so how much do you really drive your cobra

[fsstnotch]

Ok, so how much do you guys really drive your cobras? I'd like to say, weather permitting, that I could drive mine almost daily once it's done during the nicer weather months? How many have a wife and younger kids?

I ask because of this, I am currently in the position that I can afford to build a dream car, which the cobra definitely is for me! However, while being very supportive of the decision to build, my wife asked me a tough question. How much are you actually going to drive a car that has no top and poor mpg? the MPG thing is less of a factor as the no top and 2 seats thing. I have my wife and a 2 yr old daughter to think about. Which means the only time the car could be driven is when I'm alone, or if we had a babysitter. She said maybe it'd be better to build something with a back seat so we can drive it more regularly. I'm young(25), I've got plenty of time to build a cobra I guess. I make plenty of money to build just about whatever I want. But then, I have 2 other cars so it's not like I'd be relying on the cobra as a daily driver. She doesn't care which option I choose, she just doesn't want me to build a cobra and then sell it right away which has been the norm for me lately! haha Once the build is over, that's half the fun! I typically enjoy the cars for a few months and then sell em or trade em for something new to mess with.

I dunno, I'm in that "hmmmm" mind set. She made a very valid point. What would we do without women to rationalize everything!! haha

Josh

[double ugly]

I only average about 1,600 miles a year. I have two other cars but use the cobra for cruise nights and as a grocery getter. Others will drive them far more of course. Build it and find out which category you fit into.
John

[Ron61]

I have driven mine as much as 2200 miles in a year and other years less than 300 miles. The weather here is so hot all summer that it really takes a younger guy to be able to take all that heat, so I have to wait for the few days we have when the weather is cooler. This Winter was the worst one in many years as we had hardly no rain but it was continuously cold and windy so I got in about 200 miles at most.

Ron

[Tommy]

My Cobra is about as practical for driving as a big motorcycle. I view it as a hobby that I can sell for cash if I tire of it. In that sense, it's cheaper than golf. I've driven it about 10,000 miles over the past five years. ... I encountered the same dilemma you have about 30 years ago. I ended up buying a 1963 Corvette that wasn't good for taking the kids along. The kids grew up and I'm no longer married. I still own the Corvette. Draw your own conclusions.

[Cobra_Troop]

I leave Iraq (Ramadi) April or so of next year and plan on taking delivery of my Cobra shortly there after..I also live in the S.East (FT Stewart) and its hot as hell there during the summer..Im building with that in mind in the selection of the interior color...no black for me..and wont drive it but a few thousand miles a year which is also good for my insurance which limits me to 3xxx a year anyway..you dont build this car with the thoughts of others imo you build it for yourself and if others enjoy it then so be it..I have other vehicles to get around in and take the family out(girlfriend and son) when taking this out its all about you the road and the roar of your cobra...and if the wife can make it thats a plus!!

[trs900]

So far around 1000 miles a year as I have been pre occupied with other interests, it is hard to justify a Cobra its more like I want it and I am going to get it, thing... if money is no object then maybe do a 4 seater street rod with a/c-heat etc for the family outings and the cobra at the same time just for yourself

[fsstnotch]

Ya, i'll be leaving here around June 1st. My contract ends June 10th. It's doubtful that I will re-sign. I came here with the intent to gain a large amount of $$ in a short amount of time. A year of this heat is plenty for me! haha I'm buying a house this week in the Pittsburgh area and that's where I plan to settle out for the rest of my life. Chances are, I'll build the cobra. If it comes down to it, I'll sell it after a couple hundred miles of fun! I told my wife when I accepted this contract that I was going to buy something for ME out of the deal. I think I'm entitled after basically being imprisoned for a year?!

TRS, thought about doing some form of street rod as well, but it basically comes down to the rods I like the most are all 2 seaters! Money isn't really a problem, but I can only afford to build 1 right now after dropping a huge lump sum on a house! My job is completely reactive, so most of the time I am sitting at a computer surfing the net all day. If I come across something between now and the time I put my deposit on my HM kit, then i may pick it up instead. I could always build yet another mustang, but I'm kind of tired of them. Hmmmm... decisions, decisions!

Josh

[SKINNEDR]

If the Cobra is really your true dream, you would not have to rationalize the purchase. Accomplishing your dream is a great satisfaction in life. If that car is your real dream it is your dream and not a family dream. If you have that much money LIKE YOU SAY, purchase a nice car for your wife she would not care if you took her for a ride in the Cobra. A cobra is a street legal race car, not a family car.
You should be the main focus for that car, and the day you have someone to take care of the little one, invite your wife along for a ride..
A cobra has been my dream for 28 years. In the past 28 years I have been through at least 40 cars and finally me and the wife decided to split after we put one kid through college and the second one left for Engineering school. On March 15, 2007 she moved into her new Condo, and that afternoon I went and picked up my BDR. I have five cars including a BDR, but the BDR is my dream not my family dream, however the family knew that was always my dream... Today the wife is a good friend of mine, and I have invited her out for a ride once and she love it..
In 4.5 months I have put 800 miles on my car, only driving it on Saturdays.
If your Cobra is your dream, purchase an SL500 for your wife/Kid and she would not care about your Cobra......

Good luck
Dex..

[Cobra_Troop]

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

Ya, i'll be leaving here around June 1st. My contract ends June 10th. It's doubtful that I will re-sign. I came here with the intent to gain a large amount of $$ in a short amount of time. A year of this heat is plenty for me! haha I'm buying a house this week in the Pittsburgh area and that's where I plan to settle out for the rest of my life. Chances are, I'll build the cobra. If it comes down to it, I'll sell it after a couple hundred miles of fun! I told my wife when I accepted this contract that I was going to buy something for ME out of the deal. I think I'm entitled after basically being imprisoned for a year?!

Josh

Roger that!! My thoughts exactly I mean what else am I going to spend the money on once I have paid all my other "toys" off...lol

[fsstnotch]

Dex, My wife is actually much cheaper than most I guess! Her request was to trade in our expedition and buy a "Honda Ridgeline or a Hybrid Escape". Also, we got married when I was just a poor boy in the military so she wants a nice wedding ring. I don't think that's too much to ask for! haha

I don't mean to sound like I have money coming out my ears, just that as far as building a cobra, it's not a problem.

Josh

[CBattaglia]

I have two kids 6 and 3. The same question crossed my mind. The kids love going for a ride in the "race car". I put the booster seat in and away we go. It will all work out and you wont look back.

You will find reasons to drive it. For example, my wife wanted corn on the cob...... No problem honey, there was a great road side stand I knew of 20 miles away! I never has so much fun running a errand.

[emberglo66]

My SPF was completed in December of 2006. i now have 2850 miles on it.. it would be a lot more if it would stop raining !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[madmaxx]

If money is not an issue then buy one. If you buy it and do not drive it who cares if money is no issue. I am in the same situation, except for the money. I usually get my drives in eary Saturday morning or Sunday. Quick ride afterwork. In reality I only drive the car about 1000 miles/year or 20 hours. 20 hours or 40 minutes a week. I have to admit it does not take away from family time.
Purchase an assembled vehicle, if you build yourself and enourmous amount of time will be consumed!!

I am looking at purchasing my second one, they do hold their value if you keep them in pristine condition.

[fsstnotch]

Thanks for input so far guys. I know my daughter would love riding in the cobra. She loved riding in the notch when she was a baby. Sometimes it was the ony thing that would keep her quiet. I guess between the loud exhaust (longtubes and pro chambers without mufflers) and all the vibrations (solid motor and tranny mounts) she liked it! haha

I guess there is always a chance I can back out. But as I told Mike at Hurricane, my deposit is going in next month pending any unforseen closing costs on the house. Mike and the guys over there at Hurricane are some awesome people! I will definitely be happy to send them my cash.

Josh

[Commodore]

I use the family cars if I'm "going somewhere" and the Cobra if I want to "go nowhere" quickly. My Cobra is like a fine brandy. If I drank that brandy every day I fear I might loose appreciation for it fairly soon. Practical and Cobra mix like water and oil. The Cobra gives me more smiles per gallon than any other car I would consider owning. I drive it about 1,100 mile per year. Every time I walk through my garage to use my daily driver I look at the Cobra and just grin. Not many cars can do that.
RB

[fsstnotch]

I like that... "smiles per gallon!" Definately going to remember that forever!

Josh

[Roscoe]

8 years and 25k miles

Roscoe

[Tony Aprile]

4 Years, 10k...milage alotted by insurance..

[mikiec]

43,000 miles in 6 years

[Smoking Cobra]

Lot's of short drive's. Use mine 4-5 times a week for any chore that needs a ride. lol If it's real or hot cold use my other car's. Probably 1500 miles a year.
joeg