Looking to buy a Backdraft Cobra...

[Xanthus]

LOL

MINI and Mini are not the same. My 1976 Mini has been a pain at every turn.

She has no AC and thus is HOT. She was running rich with the original motor so she smelled of gas. Now she has no cat so she still smells of gas and leaves sut on the back end. I have to wax her to clean it. In the rain Minis are NOTORIOUS for leaking, this I take less issue with, if it's going to rain that bad I'll be in my Jeep. I expect that if I keep ontop of a car that it will work for a decent amount of time. With the old Lucas electric in my Mini there was no telling when she was going to quit. Now though rewired and having an engine swap, I have had other issues with the swap that I am still working to fix before I sell her. Don't confuse me for a BMW MINI owner that wants a modern perfect car (BTW the 2007 MINIs are breaking down horribly), I just want to know that in general, I can expect it to work most of the time, provided i do not torture it. As for wind in my ears, nearing 95 with the Mini my ears were fine, I was more worried about the car shaking from traveling at a speed it was not exactly intended to drive at, further with my new motor (155.4 HP at the wheel) she has a torque steer from hell so I am prepared not to deal with whatever the car can throw my way.

Now all that said, I see 2 saying that they had no big issue and one that seems to think me a driver wanting a factory perfect car. I guess I will refine my question. If I buy one of these from Suncoast, am I likely to be satisfied with a generally dependable vehicle? Will I, with some maintenance work, have a vehicle that will give me few or no "surprises" with just not working when I want it to?

[Gatorac]

Didn't mean to offend. I don't presume to know what you are looking for. Just giving you and those that come after you both sides of the monster.

It sounds like you feel you and a Cobra will get along fine.

I would suggest a 351 based engine. These offer great power and resale value. They fit into the engine compartment easily. The late-model cammer crate motors are tight. As far as FI vs carb, I've been running a carb. I've had the car for 3 years and haven't had any issues related to the car being carburated. It's pretty much a personal taste thing as to what you want to see when you lift up the hood.

Whatever BDR you choose, ,make sure to test drive it on the interstate at speed. These things have a tendency to shimmy. If you get one that does, it may do it forever. Don't accept the car until it's fixed completely.