ERA or Superperformance 427 Thoughts and Observations

madmaxx · #1 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 07:33 PM

In the end if you do not know how to work on cars or the passion to learn with the associated growing pains you will not be happy with any Cobra. If you like to test, fiddle, educate yourself, lay on your back, bump your knuckles, drink a little antifreeze and gasoline on occasion then it may be for you but probably not. Definetly worth finding out though, because if it is, there is nothing better.

patrickt · #2 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmaxx

In the end if you do not know how to work on cars or the passion to learn with the associated growing pains you will not be happy with any Cobra.

MM is right... even with cars that are 100% built by the genius elves in New Britain, or Provo, or anywhere else. You still better be ready to work on them -- I would guess that over half of the guys on this site have 25 years or more of experience monkeying with cars and a lot of them actually make their living doing it. Most of us started in high school. But don't let that stop you -- if you really want a Cobra then you won't be happy with anything else, and you can learn how to work on them pretty quickly. But a Cobra is not for everybody, so think it over carefully... and don't worry about backing out -- 98% of the guys that make posts like yours never end up with a Cobra in their garage anyway.

RodKnock · #3 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

MM is right... even with cars that are 100% built by the genius elves in New Britain, or Provo, or anywhere else. You still better be ready to work on them -- I would guess that over half of the guys on this site have 25 years or more of experience monkeying with cars and a lot of them actually make their living doing it. Most of us started in high school. But don't let that stop you -- if you really want a Cobra then you won't be happy with anything else, and you can learn how to work on them pretty quickly. But a Cobra is not for everybody, so think it over carefully... and don't worry about backing out -- 98% of the guys that make posts like yours never end up with a Cobra in their garage anyway.

Patrick sure likes percentages. Let's see if I have this right.

So, if an ERA is 100% built in New Britain, and your one of the 50% here who have worked on cars for 25 years, then your ERA will be a top notch buy for the 2% that actually go through with the purchase of a Cobra. Well that has a high probability, maybe 75% of being almost right.

patrickt · #4 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

So, if an ERA is 100% built in New Britain, and your one of the 50% here who have worked on cars for 25 years, then your ERA will be a top notch buy for the 2% that actually go through with the purchase of a Cobra. Well that has a high probability, maybe 75% of being almost right.

It doesn't matter, he's not going to get a Cobra... I'll bet you on it.

RodKnock · #5 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

It doesn't matter, he's not going to get a Cobra... I'll bet you on it.

Well, you have a 50% chance of being right.

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Well, you have a 50% chance of being right.

I actually pay attention to threads like these because they tend to sadden me a bit. The original post is full of excitement and promise, but then they trail off and, usually, no Cobra ever gets purchased. That tends to be lesser though with Kirkhams. When people come on here and say they're really excited about getting a Kirkham they seem to follow through on that promise. ERAs (speaking of 100% turnkeys, now) have the problem of the long wait. You have to really have your heart set on an ERA to plunk down your money knowing you won't be driving it for a while. I don't know where Shelbys fall in that mix.

REAL 1 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 11:38 AM

Well... you can always buy a nice used turnkey and avoid the wait. Moreover, Peter sometimes has cars in the pipeline that people back out of and are available.

Just takes some checking and calls.

RodKnock · #8 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

I actually pay attention to threads like these because they tend to sadden me a bit. The original post is full of excitement and promise, but then they trail off and, usually, no Cobra ever gets purchased. That tends to be lesser though with Kirkhams. When people come on here and say they're really excited about getting a Kirkham they seem to follow through on that promise. ERAs (speaking of 100% turnkeys, now) have the problem of the long wait. You have to really have your heart set on an ERA to plunk down your money knowing you won't be driving it for a while. I don't know where Shelbys fall in that mix.

I think that's accurate. Buyers who want a Kirkham or a CSX, generally desire to have a REAL Cobra, so they have a higher probability of completing a purchase.