Superformance Cobra or Exotic

[ToyCollector]

Originally posted by Turk


Get a Cobra and tell the rest of the world to kiss it!

I am having withdrawal symptoms, that are not too pretty. I didn't know it was going to be so hard.

TURK

NOW you understand!!!

Yours,

The guy looking for a cheap gold 930

[Jim Maxwell]

I have been lucky, or, as the case may be, unlucky enough to own a few exotics along with the Cobras, and I can tell you that I will take a Cobra any non-rainy day of the week and almost every rainy day, too! I can build a new engine for my 289 for the price of a major service on a Ferrari--really! $5000-7000!!
USED distributor cap for my 330 GTC--$200!!! And it needs two!
I'll take the Cobra crowd any day, although I have met many fine people at exotic car shows and events, too. I admire the machinery of the exotics, and the handling of even the 60's vintage Ferraris is excellent, far superior to my big block, better than the small block, too.
Still, my money votes for the Cobra all the way.

[juanone]

Just adding a couple of comments from the perspective of a new owner.

I have been waiting for my SPF 1649 since January when I first saw the color that I wanted. Since I ordered the car I have been in a daily dream world imagining all sorts of scenarios once I would take possesion of the car. My wife has been watching all this from the periphery and yet she cannot understand what is the big deal over a car. It is as if you have fallen in love for the first time in your life. You cannot escape the feeling right? You know it.

Well I took delivery of my SPF 1649 car just two weeks ago and is all worth it. I cannot wait to get up in the morning to look at it again. I cannot wait to start the engine to listen to the 427W as it starts up and settle into an idyllic idle, an experience onto itself. To ride in it through the neighborhood and ellicit all sorts of curious responses from all who see you in it and to feel the freedom of riding in a car that musters up all these emotions is an experience that must be lived. Like love you must experience it first hand. Buy one you will not regret it.

The dream really comes true.

[BANDIT 1]

Sorry Mr. Taters, but no car on your list even comes close to a Cobra. I think the Cobra is the most liked automobile ever made. No other car made has what the Cobra has going for it...

1. Second to NONE looks...
2. Super Fast (big block)...
3. Awesome sounds coming from the huge sidepipes (big block)...
4. Convertible...
5. You can buy a very low mileage "perfect condition" used Cobra for the price of a "wimpy" (sorry Hal!) Porshe Boxer...
6. You can have pretty woman tell you things like "I would DO ANYTHING for a ride in a car like that"...
7. You can see the "rude" Corvette owners cry and complain more than they already do...
8. You can see the looks on a Suzuki GSXR-1000 motorcycle rider as you pull ahead in a 65mph - 100mph race (big block, of course I wouldn't do anything like this myself)...
9. You could go 170+ mph on a public hiway (big block, of course I wouldn't do this myself)...
Etc...

[Excaliber]

My son and I stepped out of the restaurant the other day and in the parking lot,,,,,,,there it was, our Cobra.

I kept walking toward the car, my son just stopped for a moment and just stared, a slight smile with a look of "awe" and calm about him.

I asked, "Are you Ok?". He didn't answer right away, he just stared at the Cobra and was kind of letting it sink in how awesome it was.

I totally understand, I still have those "moments" myself. How can you explain it, it's almost spiritual at times.

Ernie

[Randall Thomas]

I can't beleive I'm the one voted to take this straight to the gutter, but I have to earn my gasshole points where I can get em...

TATER: Real or Fake? If Pam Anderson were to slap those replicas in your face would this question be on top of your list, or would you roll with the results? ;-). If "fake" anything bothers you, then these would too... I suggest not to go there in either case.

As for "wanting a Cobra", you had better be DROOLING for a Cobra... DREAMING of a Cobra and you can't get it out of your mind. Becasue if you don't, the noise, smells, vibrations, brutal power, ill handling, wind, cold, rain, leaks and creaks will surely change your mind until you get one. If not, you *will* be one of the growing number that are currently or already have sold their Cobra's.

You do NOT buy a Cobra because "you like it"... you buy a Cobra becasue you have no other choice... you can't eat, sleep or breath without it. You can't go a single day without thinking about it. You go into the garage late at night just to LOOK at it and make sure you are not dreaming... and you will be doing this 10 years later.

If you do not feel this passion, beleive me, you will not like the car, becasue it is a handful of testosterone waiting to be injected into your veins as soon as you turn the Rumble key and step on the Loud pedal.

I can't explain it any better than this, but it's all true. "Polka singers don't play Acid Rock", and Cobra's are in a league all unto their own, as are their owners which are proud to be a part of that silent and unique fraternity.

/Randall

[Tony Radford]

Randall, well put! I thought I was a mutant. So do my wife and daughter.

[Carroll DeWeese]

Having a Cobra is not rational. Reasons are given only to justify the emotion. It is a question of love, not money.

My wife and I fell in love with the car the first time that we saw one. It was a "dream car" beyond our imagination of ever owning. We talked about compromise. Since I work for General Motors, I could get the top-of-the-line Corvette for many thousands of dollars less than a Cobra replica. And a Corvette and any of its competition look extreemly practical compared to a Cobra. We decided that we did not have to compromise. We would have two vehicles: a practical vehicle and a Cobra. No regrets.

One side issue that helped us make our decision was Cobra owners. They are so freindly and helpful. In fact, if you own a Cobra, you had better like people. The car generates attention and people want to see it, touch it, and discuss it. I have had the Cobra side-by-side with exotics costing 5 to 10 times the cost of my Cobra and the Cobra gets the attention, not the exotic.

I saw a newspaper article the other day mentioning which cars people were paying for over sticker price. One was a Viper, because buyers wanted a car with more than 500 hp. My Cobra has that much hp and cost much less and draws much more attention than the Viper. If you have to rationalize it, the Cobra is a "best buy." Virtually no car is more fun for the money.

None of the Cobras are perfect. They are a living work of art. You will have to tinker, modify, and change things. If you want finess and no hassles, the Cobra is not for you. Get another car. But as an on-going work of art, a Cobra lets you create a unique, custom, individualized car -- a one-of-a-kind.

You mention SPF. Not only are the cars super, but the dealers are also super. If all car dealers were up to the standard of SPF, car sellers would be one of the most respected professions in the country, not one of the lowest. The SPF is a great choice.

[Eddy K]

jaunone, would you mind dropping me an e-mail please?
Eddy K

460cobra@earthlink.net

[Eddy K]

Tater, I went to a cruise in Owensboro, Ky one sat night. Parked beside a new red C-5 Corvette. I sat and talked most of the night with the owner. He was a real nice guy. The last thing he said before he left was, " I'll never park by you again, no one wants to look at my car, they are always looking at yours." Nuff said.
Eddy K

[MidOHasp]

Tater-
Had the pleasure of piloting a '97 Porsche 911 turbo so far into triple digits I thought I was going to kill myself once. Later that day, got to drive an F355 Spyder. Saw triple digits, but not like in the 911.

Couple o' years later, my pops and I took delivery of SPF1670, titanium silver w/ black stripes. We built a 408 stroker ourselves (first time we've ever built an engine) and got to watch that mean SOB on the dyno rockin' and screamin' as we saw 508HP and 540lb-ft on our final pull.

Couple o' weeks later, I started that car on the lift at the garage where we put the motor in. Doing 140+ in the 911 wasn't half as cool as turning the key in my Superformance. That's no $hit.

I live 2 minutes from Mid-Ohio and go out for all the races. People walk away from the Ferraris to come talk to me and hear it started up. When they walk away from a Ferrari or a 911 or something, I'm happy to answer all their questions. It's flattering.

If they ask if it's real or if it's fake, I don't say a word. I reach in, turn the key, and grab the throttle linkage a couple times. THEN... I say "yup."

If you care what anyone thinks, you're missing the point. Driving this car can make me laugh for an hour after I reluctantly shut it down to go do something else. It just makes you giddy.

There is nothing like these machines. Nothing.

[blown]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Hmmm, those Testorossas are nice. Hmmm, so are those Panteras.

Geez now I'm confused!

Seriously, for me there is nothing close to the feeling and thrill of driving a 427 Cobra on a nice Saturday morning, with the booming sound from the dual exhausts, the wind in my hair, looking out at that hood with the scoop rising up, the powerful accelaration and some vintage 60's Rolling Stones or Steppen Wolf playing on the CD system.

It just doesn't get any cooler than that.

Get what makes you happy. I wouldn't give a $hit what questions some know nothing knucklehead may ask about "is that a kit" especially when the fastest most exotic car they own is probably a Chrysler mini van.

I know im a little late but amen to that!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by blown

I know im a little late but amen to that!

Only 10.5 years late.

[BAsque1]

Originally Posted by captain

If you compare the $50,000 you spend on a Superformance to another $50,000 product, there is nothing that will; give you the same thrill.
If you are concerned about what some one else will say, consider all the thumbs up you will get with a Cobra. None from a Porsche, or a Corvette, or even a Ferrari 308.

I must agree wholeheartedly with Captain, I could give an overweight rodent's gluteus maximus what people think, if I am happy with what I purchased its my $$ and no one will tell me what to do with it. Regarding the yahoos who want to know if it is real or a replica; does it really matter? NOPE, if it was real I would no be driving a $2M car in NY it would be in my living room with a machine gun guard---that's no fun so I might as well not have it and have just as much fun.
These are my 2 cents.
PS
I had an exotic before and it will never match my Cobra!!!

[Lou1119]

Originally Posted by Taters

I have been looking at Superformance Cobra's. For what it is going to cost me to purchase this vehicle, I could buy an exotic.
Overall I like Idea of owning a Cobra over an exotic. My biggest
problem with the Cobra is the fact of people asking me If it's
real or fake, I really don't want to deal with that. Can you give
me some more insight into this matter.

I have owned more cars in my lifetime than any sane man should. Some were pure luxury "Imports", some real muscle cars (62 Biscayne 409, 67 L88 Corvette) and most recently sold my 2008 SL65 Mercedes. I can honestly say in the short time that I have had the SPF Cobra I have received more thumbs up with it than all the other cars combined. It is a pure beast and always brings a big grin on your face when you get behind the wheel and wake up the heart under the hood. Others here have said drive one before you buy one and that is very sound advice. These are not for the faint of heart or for inexperienced drivers.
This comes from an old fart with over 55 years of driving experience.

Good Luck,

Lou

[buddyg]

Holy thread revival Batman!

I like this thread though. I have owned 2 SPF's in the past and just purchased my 3rd one. I will not be selling this one. All the prior comments are true, do not buy this car if you don't like attention or talking to people every time you park.

[madmaxx]

I agree with most comments except the music Rolling Stones or Stephen Wolf, give me a break, The Doors are the only band worthy of a Cobra drive!!!!!! May the music never be over!!!

[spf645]

m-maxx

After driving all night and reading all this, I'm going out to sleep with mine.(SPF) Motley Crue's playing kick start my heart. I think it kind of goes along with the car. Relaxing music,,,,, not. Everyone have a great day.

[Bartruff1]

What they are really asking is " Is it a original cobra "....the answer is no...it is a replica.

I am not smart enough to lie...just tell the truth and then you won't have to remember what you said ....

I bought the car because for a variety of reasons , I wanted one and I could afford it.

Impressing other people was not one of the reasons.

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by Bartruff1

What they are really asking is " Is it a original cobra "....the answer is no...it is a replica.

I am not smart enough to lie...just tell the truth and then and then you won't have to remember what you said ....

I bought the car because for a variety of reasons , I wanted one and I could afford it.

Impressing other people was not one of the reasons.

Best reason yet, owning a car to impress other people is very weak, own it because you want to be impressed.