289's - ERA vs Unique

luke-44 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-07-2003, 03:21 PM

My long awaited Cobra project took a major step forward today with the sale of my triple webered minilited TR6.

The car for me is definitely a 289 - I can't decide between a 289 FIA or street style, and I also am torn between Unique and ERA.

My heart says ERA for all the originality details, but my wallet says the completeness of the Unique Deluxe pallet kit means it is probably a good $5-7k less expensive than the ERA. I am kinda stretching to get into either - so the financial concern is real - rather than rule it out, basically an ERA would not be completed as soon I guess.

I will be doing as much of my own assembly as possible, so that aspect is not a major consideration - both are wihin my abilities.

Soooo, I guesss my questions are - am I right on my arithmetic comparisons? Anyone care to comment on resale/liquidity of market of one vs the other? Could the extra for the ERA be justified almost as an investment? (that's what I told wife)

Any other comments welcome.

Thanks, luke-44

BB427 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2003, 03:28 PM

The ERA is a very nice car, but, if a Unique is done right it looks just as good. Call Butch Capps at Mid-South Gear. He has a two year old 289 Unique that has won every show it has entered. He also ran it at SAAC in Nashville. The car is stunning in every detail and drives like a dream.

Just some info

Good luck

PatBuckley · #3 (**permalink**) 06-07-2003, 03:50 PM

Recommending one over the other tends to get one flamed -

I owned an ERA - I believe it to be the finest replica on the market. I would not hesitate to do another - in fact I may.

Ask to see the assembly manual for each of these cars....

Wheels · #4 (**permalink**) 06-07-2003, 03:56 PM

If you go with ERA ,be prepared to wait a while as they don't make many.Had a friend wait almost 2 years.

GeorgiaSnake · #5 (**permalink**) 06-07-2003, 05:10 PM

I'm winding up my Unique now, put the body back on it today and love the car. Send me an email if you have any questions and I'll fill you in.

Randy

casaleenie · #6 (**permalink**) 06-07-2003, 08:03 PM

I'd be thrilled with either one of the brands....I guess a ERA would cost more to buy but sell for more...
I don't think this is one of those "you get what you pay for" senarios. Both machines are basically in the same league.. If authenticity is a major consideration for you then I would go with the ERA. Unless someone points out the minor variations in the two brands, anyone would be hard pressed to tell the difference at 50 mph...

luke-44 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-07-2003, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GeorgiaSnake

I'm winding up my Unique now, put the body back on it today and love the car. Send me an email if you have any questions and I'll fill you in.

Randy

One thing I noticed that is significantly different is the ERA prefers to bond the body to the chassis whereas the Unique refers to the removal of the body from the chassis to paint it, and then replace it.

The ERA method seems much simpler. Any cmments from the Unique guys? Removing the body seems like a major chore..

luke-44

GeorgiaSnake · #8 (**permalink**) 06-08-2003, 04:13 AM

The actual time to remove the body is minutes not hours or days. Yesterday we put the body back on the frame. The windshield, gas tank, all lights, wiring harness, pedals and master cylinders were in place - four of us (one extra in the front to help guide) put the body on in about 1 minute.

Do a search on fellow member "chill" he just finished his car a few weeks ago. I could have finished mine weeks ago had I not done all of the body work and paint myself. Building a Unique is really no very difficult - it is rewarding.

Randy

FIA#9 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-08-2003, 05:56 AM

Luke, if you have not been to ERA's factory, you need to go. If you have, you need to go again. I researched this exhaustivly, and am glad I did. I can't possibly do this justice here, but I would buy another ERA in a heartbeat. Since its such a secure investment, that's a possibility. I look at it this way: make a big mistake (wrong car), or a little mistake (spent more). I didn't make any mistake, driving the car and the resale prove that to me constantly. Good luck no matter what.

casaleenie · #10 (**permalink**) 06-08-2003, 07:06 AM

What is the price difference between the ERA and Unique?
Assuming the engine, trans and rear-end are the same how much money are we talking??
I don't think the Unique would be a "mistake" by any stretch of the imagination.... also, I'd be hard pressed to consider a replica an "investment". That's not what it's about....

Someone's tag line on this forum was.

"drive it like you stole it"

Couldn't agree more.....

I'd buy an ERA in a heartbeat also, and I'd buy another Unique in another heartbeat.......
The guy who built my car had it on the road in six weeks painted and ready to go... That's per Alan Weaver...(deluxe pallet) I think it was a record....
No mistake with either car....

My usual .04 cents worth

al

BLACKJACK · #11 (**permalink**) 06-08-2003, 08:18 AM

HI, LUKE,

I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL UNIQUES THAT WERE VERY NICELY FINISHED. THEY ARE ALSO "REASONABLY" ACCURATE.

HAVING SAID THAT - - - - - -

I HAVE AN ERA 427 S/C (#273)

ALSO AN ERA GT-40 (#2057)

I WOULD NOT PART WITH EITHER OF THEM AT GUN POINT.

AS SOON AS I HAVE A GARAGE THAT WILL ACCOMODATE ANOTHER CAR I INTEND TO BUILD A STREET VERSION OF ERA'S 289.

ERA CARS ARE INCREDIBLY ACCURATE. ACCURACY IS IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US - - OTHERWISE WE'D BE DRIVING A VW POWERED VALKYRIE OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. THE ONLY THING WE VARY ON IS THE DEGREE OF ACCURACY AND IT'S RELATIVE IMPORTANCE TO US.

ERA CARS ARE EXCEPTIONALLY WELL DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED. I'VE HEARD - OVER THE YEARS - THAT A "GOOD BUILDER" CAN MAKE EVEN THE LEAST EXPENSIVE BRAND LOOK ALMOST AS GOOD AS AN ERA. THIS IS PROBABLY TRUE; THE PROBLEM IS - WHEN YOUR FINISHED YOU'LL HAVE A LOT MORE MONEY INVESTED AND STILL NOT HAVE AN ERA.

ANOTHER BIG PLUS IS THE PEOPLE. LET'S BE STRAIGHT ON THIS. WITH DARN FEW EXCEPTIONS THE MANUFACTURERS AND BUILDERS THAT I'VE MET IN THE COBRA REPLICA BUSINESS ARE SOME OF THE BEST AND NICEST PEOPLE YOU'RE LIKELY TO MEET ANYWHERE.

BUT, THERE'S JUST SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THE GUYS AT ERA. LIKE THEIR CARS - THEY JUST SEEM TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD.

BY ALL MEANS VISIT - IN PERSON - EACH OF THE MANUFACTURERS.
YOU'RE ABOUT TO MAKE A VERY LARGE INVESTMENT IN TIME MONEY AND EMOTIONAL TRANQUILITY (OR LACK THERE-OF) AND THE TIME AND COST OF THE TRIP IS "CHUMP-CHANGE" BY COMPARISON.

WHICHEVER WAY YOU GO - - I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK.

I DON'T WANT TO SOUND LIKE I'M DOING A COMMERCIAL FOR ERA ON THE FORUM SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT ME.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY.

BLACKJACK