Replacement for Cobra

[Zoom This]

Since I sold my Cobra I gotta say I do miss it. I had plans for either a Porsche Cayman S or a C6 Vette. I also think that the only all around satisfaction for me will be in a Z06 very soon. However, NO OTHER CAR will give you the immediate recognitiuon and admiration that a 427 Cobra does when it's out and about. None.

Bill

[REAL 1]

[QUOTE However, NO OTHER CAR will give you the immediate recognitiuon and admiration that a 427 Cobra does when it's out and about. None.

Bill[/quote]

Wrong. FGT surpasses it in this department.

Rodknock. I like your Porsche suggestions. As to the Mazda Miata R, it's a Mazda. The Shelby is a...well a Shelby. The Boss also is storied name.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Wrong. FGT surpasses it in this department.

Rodknock. I like your Porsche suggestions. As to the Mazda Miata R, it's a Mazda. The Shelby is a...well a Shelby. The Boss also is storied name.

I think we're still talking about $60K cars and obviously the FGT is no where near that price level.

Shelby and Boss are storied names, back in the 1960's. The modern Shelby and Boss just don't have that same "je ne sais quoi."

Personally, I think the 1st generation of Mazda Miata's have reached that iconic status, but that's just me.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I think we're still talking about $60K cars and obviously the FGT is no where near that price level.

Shelby and Boss are storied names, back in the 1960's. The modern Shelby and Boss just don't have that same "je ne sais quoi."

Personally, I think the 1st generation of Mazda Miata's have reached that iconic status, but that's just me.

Rodknock: His statement wasn't qualified at all. As to cars in the $60K range I agree that against those cars the Cobra is the most attention getting.

As to "je ne sais quoi", first ("F" the French), second if the French say it must be so you know it ain't. Third, I don't read or speak French so don't care what they say and Finally, and most importantly I think the modern Shelbys still have a VERY high level of desirabiltiy. I need only point to the 50th anniversary Shelby 289s that were sold out in an hour. That says it all. Of course the classic Shelbys demand the really big dollars but a Shelby is a Shelby and still very desirable (some more than others granted BUT thats with anything).

As to 1st gen Mazada's reaching Iconic status...your right...it is just you.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Rodknock: His statement wasn't qualified at all. As to cars in the $60K range I agree that against those cars the Cobra is the most attention getting.

As to "je ne sais quoi", first ("F" the French), second if the French say it must be so you know it ain't. Third, I don't read or speak French so don't care what they say and Finally, and most importantly I think the modern Shelbys still have a VERY high level of desirabiltiy. I need only point to the 50th anniversary Shelby 289s that were sold out in an hour. That says it all. Of course the classic Shelbys demand the really big dollars but a Shelby is a Shelby and still very desirable (some more than others granted BUT thats with anything).

As to 1st gen Mazada's reaching Iconic status...your right...it is just you.

For me, the OP qualifies the $60K limit in the initial post by saying "I have a budget of 60k."

The modern Shelby Mustangs are used cars with "some" desirability, certainly not "very high" to the general sports car buying public.

As for the 50th anniversary Shelbys, come on, are you serious? I heard 1/2 to 2/3rd's of them were bought by dealers for inventory and they're just starting to deliver their first production models. There are plenty for sale, just call your local Shelby dealer.

The 1st generation of Mazda Miatas are very collectible, and iconic. I could go on forever, but here's just a few.

Hemmings:
1990-97 Mazda Miata | Hemmings Motor News

Road & Track:
Complete comparison test of the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the Pontiac Solstice. View photos, data specs of the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Pontiac Solstice at RoadandTrack.com

Businessweek:
25 Most Iconic Cars of the Past 20 Years: Mazda Miata - BusinessWeek

Kelly Blue Book:
Kelley Blue Book

Car Review:
Mazda MX-5 Miata Essential Buyer’s Guide | Car Reviews and news at CarReview.com

The Car Connection:
2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Reviews and Ratings - The Car Connection

New York Daily News:
New Mazda Miata's outta sight! Iconic roaderster turns 20, more addictive than ever - New York Daily News

Is it just me?

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I think we're still talking about $60K cars and obviously the FGT is no where near that price level.

I read the original and saw the 60K limit. My opinion (after having gone through this process and graduated to a Ford GT from a Cobra myself) is that you won't find something that compares favorably to a Cobra for under 60K. Can you do closer to 60K than 150K? Yes. But under 60K is a stretch.

If you're looking for modern conveniences such as A/C and radio and power steering in a small nimble car I would also consider a Lotus Elise. Almost bought one myself, and you can definitely find one for <60K. There are Evoras and Exiges in the 60K range on eBay.

[Steve Cassani]

I struggled to decide between a Kirkham 289 slabside/hybrid and this:

Beck 904 -- The Ultimate Replica

[Dar73]

Originally Posted by Steve Cassani

I struggled to decide between a Kirkham 289 slabside/hybrid and this:

Beck 904 -- The Ultimate Replica

So which one did you go with? I am not familiar with the Beck, thanks for the info. From the front the car is beuatiful, but somewhere mid doorline back, some of the proportions and angles seem a little off... to me that is. The 289 looks good from any angle.

[Dar73]

MadMax--- think out of the box. Go with a Ford Raptor SuperCrew. It hauls ass. Its piss mean. It will drive right over a corvette (assuming its parked of course) without missing a beat. I drive mine everywhere and love it. I recently golfed at a fancy course in SO CA. The valet's were thrilled to drive it over the Ferraris, Porshes, Mercedes, etc that are a dime a dozen here. 60K will just about get the job done too!

[lovehamr]

On the C6 Vettes, a co-worker recently gave me a ride on his 08 and while we were driving he related a story of locking himself IN the car. Seems with one of these, if the battery is close to dying, you DON'T close the door until it's started because the door latches (all electric) won't function if there is no power. He said he called his wife on his cell to get her to come out and help him remove the top so he could get out. The story reminded me of "Blondestar."

Now that just seems goofy as heck to me so; you guys with vettes ever experience anything like that?

[Dar73]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

On the C6 Vettes, a co-worker recently gave me a ride on his 08 and while we were driving he related a story of locking himself IN the car. Seems with one of these, if the battery is close to dying, you DON'T close the door until it's started because the door latches (all electric) won't function if there is no power. He said he called his wife on his cell to get her to come out and help him remove the top so he could get out. The story reminded me of "Blondestar."

Now that just seems goofy as heck to me so; you guys with vettes ever experience anything like that?

Yep. I am not a fan of the keyless Fob. A guy at my office left his Fob in his vette, the door locked, which is not supposed to happen when the key is in close proximatey, he didnt have an onstar account. AAA popped the door open. A real pain the ass. I like good old fashioned keys.... no headaches.

[Steve Cassani]

Dar73 asks me, "So which one did you go with?"

I chose the Kirkham hybrid - slabside body, narrowed 427 frame with a coil spring suspension. I'm waiting for the builders estimate of time and materials. We're likely to go back and forth a few times, coming to agreement on the details.

Then come the months of waiting....

I've examined, but not driven, a Beck 904 at several vintage events. Their owners are pleased with the car. Using the last generation of air-cooled flat sixes results in a car that is much quicker than the original while giving up nothing in the way of street driveability. Be sure to try on one for size, especially if you're taller than six feet. Beck lengthened the chassis, with the added wheelbase allowing a far less cramped interior. Still, your head will be closer to the windshield than you may be accustomed to...

Visibility out of the car is very good. The owner's tell me handling is without reproach, inviting cornering speeds they had not attempted in a street cat.

[bnelsonod]

Rally Fighter - Home

Since I am new to the Cobra world the last thing on my mind is replacing it. But if you wanted a very unique vehicle that can go just about any where and draw as much or more attention as the Cobra then there is the Rally Fighter part car part off roader. And it is powered by a 6.2 liter Corvette engine. They are also custom wrapped instead of painted so if you every got bored of your paint scheme it could just be replaced. It might help if you are truely a Mad Max fan as your display name implies.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by bnelsonod

Rally Fighter - Home

Since I am new to the Cobra world the last thing on my mind is replacing it. But if you wanted a very unique vehicle that can go just about any where and draw as much or more attention as the Cobra then there is the Rally Fighter part car part off roader. And it is powered by a 6.2 liter Corvette engine. They are also custom wrapped instead of painted so if you every got bored of your paint scheme it could just be replaced. It might help if you are truely a Mad Max fan as your display name implies.

WOW
That's got my attention

[TButtrick]

Get a FFR spec racer and have one for the road and one for the track. You'll have some left over cash for the tires you'll burn up.

[AL427SBF]

Pick up one of these guys, plenty of wow factor and for $30K you'll have a low miles mint condition roadster that will only increase in value over time. Hardtop option available which makes it even look slicker, model years 1999-2002.

1999 Plymouth Prowler specifications, images, tests, wallpapers,.. @ ScorpioCars.net
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[RodKnock]

In that same vein, there's the 2003-2006 Chevy SSR.

Get one of the last ones with the Corvette LS2 engine and a 6-speed.

[madmaxx]

Thanks guys, as for the off road vehicles definitely cool but not my niche. Drove a new Miata stalled it three times, great little car, solid, but zero torque. I wonder about a salvaged ford gt. did some checking on Ferrari maint, holy &@$?. No doubt a cobra is a beast dollar 4 dollar. Going to ck out a 370z. Maybe used chevyss and super charge it. Heck if Tim cook keeps doing hi job maybe I keep the cobra and buy something to park under it.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

Heck if Tim cook keeps doing hi job maybe I keep the cobra and buy something to park under it.

So whatever you buy better yield some smiles 'cause it won't yield nearly the same financial ROI.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Lots of great cars mentioned here, but the question was what could replace a Cobra. Nothing. The Cobra is the baddest car on the planet, and will always be. Shelby did something back in the sixties that no one has ever quite done since, and in my opinion will never do again. He set the world on fire (along with Enzo's ass) and it ain't been put out yet. On this forum, there are tons of replicas that may not be Shelbys, but they are built in the spirit of the real Cobras, and nothing on wheels compares. Technology be damned, the simple 289 or 427 Cobra may be beat, but cannot be replaced.