Early BDR VS New
 

I have been lurking about the cobra sites for quite awhile now, trying to absorb what information I can. I have also been bugging my local BDR dealer. Here's where I am currently at, and would appreciate anyones opinion.

I have been talking to a specialty car dealer who has an early (under #100) car for sale. 302 engine, can be bought for $32,000, probably a little less. Car is within driving distance so no shipping costs. Less than 3,000 miles on the car. I am also talking to someone regarding a new BDR that they are unfortunatley being forced to sell due to the cuurent economy. Same engine, can be had for approximately $35,000, car will need to be shipped, adds another $1,500 to the investment.

The older car does have the upgrade to slip joint at the header.

I have heard different comments regarding the earlier cars, and am wondering is it really worth another $4,500 to $6.500 for a later model vehicle if they are both comparably equiped and in similar shape?

Any input is appreciated.

Also, if you know of a realistically priced car for sale, let me know.

Thanks for the help.

I just finished agonizing over the same thing.

I decided on the earlier model with some updates.
Its my assumption that most of the details are worked out with one that already has some miles.

New ones have some desirable options in my opinion but the prices have not seen as large of a drop as used in todays market.

I think its just like real estate now at the beach.....time to buy!

In either case, I feel it nescessary to tell you to go ahead and buy one of these beasts! It is WAY more fun than you think it will be**)
After a week my wife asked me why I waited so long...I'm really THAT fired up about it.

I just had a really long day at work and got home, mixed up a coke and rum and went downstairs just to look at mine! AND IT WAS FUN!
I didnt even take the keys!

Good luck and let me know if I can help!
JB

No one has a crystal ball, but if you plan to keep it for a while the extra cost won't make much difference in the end.

You'll have a new car with all of the updates.

Either way, you're going to have a blast! :D

Buy the later model.

I guess the first couple of questions to ask is are you mechanically inclined, ambitious and a little inventive?

I have car 38. I've listed the things that I decided to upgrade and their difficulty level the way I found it to be.
I have the wider body as opposed to the real early cars. I believe the new body now is just a tad wider than mine so the rear wheels sit just a bit recessed (in case you want wider tires)
All these upgrades (just like the newer cars) I did myself which were no harder than changing a set of brakes.

1.Had to install missing o-ring in speed sensor due to leaking diff, Boudy sent it to me for free. (anybody remember him)
2. Due to a leak, had to replace some of the wood screws holding in the gas gauge on top of the gas tank with the proper bolts (thats right, wood screws) Must have been a Friday ! Had to drop the tank for this, hardest part siphoning out all the gas.
3. I rerouted the clutch line, hardest part is refilling the reservoir tucked under the fender, still that way 700 + cars later.
4. Changed the brake light pressure switch over to a pedal activated type. Hardest part was crawling under steering wheel to work on it (and I'm not that big). Also had to make my own bracket from stuff lying around. I believe they still use the pressure switch in the new cars.
5. Installed the heat shield for the brake lines
6. Changed out the rear springs (old ones were to soft) Reg sent them to me for free. Easy to do.
7. Rerouted the passenger seatbelts through the back wall and down to the frame. Hardest part is making sure you on the middle of the frame when drilling.
8. Installed a driveshaft hoop, again Reg to the rescue, for free.
9. Guess I'm lucky, my hood shock still works well (known to fail) but I've seen where people have found replacements so I'm not worried. New ones have a prop rod.
10. Front hood does have a new cleaner looking hinge system but mine works fine and adjusts well so I'm happy. Changed out old flat weatherstripping around perimeter to better softer stuff which works well. New cars have recessed rubber grommets.
11. I know there have been problems with the tail lights, mine where changed at the dealer to Factory Five taillights and I've never had a problem. Doesn't look too hard to swap out anyway.
12. Had to upgrade the Differential bolt to a heavier size AFTER it snapped off in the diff. That was probably the hardest because I had to drop the diff to drill it out and didn't know how. If it hadn't broke, could have changed it in the car real easily. Wasn't too many people around back then to ask for advice (being the 38th customer) Jay, who had just opened, at Vintage helped me as did Tony in S. Africa with this one. Since then I've had it in and out three times. Its actually pretty easy now.
13. Replaced the kinked radiator hose from the overflow tank that came with the car to a new one. Simple
14. Replaced side pipe hangers with better ones that I made. Rubber hangers, a little tough to find but I did.
15. Tony from S. Africa sent me new door guides for free.
16. Changed out the Fuel Filler tube to an aluminum one. Metal one was rusting on the inside and clogging the fuel filter. This took a little hunting on the internet and some trips to different shops for aluminum tubing. Then had someone weld it up. After that it slipped right in.
17. I don't have the padded dash and don't miss it.
18. I don't have four way flashers and do miss that sometimes.

All in all I don't think the extra money is worth it if you don't mind doing some of these things yourself. It will give you something to do over the winter.

To make the decision easier... what is the build number of the newer one?

If the build number is 98, I know it well and would grab it.
Chuck

Deposit placed on BDR
 

Thank you all for your input on the new vs the old BDR. It is car # 98, and am hoping Chuck doesn't mind a few questions.

I am picking it up next week, if the rains stop in the midwest. Looking forward to the fun of a new "toy".

Howard

hi Jon
Was reading your post, Dam you have my car now and we both drink the same thing rum and coke. Has rained up here almost daily since you got my car! I can't count the number of times i walked out to the garage to just look or touch the car.
joeg

dang it joe, you better hurry up and buy a boat before you end up with another cobra! I sure have enjoyed your car, the guys that work for me say I keep looking for an excuse to drive it somewhere.....well almost anywhere:LOL: my wet paint should arrive today or tomorrow!

Hey Glass,
Love my #212, don't know if it's luck but no real problems. I have done a few upgrades but nothing has broken.
In my experience, the dealers/support has been great, and make having one of these cars much easier.

Like True said, you'll be ok if you're mechanically inclined or have friends that are. ;)

Y'all, PM me.

Back surgery soon, much pain now and after.

BDR #139.

In the garage since Nov. '08.

5K miles.

$30K and walk away.

I am old and crippled up.

#139, less than 5K miles.

I relate to going to the garage just to look at the car.
I do that often!