Real Close to Buying One
 

I am real close to buying my 1st Backdraft after 3 years of watching you guys talk about them. I am looking at one that had a delivery date of December 2004 and trying to figure out the # of the car. How can I tell which number it is? Is there a way to do research on a particular BDR? It has a 400hp 351W with a T5 trans. Indigo Blue with White stripes. I can get it in the low $30,000 range. Any watchouts with a 2004 BDR? Any help would be appreciated and hopefully I am posting as a new owner soon. Scott

Ensure it has the flanged header to side pipe connection, if not leaking will also be an issue unless you get a tailpipe expander and massage for hours. The eariler models had some issues with door squeking, the new ones have seperate "guide". 2004 is pretty earlier in their production run. I am sure alot have changes have happened since 2004.

Any chance you can point out where the car is listed? Could tell you some more info based on that...

Late 04 I think would put it some where near #300 or so. My first was #278, and I believe I got her September or so of 04, or that could also be 05. It's all been a blur at 100mph since then:)

snowgoer,
I would call the factory or one of their dealers instead of buying used. You get warranty, pick your own color, etc and you might be surprised at the price you may pay for a new one.

Best of luck.

Give me an email and check out #670 in classifieds before you buy an early model. Ron

Scott and I chatted a bit. Car in question is the famous "Gun Rack" from right here on Clubcobra.com

BDR No. 88
 

Not sure why you guys are concerned about buying an early BDR. I've owned No. 88 for 6 trouble free years, in fact I'm really glad I got an early car. I saw one of the first backdrafts built and knew I had to have one way back in 2002. I did install the flanges on the side pipes and I ran my seat belts through the back firewall. And I've made some other changes, but that's just part of the fun of owning a car like this.
Reg / Backdraft make a great car and buying an older one is just fine.

Just my .02 worth.

Brad

I think what you can buy gunrack for you cant go wrong. Oh, it had some problems, these cars are so pathetically simple who cares. If you cant fix what wrong do not buy any. THEY ARE ALL JUNK REQUIRING CONTINOUS ADJUSTMENT AND MAINTENANCE. These are not gm,ford, toyotas, you will have more issues regardless of what you buy even it is the top of the line SPF, Kirkham, BDR in the first year than you would have had with any of your dailey drivers over their lifetime. The sweet thing about cobras as long as the engine does not throw a rod or the transmission does not trash a gear everything is incredibly cheap.

I even considered buying ole gunrack, I could have it sorted in month for under $500 mechanically. If I lived anywhere in the vicintiy of it I would have sorted for free.

The owner got caught up in a cluster fuk between KC of Plano and I forget the dallas dealer. Turns out i ended up with car from the same two, Jesus, I sorted 30 plus problems, only ones related to bdr was fuel level gauge, leaking headers to sidepipes (I sent him an excellent tailpipe expander which will solve the problem) flasher relay, speedo cable, engine was assembled by who knows who but they missed some key points but in the end I bet it has 30K miles on it now and was beat senseless. You get gunrack in the upper 20's you will NEVER LOOSE MONEY ON IT.

bottom line, I have had early bdr, spf, make i never figured out and worked on 6 including factory five, truth be known I have had as many issues if not more with the brand spanken new one I bought than any of the other ones!!!!!! I was covered for any issues on the new one but still using a warranty is a pain in the assssssssssssssssssssss, buy a discounted used one and no approval required.

As far as watch out his build was within 10 chassis of mine. Only pain is the sidepipe to header. I took 3 hours of easy work using the lysle tailpipe expander I sent HIM, not a cheap pos harbor freight and expanded the pipes. It is an $90 tailpipe expander. It is so good if you used an impact you would expand the pipe to much to fast. Heck you dont even take the headers off. You use a crescent wrench. I found it quite relaxing. My paint was great, my fit was 9 out of 10, I have no reservations about buying an old one.

Off roaded and polished with barbed wire though? :)

I just don't want to lose his posts... uncltd was a legend when we started here.

Well this one did not turn out to be the one. I am still looking and will find mine sooner or later...hopefully sooner!

Snowgoer,

Take your time and yours will arrive and no one will kick the smile off your face. take it from the guy that his friends thought he was crazy to search for the right car and proved them all wrong.

Rich, BDR 293 Gray and Silver

It is a definite buyers market....watch the ads you should be able to get one already sorted out for a great deal. Especially right now in the off season.

Thanks Rich. Very hard to be patient when you have the opportunity to finally buy after 3 years of saving. I agree with you though and I'm sure the BDR I am seeking will surface. Scott

I am watching everyday and I'm sure something will come along sooner or later....hopefully sooner. If you know of anyone with a BDR, preferrably blue with white stripes, send them my way. Not looking for anything over the top on Cubic inches or HP, as my budget is not that big. A 351W with 375 to 400 HP would suit me fine. Just looking for something well cared for. Scott