Opinions on best quality car or kit?

[jbuchert]

Wow.. Some great replies!

Yea, after reading all that I realized I should have been more specific.

I want a glass car and I do want the best/closest replica I can get as far as body design/shape goes. As far as quality im looking for oppinions on chassis/body design. For example I havent read anything on weak frames or poor glass work, stress cracking ect. I know fiberglass quality and consistancy can vary highly from different manufacturers...

In other words if anyone has any horror stories or bad experiences with a companys product please let me know.. email me if you want to keep a low profile.

Im leaning toward keeping my eye open for a used one at this point but still considering a kit as well.

It will be a show car that will see the occasional trip around the track.

I would like to stay under 45k finished ither way I go.

[LMH]

The best advice I can give is to get in contact with owners near you and look at them up close. Go for a ride or drive a couple if you can. When you start looking at them up close, you'll begin to see the differences in manufacturers. It's the best way to get a good feel for whats out there.
Good luck!
Larry

[Stentor]

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?"

Please let me know where I can get a new completed CSX 4000 for $60k....I will take a few.

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by Stentor

Please let me know where I can get a new completed CSX 4000 for $60k....I will take a few.

Seen a couple rollers on eBay under $49k, I bet you can find an overstock or closing shop and get into one for mid 40s and that leaves $15k for your own powertrain build/install.

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by jbuchert

Wow.. Some great replies!

Yea, after reading all that I realized I should have been more specific.

I want a glass car and I do want the best/closest replica I can get as far as body design/shape goes.

...

Im leaning toward keeping my eye open for a used one at this point but still considering a kit as well.

...

I would like to stay under 45k finished ither way I go.

If that is your desire then you should focus on used cars or more research on new offerings since the 3 manufacturers you originally highlighted are either not in business (Hurricane) or don't have an "exact" body (Backdraft and FFR).

Enjoy the journey.

[randlej]

I'm surprised no one mentioned the LoneStar Classic 427.

I just went through the same process as the original poster of this thread and ultimately chose the Lonestar. Very high quality, stiff frame, great glass body requiring little work, more room in the cockpit. They are also running a very good package deal on the complete kit.

To the original poster.. do some searches, check out their website forum as well. They are in the Dallas area so not too far from you. You can pm me if you like for any specfic questions on my decision.

[cscobra]

ERA would meet your needs regarding price, body design (original), durability (especially lack of stress cracks), engineering (especially chassis design, which is much more than just a ladder frame), superb handling, an unexpectedly good ride (might as well be comfortable!), overall quality, and the authentic look that helps it to keep its value. ERA's website explains well their entire approach to their engineering and manufacturing choices.

I looked for many years, visiting factories, viewing individual cars (at Run & Gun and others), driving private examples representing different manufacturers (at Run & Gun and others)--I even attended FFR's build school (in 1998, when it was in Pennsylvania). I did my best to keep an open mind. When the time came that I was in a position to make a final decision after weighing all of these factors, ERA came out on top for me.

It may not turn out that way for everyone, or for you, but I've found that it's hard to go wrong with the friendly and professional people in New Britain, CT.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

If you can get by with a somewhat mild 390, and build and paint the car yourself, you might build a nice ERA for under 50k. ERA is arguably the most accurate looking Cobra and is built using many components that interchange with an original. The chassis is ERA's own, and in my opinion, is superior to the round tube original; and the car drives as good or better than any factory built car (no shaking, no rattling, no vibration). The people at ERA will help to no end getting your car together. Just tell Peter your situation and he'll work with you. I've seen FFR and BDR Cobras that cost just as much or more. It depends on how much YOU can do yourself.
I'm not saying ERA is best for you. Many of the others mentioned here are truely beautiful cars. Only you can decide where your money will go. I will add that if you want a show/track car, you WILL spend quite a bit more.