Why Sell?

[FIA-ERA]

I personally love my car in every way! Ditto on what others have said! I hear others say "I'm going to build one of those cars one day, I've always wanted one". Well, it isn't the car most people realize and once they're in it they say "what was I thinking"!! The car is brutal in all respects. You have to drive it like a crotch rocket, always looking for the "other" idiot and where to let it stretch it's legs. I wish my every day car drove like this. The steering is great , the acceleration, the smells (well not so much), the satisfaction of hard work, and all the attention you could ever want!

I've though of selling mine lately because I like building cars. I like fabricating things, I like searching for parts, etc. So it's a tough call. I will not just let it go but if the right guy comes along I might let her go to a good home. Others that sell, they just simply bought the car of there dreams to realize what did I do. I had one guy say to me "I want a fun car to drive around, like a Miata". Well brother, these cars are no Miata's!! I would go a drive one or check a few out before investing in one for sure. Like others have said, they're not for everyone. Good Luck, Matt

[digginfool]

Thanks for the replies! Most of the reasons stated for why you own them is the same reasons I want one. My first motorcycle was a KH400 with chambers and stingers. Loud and stupid fast (handled like crap - good thing I couldn't swing the bucks for the KH500). I've owned a couple fast cars and driven several really fast cars, also have owned a couple of Harleys, several boats and an airplane along the way but 19 years of marriage, three kids, and more soccer and baseball games than I care to count tends to slow things down a bit. Time for the 'fool to get back to doing what he enjoys. I'm fortunate enough to live in South Florida so I get to see all kinds of cool rides but the one thing that always gets my attention is a Cobra. I guess in some ways it's like looking at your favorite pinup; if given the opportunity, would you really want to ruin the dream with the reality? I'm in no huge hurry to purchase one. Like everything I've bought over the years, I'll obsess over the details for months before setting my sights on my target. Right now, I'm torn between the refined performance and creature comforts of the Gran Sport convertible coming out, or even a GT500, and the brute force of the Cobra. I know my wife; in time she would love the Cobra but the 'Vette or GT500 would be an easier sell. But isn't that why you own a Cobra? Anybody can (and just about everybody in South Florida does) own a 'Vette.

[STL Mark]

On your original question - why do some many sell their dream car?
Other than the obvious money concerns, statistics are that a large percent of people who buy a sports car, sell them 2 or 3 years later.

Those Grand Sports are real nice. They've been out for a while.

[digginfool]

Originally Posted by STL Mark

On your original question - why do some many sell their dream car?
Other than the obvious money concerns, statistics are that a large percent of people who buy a sports car, sell them 2 or 3 years later.

Those Grand Sports are real nice. They've been out for a while.

Your stats are probably true. Of the three sports cars I've owned in my life ('68 MGB, '80 Turbo TransAm, '85 Mustang GT), only the GT was owned for more than 2 years. The B was too many headaches, the TransAm was a nightmare (sold it the day the warranty expired) but the GT was a kick; kept it five years. The Grand Sport has been out but not in convertible yet. I would only get the GT500 as a convertible as well.

[Mike Bartlett]

All the previous posts are all so true. Before I got mine I was never able to ride in one nor had I ever owned a convertable. The closest thing I had previously was a 66 Mustang 289 4-speed. Nothing like a Cobra except they both have a Ford motor and the same shifter handle

I had been longing for a Cobra since my teens in fact I bought a 72' Sanger Flat bottom race boat primarily because it had a 427 S/O in it. I kept the boat about 5-years, no kids yet, then pulled the motor and stuck it in a crate and sold the boat. Marriage, 2-kids, and twenty years later I was finally able to buy a Cobra. Wow, not what I imagined. Hot summer days no way too damn hot in the car but I do it cuz I love to drive it. Loud as hell I to wear ear plugs but love the sound and setting off my neighbors car alarm. Winter can be cold but once again no biggie cuz you get to drive the car.

The #1 reason for keeping it is the Cobra people my wife and I have met. Here in Northern CA the BACC (Bay Area Cobra Club) takes 5-6 outings a year to Lake Tahoe, Santa Barbara, Wine Country, etc. It is so much fun driving the back roads with 25-30 other Cobra's. The people are great and of course the guys talk cars non stop. Great Fun. I am sure in your area is a Cobra club be sure to meet up with them and go on all the trips you can. You'll keep that toy forever.

MIke

[STL Mark]

Originally Posted by digginfool

Your stats are probably true. Of the three sports cars I've owned in my life ('68 MGB, '80 Turbo TransAm, '85 Mustang GT), only the GT was owned for more than 2 years. The B was too many headaches, the TransAm was a nightmare (sold it the day the warranty expired) but the GT was a kick; kept it five years. The Grand Sport has been out but not in convertible yet. I would only get the GT500 as a convertible as well.

Oh yea, the Grand Sport convertible has been out for a while. Maybe you're thinking of the the convertible Camaro.

http://www.chevrolet.com/corvette-family/

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10-TW...item19c26e4bae

[jmimac351]

Maxx, all of my pushrod engines leak. That's how I know they still have oil in them.

If you want bumper to bumper, better buy a Honda. Some people should not own cobras, no doubt.

[vanoochka]

Originally Posted by digginfool

Anybody can (and just about everybody in South Florida does) own a 'Vette.

I brought my beloved SPF with me from Northern California to South Florida and sold it after a year. I can't imagine a worse place to own one of these cars. Very few great, or even good, drives, the longest traffic lights I've ever experienced (and lots of them!) and not a very active Cobra community. Frankly, I think a 'Vette is much better suited car for the SFL environment.

I'm spending most of 2011 in Australia, but then moving back to Northern California and am already laying the plans for my next Cobra (ERA, this time) when I get get there. Once bitten...

[SuperHart]

I hate to admit this, but most of the fun my Cobra has given me was obtained during the building phase. Now that the car is for all practical purposes finished it is less fun. Not to imply that I don't enjoy driving it and the thumbs up comments I receive, but I just enjoyed building it more than driving it. If the economy was better, I would probably be listing my car for sale only because I have this uncontrollable urge to buy a Superformance Daytona Coupe and I only have room to store ONE car. I Know the Coupe comes through factory finished as a roller but at least I can have fun putting together the drive train and a wicked 351W based motor to make it go and tweaking the car to be what I want it to be.

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by vanoochka

I brought my beloved SPF with me from Northern California to South Florida and sold it after a year. I can't imagine a worse place to own one of these cars. Very few great, or even good, drives, the longest traffic lights I've ever experienced (and lots of them!) and not a very active Cobra community. Frankly, I think a 'Vette is much better suited car for the SFL environment.

I'm spending most of 2011 in Australia, but then moving back to Northern California and am already laying the plans for my next Cobra (ERA, this time) when I get get there. Once bitten...

Chuck,

ERA is a great choice ( unbiased opinion of course ) and there are some very nice examples that come up on this site and on Cobra Country from time to time.

Now ... if you are thinking of having one built, and have not done so already, I would suggest you send Peter a deposit and get yourself on the list. They are as busy as ever and it does take some time, but well worth the wait ... as I am soon to find out, my car is nearing completion

For driving ... with some nice roads and almost year round driving weather, hard to beat the Bay Area ... look forward to seeing you back here.

- Tim

[FredBMOC]

digginfool,
Since you are in South Florida, I would recommend you go to Boynton Beach and see a lot of Backdrafts at Custom Cars ( The USA arm of Backdraft); Reg will teach you all you need to know about these cars.
P.S. Don't bring your checkbook unless you really want one; the place can be irresistible to the weak of mind like me
If you don't want to see car salesman yet then send me a pm and you can come see and drive mine; I'm in Fort Lauderdale and wouldn't mind letting you try mine out to see what they are about. Good luck!

[cobrarob]

You wouldnt be on the forumn asking the question if you werent seriously interested in the cobra

My advise to you is the same advise I gave to myself , we only live once in this world and when you are laying in a hospital bed someday it is to late to wish I had done it , that was simply it for me

I had cancer a while back and i said to my wife if I beat this thing I am going to buy a cobra , right now the cancer is on hold and that is excatly why I bought the car , life is about having as few regrets as possible

Also dont forget about the great cobra community , I have lots of freinds who own cobras

And I wouldnt worry to much about the novelty wearing off as you should do what i do and that is only drive it 6 months of the year due to weather ( depending on where you live ) and for the other 6 months drive it sparingly so the novelty never wears off

good luck with your decision

[mkassab]

At the end of the day.... a Cobra is a "street legal" race car. All that comes with a race car is in the Cobra.

I suggest you read these two links: The first one help me a lot. The secone one is my experience.

http://www.pflanzer-aviation.com/Red...g%20ready.html

http://www.uniquecobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8240

Good luck.... Mark