AZ - I would definitely recommend that you visit ERA in New Britain, Ct. Use some frequent flyer miles and fly from Arizona to Hartford - it's about a 30 minute drive from there. You will be able to see cars in various states of build - ERA normally finishes about 5 cars or so a month. There is always a chassis being welded and bodies being molded and the initial inner aluminum panels being installed (chassis / glass shop). Then you go to the "candy store" in the next building - where Peter, Bob, et al have their offices - this is the 'finish shop'. Cars come here from paint to be finished as painted rollers or turnkeys - there are always 10 -12 cars in various stages of completion. The ones on the lift - are the "hot" cars, getting the final touches. You can check my gallery and there is a shot I took at ERA when mine was in that stage - amazing build quality - true craftsmen - and the best chassis in the business. In the finish shop you will see 427's and 289's - in street and competition trim. Then take a visit to the skunk works where the GT40's are built. SS monocoque chassis - nuts on copies of the originals dimensionally - just better. My first cobra was a used Unique 289FIA - 7-8 years old when I bought it, in excellent shape, and I was fortunate to be able to sell it after 2 years use and order a new ERA 289FIA. I visited ERA twice before ordering, and then again twice during the build. It is really quite amazing to see what they are doing there -and you need to bring food - preferably Italian - for Peter!! Also have a checkbook to lock up a production slot. Enjoy the research.

Your going about the correct way.Buying a used car as apposed to building or buying a new build should save you a lot of money,that could be used to tweak a car to your liking.My build experience was a joy because of all the people I met,then to finally light her up for the first time,made all the headaches worth it.How ever you aquire your Cobra enjoy the experience.

Look at it this way...
 

One way to look at it is that the difference between paying for a new "exactly what you want" car, or buying someone else's old used car, is equivalent to a week or two at the beach, an overnight trip to Manhattan to catch a two hour play (that you didn't want to see to begin with), and a few dinners at over-priced restaurants where you're still hungry even after the main entrée.:cool: Now, which would you rather really have?

There it is AZ - a virtually new ERA 289 FIA in the mid 40's just listed for sale on Club Cobra. Chassis number = mid June 2008, and the car has 4200 miles on it. Oversized brakes, ERA custom rear with outboard brakes - love the color combo. If I didn't already have a navy blue ERA FIA this car is one I would book a ticket to test drive - with a deposit check in my pocket. Very good price.

Thanks again for all of the help so far. I should be getting the check this week and at that point I am going to putting money down on something. There are a few very nice, almost "too nice" 289 cars I am looking at right now, but I am actually 95% sold on an older 427 car, just waiting for some pics and getting some info on modification prices. Regardless of what I "think" I want, the fact remains I have never owned one of these cars. I feel strongly now about what olddog said, "I think there is no better way to figure out what you want than to own one, maybe two or three. If you buy them right and don't pile a fortune on changes, you should be able to sell it at minimal losses and try another." A lot can happen in a week, so we will see how it goes, but I will keep yo updated. Thanks!

Thanks Rickd, another very nice car, but not my dream 289....I'm dead set on running a 351. I was thinking on my way home from Wallyworld.....I could get the 427 I am looking at now and get the instant gratification of owning/driving a cobra, and I may have enough $ left over to take the time to build/put together my dream 289. When the time comes I could take the 351/5-speed out of the 427 and transplant it into the 289 car and find a FE/4-speed and voila!!! A 2 cobra household!!! Just a dream.......but a very good dream!

Here's another nice ERA 289 FIA that just posted today from a guy in our local club. Nice car. http://www.clubcobra.com/classifieds...p?product=2994

That sounds good BUT that FE motor will put a "voila" to your wallet real quick! I would be willing to think the "average" money spent on a decent FE/ correct Toploader/ and all accessories would top 12K to 15K easily! Depends on the Kit on how easy this transplant would cost. I would let some experts here, in on which 427 kit as there is a wealth of knowledge and further "been down that road" help here! If you have to replace the headers/ sidepipes now were talking even more $$, which will probably be needed.

Then, how many 427 Cobra's are out there for sale? A new one everyday just about on CC. It is a buyers market for sure. NOW, how many FIA's have you seen? I've seen more since your first posts than I have in two years. If you really like the FIA's then stick with them as there are some really nice ones out there. I know with an ERA there are only 140 or so even out there( very few). I just went to a meet and it was 10 to 1. Some of these guys had never even seen a FIA in person and some didn't even know WHAT it was!! That's all good too. IMHO I would stick with an ERA or a Contemporary (even rarer!), nothing against Unique but those questions have been answered earlier in this thread. Good Luck! Matt

Thanks Matt. PM sent.

GOTCHA! Back to ya! Thanks, Matt

For my first one I went with buying it complete. I came across one 100% complete with less than 1k miles for $25k so I couldn't pass it up.

Later on in life I'll build one.

I went through my first two Cobras not being completely happy with what I had, but the price(s) was right. I tell ya, it kept eating at me that niether car was what I really wanted in a Cobra. Finally nailed it with #3, my current ERA. Not a single regret because it has exactly the specs I had been searching for, at a price I could afford. I ALMOST went with an older Hi Tech, really nice to orginal specs, side oiler and all that, BUT,,, 9" live axle. Darn, I couldn't do it, I knew that would eat at me. When someone wants to buy new, I can dig it. Often times that is the only way to get it excatly like you want it, unless you just happen to stumble on the right one.

Don't comprise if you know what you want, keep looking. Or, risk having that little voice in the back of your head eating at you the whole time your driving your "nice price but not quite what I wanted car."

That's the boat I'm in right now. Not the perfect car, but low dollars and it will get me behind the wheel of one. Just curious....does the Zoa in your screen name have anything to do with zoanthids?

The only thing I don't like about the Cobra I bought was the fact it didn't have a 427, but that is easily fixed if I get the urge.

Yessir it does, I have a 120g reef tank and Zoas are one of my favorites

Cool....I breed clownfish for a living!

Nice, you're not ORA are you :eek:

Nope...out of Tucson. http://superfishaquariums.com

I'm in the process of planning a 72lx36wx24t glass tank but I'll need a sump built, is that something you can do?

Sure can! So which make cobra did you end up getting?

Well when it comes time I'll be messaging you :cool:.

I picked up a FFR MKII, completed in 2006 and has less than 1k miles. It has a 302 built to a 306 and it's fuel injected.