Replacement for a Cobra.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Blue w/white stripes '96 Viper GTS can be had for around the same price of a nice SPF. They have way more creature comforts, they are head turners, fast and likely future classics.

Not as raw as a Cobra nor near the same exhaust note but that would be my move if I was replacing a SPF for the reasons you stated. Well, actually, Jamo's suggestion would be my first move.

I wouldn't limit myself to just the '96 GTS, but they made more improvements and upped the HP in the newer Vipers. Vipers have always intrigued me, especially the open roof RT/10 and SRT10.

[lippy]

I like Vipers but they do sound like UPS trucks.

[itstock]

I rolled my 91 Mustang LX with a 351 when I was 17 doing just that. It's truly a simply concept.

[twobjshelbys]

Simple. I went through the same thing. Needed something visceral, fast, scary and comfortable.

Ford GT.

A/C, three point seat belts on the passenger side, harness on mine, same weight:hp as the Cobra. Still don't deliberately take it out in the rain (we get hail if it rains and it's aluminum), but not uncomfortable if it does.

I will second that a Daytona Coupe was a very close second for me but overruled by the boss. The new Shelby CSX9000 (taken over for the SPF coupe) are even more civilized with A/C, radio, electric windows, etc. Plus a trunk that can carry a suitcase and not melt everything in it (compared to the FGT). The early SPF cars will be more proper replicas of the race cars and will be brutal on your kidneys and bake you.

[snakebittexan]

My son and I participated in the 2013 Hot Rod Power Tour. One of the cars that caught our eye was a 1969 GT500 which is a 2005 Mustang wrapped in a skin to give the appearance of a '69GT500. The fit, paint and finish was right on with all the modern safety, conveniences, etc of a late model car. Apparently you provide the car and they do the rest.
I have a GT500CR which not only runs and handles great but in the past year I've won nine (9) "Best of Show" awards.

Retrobuilt.com

GT500CR.com

[madmaxx]

There is no substitute for a cobra. I have tried. Currently in a little 07 miata, haven't had the top down in over a month. AC in Texas sure is nice!! It's a dead ass as far as power but for all practical purposes free compared to the price of a cobra. Mine has the power retractable roof which impresses the heck out of me. I suggest the cobra and miata, if not and your pockets are deep, ford gt. vipers are to much like me red neck with $. Although I love myself never liked vipers. Shelby gt 500 to refined and boring. Mercedes sl580 nice but hard ride and more buttons than a computer and $$$ to fix and although they dont usually break down the do require repairs. Suspension pump $2900 at 30k miles, ouch.

[Bill E]

[madmaxx]

Very cool, does it have ac?

Originally Posted by Bill E

[PCW]

I have a friend that owns a 2013 Nissan GT-R, that car is a monster. If I could afford both I would have a Kirkham and a GT-R, best of both worlds

pcw

[Bill E]

Max Yes it has AC and can have traction control and cup holders and charging ports for phone and tablits

[Frank Messina]

There is not a current production line vehicle that can compare to a Cobra. The Cobra has a total lock on the "holy crap" factor. We go to Cars and Coffee in Irvine almost every week and have looked at and studied every exotic known to man. Sure, some of them are pretty spectacular and I wouldn't mind taking one for a spin, but speaking for me only, I wouldn't trade my car for any of them.

This is the only car I've ever owned that I can roll out for a 30 minute drive and when I pull back into the garage I feel exhilarated. And before stepping into the house, stop and turn around for one last look. Damn! It's the whole package I tell you.
Frank

[JoeT]

I've toyed with this myself lately. I've given some thought to a big block chevelle convertible... or a GTO 'vert, or maybe a roadrunner

we have 2 kids, and the wife and I seem to take her '66 mustang 'vert out as a family. the cobra sits home because it doesn't have enough seats for us.

[mdross1]

Once saw an SRT8 Challenger with the right wheels and suspension setup that peaked my interest.Approached the wife with the idea of building us one,her response our Cobra like our Harleys will never leave this ranch.She is right these new hot rods are way too refined and leave no feel for raw door shaking,exhaust burbling hp.

[289fia_cobra]

When I was going to order my FFR back in 2006, I hesitated... for just a few thousand more, I could get the Daytona Coupe kit. But in the 45 years on this earth, I've never owned a topless or convertible car, only been driven around in just a couple: a VW Golf and a neighbors Fairlane but those two rides convinced me I had to have a topless car so the Roadster it is.

I would seriously go for either a Daytona (perhaps a SPF since I'm not sure I have that much time to build another these days), or a Ford GT.

Mind you, I recently attended the Gold Rush Rally in S.F. a couple of weeks ago and had taken a lot of pictures of a lot of exotics. The only ones in my price range that I'd consider outside of the Ford GT would be an Audi R8, or a Porsche 911 Carrera. If price wasnt' an object, one car I would love to have is the Carrera GT. I knew someone that owned one of those and they sounded awesome and built originally as a LeMan's or Petite Lemans car... truly a race car for the street... sounds familiar...

[donkeykong]

I personally wouldn't drive a Miata, not trying to offend anybody, but there's ZERO power, ZERO aesthetics and ZERO cool factor!

I would however own a Honda S2000. It's the Miata on steroids! Decent power, power top, fantastic handling, unbelievable shifting and very good looking. An S2000 with a supercharger is a damn fun car to drive!

While I wouldn't call it a replacent for my Cobra I have owned 2 of them and would have one back in my garage the day after I let my Cobra go!

[madmaxx]

I agree with zero power. What a miata has is an extremely cheap/free fun factor. I racked up 1k miles in last 4 weeks. That was a year of cobra driving. I looking for a cobra, but will also keep the miata.

[donkeykong]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

I agree with zero power. What a miata has is an extremely cheap/free fun factor.

Now that I can't disagree with in any way!

[lippy]

My father in law bought a newer Jag about 5 years ago. The car completely came apart in less than 25k miles. Problem after problem. Jag doesn't make enough cars to amortize the test and development costs for the complex systems required to compete. I wouldn't touch one.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by donkeykong

I personally wouldn't drive a Miata, not trying to offend anybody, but there's ZERO power, ZERO aesthetics and ZERO cool factor!

It is also the best selling 2-seat roadster in history, now approaching a million units sold and has its own successful racing series. So you would be in the minority.

[john chesnut]

I have a couple Miatas and love to drive them. No power for sure. But, they are light and extremely fun to drive. Not to offend anyone, but they are better handling than most Cobra replicas.

I have a Cobra tribute with a very stiff space frame, LS6 engine, Tremec 5speed, and C5 Corvette independent suspension. It is great handling car and doesn't suffer from "scary" toe changes. It's a blast and plenty fast for me. It gets attention but NOT NEARLY as much as my self built C5 based Speedster. I can't go anywhere in that car with out being completely swarmed with people. My speedster has the stock C5's wheelbase and track but I moved the engine rearward by 23 inches to achieve 54% rear weight. I have the same power in the Cobra and the Speedster. The Speedster is the best handling car that I have ever driven.

I just saw an ad for the new Jaguar F type tonight. My first thought was that it looks like a modern Cobra. I realize that it's civilized, has a paddle shifter and doesn't have a ground pounding, 427. But, If I were looking to replace my Cobra with car with modern features I would look at it.

It's all fun.