Considering buying a Cobra

[ChrisBlair]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Chris,

It sounds like you get it in relative terms, and that you are going in to this with your eyes wide open. This is a good start, but to add to it, as Alpha02 above has, a Cobra is unlike any other car you have ever driven, even with my 20+ years in SCCA/NASA/NHRA racing, I was unprepared for my first (I've owned more than a few since then, with over 100K miles of road and track time under my belt with them) Cobra (an early FFR with a simple 351W/385HP Ford crate engine). I was lucky enough to have survived with little more than my dignity rumpled. It taught me I was not quite as prepared as I thought, but a slow, methodical learning curve had me tearing around Poconos combined infield course and beyond in no time at all. Take it slow, enjoy the ride, and you'll be just fine. As for the car itself, again, take your time, if you are unsure of what you are looking at, reach out to us here, or perhaps a local Cobra club, and ask.



Not to get off track, but I have first dibs on the one here in SC


Bill S.

When I typed my response to you, I figured it was 50/50 you'd get mad. You know how car forums can go. But I reasoned, we have to be adults here, and we don't know each other, so just be up front and you can't go far wrong.

In my shooting hobby, the first thing I do before I touch a firearm is to remember that I don't know it all, and that I can make a serious and deadly mistake. That's why I barely touched a firearm for almost two years after my stroke and then it was to maintain and clean, not shoot.

Last year, Jay Leno drove an original 427 S/C Cobra and he said "this car is like driving a hand grenade". I find that easy to beleive. I think I can sum up- a Cobra gives you the test first, and it teaches you the lesson afterwards.

That's a thing that attracts me to the car. Many adult activities do require a level of responsibility and attention to what you're doing. That's part of the reward in doing it.

[Imlumpy]

Sums it up lol

[NROTOXIN]

Originally Posted by Imlumpy

Sums it up lol

And the insurance company asks, what does your plate mean? Lol

[ChrisBlair]

That's my old LLC:

Dingro USA

wouldnt all fit on the plate

[whistles innocently]

[LRRCobradreamer]

I admit my bias is FFR. Bought in 07, now have 53000 miles and over 5000 on race tracks. Started with a 302 (350 hp) and stock T-5, good combo, but I eventually wanted more so my 347 making 490 hp and a beefed-up T-5 was injected.

I bought is used with 3800 miles and it took 2-3 years to find all the little things wrong with it.

You seem to be interested in cruising more than track use. Some suggestions follow and should be considered an upgrade to the one you find.

Cup holders
Heated seats.
Foot box vents (not an upgrade look for one with this installed)

Check out ffcars.com for used Cobras.

Just my 2 cents Lee

[ChrisBlair]

Originally Posted by LRRCobradreamer

I admit my bias is FFR. Bought in 07, now have 53000 miles and over 5000 on race tracks. Started with a 302 (350 hp) and stock T-5, good combo, but I eventually wanted more so my 347 making 490 hp and a beefed-up T-5 was injected.

I bought is used with 3800 miles and it took 2-3 years to find all the little things wrong with it.

You seem to be interested in cruising more than track use. Some suggestions follow and should be considered an upgrade to the one you find.

Cup holders
Heated seats.
Foot box vents (not an upgrade look for one with this installed)

Check out ffcars.com for used Cobras.

Just my 2 cents Lee

Slow response on my side but thanks Lee

I have never used a cupholder lol I can't stand them. I liked how my '70 Buick had two shallow embossed circles on the glovie door- that was where you put your shake when parked in the burger joint lot having lunch, and that was it. Heated seats are nice though! Footwell vents are a good thing too.