New & Searching

Thrlls · #1 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 03:14 PM

Hi Everyone,
My name is Woody, and I'm new to this vehicle....and would like some advice/suggestions.
I'm in the research mode now for a Cobra, so when I do decide to purchase I'll have all my ducks in a row.

I'll also do a search on the forum for questions I don't know to ask about yet.

I stumbled upon this forum by doing a search on "Cobras" and after seeing so many different builds out there, my first question would be:

Who makes (overall) the best Cobra and why?
How difficult/easy is it to install a hard top?
How well does this car handle in the curves...is there a lot of over-steer? Under-steer?

I'm not looking for an auto cross car as I feel these cars have too much power for that, more for an open road cruiser with power to spare.

My car experiences has been with BMW M roadster, M coupe, and Porsche 911 Carrera.
I now would like to move up to some REAL raw powered cars.
I'm not a street racer, but I do like to stretch the horses legs on an open road....when I find one.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

Cashburn · #2 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 03:21 PM

Best Cobra is the one in your garage.

You've owned some spectacular cars that are known for their handling as much as any other factor. Make sure you consider that a top priority.

I've sent a car to Alaska, if I can send one to HI that would round out the USA.

You are in the right place to learn about all these cars. Good luck.

rustyBob · #3 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 04:14 PM

Welcome Woody to CC.............
land of the free and home of the Cobra........
your question about installing a hard top........its easy
your question about who makes the best Cobra and why.......cant be answered
your question about how they handle.......some are like a go cart some are like a dump truck
best advice......do lots of home work and find a club in your area and contact them to
ask questions and maybe get a few rides and then deciede which make will be best for you......
there are many mfgrs. of Cobra kits and a few that build turn key minus cars......
do you want to build ? or just buy ? that will make a big difference in your options.
good luck on your search and dont be affraid to ask more questions...we dont bite.

Seagull81 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 07:30 PM

Woody,
Welcome to the forum. Ask all the questions you want as these guys are great. There are tons of good information here. Just hit search and you will get many things to look at.

PANAVIA · #5 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 08:42 PM

Greetings Woody , -- welcome to the party.

Just about any Cobra you could come up with will out-power anything you have listed.

--but also in the opposite corner, the suspensions you have listed are far more sophisticated than any cobra you could come up with, with that in mind -- here is some food for thought.

Less ME109, more P47 Thunderbolt.

Start with a good basic cobra, a SPF (superformance) with a basic 351W based engine in it (5.7L to 6.2L) and drive that for a bit, then you can crank up the power.

Learn the car and its habits and work with a suspension shop to help you tune to your expectations.

This ownership experience is more about what makes YOU happy with a car and your travels with it than its technical acumen.

Its about fun!

Steve

Thrlls · #6 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 11:00 PM

Thank you for the suggestions and advice everyone, I appreciate it!

Steve -
You mention the suspensions are not up to par with the euro cars I've had, how about the Backdraft Cobras?
I've read they have a BMW platform of some sort and would think this should help in the handling arena.
Yeah, from what I have been reading these cars are light and have a lot of ponies to push them around. I totally agree with you when you say learn the car first...going sideways in a 300 hp car is one thing, doing the same in a 500 + car is something else!

As mentioned with the cars I have been driving, they like to stay in the higher RPM range, how are the engines in these Cobras?
Do most of you cruise at 3500 - 4000 or 3000 - 3500 area or less?
Do these engines over heat when pushed?

tkb289 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010, 11:26 PM

Woody,

Welcome to the forum ... If you want information on Cobras ... you came to the right place. Just to get an idea of different cars that are out there ... check out the cars for sale here on Club Cobra and the cars at Cobra Country ...

http://www.cobracountry.com/home2.html

While you are at Cora Country, and if you want a printed guide ... take a look at Curt Scott's Cobra Buyer's Guide, full of good information.

Like Steve said, the cars you have been driving are more sophisticated than a Cobra. For motors and RPM, it comes down to displacement and how the motor is put together for it's intended purpose. The common recipe is ... more displacement, more power, more RPM ... more money! You will need to decide it you want to go small block or big block .... or a stroker that's a small block form factor with big block displacement ... confused yet ?

Bottom line, do some reading, poke around and ask lots of questions ... there are so many variables when it comes to these cars ... welcome to the party

- Tim