Looking to purchase a Cobra

[JPit]

I want to thank everyone very much for all of their help. I am not very mechanically inclined nor do I have the time to build a car myself so I would much rather a used car that is already well “sorted out”. To narrow down my search I have a couple more questions:
1. I plan on doing some highway cruising, is a 5 speed a must?
2. When registering a car how important is it to be already titled as 1965-66 car? Is it easy to transfer a title across state lines? I’ve already made inquiries at the NJ DMV and have made no progress.
3. With regards to Superformance or ERA are their build years or chassis numbers I should look to avoid (i.e. are the later model cars any better)?
Thanks

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by JPit

To narrow down my search I have a couple more questions:
1. I plan on doing some highway cruising, is a 5 speed a must?
2. When registering a car how important is it to be already titled as 1965-66 car? Is it easy to transfer a title across state lines? I’ve already made inquiries at the NJ DMV and have made no progress.
3. With regards to Superformance or ERA are their build years or chassis numbers I should look to avoid (i.e. are the later model cars any better)?
Thanks

1. No, but it can lessen the stress on mechanical components and increase mileage. My 1989 5.0 HO engined Cobra replica with a 5 speed T5 gets 25 miles per gallon on the highway and crusies below 3,000 RPM.

2. That depends on the state in which you live (and PARTICULARLY if that state is CA, which does not apply to you)....there is a registration forum on CC, I'd suggest you check it out and see if there is any information on New Jersey:

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/registration-forum/

3. Can't help you there, but I can tell you that ERA has had an exemplary reputation for MANY years and the SPF offerings are also highly valued (and, because they are "turnkey minus" offerings, very consistent in the quality of their assembly), so IMHO the build would be more important than the manufacturer.

In the end, caveat emptor prevails....don't buy anything until you've inspected it in person, asked so many questions you think the seller might puke (and then asked even more), and checked out everything you might need with your local governmental agencies.

There are too many stories of things gone wrong.....

Cheers from Dugly

[madmaxx]

Rest assured you are 20 plus problems ahead buying a well sorted used Cobra over a new one. That being said please understand compared to your dailey driver (Ford, GM, Triumph, MGB) Cobras for the most part are junk. You or someone you hire will be required to work on the Cobra you purchase. You are not going to jump in and tell your buddies all it needs is gas and oil. If you desire to become mechanically inclined and have the passion there is absolutely no better choice than a Cobra replica, the ownership experience is second to none. If you do not want to get your hands dirty, checking fastners, probably breaking down now and then, then a Cobra is not your best choice in my opinion.

Most feel Cobra replicas are not investments, yet the downside risk is nothing compared to stocks. Buy a marketable color, blue, silver, red, with good paint and body and you will recoup 90% of your purchase price years down the road. I have never lost money on a Cobra, but I seam to be the odd ball more than the norm.

I have owned/worked on 5 different makes. BDR, SPF far outweighed the others, I have never worked or driven an ERA but only have heard nothing but positives.






[quote=JPit;1076804] I am not very mechanically inclined nor do I have the time to build a car myself so I would much rather a used car that is already well “sorted out”.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

... I have never worked or driven an ERA but only have heard nothing but positives.

Well I have, and I believe ERA cars are second to none. But, having said that, everything that MM said holds true for ERA cars as well. You've got to be ready, willing, and able to get your hands dirty (or pay someone to do it for you, I suppose). I was out at a cook out for Labor Day and they asked "how's the Cobra doing?" And I proudly replied, "pretty good -- it hasn't broken down in weeks!"

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

Rest assured you are 20 plus problems ahead buying a well sorted used Cobra over a new one. That being said please understand compared to your dailey driver (Ford, GM, Triumph, MGB) Cobras for the most part are junk. You or someone you hire will be required to work on the Cobra you purchase. You are not going to jump in and tell your buddies all it needs is gas and oil. If you desire to become mechanically inclined and have the passion there is absolutely no better choice than a Cobra replica, the ownership experience is second to none. If you do not want to get your hands dirty, checking fastners, probably breaking down now and then, then a Cobra is not your best choice in my opinion.

MM is right....within 3 miles of taking delivery of my already sorted Cobra, I had to adjust the carb when the car suddenly assumed a high idle and would not idle below 1500 RPM (I had taken the car on a 15 mile test drive right before handing over the $$ and taking care of the paperwork, it had run great all the while!)....within 200 miles of taking delivery of my already sorted Cobra, the clutch cable broke and I had to be towed home by a friend. Replacing the clutch cable took 2 weeks, 4 trips to Houston (two to a Freightliner dealership , who had ALMOST what I needed if it hadn't been 15" short), the services of a custom cable shop, a bit of work on the clutch mount with a hacksaw, and uncountable time installing and adjusting and removing and re-installing and adjusting and removing.....well, you get the idea.

Gotta admit, though, even the neighborhood kids would stop and talk to me about the car when they saw my feet sticking out from under the Cobra. You don't see that much anymore.....

They are ALWAYS a work in progress !

Cheers from Dugly