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

[RedBarchetta]

Scrivy,

I think you have received a lot of good advice here from several knowledgeable folks. Being 6'3" myself, the primary question I had to answer was "Which car can I comfortably fit in without losing the authentic look of an original?" The second question I had to also consider was my budget. The two answers led me to a used Superformance with a stroked SB. Said another way, I bought as much Cobra as I could afford.

Your stated budget of $40-70K is a really wide swath. My own budget was on the lower end of yours. Had it been to the higher end, I would have considered BB cars and other brands (i.e. ERA). But don't fall into the trap of buying/building a car only to be disappointed that the Cobra experience is not what you thought it would be. We all remember "Rob" here, a guy that had a dream and proceeded to spend $100K+ on a really nice Kirkham. He then drove the car and realized how raw it was, then sold it and bought a Corvette instead. Ruined dreams and a wasted effort (it was good entertainment value for those of us that actually wrench on our own cars).

If you're already beyond the "raw ride" aspects of a Cobra and are 100% certain that you want to proceed to ownership, then I'd recommend that you stick to the higher end of your budget and get the most car/best car you can. Boy, in today's market with that kind of budget I'd probably post something like this, "Wanted. RED ERA with BB. Must be clean. Ready to buy the right car right now. Call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx." I guarantee you that word will get around and you will get calls (even from people not with the exact car, but you will get action). Be like an F-22 Raptor pilot on a bombing run...lock-in to your target and don't be swayed by the AAA/flak.

Good luck on the hunt and let us know what you end up with! It's a buyer's market...great timing on your part.

-Dean SPF #747

[Scrivy]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Scrivy,

I think you have received a lot of good advice here from several knowledgeable folks. Being 6'3" myself, the primary question I had to answer was "Which car can I comfortably fit in without losing the authentic look of an original?"

-Dean SPF #747

This is a great place to start. Can anyone that is 6'3" or taller share with me the manufacturer of any car that they have sat in and felt comfortable and also any car manufacturer that they have felt cramped in?

Thanks,
Scrivy

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Scrivy

Can anyone that is 6'3" or taller share with me the manufacturer of any car that they have sat in and felt comfortable and also any car manufacturer that they have felt cramped in?

I'm 6'4" -- my ERA fits me great. BUT, the pedals were moved back and spread a part a bit (for my 12EEE's) and the seats were moved back, padding reduced, and bolted directly to the floor. When I'm behind the wheel I look like I'm 5'10".

EDIT -- I also sat in Peter P.'s ERA -- I looked over the windshield and my knees were jammed in to the steering wheel. It would have been pretty hard for me to have driven it. That being said, it's all in how the car is set up.

[madmaxx]

Below prettty much some it all, you either love cobras or hate them, there is no in between. If you do not like wrenching on cars, smelling like gasoline, and having the fastest street legal zero to 60 car on the planet do not make a mistake of buying one. Rob went from ordereing a spf selling for a $8K loss on just the chassis, to buying a kirkham for $118K and trading in for $90K on a vette. If you are not sure, buy a used spf with about 400 hp for $45K, at least if you do not like it you will get all your money back.




[quote=RedBarchetta;901081]Scrivy,

.. We all remember "Rob" here, a guy that had a dream and proceeded to spend $100K+ on a really nice Kirkham. He then drove the car and realized how raw it was, then sold it and bought a Corvette instead. Ruined dreams and a wasted effort (it was good entertainment value for those of us that actually wrench on our own cars).

.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Scrivy,

.. We all remember "Rob" here, a guy that had a dream and proceeded to spend $100K+ on a really nice Kirkham. He then drove the car and realized how raw it was, then sold it and bought a Corvette instead. Ruined dreams and a wasted effort (it was good entertainment value for those of us that actually wrench on our own cars).

.

Ahhh, RSIMOES. Man, talk about a bummer thread. BUT, it is must-reading for Scrivy and anyone else thinking about building their "dream car." Here it is:
Kirkham on eBay

That was a "preliminary" thread. This is the real deal: New to the Cobra world? Have you always dreamed of having a Cobra? Read carefully.

[CNGreen]

Scrivy, I posted this in another thread, but in regards to size, you may find it useful...

I'm 6'6" and, sad to say, 280#. Size 15 shoe.

I'm a first time builder and chose FFR for a lot of reasons I won't get into here. But one of them is customization. You didn't say if building was an option but by doing some basic mods to a standard build I've gained ~4" of legroom. The first is a simple way to gain ~2" and, I would assume, could be done on any car. I have a Kirkey lowback seat mounted to the floor all the way back. The seat is made out of aluminum and is therefor very thin. For the add'l ~2" I bolted in a vendors adjustable Wilwood pedals and adjusted them all the way forward. Other comfort mods: I trimmed the brake pedal, got aftermarket driver's footbox aluminum and bent my throttle. I'm go-carting it now in tennis shoes, which is better than I had hoped for at the beginning of the build. I have some Simpson driving shoes and there is plenty of room with those on. I'm doing some add'l clutch foot mods as well; re-doing the footbox crash bar, which really doesn't work for us Sasquatch. Lastly, I'm also adding a dead-pedal.

BTW if you plan to buy something turn-key instead of building, you could always have a pro build it for you with those mods.

HTH,



PS my car has IRS with a torsen rear end, Trigo wheels, a new fuel injected BOSS 302 and Wilwood brakes, yada yada. Right up your alley and can be built by you for 50K... or, with the prices the way they are right now, could probably be found for less used.

[patrickt]

Sorry, here is the correct thread:
New to the Cobra world? Have you always dreamed of having a Cobra? Read carefully.