive away cars produced by the company that’s selling them.
You decision on whether to do some of the work yourself or have the producer do it for you will play a huge factor in final price.
In my opinion, for what its worth, you would be hard pressed to do any better than an ERA unit in whatever stage of completion you choose. Please keep in mind that my opinion is biased since I own an ERA. Doing some poking around on the ERA site would give you an idea of what kind of costs you would incur with one of their cars. The same holds true for any of the other major manufacturers. Research, research, research. That is the biggest key to getting what you want and being happy with it afterwards.
I see you’re in Hilsboro. If you ever get over to the southwest side of town I’m in West Linn and would be happy to let you take a look at my car and sing it’s praises to you but remember, I’m biased.
Give me a buzz (503-823-7628 during the day) or email me (CWILL1958@COMCAST.NET) and I’ll be happy to talk to you.
DonC

[1Trkpony]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I really appreciate the help.

Yes I am looking for an already completed car first, but if I have come up empty handed so far. I am in no real hurry and will continue to look for just the right car. The kits also have appeal as I like doing it myself and have worked on and restored cars for many years.

Funny you mention Paul's ERA. I have been in contact with him about that car and I am considering it. Being 23 years old + other things means that I will need to do quite a bit of restoring to bring it up to a level that I want. Also buying any car sight unseen (long distance) is somewhat hard for me to get used to, but appears necessary with cobra's due to the limited numbers of them. Lastly the variablity of true kit cars and how/who built them makes it somewhat risker then say a superformance or similar that was factory assembled.

Don, yes I would like to meet you and see your car sometime. I will drop you a message offline. But hey I have a offer for you, I will give you 40K for your car and we can be done with this Must say a spectacular car from your pictures.

On ERA does anyone know the wait list length these days?

Russ

[G.R.]

About a year last I heard

[Badger]

Hi Russ...You might take the time to check out the cars at Park Place, Ltd in Bellevue WA. They have both Superformance MKIIIs and Brock Coupes in stock. Lead time on any new SPF is about 3 months, if you're particular about a certain color combination. It is a bit a of drive up from Portland, but ceratinly better than having nothing to look at! Badger

[sp1410]

Hi Russ,

I'm a SPF owner in SW Portland. Send me an email and we can make plans to get together if you'd like.

Jim B
jbthegfos@comcast.net

[G.R.]

Park Place indeed does have SPF's and the Coupe on their floor. But they are very proud of them and want top $$. When I first went looking for an SPF Park Place had just what I wanted, yet I had been researching them. Talked to Dynamic and the Olthoffs, got ballpark costs, etc. . All said and done I saved about 4.5K buying the exact, same equipped car from Dynamic in Reno--4mos from deposit to delivery of the completed car to where I picked it up in Seattle. This was 3 yrs ago. Saw on their site there is now 4yr old SPF that is for sale for $70K. Sb w/Weber FI????hmm....not even a 427s/o..... overpriced?

[Badger]

I'm not familiar with what the pricing structure was three years ago, but Park Place currently sells their Superformance cars at the same prices advertised by any of the other six Superformance dealers in the US. What you choose to install for an engine has much to do with the final pricing. You can spend very little or a lot on an engine depending on what you want the car to be. From the exterior all might look the same but it's what's inside that makes the difference and.... who backs the product. Roush, for example, sells their engines with a two-year warranty. That's pretty impressive in the high performance engine business where most specially built engines are "guaranteed" as far as the front door of the establishment selling them. If you're looking for the cheapest car out there don't expect to be buying a Superformance! Then again if you count all the standard items delivered with a Superformance car and compare directly what you pay extra for on other cars, you may be very surprised that the Superformance is actually the best deal on the market. As is often said..."You get what you pay for" Badger

[G.R.]

Badger I heard rumours that Park Place was going to lose their dealership for the NW for SPF about 2 yrs ago because of the overpricing, and potential customers from this area contacting other SPF dealers a bit upset at the pricing. In my case they had an SPF turnkey on their floor, all the bells and whistles available at the time, 392 stroker ,tremec tko. They were asking almost 58K for it, no deals that was their price. Price for a roller was about 3.5k higher also. I got an identical turnkey from Dynamic for 52.5k, also 6mos newer. Don't think there is a 4.5 k difference in a roller,engine/ trans, build/ install between here and Reno, especially since the PP engine /trans was sourced/installed from the same builder in Reno that Dynamic uses.

Glad to hear they are now in line on their roller prices with the rest of the dealers...

I offered my comments based upon my admittedly old dealings with Park Place for an SPF and a 65 Mustang fastbac/hipo w/4speed, that they had at the same time that I was also interested in.

[1Trkpony]

Thanks for the tip on PP. I ran across Park Place doing some web research awhile ago. They currently have a red/white SPF roller on their web site for 38,950. Not sure what engine it is set up for but I would guess a small block.

They advertise other rollers on their web site at the Dynamic/SPF list price of 39,900. Not sure why this one is 1K less. Maybe it was ordered by someone then canceled ?

It is very tempting to do the SPF new route, just more then I personally wanted to spend. At least for now...

Russ

[Jake]

I must say that I am very happy with my SPF and would recommend watching cobra country for a deal to come. You will be hard pressed to find a better car for the money. I think if you take your time you could find a used SPF for low 40's. Just my 2 cents.

Jake

[rdorman]

Get together with the local guys. Ride, drive and check out the ones of interest. Keep your eye on the used market.... it is excellent. And just FYI, you can get and ERA or Unique as a roller.
Rick

[Larry N Johnson]

There is a nice red Contemporary in Portland area, big block, irs, really nice car.


There is a nice blue FFR in Texas that has been meticulously assembled with beautiful paint.


We meet as a club about monthly in Portland.

Call to chat 503-654-8959
or e-mail: larry.n.johnson@netzero.net

[G.R.]

For a sweet ride with everything brand new with all the bells and whistles one usually has to be extra for with other mfgs I don't think you can beat a SPF. I sometimes miss mine.
If you want a car(depends upon the engine/trans/install) you could use as a daily driver and not be afraid to drive cross-country, IMO, SPF is the one.
The red one at PP I think is a 2000-2001 roller--set up for a s/b install--probably why there is a price difference

[40k Later]

In viewing all of the threads regarding the SPF's and the stunning photo's, and taking in a modest 12 event's this past summer in the Wa. area and Idaho, I have to say first and foremost, that they are truly a quality product and the feedback that the owners give are a testament to that. I've never heard one negative comment! In hindsight I never thought I could afford one which is why I went the way of a Kit. However 21 months later and $42,000+ cash and none of it financed I guess I could have bought an SPF in the first place. I did enjoy the build and learning what I am capable of and I have a car I'm very proud of. Nevertheless I also beleive my car will require much more attention over the years to keep it in shape whereas an SPF will not. Also what is very sinister looking on an SPF is the huge rear tires that they will accomodate. Looks great and is safer. When I jabb the gas on 274/40's it's a lost cause.

[decooney]

Lots of nice used cars coming up now days.

[kidcobra]

I will have to agree with everyone on the SPF's they are VERY nice and well built.
But I will tell you about Park Place LTD. I was talking with them on the blue NAF they have on there site. They were very interested in my multi award wining 37 chevy pick up hot rod. I didnt want to even think about going up there in it for less then 30K. Well they said sure we can do that. So I drive it up there on a nice summer day in shorts and a t shirt. They looked at me (looking like tattooed white trash per the sales man) looked at the truck and told me 17500 was all they would give me. Well I got a little pissed off about being told I look like tattooed white trash so I spoke my mind went to bank branch I deal with with drew the amount they were asking for it. Took the cash to them and very calmly informed them (with several other customers in the place) that they really messed up. Boy you should have seen the look on the sales man face when he saw 35k all in cash.
I felt real good after that.
So I wouldnt deal with them at all.
Just my 2 cents worth