Snakebite, It really comes down to value. What do you get for what you paid? They are both very fine replicas and they both have their own personalities. SPF has enjoyed a long reputation as pretty much being the standard as to which everything else is compared. BDR has not been around as long and is still fine-tuning some things and subsequently getting better at what they do. Which is the very reason they are now being compared to SPF. Understandably everyone feels passionate about their own choice. You will have to sift though all this info, do your own comparison and then make a choice. Between these two you cannot make a bad choice.
Here is my $.02 on value.....
It has been my experience that you do not need a top, tonneau, or probably even an
oil cooler. I am one that agrees with having a limited slip diff. Most people don’t want an actual posi-trac because it is basically a straight-line diff targeted to drag racing. An open diff limits the torque to the non-spinning wheel based on the spinning wheel. A limited slip will do the same thing but there is a clutch and spring pack that tries to resist it and puts more torque to the non-spinning wheel. Reg offers the limited slip for somewhere around $500. I paid $400 for a heater for the passenger on those brisk mornings and evenings. I am also adding a thermostatically controlled
oil cooler for a cost of $400. There is another difference, which are the pin drive wheels. For $1750 you can upgrade to 17" pin wheels and better tires than the SPF. (BDR 17" pin drives vs. the SPF 15" and Goodyear F1 GS-D3 vs. SPF Goodyear Eagle 1) Add these upgrades for $3050 and you have the SPF options less the covers. Base BDR $28,900 + $3050 = $31,950 If you must have the tops then you would be at $33,950. I think the latest price for SPF is $42,900 and I heard they are going up again. I think more due to the Shelby lawsuit than anything else. Plus BDR adds stainless to the engine compartment, the side pipes are stainless and the wheelbase is 2” longer. I have gotten lots of compliments on both and everybody loves the extra room. Everything considered SPF is not $9000 better than BDR if at all.
What’s more I like the BDR body shape better than any Cobra I have ever seen. If you look at this link to my gallery you will see an SPF on the left, a Lone Star in the middle and my BDR on the right. I am quite sure not everyone shares my view, but you can take a look for comparison.
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...0&ppuser=20014
Here’s the link that explains differentials.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential6.htm
Happy hunting!
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