Considering a Cobra have some questions
 

A couple years ago I was able to live out a life long dream and get a Porsche 911S 2012,(991). It is an awesome car, fast and handles like a dream.
What I found over time is that to get a thrill out of it I need to be near the edge. The problem is that the edge on that car is way out there. You have to be going very, very fast and doing something pretty crazy to find it.

That leads me to consider selling it and getting a Cobra. I am looking for something that is a little more weekend machine and more raw obviously.

First question (I have several). I am going to guess these cars are a bit squirrely. Short wheel base, light, lots of power, stands to reason. I am good with squirrely but how squirrely is it?

Second question. If it is a handful does swapping out to 17 or 18" rims with modern rubber make a dramatic difference? I understand it is not period correct but it still looks good.

I'll start with thouse two questions and see how it goes.

Thanks

Bill

Welcome Bill.

I'll try to answer each question 1 at a time:

1. As you pointed out physics suggest these cars are squirrelly. Just how much so depends on the build and set up. Two sister cars from the same manufacturer may be running different drivelines, suspension and wheel configurations. This set up will change the outcome.

2. It is my humble opinion that good rubber can hide many inefficiencies in setup. But it can't cure bad design or set up. For example: bad tires on a bad set up is obviously worse than good tires on a bad set up.

2.1. Wheels size: Ummm... No! 17-18in wheels don't look good. :p :LOL:

If you want to be "entertained" and engadged while driving at safe speeds. I highly recommend a 1960's Mini Cooper S. ;) Those small diameter wheels will have you bumping and dancing around at 30mph.
Just sayin' great fun little cars. :)

Mine has 640hp but since it is essentially a race engine it doesn't come on until 4k RPM. I have Avon 15" tires and it's not squirrely at all, with some respect. Those tires really stick, but they are pricey. Not sure 17" or 18" make a ton of difference in that respect. The 15" ride nicely, btw.

I've had lots of cars, including a Porsche, and they are just different from a Cobra. It is not a daily driver. It is a 60's race car for the street that requires attention to drive and maintain. I also would say that you need some mechanical skills to own one of these, they aren't just plug and play.

keep the porsche.

you're comparing apples to t-bone steaks. 1960 vs 2012.

A cobra ( I am assuming you are referring to replicas ) is basically a motorcycle on 4 wheels.

Thanks Lippy. While I don't want to build a kit I have mechanical aptitude and I get it is not not plug and play. I still have the SS 396 Camaro I drove in high school which I wrenched on quite a bit. I also helped my friends with crazy stuff. Big block roller Vega's and other "bigger is better" endeavors.

If the Avon tires are up to the task I have no problem with them.

How much is pricey?

[quote=NewYorkGuy;1331048]keep the porsche.

you're comparing apples to t-bone steaks. 1960 vs 2012.

A cobra ( I am assuming you are referring to replicas ) is basically a motorcycle on 4 wheels.[/QUOTE

LOL, Yea I get they are not the same that is the point.

First, rear engine and front engine are a different driving experience. The Cobra and Porsche are two diametrically opposite ends of the spectrum, IMO.

You may want the Porsche 993 (1995-1998), last of the air-cooled Porsche 911's. You'll get a more visceral feel at a lower speed limit. Or maybe an early 911 from the 1969-1973 range with a bigger (2.7, 3.0, 3.2, 3.6) engine.

Having said that. What color 991? Manual or paddle-shift AT? Coupe or convertible? :D

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-jJ7N...jJ7Nw7R-XL.jpg

I went dual clutch it is so superior to shifting it is crazy. Launch control is also quite an experience.

On the Avon's, they aren't *that* much. I remember $400 per tire. I like Porches and BMWs, but I also like Cobras, Mopars, and Vettes. Just understand what you are getting into, and it sounds like you do. PM me if you want to talk.

One more thing to add: at least on my car, it takes time to strap in, and it is so loud we wear earplugs. You don't futz with electronics, you just drive. I love that, but it's not for everyone, and it's not for a daily driver.

Maybe I don't understand?

I was thinking keep the HP around 500 with lots of cubic inches creating it and it should be ok?

I was imagining you would need ear plugs. I am looking for a weekend car. The Porsche could be a daily driver but that is not how I use it.

Detroit Bill,
One more thing to consider is that there are many variations of Cobra replicas. While most of them have to potential to kill the over-confident and under-skilled driver, they do vary quite a bit. For example, some have straight axle rear ends and others have independent rears. I suspect most of the big power Cobras have more power on tap than the tires can handle at most speeds. So its up to the driver to decide how far to push it. ... And other than shoulder harnesses, few have any modern safety features like a Porsche.

I have owned mine for over 2 years and 7 K miles. Top of on ramp to I 75 and punched it hard in third. I shot across two of the three lanes in a blink. Dang. Never did that before. Squirrelly enough ? Engine and tires were warm.

Get it. Get a big loud engine with tons of power. Just get IRS and good tired and you will love it.

For basic background and info, you might want to check in on the running thread "Warning, New Guy Content". It's quite long.

As far as comparing the Porsche to a Cobra, they may as well be from two different planets!

I have 2 friends with very nice and fast Porsche's, one a new turbo and the other an RS. Both drove my Cobra and both said "forget it".:eek:

They are not for everyone...

Funny I drove a new c7 corvette and thought no way. It was all over the place and seemed huge.

It is ok. For some reason here lately the moral majority has decided its their divine duty and responsibility to scare new potential Cobra buyers away by telling them how scary, dangerous and difficult to live with our cars are. For someone with miles of seat time in seriously fast cars as you appear to be, Cobras are not anywhere near as big a deal as the fear mongers point out.

Obviously - small car with big power and torque in a short wheelbase and flimsy body will demand common sense and respect. But the million or so fast motorcycles running around out there are far worse in that regard and people actually survive owning them.

The truth is with all that being given, along with the old tech devoid of all the electronic nanny-systems, a well built Cobra will deliver a visceral and thrilling experience like almost no other car; and to boot it's wrapped in one of the most beautiful and awe inspiring shapes ever to roll down the road.

Do accidents happen in Cobras? Absolutely - like any other car. I myself was run off the road almost exactly a year ago, and while I was able to get back on the road avoiding a few solid greenheart power poles, I ultimately spun off and impacted backwards into the far embankment of a large ditch. Both the car and myself survived with some damage, but not nearly as much as would have been expected.

Take the advice about the tires. I was running BFG (NFG?) radials mainly for their durability on our Caribbean roads, and that may have played a role in my inability to fully recover the car and keep it on the pavement.

The real important thing to bear in mind about Cobras is their impracticality and marginal weather protection. You seem familiar enough with fast cars to make a choice about the power and performance.

At normal speeds - even fast road speeds - a good Cobra handles very well with its right around 50/50 weight distribution (yes - even with a big block) and delivers a rewarding drive.

The most dangerous thing about a well built Cobra is the person behind the wheel.

It is the accoutrements, or lack thereof in a Cobra that turn some folks off.
Dr Hal Copple did a great story about it. Just Google him.:cool:

Yep, pretty much sums it up.

My advice as an engine builder is to go a little bigger on horsepower than what you initially perceive as adequate. Most guys will learn their cars in the first year, then will inevitably come back asking how they can add a little more power.

A 600-650 hp FE in these cars is pretty much the sweet spot, IMO.