CSX fiberglass or aluminum

fast_4 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 05:51 PM

How about some advice on csx cars, is the $48,000. alum. option a better choise over fiberglass? Las Vegas cars worth more than South African?

REAL 1 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 08:14 PM

IMO Yes and yes.

Lowell W · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 08:15 PM

Do you want to wax it or drive it?

Lowell

Stentor · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 08:24 PM

If you've got an extra $50k to spend on a Cobra (~$150k in total for an aluminum Shelby) and it's important to you to have an aluminum CSX 4000 Cobra, then the aluminum car makes sense (and yes, the aluminum cars are going to be worth more than the fiberglass, largely because they cost more).

If you want an aluminum Cobra, but don't need/want a Shelby CSX 4000, go with a Kirkham.

If you want a Shelby CSX 4000 Cobra but don't want to spend $150k, go with the fiberglass car.

The answer really ties back to what's most important to you and what you really want.

bnewell · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 04:39 AM

Buy a Kirkham and save yourself some $$$$

John McMahon · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 05:39 AM

If interested, a friend of mine has a Las Vegas built glass car for sale with all the goodies....

http://www.clubcobra.com/classifieds...ct=186&cat=all

It has an interesting history.

jay bentley · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 05:45 AM

Having an aluminum car, I think a fiberglass car would be a lot less to worry about. I'm always concerned about people tapping my fenders, denting up fenders from stones etc. It would be nice to feel comfortable enough to lean against my car at a car show, or just walk away from it and enjoy the show and not have to worry about it.

John McMahon · #8 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 06:20 AM

Jay is correct. While it is easy enough to repair dings and the like using a skilled metal man, it may not be as easy in a painted car as a bare aluminum one. Depends on what you plan on doing with it...driving it alot or using it as a conversation piece.

SLHetal · #9 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 06:43 AM

Jay makes an excellent point. Enjoy the car or be a prisoner of the car by having to hover over it like a mother hen. Been there and done that...not any fun for me.
Sam

jdog · #10 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay bentley

Having an aluminum car, I think a fiberglass car would be a lot less to worry about. I'm always concerned about people tapping my fenders, denting up fenders from stones etc. It would be nice to feel comfortable enough to lean against my car at a car show, or just walk away from it and enjoy the show and not have to worry about it.

Damn you Jay! I had just talked myself into 'upgrading' to an aluminum body!

jdog
P.S. I can justify it financially, but I'm having a hard time with many other aspects of converting from glass to metal.

bnewell · #11 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stentor

If you want an aluminum Cobra, but don't need/want a Shelby CSX 4000, go with a Kirkham.

.

Just read the post

RodKnock · #12 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 01:18 PM

Not a every first KMP owner takes a bath. Most of them take showers.

bnewell · #13 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 02:02 PM

Allan A (I can only guess what the "A" stands for) ~ I was agreeing with Stentor......nothing more, nothing less. Maybe you should read the entire thread.

BTW, I am the 2nd owner of the car.

ENTDOC · #14 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 02:37 PM

aluminum. I think the value will increase at a higher pace than a fiberglass car. I long ago quit guessing what the ceiling on these cars might be. Think of it this way, there is always someone willing to shell out what it takes to have the most rare and best quaility items. The sheer numbers of the glass cars being produced will dilute the market.

Allan A · #15 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

You are full of it, but I would like to think you have the mental capacity to be well aware of that.
Yesterday 03:40 PM

Jamo, am I?

Quote:

Allan A (I can only guess what the "A" stands for)

Did it take you all day to come up with that. Read what you wrote and tell me how a KMP is part of the subject matter.

Jamo · #16 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan A

Jamo, am I?

Yes, I truly do think you are smart enough to realize you're full of it. Give yourself some credit ol buddy.

mhacars · #17 (**permalink**) 10-06-2007, 06:36 PM

I have an aluminum car and I agree with all the comments posted above. It all depends on what you want and your perception of enjoyment. I did not have it built for investment value, but rather because I wanted it and it makes me happy. To me it is kind of like a piece of artwork that I wanted for my collection and I appreciate looking at it and taking it out on occasion for a drive. At the end of the day, everyone should do what makes them happy and what they feel they can afford.

BMK · #18 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 05:08 AM

Mmmm Kirkham aluminium/aluminum gets my vote - left unpainted...

Power Surge · #19 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 07:23 AM

Here's my view, for what it may be worth...

You have to ask yourself several questions in deciding what you want.

First, if you want an alloy car, do you want a Shelby, or just an alloy car? If you want an alloy car, and don't care about the brand, then a Kirkham is the way to go. If you want a real Shelby, then obviously it's either a glass or alloy CSX.

Second, are you looking at future resale value (always smart to keep in mind)? Both glass and alloy CSX cars have gone up in resale value. I don't think one has an advantage over the other. Obviously alloy car bring more money, but they also cost more money. As far as worth goes, my feeling is that the period the car was built, adds the value. Older 4000 cars are worth more than newer ones, mainly because of age, just like anything of value.

Third, you have to weigh the pros and cons of the body material. It's nice to say you have an alloy car, but once it's painted, most people won't care or know the difference. Part of the Kirkham mistique is leaving the cars unpainted, which makes people ooh and aah over the bare alloy. Then you have the material itself. I don't think Jay's comment is fair, because he's got an original car. Original cars have aluminum that's about as thin as a soda can. It dents VERY easy. The aluminum used on the newer cars is much thicker, and while I don't suggest doing it much, you can lean on a newer alloy car's fender (within reason of course) and not damage it. As far as damage goes, alloy cars are very forgiving and easy to repair, by someone who knows aluminum work. At the 05 Kirkham Summit, they had a car that hit a deer, and one of their guys spent the day working the body with hammers, picks, and files, and when he was done you couldn't even tell the car was hit. A glass car can take a harder shot, as far as rocks and stuff go, but when something major DOES damage a glass body you are looking at a lot of body work, and sometimes even section replacements. So both have pros and cons.

I guess that's the major things to consider. I wanted a glass car, wound up buying an alloy car, then went back to a glass car. I would love to own an alloy CSX, but I feel much more comfortable driving my glass CSX.

Just my 2 cents.