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TURK, my theory is that the losses for the crotch rockets are spread over a larger pool of risk (i.e. sure there are some nasty accidents but a larger population you are insuring thus your loss ratio is possibly lower). The insured population of Cobras on the road is what? I have seen people estimate it that roughly right 10,000 replicas and real ones have been sold? There are probably that many crotch rockets running around just in the LA basin. I sadly took a class on this stuff in college called Risk and Insurance. BORING stuff, but my answer is likely correct. Then further magnify the Cobra situation down to a specialty insurer and someone with a driving history that is not the most desirable, and it is a real problem. |
I don't think the demise of the cobra is Imminent, quite the opposite, I think they are just about to take off. Just look at Harley's and all the Harley clones. Seems like the more Harley's and such they sell,,,well,,,the more Harley's and such they sell! The numbers don't seem to hurt the values either, last time I looked they weren't exactly giving those things away.
I've met a lot of people who go nuts over my car. For many its the first time they have ever seen one up close, or at all. Around here they are rare as alien abductions. No, I think we are just on the leading edge of a huge wave of cobras, coupes, GT40's and ? and the value and image is only going to go up. Plus, the more cobras there are, the less likely the states can do anything about them, and the lower the insurance should be (I say SHOULD). Just my Gashole $0.02 worth:JEKYLHYDE |
Greg Kulp,
You've got mail..... and Turk, you don't!!!!! |
Pheeew!!
Had me worried there for a moment Jack. I guess that is better!! TURK |
roadsternut
Reference to Curt Scott is a joke! He is a dear friend. Thaught him everything he knows about photography. His name doesn't belong there any more than NASA or Dan Rather. Just a JOKE!! TURK Geeez!! |
CowtownCobra....
I like your optomistic approach! You make the future sound so bright I'm gonna need sun glasses, :LOL: Seriously, I hope your right! Ernie |
Simple, rich guys buying vintage iron and turning it into a show piece... They are the same ones that smirk at your replica because the shifter knob isn't 100% original... Drive it like you stole it...
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Turk, are you padding your post count or something? Individual replies to each person above? I guess if so, I just helped you add one more.
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Good Lawyer= oxymoron
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I personally think Rosie is behind(no pun intended!)all our problems.Worst nightmare-walk into DMV and see Rosie or her clone behind the counter.(Turk,I think she probably is in possession of your paperwork on the Porsche as we speak).I went to the auto show this last week,and came away with several impressions.The first is how boring most new cars truly are.Sterile might be a better word.Interesting to see what appeared to be maybe a drop in fit/finish of high end German cars.Paint definately not of Jaguar quality,interiors somewhat lacking in plushness.Lastly,I got a look at the new Nissan Titan(aptly named!)pickup,and most importantly it's 5.6 V-8.It's still my belief that the crossover of Japanese technology with American Muscle is the future of the Cobra.Not high winding four poppers,but high horsepower V-6&V-8 energy efficient and envirofriendly powerplants.I had a precious moment wondering what that Nissan engine would sound like with sidepipes and look like with a Weber-look fuelie set-up.The future is bright for the Cobra,I see it still in it's infancy.Keep the faith Bros!
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In addtion to TC's theory of a larger risk pool, the only other possible explanation I can think of with crotch rockets is the magnatude of potential loss when there is an accident. If the average crotch rocket is totalled how much is lost, $8-15K? Your average cobra will be at least $25-$35k write off, with many more in the $45-60k range. Obviously it costs insurance cos more if a cobra is totaled. Smaller risk pool plus greater potential loss equals more $$ to insure.
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Good Topic Turk,
I have watched this thread today and wondered if there was anything meaningful I could add ... and the answer is not much. You have all covered most of my concerns but I would like to echo what Wilf said earlier about the scam that the general population of the world has been asked to swallow about "Global Warming". Also, the do gooders of the world will always have a battle to fight wheather it is real or perceived. Once the rest of the world finds out how much enjoyment we are getting from these cars we will probably become a bigger target. In my opinion (I know it is just like an A$$hole...everyone has one) less government would help but the truth is everything runs in cycles and this is Cobras second go around and it will end in time. Some of us will probably keep ours forever others will move on to something else. And that's okay! Clois |
How about EFI. It is an age/generational thing.
The young ricers aren't about turning wrenches or tuning for horsepower. The younger crowd seem to be more about changing the power 'chip' and the tuning is for the sub-woofer booming bass out the hatchback. Lets not forget the ground effects, the screaming muffler that steals HP, and all that neon. At least thats what I see hanging out at the local shopping center parking lot. I don't think were a dead lot, just a dying breed! -John |
The end to OUR life with Cobras will be what we are teaching or kids directly and indirectly. History and heritage have become meaningless if not taboo. We can not all love each other and thy neighbor with party line politics and good old BUY American Only sediments and still be politicly correct because that is racist. Dad was a WW2 POW who would have freaked out if a Japanes, non union built Import ever followed me home.
Old American Hot Rods were held in the highest regaurds and that was handed down to me. The new generations do not have that and the old junker handed down to them is a Toyota, ETc... The birth of the Ricer! |
Robert,
The demise of the Cobra took place in the 60's. It's been upward and onward ever since.... The fact that it's outdated makes if what it is.... Cowtown, I thought alien abductions were pretty common in your area... |
if a guy wants something bad enough, car, relationship, career, he will do whatever it takes to acquire it. But he has to want it enough to make it happen. Males are motivated by love, hate, power, and greed.
For us generally older guys, replica owners, we did it. The "cobra" was an icon for many of us, but it won't be for the youth of the future. I suspect the handsome, visceral appearl of a cobra will always be admired, but not enough to fire the zeal in the future car guys. My son, a Boxster driver loves my Cobra, but has no interest in the great muscle cars of the '60's, nor any "hotrod". His ideal is to someday have a GT3, or Ferrari. Not something that was out of production before he was even born. The obstacles to acquisition and registration/insurance are clear. But not impossible. But Tomorrow's car guys will lust after hi-tech performance cars, not old relics like our primative replicas. It won't mean much to have a REAL One, nor any other variety. I see the replica business beginning to contract in the next decade, to a much smaller, very specialized "nitch" industry. So let us enjoy the drive into the sunset. |
TC,
I replied to few posts individually, because that is how Brent pays me. By the post count.:3DSMILE: I get time and half if the post is in excess of 600 words. Then there is a bonus, if I pi$$ off at least half the people on the thread I started . Double pay if I end up moderating my own thread. It is all economics. :LOL: :LOL: TURK |
Hal, I enjoy your points. I would love to have a GT3 now, I'd love to have a Ferrari now. It is a hopeless case for me if either of the new GT3s or Ferraris appreciate before my retirement in any significant fashion, or your son's midlife disposable income possibilities. By Ferrari, of the ones I like a 512BB is likely the cheapest to get me off the dime and the most established of the later era cars for a price plateau. I am also a likely candidate to take a flyer on a F355 Spyder. That said, neither are endearing to the home mechanic. The 512BB Ferrari may have some emotional raw in your face appeal (smell, sound, aesthetics, and performance is about marginal now), but I'd rather have a old outdated V-8 with a Holley 4 bbl to tune for all the same reasons you have described so eloquently here and on SCOF. I think your son could come to these very same conclusions for all the reasons you and I enjoy them 10-20 years down the road. I hope the HotRod culture never dies.
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TURK, Sounds like you and CW are on different payplans :) .
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Remember, the question was: "What do you think has or will hurt Cobras/Replicas the most?"
In the long run? Our ages. For many of us on the forum we grew up with the Cobra; in our 10's-20's we saw and fell in love with the Cobra. Insurance? Gas? Parts? Nope, nothing will prevent us from enjoying our Cobras. But sooner (or better, later) we'll be pusing up daiseys and the next generation will have the disposible income to enjoy a hobby with cars. 512BB, Countach, Bora, M5 ... and C4, Camaro, Firebird ... and Supra, RX7, Honda-what-evers. But heck, for now... COBRA! Another question that could be asked is "when will the market for Cobras become saturated?" |
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