New to the Cobra world? Have you always dreamed of having a Cobra? Read carefully.

rsimoes · #1 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 04:43 PM

edited 9/8/2007
If you are going to invest money in a Cobra, make sure you can handle the roughness of the car, research for years before stepping in and know everything about your choice. (even if you choose the best of the best) Don't blindly trust any name brand, see it, experience it and ask lots of question from owners, both present and past.

See what the completed cars of your choice actually sell for used and don't spent much more than that, even if you have no intention of ever selling. This will leave yourself room to get out, just in case something unforeseeable happens. You can always upgrade later, once you know Cobras are for you. You won't really know until you own one; as they are rough in a way that can't be described and must be experienced; and they require lots of TLC.

The Cobra was not for me and I learned numerous hard life lessons, but I still love the Cobra and always will. I just don't need to own one anymore. The day my car left, was a sad day, yet with relief.

I will be glad to answer any questions directly and share my experience with anyone. I am always glad to help.

Some of you were right and I did not, could not, would not see it before I owned one, that a Cobra is not for me.

Thank you all for your input.

I changed my post, because it was being misinterpreted much too often and causing much upset.

For those who have understood, thank you for the kind words.

I will no longer be reading any responses and this is my last post in ClubCobra. However, I will be available via email for any questions.

Thank you! And all the best! Farewell.

Rob

rsimoes · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 04:45 PM

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rsimoes · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 04:46 PM

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KevinM · #4 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 05:12 PM

This should be stickied so it stays where people can see it.

Sorry it worked out this way for you, but this is information people need to consider before they build or buy one of these cars. There is a reason that the last original 427 Cobras sat for a year or more before they sold, even then most people weren't willing to live with a car like this day to day.

Thanks for posting it,

Kevin

4pipes · #5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 05:28 PM

I think I agree with most of the observations you make about a Cobra, but by far the biggest problem is having to inject botox in my cheeks to wipe the smile off my face every time I get in it.

saltytri · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4pipes

I think I agree with most of the observations you make about a Cobra, but by far the biggest problem is having to inject botox in my cheeks to wipe the smile off my face every time I get in it.

You hit it right on the head, pal. Yeah, my car is too loud, too cramped, too hot, too smelly, too rough, and too powerful. In other words, it's just right. Meets my expectations perfectly.

ENTDOC · #7 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 05:33 PM

I got bad news, the corvette will lose 50 percent of its value in 2 years. Your business plan was severely flawed from the beginning, in fact, I do not believe I have ever come across more missteps in planning.

RedBarchetta · #8 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 05:24 PM

I believe if you performed better due diligence on the entire industry BEFORE you bought that first project, BEFORE you chose a horrible engine builder for your second project, and BEFORE you decided to go neck deep into a very realistic, all aluminum high-end build (which, by the way, ended up looking quite well), then your results would have been SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT and your expectations wouldn't have been squashed by the hard and cold ball peen hammer of reality right between the eyes.

Enjoy the simple cruises with your son and your new Corvette (they are very nice and fun, just not over-the-top like a Cobra) and hopefully you'll teach him the right way to go about planning for future projects so he doesn't make the same mistakes his Dad did.

-Dean

Kzof · #9 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

I believe if you performed better due diligence on the entire industry BEFORE you bought that first project, BEFORE you chose a horrible engine builder for your second project, and BEFORE you decided to go neck deep into a very realistic, all aluminum high-end build (which, by the way, ended up looking quite well), then your results would have been SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT and your expectations wouldn't have been squashed by the hard and cold ball peen hammer of reality right between the eyes.

Enjoy the simple cruises with your son and your new Corvette (they are very nice and fun, just not over-the-top like a Cobra) and hopefully you'll teach him the right way to go about planning for future projects so he doesn't make the same mistakes his Dad did.

-Dean

Couldnt have said it better, exactly what I was thinking, sounds like NO research was done.

DTurnbull · #10 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 05:34 PM

I really don't mean to sound cruel. I really don't. But, the phrase "more money than sense" comes to mind.

Sorry,

Dave -

Cazality · #11 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 05:45 PM

Sorry about your misfortune! You got all the bad luck in that deal it seems.

Much of what you described for maintenance and trouble shooting is nothing
unexpected from an "old" car. I refer to my 1948 Ford truck in my posts because it has taught me oh too well in that end.

I enjoy the older cars with a passion and can't wait till I can begin working on my Cobra and enjoy it's old time feel. I currently can't drive my old truck right since I moved and left it with my parents etc., and currently drive a 2006 Toyota Matrix...it feels like a luxury car to me and I hate it! lol

My point is I think they are made for some people and not for others..you either have a knack for that sort of thing or you don't.

Hope you enjoy your new Corvette!!

David

patrickt · #12 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 06:09 PM

My experience having my Cobra built by ERA (100% built by Doug and the boys) and my FE being built by Danbury Competition was the exact opposite. The build went smoothly, the engine is exactly what I wanted, and the car is an absolute pleasure to drive -- even in stop and go traffic. From the financial side, both ERA and Danbury Competition were a dream to work with. Once we established a mutual trust relationship with one another, a handshake was all the agreement we ever needed. And looking back, I can't recall a single conflict. The key to building a successful Cobra is to surround yourself with the right people, and then listen to them and take their advice. Somewhere on the ERA website I'm quoted as saying "...having driven my car now for xxxx months, if I could go back and change something on it I wouldn't. The car is perfect in every way." I still stand by that comment.

Silverback51 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 06:25 PM

First off, I have to say I'm sorry that you went through what you did. However I feel you brought some of it upon yourself.

In my case I researched the he!! out of these things before I bought it. I had a pretty good idea what I was getting into and that is what I wanted. I know the maintanence on this will be high, but that gives me a reason to go to the garage and tinker. It takes my mind off of a high stress job, that eats me up unless I have a toy to play with.

Hope you enjoy your Corvette as much as I'm enjoying my Cobra.

double ugly · #14 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverback51

First off, I have to say I'm sorry that you went through what you did. However I feel you brought some of it upon yourself.

In my case I researched the he!! out of these things before I bought it. I had a pretty good idea what I was getting into and that is what I wanted. I know the maintanence on this will be high, but that gives me a reason to go to the garage and tinker. It takes my mind off of a high stress job, that eats me up unless I have a toy to play with.

Hope you enjoy your Corvette as much as I'm enjoying my Cobra.

Hey, us retired guys have stress too. It involves the stress of boredom. This is my fourth Cobra and keeps a dream alive. I love to go and look at the cars or at least I will when the carbon car gets back here. I will have an extremely accurate car for a lot less than an aluminum car but far better than a fiberglass car.
John

496fe · #15 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 06:58 PM

The gal that started this thread should ask her husband what he thinks, rather than asking her kid in a car seat.

Kzof · #16 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

My experience having my Cobra built by ERA (100% built by Doug and the boys) and my FE being built by Danbury Competition was the exact opposite. The build went smoothly, the engine is exactly what I wanted, and the car is an absolute pleasure to drive -- even in stop and go traffic. From the financial side, both ERA and Danbury Competition were a dream to work with. Once we established a mutual trust relationship with one another, a handshake was all the agreement we ever needed. And looking back, I can't recall a single conflict. The key to building a successful Cobra is to surround yourself with the right people, and then listen to them and take their advice. Somewhere on the ERA website I'm quoted as saying "...having driven my car now for xxxx months, if I could go back and change something on it I wouldn't. The car is perfect in every way." I still stand by that comment.

This made me smile. ERAs have always been one of my fav. replicas.

pgermond · #17 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTurnbull

I really don't mean to sound cruel. I really don't. But, the phrase "more money than sense" comes to mind.

Sorry,

Dave -

Sorry, but I have to agree. I've seen it happen with boats, cars, adventure vacations, etc. One needs to know what they are buying into, unless of course they can afford to just walk away from it.

STL Mark · #18 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 09:24 PM

Rob - sorry for your misfortune.

But to me a Cobra is a sensory experience. Let's face it - there are plenty of new cars that can perform better - and have bumper to bumper warranties. But there are no new cars (including Vettes) that can deliver the sensory overload that a Cobra oozes - every mile. They are smelly, noisey, leaky, and a little dangerous AND the smiles per mile ratio far outperforms any other car.

496fe · #19 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 09:49 PM

Y'all have to ask yourselves: why has this guy written this little essay? He is not a car guy. He was complaining about paint swirls in the CHASSIS?

. His dream is to be seen posing, not driving. He and his little kid have chosen an appropriate car, complete with air conditioning. He doesn't get it. Don't try to explain it to him. Just let him go away.

fasterpatrick · #20 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 10:03 PM

Quote:

BUT - it's loud. It's smelly. It's hot. It's cold and wet. It can be a bumpy ride. There's no stereo, A/C, or power anything. It's a seat, a motor, 4 wheels, and that's about it. You can't just jump in and go. You'll be constantly messing with it to get everything just right. You'll easily spend as much time under it as you do in it.

Above all - It's the perfect car for me.

Yep thats the car I want. Look if you want a car that had a stat like 75% of original owners never made the third payment, you should know what you are getting into. As for more money than brains well, I'm building a modest car with a modern stock drive line from scratch for less than most kits would cost. Now that is not the norm but I want this car to be special to me I could give a crap what anybody else thinks of it. when it's done it should be all of the above, including bugs in teeth.
Patrick