Used Superformance or New Backdraft from Vintage

[AL427SBF]

Good tip for Ace, on 1st pass I was thinking Vintage as in age lol.

Vintage Motorsports, working with our customers, is proud to be the leading independent final installer for Backdraft Racing Roadsters.
Welcome to VINTAGE Motorsports

[madmaxx]

SPF owners don't frequent this site since their cars don't have issues vs BDR...... ROFLMAO. There is no wrong financial decision based off the two he is considering. Is there a wrong personal choice or maybe not optimium choice only he would know that....

A example of a bad decision was Jonny Manzeil entering the NFL draft this year. If he would have waited played another year in college and got in the top 5 next year he would have made more on his signing bonus than he currently will in 4 years since he went late in the first round. In addition he wouldn't have 275 6'5 DE chasing him down as he will every Sunday in the NFL if he starts. TV made him a legend in his own mind, much like have made myself in mine.....

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

SPF owners don't frequent this site since their cars don't have issues vs BDR...... ROFLMAO.

Many SPF owners don't post here as there are dedicated forums for Superformance.....ones without Patrick! Why would you post a question about your Superformance here and wade through a dozen replies about "my ERA doesn't do that" or "Well if you had bought a BDR" or "Dude, sell that piece of sh!te and get a Road Serpent"??????

Anyone who says the have any brand of "Cobra" and said brand NEVER has any issues is a lying piece of.....

Either you enjoy fiddling with your car sometimes or you have a deep checkbook. One or the other is required if you own and drive these cars.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Many SPF owners don't post here as there are dedicated forums for Superformance.....ones without Patrick!

But the real truth is that you wouldn't enjoy this site nearly as much without me....

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by patrickt

But the real truth is that you wouldn't enjoy this site nearly as much without me....

Yeah.......I suppose we would need to find someone else to take your place

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Many SPF owners don't post here as there are dedicated forums for Superformance.....ones without Patrick! Why would you post a question about your Superformance here and wade through a dozen replies about "my ERA doesn't do that" or "Well if you had bought a BDR" or "Dude, sell that piece of sh!te and get a Road Serpent"??????

Anyone who says the have any brand of "Cobra" and said brand NEVER has any issues is a lying piece of.....

I'm not talking about issues. I'm talking about customer testimonials for dealers of either a BDR or SPF. Well, if SPF owners aren't posting their customer testimonials about their dealers over here on CC then I think they're doing a disservice to their dealers and not providing them an excellent marketing opportunity.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

A example of a bad decision was Jonny Manzeil entering the NFL draft this year. If he would have waited played another year in college and got in the top 5 next year he would have made more on his signing bonus than he currently will in 4 years since he went late in the first round. In addition he wouldn't have 275 6'5 DE chasing him down as he will every Sunday in the NFL if he starts. TV made him a legend in his own mind, much like have made myself in mine.....

If he did make a mistake, and I'm not saying he did, he may have entered the draft after his freshman year post-Heisman trophy.

As for the 2014 draft, there were rumors that he would be selected at 1 (Texans), 3 (Jaguars), 8 (Browns) and multiple draft slots until he was selected at 22 by the Browns. There were rumors of Dallas at 16. He did great all things considered. The money for 1st rounders isn't all that much different with the newer NFL labor agreement.

[madmaxx]

You nailed, you enjoy fiddling or spending $$$ also true, SCOF is second to none in solving SPF and for the most part any car problem. They are surgically accurate with their responses. Even if you don't use the forum the library is incredible....

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

Hi, Ace ...

More buffoonery from our NY wannabe entry level electric car enthusiast lol.

[NewYorkGuy]

Originally Posted by AL427SBF

More buffoonery from our NY wannabe entry level electric car enthusiast lol.

Once the alum body Kirks come down to plastic car prices, I will get the last laugh with an electric Cobra!

[gary osborne]

Like you Ace, I am not one to work too much on my car. I have mechanics for that. I am sure I could have traded some skinned knuckles for the money I spent and be a little better off financially but if I wanted to work on a car, I would have built a kit. That said, the cars are pretty simple if you keep old technology. Furthermore, I have had my SPF for 15 years and put over 85,000 miles on it. For the most part, it has been problem free. What problems I have had have been drivetrain issues or routine maintenance and nothing to do with the SPF itself. It is still very tight and drives and rides like a dream…..way better than my C-6. Not only have I put a lot of miles on it, they have not been easy miles. I drive it where I want to drive it. It has seen many dirt roads and traveled from sea level to the highest paved road it North American and yes it has even crossed a few streams. The SPF is bullet proof and has a tremendous support system behind it with the dealers and SCOF. SPF has bent over backwards over and over on little things for me (like getting a new top that i never use anyway just because I wanted the newer style or jumping through hoops to get me a new windscreen etc.). I can call Lance at Hillbank or any of the dealers and they are there for me. As I said earlier, my car has not really had problems so I have not had to call on them much (other for frivolous things) but I know they are there to help if I ever do really need them….especially for something important.

I have a dear friend who is a backdraft dealer in Houston and he is also a great guy to work with and I think the BDRs are pretty nice cars. I would buy one if SPF was not available. However, if I ever buy another Cobra, it will be another SPF. I have simply had too much fun and good luck to even consider anything else.

Don’t allow your lack of experience or will to work on a car keep you from buying a Cobra. But don’t go into ownership thinking it is going to be like owning a vette where there is a Chevy dealer in every town and any mechanic can plug the car into a diagnosis computer and fix it. It is a hobby car and will require patience at times and a good mechanic that actually understands what all those parts are supposed to do without the benefit of a computer.

[Ace23]

Originally Posted by gary osborne

Like you Ace, I am not one to work too much on my car. I have mechanics for that. I am sure I could have traded some skinned knuckles for the money I spent and be a little better off financially but if I wanted to work on a car, I would have built a kit. That said, the cars are pretty simple if you keep old technology. Furthermore, I have had my SPF for 15 years and put over 85,000 miles on it. For the most part, it has been problem free. What problems I have had have been drivetrain issues or routine maintenance and nothing to do with the SPF itself. It is still very tight and drives and rides like a dream…..way better than my C-6. Not only have I put a lot of miles on it, they have not been easy miles. I drive it where I want to drive it. It has seen many dirt roads and traveled from sea level to the highest paved road it North American and yes it has even crossed a few streams. The SPF is bullet proof and has a tremendous support system behind it with the dealers and SCOF. SPF has bent over backwards over and over on little things for me (like getting a new top that i never use anyway just because I wanted the newer style or jumping through hoops to get me a new windscreen etc.). I can call Lance at Hillbank or any of the dealers and they are there for me. As I said earlier, my car has not really had problems so I have not had to call on them much (other for frivolous things) but I know they are there to help if I ever do really need them….especially for something important.

I have a dear friend who is a backdraft dealer in Houston and he is also a great guy to work with and I think the BDRs are pretty nice cars. I would buy one if SPF was not available. However, if I ever buy another Cobra, it will be another SPF. I have simply had too much fun and good luck to even consider anything else.

Don’t allow your lack of experience or will to work on a car keep you from buying a Cobra. But don’t go into ownership thinking it is going to be like owning a vette where there is a Chevy dealer in every town and any mechanic can plug the car into a diagnosis computer and fix it. It is a hobby car and will require patience at times and a good mechanic that actually understands what all those parts are supposed to do without the benefit of a computer.

Great to hear the 85K mile part of your story! I think the newer BDR must be pretty improved cars considering there are so many pleased owners. What I will say is that those BDR owners have not owned a SPF and vice versa for the most part. I don't think I can go wrong with a used SPF or a new or very newer BDR. Just going to check out these cars and give it some serious thought. I will make a post after I get to see the coyote about how I fealt the quality of the car was. The will be a Vintage car and it will only be my opinion but it will be interesting to see how its differs from what I've hear. I expect it to be a nice car.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by gary osborne

Like you Ace, I am not one to work too much on my car. I have mechanics for that. I am sure I could have traded some skinned knuckles for the money I spent and be a little better off financially but if I wanted to work on a car, I would have built a kit. That said, the cars are pretty simple if you keep old technology. Furthermore, I have had my SPF for 15 years and put over 85,000 miles on it. For the most part, it has been problem free. What problems I have had have been drivetrain issues or routine maintenance and nothing to do with the SPF itself. It is still very tight and drives and rides like a dream…..way better than my C-6. Not only have I put a lot of miles on it, they have not been easy miles. I drive it where I want to drive it. It has seen many dirt roads and traveled from sea level to the highest paved road it North American and yes it has even crossed a few streams. The SPF is bullet proof and has a tremendous support system behind it with the dealers and SCOF. SPF has bent over backwards over and over on little things for me (like getting a new top that i never use anyway just because I wanted the newer style or jumping through hoops to get me a new windscreen etc.). I can call Lance at Hillbank or any of the dealers and they are there for me. As I said earlier, my car has not really had problems so I have not had to call on them much (other for frivolous things) but I know they are there to help if I ever do really need them….especially for something important.

I have a dear friend who is a backdraft dealer in Houston and he is also a great guy to work with and I think the BDRs are pretty nice cars. I would buy one if SPF was not available. However, if I ever buy another Cobra, it will be another SPF. I have simply had too much fun and good luck to even consider anything else.

Don’t allow your lack of experience or will to work on a car keep you from buying a Cobra. But don’t go into ownership thinking it is going to be like owning a vette where there is a Chevy dealer in every town and any mechanic can plug the car into a diagnosis computer and fix it. It is a hobby car and will require patience at times and a good mechanic that actually understands what all those parts are supposed to do without the benefit of a computer.

Gary literally (editorial committee) wrote the SPF owner's manual, and SCOF member. It's great that he checked into this thread today for both a BDR and SPF testimonial.

[Mark IV]

10 pages.......whatcha think, 6-7 more before this bloated dead horse explodes?

[Ace23]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Gary literally (editorial committee) wrote the SPF owner's manual, and SCOF member. It's great that he checked into this thread today for both a BDR and SPF testimonial.

Is that a smartass comment directed at the potential angle of Gary's post or is that a positive comment in regards to the thread? I'm not being a jerk just can't honestly tell as I do not know the history of all the people involved

Originally Posted by Mark IV

10 pages.......whatcha think, 6-7 more before this bloated dead horse explodes?

Would you have any input on the 2 offerings?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Ace23

Is that a smartass comment directed at the potential angle of Gary's post or is that a positive comment in regards to the thread? I'm not being a jerk just can't honestly tell as I do not know the history of all the people involved.

Both, actually.

From reading his past postings over the years, Gary is fine gentleman and he, along with his other editorial committee members, really did write the SCOF Owner's Manual, which is awesome. It's also wonderful that David Kirkham from Kirkham Motorsports, Jay from Vintage (BDR Dealer), Rick Muck (Mark IV from Time Machine Motorsports-SPF Dealer) and Bob Putnam from ERA post here as well. These folks are important to the Cobra hobby.

But, as I mentioned in another thread, maybe it was this one, I'm "cynical" by nature. But if you prefer "smartass", then that's fine with me too.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Ace23

Would you have any input on the 2 offerings?

Yes I do. But I am biased (see my sig info).

I would be happy to discuss with you off line. PM or call. Not a secret but easier than doing this way.

[PANAVIA]

On the LS7 portion of this thread - I have a 2007 Z06 with almost 100k miles on it , and I use it every day and couldn't be happier. I had heard of some rocker issues or valve issues that resulted in damaged engines and it was traced to a batch of parts.

As for SPF vs backdraft - my personal vote is SPF.

[Ace23]

Checked out the SPF car again at the end of last week.....had more time to really be educated about the whole car. What a solid piece of machinery the SPF are!! Still hoping to check out the BDR car this weekend or next as a comparison. I Feel I owe it to myself to fully investigate both options.....seeing the BDR car equipped with the coyote will be a big win just on powertrain comparison alone. At this point leaning heavily on the SPF due to the condition of the car and the owner is a great guy and friend.

[RodKnock]

Ace, any decision is good one.

BTW, Steve (PANAVIA) who posted above you, while not a SPF dealer, is a wonderful resource for SPF's. I didn't even think about him and his business here in the SF Bay Area in my earlier responses. He's a busy guy, but he's posted about installing a 6-speed in his SPF Cobra and he may also have FI too. Not sure about that one.

Additionally, he has literally built from the ground up his SPF Daytona Coupe. He owns a business that caters to Cobra's and musclecars. And also has helped me with my Kirkham on a couple of occasions.

Strong SPF (among other brands) support there.