Cobra power, how much is enough?

[JBCOBRA]

So out of curiosity why would you want a Highly Dangerous Ancient Design Analogue pos car like a Cobra?
Unless you have decided to Eat Some Bacon and Man up to the most thrilling vehicle of all time???
LOL

Just kidding ....about the bacon

Originally Posted by PHC1;1;)195300

Not that it really matters as far as the discussion goes but just for the record and so you guys don't waste your time posting suggestions and such, my daily is a '2008 911 twin turbo with 560HP. It's all-wheel drive and very manageable. I can and do use ALL the power in that car when the opportunity presents itself and it is safe to do so.

I've also owned a few other cars in the past few years including the latest Ferrari 458 with 570HP and that car was a lot of fun, I could put most of the power down most of the time with the traction+stability control telling me "NO WAY" on a few occasions... Yes it sounded fantastic with that V8 behind the back screaming all the way to 9000 rpms and making the hairs on the back of your neck stand up! The sound of most Ferrari cars at WOT is unforgettable.

I've never felt the urge to upgrade the Nissan GT-R that I just got rid of and it was brand new... For the price of the Cobra, the GT-R can be easily turned into a 1100HP monster and it already does 0-60 in 2.8 sec stock with 545HP. Booooring.... Too civilized, too capable, too perfect. There was nothing it couldn't do and most of the time I drove it hard I had two things to say, it was either, "I never knew a "car" could do "THAT" or I never knew "I" could do "THAT" and live to tell about it... I got rid of it as there was nothing more or exciting I could gain from that relationship. Same reason why when I test drove the new McLaren MP4-12C a few times already, it just doesn't excite me. Maybe it's just me... I must be weird. I ride motorcycles like many others here and I am no stranger to very fast sport bikes. I like riding bikes and yes, they are dangerous! Speed doesn't scare me, the statistics do! I've seen too much, heard too much and nearly been waffled myself a few times...

So why do I even want a Cobra? Because I've always admired and loved the Cobra and because the sound of a free breathing, normally aspirated, big displacement, hunk of an American V8 iron under the hood and the mechanical, raw, feel that appeals to me. It's not about going ultra fast, it's not about seeking the ultimate back road carver or trying to impress someone or scare the crap out of myself. It's about walking into a garage and seeing that familiar shape that has always excited me and hearing that big V8 come to life with that intoxicating rumble and to row through the gears as the bold, loud and proud exhaust note bounces off nearby objects and to feel the wind in my hair. I don't want another car that feels like I am in a Formula 1 car and actually drives like it can compete with any F1 cars from a decade ago... I want a car that is more challenging, more raw and rewarding with all the flaws it has! I think you guys get it... At the same time I don't feel the need to put the hammer down and go sideways at 100mph either... I feel every car/chassis/setup has a "sweet spot" where it is fun to drive and doesn't feel over or under powered.

I also didn't post the above to somehow brag about the cars I own or have owned... I have been fortunate to enjoy a few very nice cars/toys along the way but I don't like to seek attention because of them, please don't take it that way. I'm simply trying to explain my point of view on this and why I asked the question. I'm sure there are many other members here that have many nice toys!

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by JBCOBRA

So out of curiosity why would you want a Highly Dangerous Ancient Design Analogue pos car like a Cobra?
Unless you have decided to Eat Some Bacon and Man up to the most thrilling vehicle of all time???
LOL

Just kidding ....about the bacon

I think I already mentioned the reason I am attracted to Cobra in previous posts but yes, I'm after the "thrill". Love the Cobra idea so far, we'll see how it turns out long term. That I am going to get one is pretty obvious, I have been reading up here and elsewhere as much as I can and usually that means only one thing, it will be in the garage someday!

[RodKnock]

Accommodating someone who stands 6'2" is no big deal. There are plenty of even taller and even rounder Cobra owners driving comfortably in Cobras.

I don't mean to belabor the point others are trying to make here, but while you may commend some folks for trying and figuring out that they don't like it, Patrick would tell you that the "commendation" just cost that person (in the case of "rsimoes" and potentially "tin-man") somewhere in the neighborhood of $40,000 +/-.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Patrick would tell you that the "commendation" just cost that person (in the case of "rsimoes" and potentially "tin-man") somewhere in the neighborhood of $40,000 +/-.

Because of Tin-Man's unusual build, Patrick would tell you that his bath water is going to be a degree or two past tepid. Say, $60k or more of yet-to-be-realized loss.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Because of Tin-Man's unusual build, Patrick would tell you that his bath water is going to be a degree or two past tepid. Say, $60k or more of yet-to-be-realized loss.

I was trying to be kind.

No need to kick someone when they're down.

Evan, I don't consider my build to be "mild", but I would say it's somewhere in the vast middle. I'm very happy with my build, but certainly wringing out another 10-25 HP with some righteous carb tuning wouldn't hurt either and make me even happier.

[REAL 1]

Rodknock: Having heard of your prodigious driving skills and lighting reflexes I say go for it!!!

[Buzz]

Evan ol' buddy, don't forget that Ken miles and the boys were pushing the Cobras to their limits and beyond on the racetrack; so yes they would've been a handful at the limit compared to other contemporary sports/racing cars with different chassis dynamics and mere mortal power to weight ratios.

Ps: nice to see you back posting regularly. Kinda makes some of us CC old timers feel at home again.

[mreid]

Okay, the terms "overweight", "large sized", etc. that have been used in this thread should be replaced. In my house we refer to this as "superior down force". Sounds more racy like a 550hp small block, sticky Avon tires, Wilwood giant clamping 18 piston brakes, and fancy billet suspension. Try saying, "When I'm driving my cobra, it has superior down force."

[lovehamr]

Mine must have butt-loads of down force then............

[Silverback51]

Mine has butt loads of butt.

I was going to throw Jamo under the bus here, but then thought better of it.

[bret a ewing]

If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

[REAL 1]

Patrick: Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't have value you won't pay for. There are some intrinsic aspects that have value.

You can't see the the difference from aluminum to glass in many cases yet guys (like yours truly) paid the upcharge for aluminum.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Patrick: Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't have value you won't pay for. There are some intrinsic aspects that have value.

Well, maybe. I didn't buy my ERA as an investment. Plus, I never plan on selling it, either. I'll just give it to one of my kids when I get old and feeble (or die). Had I been designing my ERA for a purely investment/resale aspect, I might have done it differently (yes, probably have gone with only one roll bar), but I built it solely to please me. For instance, you can't feel, or see, the difference between my 428 and a side oiler (unless you put it on a lift and peek at the sides), and I actually like glass better than aluminum... but that's me, and I certainly won't argue that my 428 is worth more than a SO or that glass is worth more than AL. But to me, my particular configuration is worth more, in the overall scheme of value analysis, than something that would undoubtedly sell for more at auction. It is the subjective theory of value that controls when resale is not in the picture.

[JBCOBRA]

....on the other side of the coin, I intentionally avoided aluminium (even though I love it) and am thankful for glass. I have hit a variety of furry beasts, one Big @ss bird, and was hit by a Road Gator (truck tire tread) No damage.

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Patrick: Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't have value you won't pay for. There are some intrinsic aspects that have value.

You can't see the the difference from aluminum to glass in many cases yet guys (like yours truly) paid the upcharge for aluminum.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

You can't see the the difference from aluminum to glass in many cases yet guys (like yours truly) paid the upcharge for aluminum.

In my case, you can.

Having owned a painted fiberglass car (Corvette) for a very long time, unpainted aluminum is the "cat's meow" to me.

BTW, there was another thread several days ago, where an ERA owner compared the authenticity of the various Cobra manufacturers and the ERA owner said the ERA's and SPF's were/are "authentic" and KMP's weren't/aren't. CSX's were included in the discussion, but no mention of their authenticity by this ERA owner.

I thought that post was amusing, but the point is, if you don't know or care, then you simply don't know or care. And the only remaining matter is money.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

BTW, there was another thread several days ago, where an ERA owner compared the authenticity of the various Cobra manufacturers and the ERA owner said the ERA's and SPF's were/are "authentic" and KMP's weren't/aren't. CSX's were included in the discussion, but no mention of their authenticity by this ERA owner.

I thought that post was amusing, but the point is, if you don't know or care, then you simply don't know or care. And the only remaining matter is money.

I remember that post. I chalked it up to the guy having only seen a Kirkham that had some "funny" cutting-edge, state of the art stuff, that the Kirkhams do from time to time. You know, like the funny looking side pipes they designed, or what not. Or perhaps the car had had some flares done differently, it may have been heavily race prepped, who knows....

[patrickt]

Perhaps he stumbled on this car and said "hey, that car doesn't look authentic to me!"

[rodneym]

Just an observation:
This site is much more entertaining than it was a little while ago.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Just an observation:
This site is much more entertaining than it was a little while ago.

Depends on what "a little while ago" is. I think the site had become somewhat mundane/ordinary until PHC1 showed up and started asking a ton of questions which allowed for some "less technical" discussions.

I was reminded of the infamous "rsimoes" with all the various threads for his or her questions.

[REAL 1]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Just an observation:
This site is much more entertaining than it was a little while ago.

Yup. A simple thank you will do.