I am finally able to afford a Cobra Replica - Please help me decide on one

[diegokid]

I pondered this question for years. After looking around I went with the Unique from the Weavers in Gadsden Al. They treat you like family before and after the sale. Most important to me was the way they build the body itself.

I grew up on the river and we built fiberglass boats through the 70's. They were light weight very strong and most all are still around today. My brother replaced a seat with a bigger one that was built in 1973. Anyway they build their cars like we built our boats.

If able give them a call and take a tour of their shop see for yourself.

[jagxjr5012]

CSX4789 is a great deal at that $$ for sure....

[TButtrick]

I thought you gave up? The only thing I'd wish for is an ERA/KMS body over my F5 guts. Other than that, I'm more than content with what I have.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

... I'm more than content with what I have.

That's a good attitude. jagxjr5012 was just kidding... there's nothing wrong with your FFR. Really there isn't.

[jagxjr5012]

Originally Posted by patrickt

That's a good attitude. jagxjr5012 was just kidding... there's nothing wrong with your FFR. Really there isn't.

I was not serious, I do like all Cobras...just ERA best

I hope TButtrick wasn't serious about me being stupid!! I didn't call him stupid..

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by jagxjr5012

I was not serious, I do like all Cobras...just ERA best

Well I can't fault you there.

Originally Posted by jagxjr5012

I hope TButtrick wasn't serious about me being stupid!! I didn't call him stupid..

Yes, he was serious. In fact, he said he could kick your a$$, but my money's on you.

[jagxjr5012]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Well I can't fault you there.



Yes, he was serious. In fact, he said he could kick your a$$, but my money's on you.

Been working out lately too !! Thanks for the confidence...you just like my car

[428street]

Scrivy:

As you can see this questions elicits many responses from many owners. There are many manufactures and each person is going to feel strongly about their choice or they would not have bought their specific car.

Obviously we all went through the same questioning and thought process you are going through now.

Each car manufacturer has their own pluses and minuses.

Understand that whatever one you will buy will be an absolute labor of love and by no means your best investment from a growth standpoint. You buy and/or build one of these cars because you LOVE the car, for nothing else. Also, it will cost you more then your budget, you can 100% count on that. I found that out real quickly. Some are more structured then others but I found once you get into it you start getting a more clearer idea of how much detail and accuracy you want regardless of the research you put in now. Detail and accuracy cost money.

I also went through this thought process about 3 years ago.

I choose ERA for a couple of reasons. First was they were 45 minutes from my house. Second was I wanted as close as possible to an original street car and stay within the budget I set for myself. Peter (owner of ERA) had an original street car, they were close and in my price range I went with ERA and am VERY happy.

I would have loved to buy a Kirkham but it just was not in the budget. I would have equally loved to buy a 60's CSX street car but that wasn't going to happen either.

I think it comes down to how anal you are as a person and how close you want to be to original.

I'm not going to repeat what has already been said because the advice you have received from other is spot on.

If you like to talk send me a PM and I'll give you my number and we can run through it all on the phone.

[TButtrick]

Maybe we should start a sticky thread where owner's rides are reviewed by themselves to help out people like Scrivy and others to come. A format where only a current owner of a marque can supply info in a format such as...

Make: manufacturer
Year/miles: first year on the road/current miles
Built by: self, factory built, other builder
Engine: cubes/HP
Pros: what you feel are positive attributes to the marque
Cons: what you feel are negative attributes to the marque
Picture: limit to two of your best pictures

rules are:
a. you can only post about the marque you currently own and drive
b. you can only publicly comment on another post if you own the same marque.
c. moderators are the only ones to call BS and ask to remove inacurate info.
d. calling a fowl can only be done through PM to designated moderator and not in current thread.
e. Pros and cons statements should be accurate and backed up with data if called to the carpet by moderators. No lofty, emotional claims.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

Maybe we should start a sticky thread where owner's rides are reviewed by themselves to help out people like Scrivy and others to come. A format where only a current owner of a marque can supply info in a format such as...

Make: manufacturer
Year/miles: first year on the road/current miles
Built by: self, factory built, other builder
Engine: cubes/HP
Pros: what you feel are positive attributes to the marque
Cons: what you feel are negative attributes to the marque
Picture: limit to two of your best pictures

rules are:
a. you can only post about the marque you currently own and drive
b. you can only publicly comment on another post if you own the same marque.
c. moderators are the only ones to call BS and ask to remove inacurate info.
d. calling a fowl can only be done through PM to designated moderator and not in current thread.
e. Pros and cons statements should be accurate and backed up with data if called to the carpet by moderators. No lofty, emotional claims.

Hi Todd. How are you doing? We gotta ride again when the Spring gets here.
That was a great ride upstate. Take care.

[TButtrick]

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

Hi Todd. How are you doing? We gotta ride again when the Spring gets here.
That was a great ride upstate. Take care.

Doing well here Rich. Packing it away for the winter and working on garage projects. Stop by anytime. I installed a fridge in the garage.

[428street]

tbuttrick has a good idea. It fair, reasonable and makes sense. How do we start it?

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Originally Posted by 428street

tbuttrick has a good idea. It fair, reasonable and makes sense. How do we start it?

Frank. How are you making out? Are you driving yet? Send us some current pics. Take care.

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by 428street

tbuttrick has a good idea. It fair, reasonable and makes sense. How do we start it?

It would be important for any contributor to explain any "generation" nuances associated with their particular brand/build. For instance, the SPF has had several notable improvements over the 12+ years they have been in production. My earlier car, although it has the dropped footwells, Wilwood brakes, more recent (I added them) Bilsteins, etc., would ride a little different than a brand new one.

I like the idea though and would be glad to be a contributor (so long as the nuances can be clearly brought up, with accuracy).

-Dean

[TButtrick]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

It would be important for any contributor to explain any "generation" nuances associated with their particular brand/build. For instance, the SPF has had several notable improvements over the 12+ years they have been in production. My earlier car, although it has the dropped footwells, Wilwood brakes, more recent (I added them) Bilsteins, etc., would ride a little different than a brand new one.

I like the idea though and would be glad to be a contributor (so long as the nuances can be clearly brought up, with accuracy).

-Dean

Agreed. That's why I wanted to include the year. If you're familiar with upgrade paths, you can document those in Pros or we can ad an additional "comments" field at the end. This is could be work-in-progress where you can continually update your post with new or forgotten info We should just need a moderators blessing so if they'll support the new thread. We should get a conscientious on the fields and rules before we let er rip.

Make/Model: manufacturer
Year/miles: first year on the road/current miles
Built by: self, factory built, other builder
Engine: cubes/HP
Pros: what you feel are positive attributes to the marque
Cons: what you feel are negative attributes to the marque
Comments: general info and updates to marque
Picture: limit to two of your best pictures

[428street]

Rich:

I am doing well and basically in "wait" mode. Car is stalled at the mother ship for undercar exhaust, fitting and final adjustments. No changes since last update with pics about two months ago before it went back to the mother ship.

Just gathering little pieces, details, decals,etc. for the final work push once I get it back.

Plan is to have John take it in the trailer to Wetherfield for inspection then I drive it home. I have to ask if Peter has a spare set of side curtains I can borrow for the trip.

This plan all goes to the crapper if we have snow or have a lot of salt on the road...then it's spring...I'm taking one week at a time.

Was it not you who told me to multiply times 2 the time it would take me to complete both time and money?!!!!

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Originally Posted by 428street

Rich:

I am doing well and basically in "wait" mode. Car is stalled at the mother ship for undercar exhaust, fitting and final adjustments. No changes since last update with pics about two months ago before it went back to the mother ship.

Just gathering little pieces, details, decals,etc. for the final work push once I get it back.

Plan is to have John take it in the trailer to Wetherfield for inspection then I drive it home. I have to ask if Peter has a spare set of side curtains I can borrow for the trip.

This plan all goes to the crapper if we have snow or have a lot of salt on the road...then it's spring...I'm taking one week at a time.

Was it not you who told me to multiply times 2 the time it would take me to complete both time and money?!!!!

Yeah, Frank. I was up at ERA the other day, I think your car was up against the wall. I didn't realize it was yours or I'd have taken a better look.
I learned long ago that you (we) can double both the cost and time to complete a worthwhile car.
They're very busy down at ERA, even if the rest of the world is slowing down. I was also up at the R&D shop with Teddy, checking out the GT40's. It may take a while, but I want one of them too. Like havin' my cake and eatin' it too (I gotta have rocks in my head).
Don't worry about the curtains. As long as the road is clean & dry, you can drive it home. Just wear a ski jacket or leather and a wool hat...you'll love every freezing minute of it. Take care.

[TButtrick]

Here's mine for starters....

Make/Model: Factory Five/Mark I Roadster
Year/miles: 2001/62,220
Built by: self
Engine: FMS392W/920HP
Pros: This is by far the best ever Cobra replica ever built. All other kit owners are envious pigs and will forever be my b1tches.
Cons: nothing at all wrong with my ride.
Comments: see "Pros"

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

Here's mine for starters....

Make/Model: Factory Five/Mark I Roadster
Year/miles: 2001/62,220
Built by: self
Engine: FMS392W/920HP
Pros: This is by far the best ever Cobra replica ever built. All other kit owners are envious pigs and will forever be my b1tches.
Cons: nothing at all wrong with my ride.
Comments: see "Pros"

This is going down as one of my favorite posts of 2008.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

Here's mine for starters....

Make/Model: Factory Five/Mark I Roadster
Year/miles: 2001/62,220
Built by: self
Engine: FMS392W/920HP
Pros: This is by far the best ever Cobra replica ever built. All other kit owners are envious pigs and will forever be my b1tches.
Cons: nothing at all wrong with my ride.
Comments: see "Pros"

I think this is a great idea!!!

Well done on your initial post (here). Good objectivity on the pros/cons. Great photos, too.

While FFR is not my personal choice, you have a very nicely done car!

I hope we get lots of posts in this new thread (here) that are equally objective.

It should be sticky, and probably should not have comments about the posts. The moderators could take care of that, maybe????

Again, great idea!