Replacement for Cobra

[D111]

replace it with another cobra everything else is lacking and will leave you wanting.just recently had the opportunity to drive a 2012 500 Shelby GT disappointing nice-looking but disappointing the sensory excitement was not there. I don't believe there's anything else quite like the COBRA experience it fills so many different desires all-in-one package and that package can be exactly what you select

[fjrgary]

there is no replacement for a cobra!

[emberglo66]

LOTUS ELISE!!! Luv the look I still have not driven one but have been told they are great fun to drive, and every owner i have spoken to have praised them as reliable!

Lotus Cars

[wkooiman]

I've never driven or ridden in a Cobra (next on my list), but I currently have a 72 Pantera and an 01 Viper GTS ACR. I used to own a 67 428 Mustang, and many other average cars.

The Viper feels like a Vette. The Vette is a better car, due to being more mature, and having higher production numbers, but the feeling is pretty similar. The Viper has the long hood feeling, and it generally feels like a heavier car with more power, but the two are pretty similar. You can buy Gen-1 or Gen-2 Vipers for the mid $30's all day long.

The Pantera is amazing, especially once it is updated. They have the same problems you'll find in any 40 year old car, but once you take care of the basics they are extremely fun. A slightly warmed over Pantera will *smoke* nearly any stock car on the road, including a Lamborghini Diablo, Ferrari 512TR, and just about anything from Porsche.

The Pantera community is very good too. A few hours after I bought my Pantera, there were 2 owners at my place checking over my car and telling me what I needed to address.

It is a different feel from a Cobra (assuming, since I haven't driven a Cobra). It has a short hood, so you can see the road really well. It feels like a 500HP go-kart. It is comfortable, does not kill your ear drums, and is pretty reliable once sorted.

A stock Pantera will hit 160mph fairly easily. Most every other car I've driven seems to hit a wall around 110mph. My Pantera pulls hard to 130mph (track time), and wants to keep going. It feels very stable over 100mph.

There is some bad press on Panteras, but most of those problems were resolved very early. I don't really care about the bad press. It keeps the prices artificially low.

A Pantera in pretty good shape, but not sorted is in the mid $30's. You can find them cheaper, but you have to look. A sorted Pantera is in the mid/upper $40's. And then you can personalize it - different seats, wheels, etc. If you spend your money wisely, $60K would get you a terrific Pantera.

It would not be a replacement for a Cobra. They are very different. They compliment each other very well.

I would have included GT40, but you can't get a GT40 for $60K. Otherwise, it would be a perfect compliment to a Cobra. Most people use a 351W variant, but you can build them with an FE. I have a friend with a Superformance. It is a rocket. It even uses pin drive Halibrands.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by wkooiman

The Pantera is amazing, especially once it is updated.

Now I think this is a very smart choice.

I would add a couple of others.

1. A fully restored Sunbeam Tiger MK1 or MK1A or a driver MKII.
2. A Porsche 993 (1996-1998) Twin Turbo. The 993's are the last of the air-cooled Porsches.

[Jerry Clayton]

Keep the Cobra and buy a F350 7.3 Ford 2 wheel drive crew cab pickup with a cab high camper shell--drive any where in the country at speeds up to around 90 if you want, comfortable, roomy, tent, sleeping bags to stay at grand canyon or yellowstone,etc-- go see the country--if you want take the Cobra along---

[undy]

Buy a late model Z06... For < $50K a very nice low mile used one can be had.

With just minimal bolt-ons (headers/CAI and tune) I'm pushing 509 rwhp with mine. That's good for just a tad over 200 mph, given enough room. Cam and head work can push you to 600 rwhp+. That'll net you 10.3 to 10.8 through the quarter at around 130-135 mph trap speed. I get 28 mph on trips and as my daily beater (80K miles) nets me 22 mpg combined!

Mine's been rock-solid too!

[RACER X #99]

After 20 years of constant tinkering with a Cobra and an unfortunate meeting with some Armco, I "traded" for a plain Jane 5.0 Mustang and that car impresses me more than the Cobra ever did. Definitely not as fast but it turns, stops and is much easier to drive fast than the Cobra.
412 HP, A/C, roof, 25 MPG what's not to like?

[krkucin]

Keep the Cobra and take up skydiving. You can enjoy the ride to the airport, and then really get your adrenaline going.

[Sinovac]

My recommendations:

1. 2007-2009 GT500. You can buy an extremely low mileage car for the low $30s and with $15k in modifications have an 850hp car like mine that handles and stops well. It makes all the right noises and is plenty fast.

2. Ariel Atom

3. Used Z06 like others have mentioned.

[madmaxx]

Wow great discussion. Things I love about the cobra, appearance, beat the heck out of it and it wont break (BFG T/A's) I can repair anything on it. Holds it value better than most.

Things I dont need on a Cobra - more power, the fastest I go is 100mph, and that fast enough for me, I just like getting there real quick. 0-60 mph @ 4.5 sec is plenty fast to me.

Things I dont like - rain, 95F and sunny, little to no creature comforts.

[REAL 1]

Again, the GT500KR or '013 Boss 301 LS fill your bill perfectly. American muscle, ease of maintainence, brutal performance and accelaration and exclusivity. They are the only two choices I see from the above list that can provide all of those factors.

Your money though. Your choice.

Good luck with your hunt.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Again, the GT500KR or '013 Boss 301 LS fill your bill perfectly. American muscle, ease of maintainence, brutal performance and accelaration and exclusivity. They are the only two choices I see from the above list that can provide all of those factors.

Your money though. Your choice.

Good luck with your hunt.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a new Ford, but that's just me. Putting aside the car will depreciate in a hurry, IMHO, they ain't that good looking.

If you're considering a new or newer car and American, then another car to consider is the new Camaro ZL1.

[mdross1]

Once drove our 69 SS Chevelle 454,to Dodge dealership tried out an SRT Charger when they were first offered.Wow! what a disappointment.Too smooth too quiet,and all together too tame.The big block Cobra is what I have always wanted from the getgo.It looks good from every angle,sounds good,love the shake,well you guys already know what I'm saying.

[littlewave]

Originally Posted by mdross1

Once drove our 69 SS Chevelle 454,to Dodge dealership tried out an SRT Charger when they were first offered.Wow! what a disappointment.Too smooth too quiet,and all together too tame.The big block Cobra is what I have always wanted from the getgo.It looks good from every angle,sounds good,love the shake,well you guys already know what I'm saying.

Hell yeah!!! You know it!

[Cashburn]

Pantera with a Coyote swap... for the win!

Drop ship to us, we will partner on the build:

Other Makes : De Tomaso Pantera Other Makes : De Tomaso Pantera | eBay

[Dar73]

To me Pantera's are dated....not in a good way. They just dont have the same WOW factor as a Ferrari or a Cobra. Not to mention, the interiors are not so great.

Forget the corvette junk. Rough ride, creeks and rattles to beat hell, miles of hood in front of you and you haven't set yourself apart from the other middle aged balding guy sitting in his vette one lane over. Not to mention, it's a GM (Govt. Motors) product.

The answer: Get (or build) yourself a Steel Brookville bodied 32' Ford Roadster! Drop a coyote, flathead or small block Ford in it and you're off to the races. The possibilities are endless...

Just my 2 cents....

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by Dar73

To me Pantera's are dated....not in a good way. They just dont have the same WOW factor as a Ferrari or a Cobra. Not to mention, the interiors are not so great.

Forget the corvette junk. Rough ride, creeks and rattles to beat hell, miles of hood in front of you and you haven't set yourself apart from the other middle aged balding guy sitting in his vette one lane over. Not to mention, it's a GM (Govt. Motors) product.

The answer: Get (or build) yourself a Steel Brookville bodied 32' Ford Roadster! Drop a coyote, flathead or small block Ford in it and you're off to the races. The possibilities are endless...

Just my 2 cents....

My Corvette is a great daily driver. Yes, it does suffer from the balding old guy image, but it's still nice since I cannot drive the Cobra that often due to the weather here.

[CoolCarl]

I've been considering this question for a few days and I've come up with zilch, nadda, nuthin.

Nothing looks as cool as a cobra. Can't think of any other car that has the same effect on myself and others.

[Grubby]

How about a Factory Five GTM. I have never driven one, but they look like they would be fun. GM LS power should make it fly.

GT40 would be on my list, but I don't think I could get one for $60k.

John