Interested Newbie - Seeking Advice on Ownership

[Ron61]

I don't agree at all with a few of the responses you received. I had my first Cobra for almost 12 years and had just a few minor problems with it and I raced it so it was driven hard. I never drove it on any real long trips and when going to the track would stop at rest stops and stretch my legs.

I now have a Coupe and it is a pleasure to drive and cruise in and it is also a track car with complete roll cage, fire suppression system, and other upgrades. If it had a larger gas tank I wouldn't be afraid to start out cross country in it.

Just remember that the build quality is what makes or breaks one of these cars. If it is cobbled together then you will have problems.

Ron

[Dwight]

I'm 5' 10" 170 lbs
I build my car so I could drive it on long trips. The longest are to the London Cobra show, 535 miles one way. Getting stopped on the interstate on a 90 - 95 degree day is tough.
I had extra padding installed in my seat for comfort.
I love my Cobra.

Hodge bought a Cobra in Chicago and drove it to Birmingham, Al. He took a couple of days to make the trip. He has a bad back and the seat was a big problem. The first thing he did was have the seat changed. It took three times to get the padding and angel to suit him.

Another friend bought a rough Cobra and the first month drove it to southern Florida from Nashville Tenn. Yes it rained. He drove that car everywhere and loved it.

My longest drive in the rain was a return trip from the LCS 310 miles of the 535 mile trip. Not bad, I have hole drilled in the floor, all holes into the interior are sealed. Water runs off the windshield onto the door and then my knee. I keep four beach towels behind the seat to use in the rain. The rain blows over the windshield and onto the back of your head. If you wear a hooded jacket you will stay drier. Oh yea, the back of the windshield gets as wet as the front so don't forget to RainX it. My car has a heater and defroster.

Cobras are different and not for everyone, but you may not know till you own and drive one it it's a car for you.

Dwight

[DanEC]

At 5'10" you should be able to work out a good seating position in most cars. Sometimes it involves removing the adjustable seat tracks and going with a fixed seat position. At your height you probably will be OK in most cars, in most seats and even with adjustable tracks. Kind of depends on the length of the upper torso. But the good thing is that there is quite a bit that can be done to customize the seating position to your needs.

I have not taken a long highway drive in my car but I think ear plugs would be a good idea if you care anything about maintaining your hearing as you get older. Actually, it's not all about the sidepipe noise - but also the wind noise. The wind and traffic noise on the left ear for the driver on the highway (opposite for passenger) can be pretty loud at speed.