Newby Wannabe

AustroTom · #1 (**permalink**) 10-24-2010, 05:21 PM

Hello All,

I'm brand new to this forum and am glad to have found you.

I have been drooling over Cobras ever since the first one past me.

But I had to get the crazy years out of my system first, if you know what I mean

.

So I tried every sport and a bunch of vehicles until I came across bikes.
Now I own a 2002 Big Dog Mastiff that I never ride (because now I'm a family man), which brings me to my point:
My wife said the other day -"Don't you think you should get yourself off that bike and sell it? You never ride it anyway and besides, it's too dangerous having kids an' all"-.
So I say, fine, but a man NEEDS a toy, or he'll die

so she says: -"what's on your mind?"- Well,... if I get my hands on a Cobra replica or kit would you let me have it? This way I can take my daughter to school in it

And she says: "SURE".

So..... how could I trade my Big Dog for a Cobra that's either turn key or a complete kit but needs to be assembled?? I'd love to tinker around on it some (put the whole thing together if need be). But I wouldn't want to start buying all the components separate, it should be a combination that is true and tried (I'm not a car expert).
I have the bike on San Diego craigslist under "2002 Big Dog Mastiff".

Any advise greatly apreciated.

And no, this is NOT an ad for selling the bike, only my ideas floating around in my head.

Thanks in advance,

Thomas

Tommy · #2 (**permalink**) 10-24-2010, 07:36 PM

Thomas,
Welcome. I'll leave answers to many of your questions to others more knowledgable than myself. But, before you put any money down on a Cobra replica, make sure you learn about the unique requirement for registering one in California. There are plenty of folks here who will be able to fill you in on the details. .. Good luck in your search for the right car.

tkb289 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-24-2010, 09:20 PM

Thomas,

Welcome! For anything and everything Cobra, you came to the right place!

There are a lot of very knowledgeable folks here that can give you lots of good advice. You might want to start your quest by looking at a wide variety of Cobras from different manufacturers. One easy way to do that is on Cobra Country ...

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

Not that the cars listed will be exactly what you are looking for, just a way to get to know some of the different choices and some of the popular options.

The other thing to do is meet some of the local Club Cobra members and look at their cars. I am sure some of the San Diego members will chime in and let you know when and where they meet.

Have Fun !

rustyBob · #4 (**permalink**) 10-25-2010, 09:41 AM

Thomas welcome to CC....
if you want a Cobra then be prepared to do the research....
dont just jump in and think everything is going to be OK....
there are a hundred different manufacturers and every one
of there cars are different than the next guys...no 2 are the same.
check with local clubs and talk to as many different owners as you can
and ask as many questions as you can before you make the desision to
own a Cobra....these are not a toy and they will hurt you just as bad as
that bike will....high HP and light weight equals trouble....deceide what you
want to use it for first street ,street/race,race,show car....then continue on
from there is originality important or do you just want the LOOK of a Cobra
with modern tires/wheels, guages,interior....DO YOUR HOMEWORK....
good luck on your journey and keep us posted on what happens....

Silverback51 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-25-2010, 09:51 AM

Welcome aboard.

I do have one comment.

Thinking that a Cobra is safer than a bike is in error. In fact, in some ways they can be even more dangerous. Not trying to talk you out of it, but did not want you to find out after the fact.

Dangerous Doug · #6 (**permalink**) 10-25-2010, 09:52 AM

Connect with your local club and start checking out different manufacturers. There are a lot of variations on the Cobra, so you'll need to figure out what works best for you. Personally, I went with the ERA 289FIA because I wanted a small-block car, a body that correctly replicated the original, but I wanted a more modern suspension and a fiberglass body. Thrilled with my choice, see my gallery. I built mine myself from the "basic kit" from ERA (not that basic, really). Tim, posted above, is purchasing a "roller". Tim contacted me a while back so he could check out an ERA 289FIA, and that's what he ended up purchasing.

There are a lot of great manufacturers out there. ERA, Kirkham, and Superformance seem to be the most popular. In CA, I see more Superformance and Factory Five cars than anything else. I went with ERA for the 289FIA body style, which I like better than the 427 S/C.

Your wife said, "Sure"? No brow-beating, hand-on-hips, or credit-cards gone wild?

Sounds like a "keeper".

Cheers,
DD

dcdoug · #7 (**permalink**) 10-25-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverback51

Welcome aboard.

I do have one comment.

Thinking that a Cobra is safer than a bike is in error. In fact, in some ways they can be even more dangerous. Not trying to talk you out of it, but did not want you to find out after the fact.

Well, it is actually safer, but ONLY if you respect it and drive it defensively like you would with a bike.

AustroTom · #8 (**permalink**) 10-25-2010, 11:31 AM

WOWWW!

Great responses from you guys, and so many in such a short time,awesome.

But now I'm frightened that I got myself in another hobby I don't have time for.
I have to admit I was a bit naive in thinking that there can only be SOmany Cobras out there to choose from.
I read last week about a builder that utilizes a 6" longer body than the original which sounds like a good idea if you like more room.
Racing?...no (I'm a huge F1 fan so if I ever win in the lottery I get myself an old Benetton or the likes and take it to Laguna Seca

).
And you're right, I DON'T want to go from one dangerous vehicle to another). I was thinking more down the lines of weekend cruiser either alone, with club members, or my kids one at a time, and of course with my wife if she ever finds time to do so.
So now I probably sound like all the other farts who think they can get a kit and put it together like an "Automoblox". But I don't shy away from grunt work and find reward from putting together something myself.
The idea of a smaller block engine soun ds ok to me since I don't think I want to compete with my first roadster.
I'll try to hook up with a club in my area as soon as possible although I don't know if they easily accept a drooling wannabe without wheels yet

Thomas

dcdoug · #9 (**permalink**) 10-25-2010, 11:53 AM

Go visit the local club, figure out what's most important to you as you learn about the trade-offs of different manufacturers, which one(s) is best for you and then buy one used. Lots of good deals out there with the economy the way it is. Then correct things that bother you as you have time/funds (and this will definitely happen).

coosawjack · #10 (**permalink**) 10-25-2010, 01:51 PM

Check your PM's "AstroTom"!!

AustroTom · #11 (**permalink**) 10-29-2010, 11:25 AM

Hello All,
I'm doing a ton of research and even found a few cars I like to buy, but nobody wants to trade sofar

The real trouble I have is finding a club in my area. The closest is in Orange County. Is that true?
Also; what do you guys think of the "Lone Star" replicas with their bigger interior? Is that really necessary, and do you think for starters a 289 would be better than a 427?
As you can see, I do my research....especially here

BTW: please let me know if I should take my post over to another category.

Thomas

rustyBob · #12 (**permalink**) 10-30-2010, 10:48 AM

Sent you a pm....

bobcowan · #13 (**permalink**) 10-31-2010, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverback51

Welcome aboard.

I do have one comment.

Thinking that a Cobra is safer than a bike is in error. In fact, in some ways they can be even more dangerous. Not trying to talk you out of it, but did not want you to find out after the fact.

I don't think that's true. Although the Cobra is probably less safe than the average DD, and a lot less so than a F250, it's clearly more safe than a two wheeler. Some of the crashes I'v seen cobra is where the driver walks away with minor injuries, a biker would be carried away.

Keep in mind that no two cars are alike. They may look the same, and they;re all a Cobra replica, there's a lot of differances. Some are street cruisers, and some are track terrors. Big blocks, small blocks, strokers, auto, 4 speed, 5 speed, 6 speed, Dodge, Ford, and Chevy. You'll find them all.

And build quality will vary. Most cars are home built. So you have to look at build quality of each component and assembly to see what you're getting. Some are straight donor builds with used parts. Some are all new parts with a lot of trick and racing parts thrown in. You have to decide what you're interested in, and what you want. Thay all look similar. But underneath teh fiberglass they're all unique.

So, here's what I suggest.

1. Check all manufacturers, and see what you like. ERA is very differant the FFR.

2. Decide what option are goot have -like IRS or a FE motor.

3. Decide what options are nice, but not required - Like P/S, P/B.

3. And then decide what options are a definate No - like a carb instead of EFI, or auto trans.

That should help you narrow your search, and find the car for you.