i'm trying to find an article i read years ago regarding the 1/4 mile times of a 289 slabside and a 427 sc.
the 289 was just under 300 hp and the 427 just above 400. in the 1/4 mile with drivers of the same ability the 289 was very close. If the 289 driver was very skilled he could beat the big block, because by the time the 427 hooked up the 289 was far enough ahead to beat him MY POINT!! After a certain point excess hp is useless. YEs it looks and sounds impressive, BUT these cars are 1/4 mile cars. OVER 110- 120 mph they start to lift. Saw an AWESOME motor in a Cobra at Vintage 8 carbs, the motor cost more than the car. If you can afford it --do it- but you wont get your $28,000.00 motor to do better times than a 5000.00 rebuilt with 425 hp- you will jsut smoke-em up faster.
joeg

horsepower and torque are like diamonds, they can never be to big or to much.

Even diamonds that are to big can be guaddy!!!
joeg

It would be nice if a new car salesman would back out of this thread...

He seems to chime in on every thread to peddle his cars and get his free advertising...:LOL:

If people want to do business with him that's their choice...

I truly believe you can get a great car for 30K. All of these cars, when you see one they are in great shape...you can't tell a used one from a new one. I would have bought used, but Backdraft (Custom Cars) undercut a local B/D dealer with a heck of a buy, (to sell a car!). Just remember, a used B/D normally will have had the original owner correct it's bugs. The bugs are still there, and it's wrong.

As you hear on this thread and others, don't expect a truly new car free of the same continual problems I have seen discussed for years here...in this market you a get a real bargain. Check with Gunrack.

It's the economy. People are hustling to make a buck like never before....;)

I also don't buy into the fact that the consumer should allow the "bugs" in these cars such as a BDR or a superformance if they are turnkey cars.

These cars are in fact factory built on an assembly line,therefore all these bugs should have been rectified long ago.

A turnkey car should have none of these bugs as the dealer should be aware of them and they should correct before customer has too.

Bottom line the buyer is king at this time and economic stage,therfore shop around. E-bay or cobra country or Hemmings etc. If you look hard enough you will find your car and a good deal in my opinion.

Good luck.;)
marc

He's an advertiser on site so I don't know how much is free :D one thing to remember on all Backdrafts they are pretty much the same build, what makes them different is engine, transmission and wheel options, heater, top, a/c..lol I personally don't like the true knock offs as the lug nut style wheel is easier to remove for me and a modular motor in MHO just doesn't look as good in engine bay but if that doesn't bother you then it won't reallly matter.
I have owned 2 at same time and believe me there's a difference from 302 with 340 HP to over 430HP = 392" stroker in drive ability of car so try and get as much power as you can afford as you won't be sorry and in MHO a good used one should have bugs worked out.
I might be interested in selling mine as I have something else catching my eye.;)

It would also be nice if you could educate yourself on what advertising is free and what is not. In that same vein it would also be nice if you could offer some actual information and/or solutions to posters as opposed to playing the unsatisfied customer card.

Hey, you hate that car so much... why not sell it to this guy in Alabama? I'm sure your car is way better than a new one since you know everything about 'em and all these "bugs".

I also think you could spend some more quality time correlating the "issues" you are constantly harping on to perhaps a particular generation of the car. I get the luxury of hearing about every little nuance a customer of mine experiences and I can honestly say there is no consistency of complaints about any one item now.

Sure 4 years ago we had complaints of slip fit headers, clutch slaves, and ??? But that's where the evolution of the cars has come in, and also why considering a new vs. used is an important line of thought. And also of greater importance is the new car comes with a warranty and that is something I stand behind thoroughly (a difference in buying from us vs. them that you will never have the luxury of experiencing).

Finally if you don't think I can offer advice on a used car then you have again demonstrated your ignorance. I know firsthand where changes were made along the way, benefits of a #400+ car over a #100- car, and I watch the used market closely and get trade offers all the time.

So contribute something that helps the gentleman instead of polluting discussions... and a :D implies I am well aware of the "sale" tone.

Leave it to cbreez for yet another waste of everyone's time and bandwidth...

And you're using Gunrack as a reference?!? I almost fell out of my chair laughing on that one...

I love when dealers get involved, that is who you want to buy your car from since they hear about the issues and I have no doubt check the ones they are delevering for the same issue.

I am the saracastoc never possible to please ahole on this forum and I will fight anyone in order to keep the title!!!!!!!!!!

On a funnier not this old dog, which most members on this forum are, pulled up next to me in his gorgeous 1969 Chevelle big block. As most probably can guess he was punished when he TEMPTED to race me. As I waited at the next light for him he goes I have not had an a$$ whipping like that in 20 years but I can take you in my Nova. I said "hey nice car" but unless you have a Cobra you probably don't stand a chance!!!

Reference for me? No...

He has a car for sale that has been sorted and debugged. I was suggesting to the original poster he check it out.

Do you understand now? **)

Perhaps we should better-define what constitutes a "bug".

Since Backdraft's are sold turnkey-minus, the trans, engine, and engine management system are all unknowns at the time of production (typically). As such, I'd expect there to be a few electrical bugaboos... in addition to issues with the clutch slave, depending on the what's installed.

My car's been pretty trouble-free for the last two years... my issues have been relatively minor...

no brake lights... brake pressure switch failed... $15 at Napa. Not exactly an unexpected problem given the proximity of the pressure switch to the headers.

no parking lights... bad relay. Again, a very minor repair... no big deal.

Other than that... not much to report. Biggest concern for me is making sure I keep all the nuts & bolts tight... a challenge with solid motor mounts... and most of the aformentioned nuts & bolts are engine related... not chassis related so it's really not a Backdraft issue.

I focus mainly on keeping the header, intake, carb, and oil pan bolts properly torqued, & usually go around the engine once every month or so. Probably 3-4 times a year, I'll put the car up on jackstands to check & clean the chassis. It all goes with the territory...

Even considering the disputes on this thread
 

Even considering the disputes on this thread, I feel there is a lot of vey good info that has been provided. In MY big picture, it makes more sense to lean toward a used backdraft. There are several out there and the prices seem to be in the buyers favor and lets face it, its not like anyone "NEEDS" a cobra......keep in mind this is spoken from someone who has never had one.
In may be like my Kona Coffee, an addiction once you try it:D

I'm getting my storage facility arranged now and should have it ready in about 10 days, it would be a shame to let a fine toy like a cobra rust here in our weather, I live at the beach on the gulf and everything steel is just temporary in this salt air. So climate controlled storage is a must.

Up here in the north everyone is cranky- the weather sucks 7 months a year - today monsoon rains, last saturday we had snow showers, so what can u expect. lol
I WANTED a Cobra for 25 years, certainly didnot need it, butits nice saying i had one once.
when my grand children if i ever have any ask about fast wild cars in there world of electric cars i can say i owned one of the ultimate sport cars.
joeg

JB - where in Al. are you ?

JB, might want to check the BDR's for sale on Club Cobra as well as

http://www.cobracountry.com/

to get a comparison on prices, options, mileage, motors etc., etc. Also, check the AL registration & emissions requirements for kit cars, both inter/intra state purchases. Such items as possibly needing separate Bills of Sale for the motor, transmission etc

I think Cashburn's thoughts and insight are relevant and valuable for this thread. Keith Craft, the Kirkhams and other site sponsors lend a helping hand in a lot of threads on this Forum and I consider them welcomed.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f8.../feedtroll.gif

We all know who I mean.