New member seeking advice before buying cobra

[johnnymac]

Hello all,
I just joined Club Cobra to ask a few of the pros out here for some advice. I have never driven a cobra, have always loved the look, as well as the sound.
I am approaching 50 and thinking about buying myself one for my birthday.
I should include I still haven't completed the 67 Chevy C10 I bought for myself for my 40Th birthday. But anyways...

I have checked out two cobra's in my area, I reside in NH. First one was a B & B Mnf big block. It had been sitting for several years and needed some work. It had two large cracks, one in the front under the head light, the other in the back at the gas filler. For the price it seemed like more than I wanted to spend.
The second was even more money, a FFR with a small block, the body work was horrible. The engine compartment was rough, lots of rust, they wanted 30K for that!!

I wanted a big block, but am being told a small block can be faster, will handle better, I realize with the right mods anything is almost possible.
I imagine a big block may run hotter too.

Can I ask, are these cars known to crack? Are there any more advantages, to owning a small block to a big block?

Lastly, I hear of people buying these right. I have not seen any prices locally that I consider right. Any comments on if 20K would get me a car that needs some freshening? I am in no rush, perhaps this winter might be a better time to buy, but wanted to ask.

I imagine there are pluses and minus to each manufactures kit. I would consider the way it was put together to be more important, but perhaps I am wrong there too?

Thanks in advance to anyone that spends the time to read this and reply with any suggestions/comments/complaints.

Thank you.