Need some advice

[dlang14]

OK I realize that I'm likely to get fairly biased opinions on this site, but that aside I'm at a decision point.

I've had SPF2293 since 2006. I love the car, its nothing short of epic, but in the time since I've bought it I've got less than 6K miles on it. My wife and I have three boys now, so we just dont get a lot of time to just go out and drive.

Last year I put a refundable deposit down on a 2014 GT500 Mustang, I didnt expect that I'd get one as the local dealer had two guys ahead of me for allocations, well guess what they got me a car, and it'll arrive at the dealer in a month!

I can't keep both, so I've got to make a decision.

The SPF is MUCH faster from a rolling start, the sound is incredible, and it gets the attention of ages young and old.

The GT500 is almost civilized in comparison. Its comfortable, corners well with the track pack, has a roof, radio, AC, etc. Its got a small backseat so I could jam the 5 year old twins back there, but in all likelyhood the 8 year old is too big already.

Pictures:

SPF2293


Someone else's GT500 in the color combo I ordered


So....opinions? Oh I forgot to mention a brand new set of Avon's just showed up at my door for SPF2293. Really wasnt expecting the GT500

[blykins]

You're going to keep very biased opinions since this is a Cobra site...

With that being said, this is a decision you're going to have to make on your own. Do you want the raw, brutal power of a Cobra, or do you want the foo-foo, pansy aspect of a purely modern muscle car?

They are polar opposites.

That's why my feathers get slightly ruffled when guys go out to buy Cobras, but they try to turn them into new Corvettes or BMW's. Who needs A/C, CD players, power brakes, power steering, EFI, etc.? These are wild mannered toys...certainly not intended to be daily drivers.

[Ron61]

That is a hard decision. Neither car is really a family car and the GT-500 would be miserable on even the twins in the back seat for very many miles. Both are really nice looking and will get plenty of attention though there are so many GT-500s out now that it won't attract the crowds the Cobra will. This is a decision that only you and your wife can really make. Do you have another car that you can use as the family car that has a back seat large enough to actually sit in? I have tried to sit in the back seat of a 2013 GT-500 and had my knees up around my ears. I think the back seat is only for looks or to put something on to haul it more than for actually having people sit in them. Either way, I am glad that I don't have to make that decision as giving up either one of them would be hard. I wish you luck in making your decision and hope that whichever way you decide, you will be happy later on with your decision.

Ron

[jhv48]

I've actually got both in my garage, SPF 2932 and a 2011 GT 500 same color as the one you show in the picture.

Like them both, but LOVE the cobra. The wife drives the mustang to work daily. Outrageous power. Very easy to get into trouble if you aren't prudent with the gas pedal. Just like the cobra.

Small back seats are virtually useless in the mustang, but it does have all the creature comforts missing from the cobra. It can be driven in the rain, at night, and locked up tight in a parking lot. But drive very carefully in the rain or when the tires are cold, as the stock tires are virtually worthless in those comditions. I actually prefer driving my jeep to driving the mustang. Mustang doesn't have personal seat position buttons so whenever I drive it I have to fiddle with the seat and mirrors to get everything right. If it was to be your daily driver, that shouldn't concern you.

Neither one will hold your whole family or be a vacation car. But one will label you as the coolest dad in the school.

If it's just going to be a toy for your benefit, I would choose the cobra.

If its a choice of a family car that serves mostly as a two seater, then get the mustang. If you really love the cobra, and actually drive it, you will miss it.

Good luck with the decision.

[ERA Chas]

I'm with Brent but go a little further.

Sell the SPF and flip the Mustang-you won't get hurt.
Buy a Benz, Audi or Bimmer sedan. You'll enjoy them as well as the 'Stang AND have your gang aboard.
Please post a pic of the twins, and your #1 too.

[lippy]

In the context of what you will spend on three kids and a wife over the years, the cost of the extra car is mouse nuts. I know from experience. This is how I justify keeping more cars than I need.

[Randy Rosenberg]

Years ago, I was fortunate to have a Mustang Bullet for a daily driver, parked next to my SPF. As the kids got older they complained about the lack of room in the back seat. After my Bullet got totaled, I bought a 325i sedan. Not as much power as the Bullet, but she sure handled well, and the kids fit...for a while. I replaced the 325i with a 545i, and now no one complains, and I still have the SPF.

My advice: keep the SPF, and be more frugal about the daily driver, as it will change/grow as quickly as your kids...

[dlang14]

Sorry guys I should have been more clear.

I'm not looking for a daily driver here. The wife's got a minivan, and I've got an Acura MDX that I drive to work.

This is the 3rd vehicle/toy.

I apprecaite the feedback

[rgnbull1227]

Originally Posted by dlang14

Sorry guys I should have been more clear.

I'm not looking for a daily driver here. The wife's got a minivan, and I've got an Acura MDX that I drive to work.

This is the 3rd vehicle/toy.

I apprecaite the feedback

Just my 2 cents. I have SPF#2271, which is very close to your build,
and cant think of another car at the moment(maybe GT40) that would make me want to part ways with my Cobra. Ive had the main Exotics(Lambo, ferrari, Lotus, etc) and the cobra is the only one.....RIGHT NOW.....fitting the Toy need.

[jhv48]

Originally Posted by dlang14

Sorry guys I should have been more clear.

I'm not looking for a daily driver here. The wife's got a minivan, and I've got an Acura MDX that I drive to work.

This is the 3rd vehicle/toy.

I apprecaite the feedback

Now the decision is simple! A real cobra guy wouldnt even hesitate. Cobra si! Mustang no!

[Randy Rosenberg]

Originally Posted by jhv48

Now the decision is simple! A real cobra guy wouldnt even hesitate. Cobra si! Mustang no!

Agreed...

[Dimis]

There are 3 ways to look at this - the best I can do is explain it like it were your girlfriend:

1) If you are torn between two girls and say you love them both, then drop your first girlfriend (in this case your SPF), B/C if you truly loved her, YOU would NOT have taken a fancy to the second girl (in this case GT500).

2) You love your girlfriend/partner, and know she is the one. You allow yourself to look, but not touch, B/C you know deep down the grass can NOT be greener, regardless of how lushes it may look.

OR

3) You can try to convince your wife that a mistress is OK and have both at the same time.


I can't tell you which of the above you are...

FWIW I'd love to have a GT500 but quite frankly and sad to admit, in 10yrs that GT500 will probably be just another piece of crappy plastic rolling on the freeways and highways of CA. Where as a cobra has stood the test of time and will forever stir my emotions.
You admit

Originally Posted by dlang14

I love the car, its nothing short of epic,

So I'd ask why would you turn your back that?

[fjrgary]

sold an 07 z06 to get era no. 446. the vette was a rocket and everything else on it was a ten+, but it wasn't a cobra! i can't explain the fun factor of the cobra over the z. every time that side oiler fires up it's like the first ride all over again. in my opinion the mustang is ho-hum compaired to the cobra!!!!!!

[eschaider]

Darryl,

I think we have talked about this once before, some time ago. They are both great but different cars.

In 10 years the GT500 will be a 10 year old factory muscle car stylistically looking like it was from a period 10 years earlier and possessing a fraction of its original appeal or value. More importantly it will feel like a 10 year old car to you.

In ten years the Cobra will look as timeless as it does today and it will provide the same thrill and exhilaration when you drive it that it does today. There will be one difference though, you will have a son that will be 18 years old, who will have grown up with it and will enjoy it just as you have and perhaps get to pass it along to his own son one day.

Now on a slightly selfish note, if 2293 gets sold, when 2291 gets his heart transplant this summer he'll have nobody to go cruising with - and I will rag on you


Ed

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by dlang14

I can't keep both, so I've got to make a decision.

...so I could jam the 5 year old twins back there, but in all likelyhood the 8 year old is too big already.

The time for your Cobra has come and gone -- and you know it, but just don't want to say it out loud. Just like college road-trips, sleeping until noon, and shaving once a week. That part of your life has now slipped through your hands, and it is unlikely you will get it back any time soon, if ever. Yes, just like a nice, warm, sunny spring day it has come and gone. Sell the Cobra, and, if you can, don't look back; doing so will only bring a tear to your eye.

[joyridin']

I live in Ohio. I would take the Mustang as I could actually drive it more than 10 days a year. You live in California. You are nuts for getting rid of the Cobra where you can actually drive it 300 days a year!

[dlang14]

Thanks all,

I guess I already knew the answer I just had to get myself there. I cancelled the Mustang order. The dealer might have actually been happy because they may get a markup and my deal was MSRP.

Avons go on next Tuesday, now I just need to go drive the beast!

[JLip]

Smart Decision!!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

The time for your Cobra has come and gone -- and you know it, but just don't want to say it out loud. Just like college road-trips, sleeping until noon, and shaving once a week. That part of your life has now slipped through your hands, and it is unlikely you will get it back any time soon, if ever. Yes, just like a nice, warm, sunny spring day it has come and gone. Sell the Cobra, and, if you can, don't look back; doing so will only bring a tear to your eye.

"That part of your life has now slipped through your hands..." Oy vey. He's not dying.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

"That part of your life has now slipped through your hands..." Oy vey. He's not dying.

Ahhh, but it was beautifully written nonetheless.