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Advice on how to buy when the car is far away?
I am searching for my first Cobra. I've been using ClubCobra and the websites that have been recommended. Any advice when finding a car, but it is quite a long distance away and traveling to see the car may not be an option? Thank You
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If that should happen, one of two things comes to mind:
1. Hire an inspection service and direct them on what you would like to know about the car. Most will just look at whether the oil is capped off, etc. so you need to be specific about what you need to know. 2. Present the problem to this forum and ask for help. Chances are someone on this forum is nearby and would be happy to at least give you an overall opinion. There are those on this forum who would be qualified to give you a thorough assessment. Don't hesitate to present the problem and see what happens. There is always that other forum for Factory Fives and many there would be happy to help as well and just as qualified. It's likely someone on here will know the car and the current owner...it is not uncommon for that to happen. Good Luck |
Get A list of questions together and how u want the answers rated....1-10 scale,etc and find someone passionate about Cobras ok this forum to go see it and get u A lot of pics.... See if they can Start it and drive it for you
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I would look regionally here Club Forums - Club Cobra
You'll find someone here to help you out. |
I flew from Seattle to Atlanta to drive a Cobra I did not buy. Then flew from Seattle to Pensacola to buy a Cobra and had it shipped home. The second trip was more fun. The flight home from Atlanta was a bummer. It was like a vacation to go to Pensacola as we stayed a couple of days on the beach and had a great time. So I spent $1,000 on travel to buy a $55,000 Cobra. I would do it again the same way. Part of the purchase was to meet the owner and understand him and how he/she might have used the car plus the excitement of the "hunt".
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Indiana,
Where's the car located? I'm from Indianapolis and just a curious Hoosier. As WardL said, the hunt is the fun part and you should be able to get a good feel in talking with the owner and asking the right questions. There are many good people out here that are more than happy to help for the asking. I bought a brand new one and drove it for two hours to find a puddle of oil the size of a basketball on my new driveway! These toys are fun & good luck in your search! |
I've not hunted for a cobra since I built mine, but I have purchased airplanes from afar before. Same issues. I would ask for a local forum member to examine the car for you. As others have suggested, think of all the questions you want answered and get a list together. Someone who is already an owner would probably do a more thorough pre-purchase exam than you since they will know what to look for in terms of build quality, performance, fit and finish, etc.
Good luck on your search. If you want to take a look at my Lone Star, let me know. My web site is here |
If you find something in Texas we have club members in Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio that would be more they happy to inspect a potential ride for you.
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If the owner is a member of this or another forum, do a search of every post they ever made. You will find all types of information about the car, changes made, and how it was treated. You will also get to know the persons personality and mechanical skills. Just hope they don't have 20,000 posts.
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I sold a Cobra to a guy in Iowa a few years ago. I mailed him a DVD of the Cobra starting up and a 20 minute road trip. I also had a DVD of a slow walk around of the Cobra sitting in the driveway idling.
He was able to decide from the DVD if it was worth his time to come and look at the car before he paid. I bought a car sight unseen 18 months ago that was a not what it was advertised as. The problems (hundreds) did not show in the pictures, nor the numerous emails and phone calls. I did call and check out the builder and car with a well know respected person. But he must have been mislead also. From my experience I would suggest you go and look at the car yourself. Dwight |
I bought my Cobra and Harley site unseen other than some photos. Both were at least 2000 miles away. Both guys were members of forums and had been there a while and I talked to them a number of times to get a "feel" for them. I found the most important part was finding a good experienced shipper. The shipper can do a good general visual inspection before money an title exchange take place. I did the most background checking on them. In the case of the Cobra it needed a transmission, which the guy was upfront about and I saved enough on airfare to pay for the transmission. It may have been just dumb luck like the rest of my life (the good Lord looks after fools etc.). The Cobra community is a small one and someone local on the forum will always know the guys car and some history. Both the bike and car were better than I hoped for. I actually did what I thought was a thorough inspection and spent some time with my x-wife before I asked her to marry me and I was much happier with the way the car and bike worked out...good luck.
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I would suggest you narrow it down via professional inspection, email, phone and photos to the car you really want then travel to see it yourself. I traveled from west TN to Delaware when I purchased SPO1867. There is no substitute for seeing/touching/feeling/driving the car yourself before making a purchase.
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I live in Indy and purchased an ERA from ID. While searching, I found one in CT first and flew to see it and then walked. The car did not look as good as the pictures portrayed. The owner clearly thought I was picky.
Then the ID car came along, I asked lots of questions and came to an agreement on price if the car was as nice as advertised. The owner ask some questions to clarify any detractors on price. I took a cashiers check with me for the agreed amount. The car was as advertised. I paid with a cashiers check while in ID and took the title home with me. The owner then held the car while I arranged shipping. In addition, I sold a Cobra sight unseen to a guy on the East coast. John |
sorry about double
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take a moment and call Eric at PE Cobra, website link with phone listed below. He is a Shelby/Superformance and maybe Backdraft dealer. He is a hands on engine builder who I believe has done over 1000 Superformance installes and builds. Most of all, he does not lie! He is honest. I have purchased two cars from him, Superformance 1787 and Shelby CSX6046. Hes close by also, around 100 Miles East of you, take a drive and learn a lot. Hes always got 8 or 9 cobras sitting around for you to check out! Tell him Richard sent you! Have fun. Hey John,(grubby) see you at the car show if temp ever get down alittle.
:LOL: Performance Engineering: Home - Performance and racing engine machine shop, engine installations, crate engines, and dyno service near Cincinnati in Ross, Ohio |
I'll even volunteer to go visit Eric with you!
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If hiring a private appraiser or appraisal firm, their expertise needs to be directly related to speciality non-production vehicles. Better yet, knows Cobra kit cars. Obtain a sample of the appraisers work and a clear understanding of what the appraiser will be verifying, including a test drive.
Ask the appraiser to call you during the inspection process as well as sending photos to discuss the findings while still on site. Some advertisements will mention the Cobra is registered as a 1965/66. Check with your state DMV to determine if a kit/composite car can be registered in the same manner in your state along with any required emission testing. |
get inspection
I hired a pro to inspect my Coupe. He took about 50 pics, and checked and inspected about 2 dozen items. Then wrote up an overall assessment of the car.
He even called me shortly after the inspection. Very reassuring. The Nut |
Indiana:
I bought my Cobra in the SFO Bay Area last a year and half ago. I hired Carcheck for $250 they do a thorough inspection and test drive. Within 48 hrs you have a written detailed report with tons of pictures of the problem areas. This was critical for me to make the decision. Everything they found was legitimate, they also recommended buy/no buy. My results were excellent and I bought. The seller must be willing to allow this including the test drive. If he /she is legitimate they will allow it. I hope this helps, have a fun hunt for the Snake!!! Lou |
I bought my car site unseen from a guy 2500 miles away. It was not what I expected at all. It was not his fault as he knew nothing of cars and had gotten it by trading a houseboat.
Many of these cars for sale right now. Just do your homework beforehand. |
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