Opinions on best quality car or kit?

[LMH]

Originally Posted by MFE III

Ya know, everyone's voting up ERA, I just don't understand it. Just because it is highly accurate, very complete and very well made . . . I mean, where are the challenges
Man up and get a Street Beasts . . . now that's a challenge!
Matt

Hahaha!
That was good Matt!
Larry

[bobcowan]

767 is exactly right. Although a beginner will think of a Cobra Kit as their dream car. What you don't (yet) realize is that about the only thing each kit has in common is the general shape. After that, it's like comparing one sedan to another. Although a Crown Vic is the same general idea as a Rolls, they're completly differant cars.

Try to narrow down your search with a few simple questions:

1. How much do you want to build? Every nut and rivit? Turn key? Roller?

2. How important is an exact reproduction of the original? Do you want a SC? FIA? Slabside?

3. What is the intended purpose? Wheel to wheel racing? Drag racing? Street cruisng?

4. And last but certainly not least, what is your budget? The Kirkham is a great car. But you'll never get one finished with a $25K budget.

When I was shopping for my car, I went the Kit Car Nationals in Carlisle, PA. Great show. Gave me the oppurtunity to put my hands on every car, and talk with every rep. Quickly pared my choices from 5 down to 1.

Try and find a national event where you'll see a lot of cars from a lot of companies. The London CObra Show is coming up soon. That would make a great road trip. You won't have any trouble talking to owners. You probably won't get them to shut up!

[dlampe]

Most people believe what those chose was the best for the budget they had. Just look at the suggestions and then look at what they own. Do you own research and decide for your self. If you get more specific with what you are looking for and what you can spend, then we can offer better advise.

[LRRCobradreamer]

If cost is an issue and you are not sure of your building skills then consider buying used. Great deals out there this year. I did and am not sorry at all. Yes, I found some issues, but that was part of my challenge. I am 60 and I did not want to do it or have the time from work to build it, I decided. Time, whether due to age or family, is also to be considered.

I have a FFR and love it, frame is very stiff and they have a build school to attend if you want to build it. I attended it just to understand what it takes and if I ever have to go deep into it in the future. I also attended an Autocross school, what a blast. Drags are next on the list in the spring.

Best of luck and welcome to the madness.

Lee

[cobraviper_99]

If money is no object, I'd recommend an aluminum CSX4000 car. I had an ERA and loved it but my CSX4000 car, built by Billy Andrews at HRE, is a stunning automobile which runs, drives, handles and SOUNDS like nothing else I've ever owned. Not important to everyone, but a factor to me is having the Shelby provenance as well. If you're not in the position to spend six figures, you'll never regret owning an ERA.

[Cashburn]

I don't know how helpful it is to offer a poster answers that simply do not jive with the question he is posing. If you read the question it is relatively clear the total budget on his build is in the $45k range based on the 3 manufacturers noted.

If that is the case there goes the the $60k+ 4000 series, the $65k+ ERA, the $75k+ Kirkham.

Though I have not seen discussions on the total cost of building an ERA yourself, that would be a healthy discussion as well and I am genuinely interested.

So perhaps the question is rewritten as "With a budget of $45k total, what is the best quality car or kit?"

[Clois Harlan]

With $45K two or three come to mind. The Backdraft can be built very nicely for $45K including paint, tires wheels, TKO 600 trans and a 390 FE. I know a man on this thread that recently built two for around that price. Also, a B&B is a well built kit that can be bought in different stages that can be built as a Stage I, II, or III kit for less than that or as a Complete Roller for about the $45K. Also, consider a Shell Valley that can be bought in the same stages as a B&B and about the same price as the others.

I am sure there are other quality kits available but you did mention quality, price and I assume you wanted something that closely resembled an original? I like the Superformance too but I think you might have to spend a little more than $45K to get one of those>

Clois

[Got the Bug]

Good stuff....maybe the guy who kicked off the thread will check back in.

[aks801]

Considering that price point, I'd think that Unique would fit in quite nicely. Although I don't own one, I have seen a number of them and have talked with some owners, and everyone seems to have positive feedback.

[PatBuckley]

Obviously, a used ERA would be the answer.

Perhaps a little block could be had for that price?

[cscobra]

My own ERA will ABSOLUTELY cost under $45K when I complete it. I recommend that it stays on the list of possibilities.

[RodW]

If you want to see a lot of cobras and you don't want to wait until Mid America in June, come down to San Marcos March 26-29 for the '09 Austin Spring Meet. You will have a chance to see most manufactures and talk to a lot of great people.

Rod

[LMH]

Spent about 10 seconds searching and found this one:
http://www.fraserdante.com/4077%20-%...A%20Cobra.html
Larry

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by cscobra

My own ERA will ABSOLUTELY cost under $45K when I complete it. I recommend that it stays on the list of possibilities.

Fair enough, and that is good info.

So now the question for the original poster is what made you highlight the 3 manufacturers in your first post?

[PatBuckley]

I think ERA's just seem more expensive.

[767Jockey]

Too often, the real question gets lost. It's not what is the best car, it's what is the best car for YOU. Planned use, budget, talent and many other things all play into the equation. What are you looking for and expecting from the car, and what is your budget? Answer those questions and you can get much more useful and informative answers. Again, don't stress about it. I still believe the journey is often as enjoyable as the destination.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

I don't know how helpful it is to offer a poster answers that simply do not jive with the question he is posing. If you read the question it is relatively clear the total budget on his build is in the $45k range based on the 3 manufacturers noted.

If that is the case there goes the the $60k+ 4000 series, the $65k+ ERA, the $75k+ Kirkham.

Though I have not seen discussions on the total cost of building an ERA yourself, that would be a healthy discussion as well and I am genuinely interested.

So perhaps the question is rewritten as "With a budget of $45k total, what is the best quality car or kit?"

I don't read at all that he is interested in only those three cars. He's asking opinions what car is of quality and why. I don't see that his question needs to be limited to those three only.
Also, where did the "$45,000" figure come from? Did I miss it?
Larry

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by LMH

I don't read at all that he is interested in only those three cars. He's asking opinions what car is of quality and why. I don't see that his question needs to be limited to those three only.
Also, where did the "$45,000" figure come from? Did I miss it?
Larry

The $45K number that Jay threw out was a guesstimate regarding the guy's budget based on the three manufacturers that were originally identified as possible manufacturers.

Too bad we can't package similar threads and make them required reading.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

If cost is a major factor, keep your cash ready and wait for the right used Cobra to surface. You can expect to save 25 to 50 percent of the cost of a new build. Don't buy something that needs work or paint, as that would defeat the purpose. You don't need a money pit. There are plenty of good used Cobras out there that just don't get driven. That's what you want. That, and a good legal title.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

If cost is a major factor, keep your cash ready and wait for the right used Cobra to surface. You can expect to save 25 to 50 percent of the cost of a new build. Don't buy something that needs work or paint, as that would defeat the purpose. You don't need a money pit. There are plenty of good used Cobras out there that just don't get driven. That's what you want. That, and a good legal title.

Absolutely buy used. However, sometimes the used market doesn't provide the exact car spec that you want and thus it leads to someone buying new or building one themselves.