FII Roadster - Thoughts

[kkosche]

I appreciate the advice, opinions and council. I have actively listened . . . Here are a few comments to much of the above.

1. I thought the pedestrian comment on the FGT would arouse a response. While I agree wholeheartedly with the value retention of FGT (very, very impressive) . . the performance specifications are closer to a modern day Z06 than a ZL1. No longer a top tier super car. Rare, great value retention, impressive performance and fantastic looks, attention getter, etc . . . but the performance specifications just are not that impressive compared so many other choices, below the $150K.

2. Given the FII's underpinnings, it would be an even debate as to road course work (assuming rear wheel drive) with any rear wheel drive super car. The underpinnings are just amazing.

3. Comment about working on the thing. Very good point. While I consider myself pretty handy with a wrench. I have to admit, I think I would be out of my league with the FII, given how it is constructed.

4. Agree that it comes down to what one wants. . . and maybe that is where I am struggling the most with. . . my driving skills are adequate to keep the C5 on the road which has 470 RWHP . . but I am by no means an accomplished driver.

5. $150K is just a lot of cake. Yes I could afford it . . . however it is not like this wouldn't put a serious dent in the family savings. The opportunity cost of $150K, and value retention are a big concern of mine.

6. Comment about keeping the C5 and buying a Cobra that more closely resembles the Cobra of old . . . is sound council. . . enjoy what the Cobra was meant to be . . . more raw.

I do sincerely appreciate the dialog, debate and input. . . . I came to this forum because I was unsure of a FII decision and wanted honest, candid feedback. I got that, I am listening and I am thankful.

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by kkosche

I appreciate the advice, opinions and council. I have actively listened . . . Here are a few comments to much of the above.

1. I thought the pedestrian comment on the FGT would arouse a response. While I agree wholeheartedly with the value retention of FGT (very, very impressive) . . the performance specifications are closer to a modern day Z06 than a ZL1. No longer a top tier super car. Rare, great value retention, impressive performance and fantastic looks, attention getter, etc . . . but the performance specifications just are not that impressive compared so many other choices, below the $150K.

2. Given the FII's underpinnings, it would be an even debate as to road course work (assuming rear wheel drive) with any rear wheel drive super car. The underpinnings are just amazing.

3. Comment about working on the thing. Very good point. While I consider myself pretty handy with a wrench. I have to admit, I think I would be out of my league with the FII, given how it is constructed.

4. Agree that it comes down to what one wants. . . and maybe that is where I am struggling the most with. . . my driving skills are adequate to keep the C5 on the road which has 470 RWHP . . but I am by no means an accomplished driver.

5. $150K is just a lot of cake. Yes I could afford it . . . however it is not like this wouldn't put a serious dent in the family savings. The opportunity cost of $150K, and value retention are a big concern of mine.

6. Comment about keeping the C5 and buying a Cobra that more closely resembles the Cobra of old . . . is sound council. . . enjoy what the Cobra was meant to be . . . more raw.

I do sincerely appreciate the dialog, debate and input. . . . I came to this forum because I was unsure of a FII decision and wanted honest, candid feedback. I got that, I am listening and I am thankful.

F11 Aero = non existent Think GT's don't handle, check this Scott Fraser 3rd Run Saturday - YouTube

[kkosche]

Originally Posted by Cobra #3170

F11 Aero = non existent Think GT's don't handle, check this Scott Fraser 3rd Run Saturday - YouTube

I don't recall saying, "GT's don't handle". . . . but if we are going to solely base wether or not a car is a top tier super car purely on video evidence . . . should this car also be considered a super car?

Gremlin AMC 7 second Car!!! Great Lakes Dragaway 5/24/08 Horsepower X .Com - YouTube


Also . . . Mr. Wingard has delivered 3 of the FII's and references are available to the serious buyer. . . . and I did sit in one the other weekend . . . so I am not sure what to make about the "non existent" comment.

As I stated previously FGT's . . great car and fantastic value retention. . . just no longer makes it into the top tier of super cars. . . as the line has moved up and to the right.

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by kkosche

I don't recall saying, "GT's don't handle". . . . but if we are going to solely base wether or not a car is a top tier super car purely on video evidence . . . should this car also be considered a super car?

Gremlin AMC 7 second Car!!! Great Lakes Dragaway 5/24/08 Horsepower X .Com - YouTube


Also . . . Mr. Wingard has delivered 3 of the FII's and references are available to the serious buyer. . . . and I did sit in one the other weekend . . . so I am not sure what to make about the "non existent" comment.

As I stated previously FGT's . . great car and fantastic value retention. . . just no longer makes it into the top tier of super cars. . . as the line has moved up and to the right.

The comment refers to the aerodynamics of the F11 and how stable it would be above 100 mph. A super car provides a combination of acceleration, handling, top speed and braking capability. not just one or two of these attributes. A stock Ford GT can go 211 mph which keeps it in the top tier of super cars. The original tires are its weak link, changing the tires to any of the newer tires that are similar to what the ZR1, F458, or Viper are delivered with puts the GT's performance right back in the mix with any of these cars. Granted, it doesn't have any nannies other than anti lock brakes, but if you need those nannies you probably should not be driving a super car in the first place.

REAL 1 is correct, none of the super cars can be driven anywhere near its potential on the street without risk of serious jail time. The crash rate of these cars is also very high because of driver inexperience. As others have stated, you need to assess what you are trying to accomplish and then do it.

[REAL 1]

The bar on performance always moves forward. If this is your sole criteria the goal line is always moving on you and you will forever be chasing the latest thing.

There is no one I know of personally that can drive a FGT to it's full potential on the street moreless a road course. Do those guys exist? Yes, but by and large they are professional or very seasoned talented track guys. This applies to the Z06, GT3, Porsche GTS, Viper, GT-R, 430, 360 Scud, ZR1, GT500, ZL1 or any other true performance car.

My point is unless you are really racing (and if you were the car wouldn't remain stock anyway) the incremental jumps in performance are wasted on mere mortals and come down to "bragging" rights.

Buy what you love or as a friend once said to me "moves your soul" and you won't constantly be chasing the moving goal line of performance around every year or every other year.

As far as the FII is concerned, if you love the chasis that much (it is a very nice peice) I would recommend just buying a Series I. It's a real Shelby, it's a very rare and limited Shelby, its the only Shelby that Carroll/SAI built and designed from a clean sheet of paper himself, you can buy in at around $100K and my bet is that it will become a collector item in years to come. That would be my play if I loved the Series one chasis that much.

[kkosche]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

The bar on performance always moves forward. If this is your sole criteria the goal line is always moving on you and you will forever be chasing the latest thing.

There is no one I know of personally that can drive a FGT to it's full potential on the street moreless a road course. Do those guys exist? Yes, but by and large they are professional or very seasoned talented track guys. This applies to the Z06, GT3, Porsche GTS, Viper, GT-R, 430, 360 Scud, ZR1, GT500, ZL1 or any other true performance car.

My point is unless you are really racing (and if you were the car wouldn't remain stock anyway) the incremental jumps in performance are wasted on mere mortals and come down to "bragging" rights.

Buy what you love or as a friend once said to me "moves your soul" and you won't constantly be chasing the moving goal line of performance around every year or every other year.

As far as the FII is concerned, if you love the chasis that much (it is a very nice peice) I would recommend just buying a Series I. It's a real Shelby, it's a very rare and limited Shelby, its the only Shelby that Carroll/SAI built and designed from a clean sheet of paper himself, you can buy in at around $100K and my bet is that it will become a collector item in years to come. That would be my play if I loved the Series one chasis that much.

IMHO, your quote about "moves your soul" is the most insightful thus far in this thread. Thank you.

As to the Series I . . . 4.0 liter Olds motor at 330 HP? Just could bring myself to drop a $100K on that. Don't really care for the lines of the car either.

The thing I struggle most about the FII is that it really is unique. Part Shelby (chassis) . . not a Cobra . . Cobra Like body . . In the end, I think it is a car to chase ultimate performance . . which I think the FII does a credible job doing . . but in the end "ultimate performance" is a fools errand. . .

All this dialog has me thinking that keeping the C5 is the answer . . and keeping an eye out for the right Cobra tribute / replica. . . and going back to driving school to sharpen some skills.

[Bartruff1]

Originally Posted by kkosche

IMHO, your quote about "moves your soul" is the most insightful thus far in this thread. Thank you.

As to the Series I . . . 4.0 liter Olds motor at 330 HP? Just could bring myself to drop a $100K on that. Don't really care for the lines of the car either.

The thing I struggle most about the FII is that it really is unique. Part Shelby (chassis) . . not a Cobra . . Cobra Like body . . In the end, I think it is a car to chase ultimate performance . . which I think the FII does a credible job doing . . but in the end "ultimate performance" is a fools errand. . .

All this dialog has me thinking that keeping the C5 is the answer . . and keeping an eye out for the right Cobra tribute / replica. . . and going back to driving school to sharpen some skills.

I have several gt cars including a C5 that are great fun to drive in the kind of weather we have in the PNW (to hot, to cold, to wet) and the Superformance when things are just right for a trip over the Cascades on one of our beautiful mountain passes or a twisty drive along the waters edge.

IMHO, you cannot beat a " Cobra " for fun or a Corvette for bang for the buck.

Like they say in Alaska, " I hope to see you down the road "....bart