Cobra Replica newbie

[Clois Harlan]

Most of these cars are not daily drivers and if gas mileage is a concern this might not be the right time for you to get started in this hobby. But, if it's attention you want and the honor of owning a replica of a true legend then jump on in. Some of the best people you will ever meet own Cobra's, GT 40's, or Coupes. I highly recommend the Cobra community and if you do get a Cobra, do yourself a favor and go to one of your local tracks and spend some time on an open course with or without an instructor. You really need to know what to expect from your car and yourself when power is applied. You don't need to aspire to being a racer but getting use to a short wheelbase car with a lot of power takes a little time.

There are some really nice Cobra's, Daytona Coupes for sale and you can probably find just what you want if you are patient. Also, you may want to look at www.CobraCountrry.com to get an idea of what is available from that sight.

Good luck with your search.


Clois Harlan

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by ICBomber90

Buy yourself a $3,000 Miata and Bob's Cobra, have the best of both worlds!

Pat, please explain "both worlds"...

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by Joerude

Greetings Everyone,
I'm dreaming about owning a Cobra replica sometime in the future, the first step is to build a budget so that I can have an idea as of how much I would be spending.
I'm interested in the cobra look but I'm honestly concerned about the best mpg I can get out of it (if it were for me I'd put a bicycle inside it and pedal my way to work haha), I'd be using it primarily to drive to work, go out..basically as my primary vehicle, so I was hoping to get some input from you guys the questions I have are the following:
-Is it better for me to buy a replica kit and have it built from zero? If so, which replica kit would be the best for me? considering the cheapest one an option and a middle range one as well as to see the differences between them.
-If I were to buy a kit (probably a roller as my mechanical abilities are pretty much non-existent), would it be too hard for me to get it registered? (I currently live in Florida)
-Also, how much does it usually cost to register a cobra replica in other states (the ones you know of) as to get an average of the price
-How much is the average insurance cost for these vehicles?
I apologize if some of my questions (or all of them) seem idiotic, I honestly want to have a fair idea of how much I'd be spending beforehand, thanks for taking the time to read my long post!
Cheers!

As I read over your post - not idiotic by any means - I come to the conclusion a Cobra is not "your" car.

Sorry to bust your bubble, but MPG, cheap, budget and "my mechanical abilities are pretty much non-existent" does not match to the ownership of a Cobra.
Every time a mechanic need to do work on a car like that - it costs more. The guys here spending in average $5000 for paint jobs, just two examples.

As I said the guys here a pretty polite and do not kick the door in (some exceptions like Patickt hehe), but be assured I'm not the only one thinking that is not your car.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

As I said the guys here a pretty polite and do not kick the door in (some exceptions like Patickt hehe), but be assured I'm not the only one thinking that is not your car.

You're right. The Cobra is not the car for him. Joerude, turn back now, don't even look over your shoulder, and spend your money elsewhere. You would not be happy with one of these cars.

[DanEC]

Regardiing using a Cobra replica as a daily driver and driving it to work, there is an aspect of this that no one above has commented on yet - they reek of fuel and exhaust fumes and by the time you jsut back out of the garage you will too. A fuel injected motor will lessen the stench somewhat, but not eliminate it. If you work in a business where it won't be a problem to smell like a refinery all day then other than being able to stand yourself, you may be OK. It won't endear your wife or girlfriend to you on a daily basis either. Plus, day in and day out use - you will probably be deaf in no time from exhaust noise and wind buffeting.

[decooney]

I can't imagine driving a Cobra in stop-n-go traffic and sitting at stoplight after stoplight every day going to work.

[Paul F]

I can't imagine driving most Cobras in stop and go traffic either. But not all Cobras are 500Hp with a cam that idles like 4 cylinders are dead and has pipes that wake the dead.

There are mild cars out there and he may have a 12 minute commute in easy traffic like I do. I don't drive my Cobra every day (that would be nuts ) but it would be no problem to do.
Yes, warnings are warranted. The biggest warning sign is that you are not big on mechanics. There isn't a Fake Cobra Dealership that you can take it to and there is no online help that a local shop can look up a leaking radiator hose.

But he has nothing to lose buying a modest used car. If it doesn't work out, it's no big deal.


Try it. Only you can know if it works for you.

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by DanEC

1...A fuel injected motor will lessen the stench somewhat, but not eliminate it...

2...It won't endear your wife or girlfriend to you on a daily basis either. Plus, day in and day out use... -

3...you will probably be deaf in no time from exhaust noise and wind buffeting.

1) Well, the right motor and the right gas (see pictures) no smell at all!!

2) Depends on your partner in life, mine is a Texan --- Horse, Motorcycle, Hot Rod and Roadsters she is all in.

3) There are pretty quiet Cobras out there - buffeting? The grin on the face of a Cobra driver overcome that pretty easy.

[David Kirkham]

Welcome to the fun

These cars are incredibly cool.

David