Looking to buy

[FUNFER2]

That's a huge question, as all makes have their pro's & con's. You're doing what's needed, asking questions and searching. A best list of the top 5 will yield many,..... different cars. Just take you're time.

Did you get my PM ?

[Dwight]

this one is for sale $38,500
Coach Lane's Hurricane

Dwight

[Dwight]

I researched for 18 months, visited Lone Star and Unique. This was before I found web site like CC and FFC.

I am 5'10" and 175 lbs. I have drove 10 to 15 different brands of Cobras. I easily fit in all of them.

I bought the Lone Star because of the extra 4" in the cockpit area and I like the way the interior tub and trunk tub are molded to the body. I wanted a Cobra I could take long trips in and the stuff in the trunk would not get wet. I want to have room to put stuff behind the seats, like beach towel, rain coats, sun screen, a bottle of water, etc. I don't like the Cobras that leak hot air into the footbox area.

I have buddies that I ride / drive with every week that have Cobras with all the "things" that I don't like, BUT we still have a blast, EVERY TIME we go for a ride. They are all a lot of fun.

Remember a Cobra was first build as a race car!

All the things I don't like, air leaks, small cockpit, water leaks, hot footbox, are in all of the original Cobras. But if I had the money I would buy one.

You need to decide how you want to drive "your" Cobra and then look for that one. If it sits in the garage a lot and you take short trips, they all will work.
If you want original, shorter list.
If you want a track car, that a different list.
A show car.
A daily driver.
What we like in a Cobra may not be the same things you like.
I let a big guy sit in my Cobra last night. Tight fit but he still wants to build one.
Sit in as many as you can, drive a few if someone will let you.
What I wanted in a Cobra 12 years ago has changed a lot, now that I know.
Keep searching.

Just remember something that happen last year.
Corvette Joe joined our group for a few Friday night eat outs. He wanted to buy a Cobra. I invited him to go with us to the London Cobra Show. About the third time we ate out he took me up on my offer. I told him we left at 10 PM and drove the 535 mile mostly at night. Slow trip lots of stops. We had three trucks and trailers going and he could ride with one of those guys and or ride in my Cobra part of the way. Well we started a pool on how far Joe would ride in a Cobra. Everyone agree he would not make the Kentucky state line. Corvette Joe rode all the way to Columbus and when we return Sunday we drove all day long in the hot sun. Joe was right beside me.

A week latter he told me he would not buy a Cobra.

About three months ago he bought a SFP with a big block and loves it.

You never know!

See ya on the road. Wife said I got to go to the store.

Keep looking.

Dwight

[JST4FUN]

Let me jump in here.......Dwight's absolutely right, keep looking and if you really want one, it'll happen. I actually spent 4 years in my search. I first thought build, then thought buy new, but ultimately decided based on today's world that a slightly used quality unit was the best way to go. I had actually not rode in one until I took the little ride to London from north Alabama last year with Dwight. I really liked the car and seeing all the different ones at London really was an eye-opener. However, I temporarily convinced myself that a 60+ year old retired guy that already had a Vette which had been our other "dream car" could find something else to play with besides a hot, loud, always-watch-out-for-rain Cobra. Well, I was wrong, I kept following this site and Cobra Country and finally realized if you really want something and can afford it, get it. I absolutely love my SPF and my only regret is having waited. However, by waiting and searching, I did find exactly the one I wanted! Keep looking but don't wait too long to jump! There's a lot of them out there for sale!!

Good luck!

[bobcowan]

Looks great. Love the body style. But maintenance and upkeep can be a real bear.

[henrik]

Originally Posted by bobcowan

Looks great. Love the body style. But maintenance and upkeep can be a real bear.

Some cleaning - later a "make over" with some fresh paint and she will last a few more years

[Tony Radford]

I couldn't imagine owning a Cobra without a garage full of tools - and a lift for that matter. I don't know any owners that don't have to tinker with their cars somewhat regularly. Hell, the idle alone will shake most parts loose in no time. You add an engine that puts out twice the HP it was designed to produce, add some other vintage drive train components and you certainly don't have a "tinker-free" hobby. I've found that there is a potentially enormous amount of grief and frustration associated with getting and owning one of these cars depending on the county you live in and commensurate level of oversight, sourcing the right replacement parts, little things that break - where you would just drop it off at the dealer if it was a mainstream car. Ain't gonna happen with one of these. Half the fun is figuring out how to fix problems that arise and perhaps engineer a superior solution the may prevent a reoccurance. I've loved owing my car for the past 8 years, but it has chewed me up and spit me out more than once. You've really got to be passionate about this to survive - let alone find the degree of joy that matches the investment - and I don't mean money. I know of quite a few folks that got into this and tried to bail a short time later. Go in with your eyes wide open. These are not vettes by any stretch of the imagination!

[needtobuy]

Toni,

I greatly appreciate the feedback. I don't want to buy myself into a nightmare. It's not that I am not handy, but just don't want to spend all of my time tinkering as opposed to driving. I have looked over some of the ads that have been reposted above & have also been talking to Lonestar about 475-500HP crate engine. Do you still think all of the garage time applies for a new car not run hard?

Anybody else want to jump in on this one?

Thanks,
Lewis

[henrik]

Originally Posted by needtobuy

Toni,

I greatly appreciate the feedback. I don't want to buy myself into a nightmare. It's not that I am not handy, but just don't want to spend all of my time tinkering as opposed to driving. I have looked over some of the ads that have been reposted above & have also been talking to Lonestar about 475-500HP crate engine. Do you still think all of the garage time applies for a new car not run hard?

Anybody else want to jump in on this one?

Thanks,
Lewis

"or sit"

As I wrote to you... here and in the PM - use the search engine to read old threads - a lot of fine info from many members... you will NOT be able to conclude here and now by throwing a few questions from the hip

Refine your search and be realistic - the 611 is still the best match as I see it...

The time spend on getting closer to your dream will also allow you to collect a bigger amount to spend... and that money is well invested.

Good Luck

[needtobuy]

Toni,

Spent a little time looking for that model. What is special about the Backdraft 611 & do you mean the Roush engine?

Thx,

LH

[Tony Radford]

MrMustang posted a nice piece on brand selection some years ago that I'm sure is retrievable. The fact is, there are usually significant differences between the various makes available in the market. Some of the differences lie in the skill of the assembler since the assembly options are virtually infinite. Some like the "true to form" approach and others like a modernized variant. Different makes use all kinds of components in their designs such as suspension, rearends front ends, shock geometry and on and on. What ever you end up with, it will likely be something you're completely unfamiliar with, over powered, has leaks to chase, bolts to keep tight, valves that need periodic adjusting, carb adjustments and a million other issues I'm not thinking of. Don't get me wrong, if you like this kind of activity, it's awesome. I've had a blast fixing, modifying, refining and generally maintaining my car. She's fast, loud and beautiful - and it seems in constant need of attention. I think these cars "aren't" right for more people than they the "are" right for. You know when your snake bit - and it's very toxic!

[Excaliber]

You know when your snake bit - and it's very toxic!

Lotta truth there, not in a flippant or funny way,,, dead serious as I see it. I'm the kinda guy who has very itchy feet, I rarely keep any vehicle more than two years, often only a year or so, gotta have the next one. No way I could begin to count how many that is or the various brands along the way (European sports car of every imaginable description included). BUT, two cars have stayed with me for a very long long time, the Austin Healey 3000, over 10 years and now the Cobra and it's a "keeper". The Healey was sold a year or so ago, the Cobra so totally spoiled me the Healey was just never the same after that.

I can see keeping the Cobra until I'm just to dang old to drive it, but maybe with an auto trans I can still get a few more years out of it even then, when the time comes... I been snake bit real bad.

[Okiesnake]

> Do they come emissions ready for your state.

Some states are stricker than others. Check with your state. However, cars titled as a 1973 or older (I believe thats the magic year) would not have to abide by such emissions criteria (there were no emission standards prior to 1973). Some states have different ways to classify custom built cars or "kit cars". Some may use the completion date of the kit. Some may use the engine block original production date or some other criteria.
Some states don't even check emissions at all. Again, check with your state.
However your state does it, they are going to be looking what year the car is titled as and will typically expect it to comply with their emission standards for a car of that year.

[needtobuy]

To all,

Thanks for the help. Ended up buying a Unique FIA. Factory Ford (crate) 347 (450 hp) with FI & Tre- 600. Had 38 miles on it & completed 2009. Price was 36,000. really like the car. Would have liked a few more cubes but it seems plenty fast. Have not gotten on it yet as I don't know if there is a break in period.I have heard yes & no. Not sure how much the Edlebrock Pro flow direct port adds in HP. Any guess as to that or 0-60/ quarter mile? Rough real wheel HP? These things are all they are supposed to be. Again, thanks for the responses from those of you with cars for sale. Good luck on selling.

Thanks,
Lewis