Girlfriend wants an AC Cobra

[tcrist]

If you feel like building her a Cobra, make it part of the deal that BEFORE she ever takes it on the road she has to take it to a performance driving class with professionals that can teach her how to drive it.

The other idea is to take her to a performance driving class (before you build the Cobra, sometimes they have cars that you can drive I think) and she has to agree that if the professional tells her that she should not get within 100 feet of any performance car, she gives up on the idea.

You could be building her a death trap (in her case).

Just something to think about.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by tcrist

If you feel like building her a Cobra, make it part of the deal that BEFORE she ever takes it on the road she has to take it to a performance driving class with professionals that can teach her how to drive it.

The other idea is to take her to a performance driving class (before you build the Cobra, sometimes they have cars that you can drive I think) and she has to agree that if the professional tells her that she should not get within 100 feet of any performance car, she gives up on the idea.

You could be building her a death trap (in her case).

Just something to think about.

Now that thar be a bunch of BS and I don't care what ya all think.

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by tcrist

If you feel like building her a Cobra, make it part of the deal that BEFORE she ever takes it on the road she has to take it to a performance driving class with professionals that can teach her how to drive it.

The other idea is to take her to a performance driving class (before you build the Cobra, sometimes they have cars that you can drive I think) and she has to agree that if the professional tells her that she should not get within 100 feet of any performance car, she gives up on the idea.

You could be building her a death trap (in her case).

Just something to think about.

Winner, winner! There is a school that provides cobras for you to drive. Sign her up and see if she really can handle the noise, smell and quirks that these cars have.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by jhv48

Winner, winner! There is a school that provides cobras for you to drive. Sign her up and see if she really can handle the noise, smell and quirks that these cars have.

I agree.
Larry

[FWB]

build her a cobra....small block mild motor.......but read her the riot act.....you crash it, your done........also if it gets dirty your washing it. and you'll help to build it. let her do the interior or some other tasks that makes her appreciate what it takes to build a car.
its the way i would handle it.......

[terry lee]

Check out Ford's SVTOA driving program. They have weekend driving courses all over the country. If U Fly Em, it shouldn't be a problem.
You may need to rent a Mustang for the weekend. Hertz at LAX and Miami had Shelby GTs acouple of years ago. I assume they still do.
I took my wife to a SVTOA event at Sebring in FLA. and with the help of an instructor, she learned Her limits, as well as how the car handles on a autocross course, and on the skid path. Then it was on to the road course for a real driving experience.

PS; Your girlfriend may need to trade in the red dress for a driving suit. lol

TL

[AL427SBF]

How many of you jokers went to "cobra driving school" before you bought yours LMAO.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

How many of you jokers went to "cobra driving school" before you bought yours LMAO.

School AND track experience before buying.

Larry

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by LMH

School AND track experience before buying.

Larry

And what exactly did you learn - be specific, thanks.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

And what exactly did you learn - be specific, thanks.

Probably the best thing I learned was that what I thought I knew, I really didn't know at all. Ego gets in the way though and that's a hard pill to swallow. You learn the basics and how to be consistant. You also learn how not to be a loose cannon. I'm speaking of road racing, not just everyday driving.

Getting back to the OP...I think a weekend course is a great way to do some learning. It can be a lot of fun too, so I say go for it.

Larry

[tcrist]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

How many of you jokers went to "cobra driving school" before you bought yours LMAO.

Read this from the 1st post,

(She is self admittedly "not a good driver." )

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by tcrist

Read this from the 1st post,

(She is self admittedly "not a good driver." )

True, and according to IFlyEm "not bad per se" either - at least she knows where her abilities lie, that puts her already ahead of the game imo. I'm not apposed to school or track experience, but you don't make that suggestion as an ultimatum ...

"... make it part of the deal that BEFORE she ever takes it on the road she has to take it to a performance driving class with professionals that can teach her how to drive it."

"... she has to agree that if the professional tells her that she should not get within 100 feet of any performance car, she gives up on the idea."

That last comment is laughable, no professional instructor would ever say that, at worst recommend more time behind the wheel.

How about you, did you go to "cobra driving school" before you got behind the wheel of your 1st cobra?

[tcrist]

Decided to edit my response. Not worth responding to someone that is trying to start sh!t.

[AL427SBF]

Not really being a smartazz as you put it, just getting a kick out of all this "righteous advice" that is being given out but not followed - I do get it even if you don't, do as I say, not as I do lol.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by IFlyEm

So here's my situation. Girlfriend wants me to build her a Cobra. She is self admittedly "not a good driver." Honestly, she's not bad per se, but she's not real strong either.

I told her that I think she's biting off more than she can chew. She's never driven a car with more than 200 hp. She's not buying it. She's positive she can learn how to drive it.

So I am putting it out here. What do you guys think?

BTW, I know the response is going to be build one for myself. My end of the deal is that she's letting me get a Z06.

Might I make the following suggestion (and comments)

1: If you truly love her, you will insist that she take at least a 3 day course at the Bondurant School of High performance driving

2: If you truly love her, you'll make sure to purchase an under powered crate engine of no more than 200hp for your build. Might I suggest an FFR spec racer chassis if you really love her and care about her safety at this time.

3: If you truly love her, you'll forget about your Z06 Corvette until such time as number one on this list is accomplished with a more than suggested passing grade of the course, or a repeat until such time as she can pass the course.


4: If you truly do not give a damn, then I suggest dumping this women and finding another that you can better handle when she suggests something as stupid as your current girlfriend has.

Sorry to be blunt, but we have seen far too many people, with far more experience than you both combined that "thought they could handle it". Some are buried, some are still alive but must live with the fact that they caused the death of someone else. Perhaps teach her to fly model airplanes first.

[IFlyEm]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Perhaps teach her to fly model airplanes first.

Like mine? lol



Ironically she's got her commercial pilots license and wants to learn to fly models as well.

Anyway, everything you guys have said we have discussed. Just sounds better when a third party confirms what I have said.

We are going to definitely go through driving school together. I have had performance cars all my life. Performance as in 11 - 13 sec cars. The Z06 will be the raciest car I have driven. Eventually I would love a Cobra. Just not sure I would be comfortable turning her loose in one that I would build to suit me.

I would like her to start with a decent 300 - 400 hp modern sports car with traction control.

Anyway thanks for all the input!

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by IFlyEm

I have had performance cars all my life. Performance as in 11 - 13 sec cars.

Drag racing is a whole lot different than road racing, keep that in mind. As for the power you want her to "start off with", that sounds more like ego getting in the way (yours,hers,both???). When I've instructed students, I've always told them it is not how fast you can go around a track, but how smoothly and consistently you can do so. Speed comes later once you master the rest......The same should be said about the power levels you want vs what you actually need to start off with at this time. Also, gender does not matter, maturity level and the want to properly learn a new skill is.


Bill S.

[1985 CCX]

Marry her now!
Buy her a top notch 289 car.....
Scrap the Z06 and get a matching 427.......

I know if my wife said she wanted a car it would be a matter of hours before it was in the driveway.......

Do what's right get her what she wants.
When momma is happy the family is happy. True....

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Marry her now! ...

First get a prenup and deal with who gets the car after you all crash and burn (marriage-wise, that is).

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by IFlyEm

Like mine? lol



Ironically she's got her commercial pilots license and wants to learn to fly models as well.


Anyway, everything you guys have said we have discussed. Just sounds better when a third party confirms what I have said.

We are going to definitely go through driving school together. I have had performance cars all my life. Performance as in 11 - 13 sec cars. The Z06 will be the raciest car I have driven. Eventually I would love a Cobra. Just not sure I would be comfortable turning her loose in one that I would build to suit me.


I would like her to start with a decent 300 - 400 hp modern sports car with traction control.


Anyway thanks for all the input!

Nice Yak! I take it you have a 3W in it? JR 12X? Looks good...

Originally Posted by mrmustang

gender does not matter, maturity level and the want to properly learn a new skill is.

Bill S.

I'm glad that someone finally brought this up. Bill is on the money here.

It has already been said, but the 289 car with a bone-stock 289 would likely satisfy her without having to be scary. She can learn to drive it if she maturely sets her sights on it. The school idea is a great one. Over time that little motor could be rebuilt to a fire-breathing beast that would impress even you...

It is great that she seems to share your interest in performance cars. As has been posted several times now, the big question is, "Does she really know what this car is like, how un-refined it actually is?" If not, that is the first order of business. You need to get her an extended ride in one. If she still wants one after that, then you need to go for it. Oh..., and skip the Z06, pass go, and collect your own Cobra! Course, she might get a little miffed if you put the Yak in the passenger's seat too often!