First post on the CC forum!! Now talk me into buying a cobra!! - Page 3

madmaxx · #1 (**permalink**) 12-14-2010, 05:13 PM

The difference in leg room between a spf and bdr is negligible. My 6'5" brother and size 13 shoe has no problems drive the spf but in the bdr had to remove his shoes. I guess the spf may have a wider footbox.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mln385

The seats in an SPF may differ from a BDR, the seats and foot box in my BDR wear on me on long drives. However there inlies the caveat....all cobra replicas are not alike each has it's own good points and bad depending on your viewpoint.
I know there are somethings on an SPF I wish where on my BDR, but I like the longer wheel base on the BDR and the wider cockpit area as well.

rustyBob · #2 (**permalink**) 12-14-2010, 08:38 PM

One of two things will happen........
you will love it and think to yourself Why Didnt I Do This Sooner....
or youll go buy a new Yugo........

Paul F · #3 (**permalink**) 12-14-2010, 11:15 PM

Backdraft,

I think your post says it all. Your second thoughts are worth listening to. A Cobra purchase is certainly one of the top irrational purchases a man can make. If there is doubt, if comforts and inconvenience come into play in the slightest; if having your car break down and need repair, if having no no spare tire or the good likelyhood the car will leave you stranded, are concerns, then the Corvette is the better choice.

Any person who is nuts enough to buy a Cobra should have no doubts; should be salivating; should be giddy with anticipation. Because all the downside of owning a Cobra will be a disappointment if you don't have the fever that causes one to buy one of these ridiculous cars.

A reference: http://clubcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82015

TButtrick · #4 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 04:07 AM

It would be EXTREMELY entertaining for all of us here if you would post the same question on a Corvette forum. I'll grab the popcorn.

Corvette Forum

Marvin · #5 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 05:55 AM

Yes please post on the Vette forum.

Luce · #6 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 06:14 AM

And post a link to the discussion here!!

I just dumped my '04 SL 600 for a Lone Star I'm building. I wanted a clutch pedal. I rarely had my top up, and it depreciated 50% every 3 years, and at 80K miles, cost about $3.00/ mile in repairs. (thank god I had a warranty) Cobras usually sell for about 80% what they cost to build, and stay there if maintained.

I would also suggest don't get a Cobra unless you're able and willing to do all maintenance and repairs yourself or have deep pockets and a mechanic you want to make wealthy.

Backdraft73 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 10:35 AM

I have been working on cars since I was 15, built several engines, clutches, brakes etc. I truly enjoy working on cars so the maintenance is not an issue. Plus I have James with BDR 2 miles from my house.

For me the car has to have a degree of comfort, I drove a viper a couple years back and I could not wait to get out of it after 10 minutes. I know the cobra won't drive like a caddy but it has to be tolorable for a 2 hour drive. I found that the BDR has a heated seat option and a real heater so that will help on the chilly nights.

I drive a Tundra during the week so this will definitely be the weekend car and occasional drive to work, but traffic is getting so bad in the mornings I don't think I want to sit and pump the clutch all morning so those days would be few a far between. I guess owning a cobra is very similar to owning a harley, you are exposed to the elements and you have to keep an eye on the weather but there is nothing more fun to drive.

As far as asking this question on the corvette forum you might be surprised guys there are very appreciative of other muscle cars. I don't see cobra owners and vette owners being all that different. I have lived on the CF for 7 years now and you always have your usual suspect, aka jackasses, but most are very cool and helpful. I am meeting with James on Saturday to learn a little more about the cars. Thank you all for the great insite!

Voyager · #8 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 11:19 AM

+ 1 to what STL Mark & Hal Copple said.

I made the plunge last summer. Absolutely love it and would not trade it for anything. However, and this is a big however, I only take it out under the right circumstances for one purpose.

Also think it’s not a hp thing. I’ve ridden in friend’s 997s, DB9s, etc. Violently fast - yes, but not a visceral attack on the senses like a Cobra.

And oh yeah, stupid dangerous. First time (and last time) I floored it, I was off the road backwards in 2 seconds (thankfully I was "experimenting" in a deserted parking lot).

Bob

jhv48 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 01:19 PM

And finally, when driving the Cobra, I have gotten the "thumbs up" from Harley riders, ricers, and homeless guys. Mom's in minivans have complimented the car, tons of people have pulled alongside to take cell phone pictures. Children all love the car and the noise it makes. One old lady even plugged her ears with one hand and gave me the "finger" with her other hand.

Drive a Vette, and all you'll get is the "finger".

TButtrick · #10 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhv48

And finally, when driving the Cobra, I have gotten the "thumbs up" from Harley riders, ricers, and homeless guys. Mom's in minivans have complimented the car, tons of people have pulled alongside to take cell phone pictures. Children all love the car and the noise it makes. One old lady even plugged her ears with one hand and gave me the "finger" with her other hand.

Drive a Vette, and all you'll get is the "finger".

That's some funny stuff right there. Amen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clayboy

"I would give up my house, friends, family and take a lifetime vow of celibacy before I ever considered not owning a cobra....."

Wow! That sounds a bit drastic. I really love my cobra and have no plans of getting rid of it anytime soon, but with that being said... I'm not sure I would give up my house, friends, family or even consider a vow of celibacy. The cobra is just the cherry on top of all the other great things that are in my life. As Craig Ferguson says, " It's a great day in America!"

Bob

By the looks of it, I don't think he's pulling any punches. 3,000 miles with no seat? God bless ya man!

azfordman · #11 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 02:47 PM

Not to be negative, but if you could not stand a viper, why would you even consider a cobra??? Anyone out there who has driven both that would be able to compare these two cars? I could not imagine a cobra being more comfortable and refined than a viper.... From what I understand the heated seats do help with the cold, but even with the top on my car the heater is worthless if I am moving more than 10 m.p.h. The side curtains would probably help, but I have not tried them and have no desire to. Like Paul F said, "Any person who is nuts enough to buy a Cobra should have no doubts; should be salivating; should be giddy with anticipation." I wanted a cobra my entire life, spent several years window shopping, and the last year seriously looking. I had never even sat in a cobra, no less driven one, but I was committed to owning one "regardless" of the fact that I would most likely not fit into one, considering my size. I KNEW I would make it work somehow, no matter what I had to do!!! I would give up my house, friends, family and take a lifetime vow of celibacy before I ever considered not owning a cobra.....

Clayboy · #12 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 03:10 PM

"I would give up my house, friends, family and take a lifetime vow of celibacy before I ever considered not owning a cobra....."

Wow! That sounds a bit drastic. I really love my cobra and have no plans of getting rid of it anytime soon, but with that being said... I'm not sure I would give up my house, friends, family or even consider a vow of celibacy. The cobra is just the cherry on top of all the other great things that are in my life. As Craig Ferguson says, " It's a great day in America!"

Bob

azfordman · #13 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clayboy

"I would give up my house, friends, family and take a lifetime vow of celibacy before I ever considered not owning a cobra....."

Wow! That sounds a bit drastic. I really love my cobra and have no plans of getting rid of it anytime soon, but with that being said... I'm not sure I would give up my house, friends, family or even consider a vow of celibacy. The cobra is just the cherry on top of all the other great things that are in my life. As Craig Ferguson says, " It's a great day in America!"

Bob

Yes Bob...perhaps a bit drastic. I do tend to exaggerate a bit, but it is not by much! How many people can say they have dreamed about something their entire life, 42 years in my case, and have actually had that dream come true? Not that a I have a death wish by any stretch of the imagination, so don't take this the wrong way, but many times when I am behind the wheel I think, "If today were the last day of my life, I would die happy....." For Thanksgiving I drove my Mom to my brothers house and gave her a ride in the cobra. There is a 8 mile stretch of winding road that runs through the Saguaro National Monument that I have to drive to get into town. I told her that for "years", when ever I drove this road, be it in my truck, my ex's honda, or what ever, I would fantasize about someday driving this road in a cobra. Now I am driving it in a cobra!!! She got it. My "boring" daily driver is a supercharged F-150 Lightning.....need I say more?

Silverback51 · #14 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azfordman

Yes Bob...perhaps a bit drastic. I do tend to exaggerate a bit, but it is not by much! How many people can say they have dreamed about something their entire life, 42 years in my case, and have actually had that dream come true? Not that a I have a death wish by any stretch of the imagination, so don't take this the wrong way, but many times when I am behind the wheel I think, "If today were the last day of my life, I would die happy....." For Thanksgiving I drove my Mom to my brothers house and gave her a ride in the cobra. There is a 8 mile stretch of winding road that runs through the Saguaro National Monument that I have to drive to get into town. I told her that for "years", when ever I drove this road, be it in my truck, my ex's honda, or what ever, I would fantasize about someday driving this road in a cobra. Now I am driving it in a cobra!!! She got it. My "boring" daily driver is a supercharged F-150 Lightning.....need I say more?

I was 16 when I got to drive an original. That was in 1967. Finally got my Cobra in 2007, so my wait was 40 years. Not quite 42 years, but damn close.

And it was worth the wait.

lamaluv · #15 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 05:22 PM

John it's a good thing that you didn't get to keep that Cobra all those years ago. If you had, you would most likely been dead or disabled for about 40 years now.

Dick

azfordman · #16 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

I was 16 when I got to drive an original. That was in 1967.

And it was worth the wait.

Talk about Cobra envy.......awesome!

Backdraft73 · #17 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 07:48 PM

Thats why I love these forums, you get to hear the other stories of guys who think like you do. Fantasizing about the day you would get the car you dreamed of building and driving. I think back to when I was 10 years old and my uncle pulled up to the house in a 65 convertible vette. He took me for a ride and that memory is permenantly locked into my brain, it was like no other experience I have ever had. I have had a passion for all muscle cars but the vette and cobra have always been at the top of the list.

The thing with the viper is the seat and the rough ride! The viper's seat squeezes your thighs together so tight it is just unconfortable (like a shoe one size to small) I drove the car out of the parking lot and I could feel every pebble and crack, it was rediculous. It litterally felt like I was driving on the rims.

Now you talk about tight, today I got the opportunity to sit in a Saleen S7 it makes a cobra feel like a Expedition. It took some real effort to get in and out of the car, the foot box was about 15" wide, it was like a tunnel where your feet are supposed to go, I could not even see the pedals. Not everyday you get to sit in a half million dollar car.

azfordman · #18 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 08:41 PM

The S7 is a sweet looking car! That must have been a thrill to sit behind the wheel. The viper sounds a lot like my Contemporary...the Jaguar suspension was obviously made for a much, much heavier car. Driving over a road reflector feels like I just hit a bowling ball....like driving a tank, but man, does it hug the corners! The foot boxes are the same way with the pedals angled pretty far to the left waaay down in that tunnel. I own a couple of pairs of boots that I cannot wear when driving the cobra (the size 16 does not help) so depending on what clothes I am wearing I often have to bring two pairs of shoes, boots and driving shoes. I am modifying a fiberglass comp seat to replace my yoga mat as a drivers seat. I had to cut the sides off of it because I could not squeeze my butt into it. Every single inconvenience no matter how big or small is worth it!

CHANMADD · #19 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 02:28 PM

The Cobra softtops are pretty good today and why do have to cover your car? I have always (24 yrs) just used and parked my Cobra....like any other car. I have had the odd kid stand on the sidepipes at shows and the like but never while parked......unless I just did'nt see.

Ron AZ · #20 (**permalink**) 12-13-2010, 02:55 PM

Backdraft 73...

I would never try to talk you into buying anything.. I, like you and most everyone on this site, loves the Shelby Cobra.

I had a replica for over 3 years and loved having and driving it. I believe you have to be a very devoted Cobra owner, for its not a car you generally drive to work everyday or drive it to a mall and park it while you go shopping or to a movie. I found it was a car that I loved to drive around town and take it to local car shows.

I read that Backdraft had some end of year specials and you can get one with a Keith Craft 427 for about $48,900.

I sold mine because I found I didn't drive it as much as I felt I needed to and I also found it to be restrictive in when and where I could drive or take it.

I will tell you it was hard to wipe the smile off my face when I drove the Cobra, it was so much fun.
Good Luck.....