Advice on Which make & options I should Buy?

[DoIBugu2]

I appreciate the feedback guys. It's fun to learn about something knew. I have loved the looks of the cobra for many years. I have just started to look into them and I can't believe how many options there are. Not only the different manufactures but also the engine combinations.

I plan on going used. Rather someone else eat the initial depreciation and work out some of the bugs.

[RichardCSX6000]

Originally Posted by itstock

If you are stuck on style and accuracy, get the Shelby CSX.

It's going to burn when you are so stuck on this, and someone asks, "who makes it"?

"kirkham".

or worse...

"superformance".

At least if they ask "is it original", you can get away with a white lie and say "yes, it's original"...and mutter under your breath that it's an original continuation series.

When you get the CSX, you can say that it's a real Shelby.

Anyway, based on your description of how you wish to drive your car, you should really go for a ride in one and decide if it's really something you want as an everyday car. Also, figure out if having a top is actually worth it. If you figure out that it takes a bit of time to put the top on and take it off, plus storage for it, not to mention worrying about scratches, you might not want the top at all. Based on that, you might not even want to consider the Cobra. Maybe something like a viper, or a better "daily" driver, a 911 will fit your needs better.

I like your style and you are correct....I have been there.

[patrickt]

Time for the "Cobra Rule," aka "RodKnock's Rule," which has been posted here many times...

[Scaramanga]

wow- these are all great!
thanks!

[Scaramanga]

Originally Posted by Quintum

While I am still very new, and have yet to make my own purchase of a cobra. I first found the following post from Silverback51, who got it from relaxinrob. Thanks for the repost Silverback51, and thanks to relaxinrob for posting it.

I really do think that the following should be a Sticky.

Regards,
Dave

I think you need to read this. If you don't want a cobra by the end, then you have your answer:

Driving a Cobra Replica

"If you want to just gas and go, and never have to worry about replacing an alternator, or snugging down the header bolts, or getting a wet leg driving in a rainstorm, or learning how to set your carb float level, or driving in traffic on a warm winter day with "winter gas" in the tank, get a Corvette. "

With a Cobra Replica you have to remind yourself that you are driving a hand made race car on the street. There is no compromise for anything other than pure speed. These cars are brutal and unforgiving, with all the refinement of a medieval battle ax. Like being in a relationship with an exotic dancer, you can never take anything for granted. These cars don't have millions of miles of testing refinement before you get yours. For any trip longer than an hour, you need earplugs, and goggles, and carry Advil and eye drops. You will need to learn to "read" the clouds for rain in your path, and have experience in unwrapping your frozen fingers from the MotoLita. You will experience lady passengers "wetting" the passenger seat when you merge into traffic from an on ramp, and then nearly burn their calf getting out of the car.

You will have all the invisibility of a burning Hindenburg, and flee from underground parking lots when uncountable car alarms are screaming your departure. When you shop, you will remind yourself that these cars get more attention than a dead body in a parking lot.

With a power to weight ratio better than almost every super car, you will find your 1/4 mile times traction rather than power limited. On the other hand, when you stage, out of the corner of your helmet's visor you will see almost the entire audience lining up at the fence, most with cameras up. If you track on a road course with a Porsche club, owners of expensive German machines will come to the fence to watch you power out in smoking oversteer. You won't even try to start your engine in the garage, but push it out onto the driveway, else your loyal watch dog will croak from the exhaust fumes. If you idle next to other "sports" cars at a traffic light, by the green, their girlfriend will be coughing green phlegm into her hanky, yelling at her date to just go! When you refuel, you might as well prop the "bonnet" open, because you are going to have to show your motor to just about every other guy there. When you order your wings at Hooters, your waitress will whisper in your ear "take me for a ride." When you stop at the red light, the girl in the convertible next to you will invite you to "take my top off too."

When you slowly pass a troop of Harley riders, they will look over and give you thumbs up. When you want to ease out into traffic, other cars will immediately pause to let you go ahead of them. When your engine has its hot, crackling, intimidating exhaust side pipe aimed right at the flank of the GTO, or the Z28, your exhaust pulsation's slowly unscrewing his lug nuts, the other car will remain motionless, as if the slightest quiver of his car will cause your car to stomp it dead. When you leave it open in a parking lot, and come back to find your sunglasses and cell phone still sitting on the tunnel, it is because your car has sullenly warned those who came over to admire it "touch me and I will rise up here and kill you dead."

When you put that tiny silver key into the ignition, and begin your start countdown, your car will whisper "take me for granted, and I will kill you."

When other drivers just hop in and snap up their belts while backing out of their parking space, you will still have two more minutes before you even get all the Simpsons properly on and snugged down. Pulling up in a Cobra Replica is like landing an F4U at an ultralite convention.

In summary, very, very few drivers want this kind of attention, or can tolerate all that a formidable Cobra Replica demands. These cars are intolerant mistresses.

But remember, there will come a day when you have to hang up your car keys for the last time. And perhaps you want to say then "I did it."

Ha! you sold me! do you work for Shelby?

[Scaramanga]

911's & corvettes:
I have looked at & driven corvettes, Porsche', Jags & even an Aston Martin Vanquish- I thought they were a boring ride & have long forgotten their heritage of a pure sports car- I refuse to buy any car that has a "sports" drive pack as an option & makes SUV's (Porsche).

Maintenance?
My Elise was surprisingly one of the best cars I ever owned for maintenance- basically an engine & a body- very little maintenance except wear & tear- there was nothing too it to break down (unlike my BMW- terrible electric)- is the lotus a good comparison for what to expect if you do not abuse the car?
for getting an oil change etc- I had to drive 90 miles to Orange county- are there any good mechanics in L.A. area?

Test Drive:
I have sat as a passenger, but never driven one.
good point about the exhaust under the car- is there that much of a difference? can you adjust the volume of the side pipes?
I had a stage 2 on my lotus & a quad exhaust on my TR6 that used to set off all alarms- how do they compare in daily driving or a 4 hour drive- is the volume constant, or only at high rpms? With my lotus- the engine was almost inside the car & behind you- the Cobra, you are much more open

per foot room- my feet are narrow, but long (12 1/2)
spf say they have a package for wide feet- gains another 2 inches, but sacrifices the engine that can fit- (needs the windsor)- does anyone have that? personally, the space was not that bad, but having an option is something to consider. Shelby said they can make the space a little bigger literally by bending the metal to accommodate- has anyone done that?

Stereo-
this is a personal preference & everyone's tastes are different, but I would like to get some advice on what they have done
I love to drive with music on
I realize you are competing against the exhaust, but this has not bothered me in the past since my hearing sucks & a volume button solves that.
where do people put the stereo & speakers?
The guys at shelby recommended against putting one in & using headphones instead, but it is how I have always driven & I would equate putting headphones on interfering with the feel of the drive

thanks!

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by Scaramanga

911's & corvettes:

Maintenance?
My Elise was surprisingly one of the best cars I ever owned for maintenance- basically an engine & a body- very little maintenance except wear & tear- there was nothing too it to break down (unlike my BMW- terrible electric)- is the lotus a good comparison for what to expect if you do not abuse the car?
for getting an oil change etc- I had to drive 90 miles to Orange county- are there any good mechanics in L.A. area?

For the most part the maintenance during the driving season is just upkeep sort of stuff. The larger stuff can be undertaken during the off-season while the car is in storage...and there will ALWAYS be stuff to undertake, trust me.
Test Drive:
I have sat as a passenger, but never driven one.
good point about the exhaust under the car- is there that much of a difference? can you adjust the volume of the side pipes?

You have to drive it. Most of us drive front drive cars from a location in the front half of the car. A cobra is a very different feeling, a long hood, sitting only inches in front of a differential, light in the front if there is sand on a hard surface, twitchy as hell on tight turns until you learn how far to use the right foot, that takes some experience. I would suggest if you get someone to let you drive theirs you go to an empty parking lot and find the limits. Do it gently, but the first time the back end swaps ends with the front you won't believe it happened so fast. You need to experience that to find out if you want to drive a car of this type....some are worse than others, some better, and tires makes a HUGE difference in traction, but they all do it to some extent and if you try they will ALL do it in spades!

Sidepipes can be adjusted for loudness...how much power do you want to lose? It's a trade-off. I wear earphone type hearing protection when I drive mine for any distance at all, particularly on the open road. A pair of earbuds under those would not be any sort of hindrance, but might be against the law, so check that out. The best source for music is an I-Pod, I found, huge storage capacity and very compact. Trying to pack CD's in the cabin can be a PITA.
Stereo-
this is a personal preference & everyone's tastes are different, but I would like to get some advice on what they have done
I love to drive with music on
I realize you are competing against the exhaust, but this has not bothered me in the past since my hearing sucks & a volume button solves that.
where do people put the stereo & speakers?
The guys at shelby recommended against putting one in & using headphones instead, but it is how I have always driven & I would equate putting headphones on interfering with the feel of the drive

My cobra has a cabinet between the bottom lip of the dash and the transmission tunnel that holds the electronics and the two speakers, one facing toward the door on each side of the box. It is not the best, but can be heard...fine for playing tunes at the picnic site or the beach, but on the road you'll find youself deafened more by the wind buffeting your ears than by the sound of the sidepipes...IMHO. My dream would be pipes under the car and out the back, but would rather have that on a 289 street model, not on this 427 S/C body style.


thanks!

Looks like all my replies are in the quoted area above...sorry!

Cheers from Dugly

[Fred Z]

Scaramanga.
I just caught this thread in it's continuation. YOu have the best advice given here for sure. I know you are going to be a 'beast' owner soon and you will not have any more fun with your clothes on anywhere!!
I am going to PM you so you can actually call me and we can chat. I went thru the same points as you, but unfortunately I was a bit more impetuous and bought without taking someone with me and doing more dilegence. I learned, sold the car after repairs, and then had my own professionally built!
I have 28k on the car, owned for 5 years, and virtually have NO breakdowns, ear issues and usually drive it for a mininum of 4 hours each Sat and Sun. The only situations I had were bad shocks from Bilstein on original build and that was 'hairy' 3 times, but that has been all. Reason being....I had the car built top line, great motor with 2 years or 50k, no restrictions. Staying on top of it also kept issues away. I avoid inclement weather...Snakes and Water don't mix well....but other than a few days....I can get in and never, ever do I have anything but a Chesire Cat grin on my face! I have a new version of car coming, new paint combo and just detailed up a bit so as to keep it looking 'sweet'!
Call me, we can chat and I can answer some things more succinctly.
I can tell by your interest, you are just like I was. It will not be a wasted move. All are different.
Be well, enjoy the ride!

[Fred Z]

Patrick.
can you share where you found the info in the title:
Era or Superformance Thoughts and Observations?
I would like to read the text.

thanks,
fred Z

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Fred Z

Patrick.
can you share where you found the info in the title:
Era or Superformance Thoughts and Observations?
I would like to read the text.

thanks,
fred Z

You will find that thread here: ERA or Superperformance 427 Thoughts and Observations