looking into superfomance - Page 2

BlueRooster · #1 (**permalink**) 04-15-2010, 05:09 AM

Stop toying with fate and just buy the Superformance already.

patrickt · #2 (**permalink**) 04-15-2010, 05:17 AM

I really like SPF 623's colors.

SD5805 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-15-2010, 06:23 PM

Wow, some of you guys need to play nicer. Its all about the cars anyway. ERA, Superformance, Backdraft, FFR, BB, Unique, Just having the opportunity to just own a car like this is a blessing. One needs to decide on what his or her budget is and go from their.

Also, what is the goal to be a driver or a historian. If the historic significance is important to you to get as close to an original cobra as possible than the choice may be different than one who just wants a nice cobra for enjoyment regardless of car history.

I remember back in 2006 I also had a back and forth btwn Superformance and Backdraft. I almost purchased a used superformance out of NY for approx 51K., But I ended up with a brand new Backdraft custom ordered with the color and engine to suite me and my future driving style.

It was the best bang for the buck at that time. It made sense to me that everything was brand new, And I could break in the car and engine in my own way.

I have no regrets and I'm a serious driver. I have over 14K miles and proud of it. These cars are NOT made to sit in the garage and only go from one car show to the next. These cars will run their best when properly used NOT abused, but runned well and often.

The drive train has been flawless, it handles great right out of the box. Bryan a Vintage did a great job completing the car. And a good friend of mine really helped me with the final selection of the engine.

Most of all have fun, Get good quality, honest feedback from people you trust during your selection process. If you find your self getting over whelmed, take a step back, go to some car shows, and visit some dealers to see the cars up close and personal.

I'm very happy with my Backdraft, although when I see a Superformance, the fit and finish may be a bit better cosmetically, but you do pay for it up front;however, you may also get more down the road if you sell. Who wants to do that??

Hope this Helps. And Give me a PM. I always like to have cobra partners to ride with.
Moreover, If I had to do it all over again, I would be still be happy with my purchase.

gary osborne · #4 (**permalink**) 05-03-2010, 10:16 PM

Hey guys....fast cars break. I don't care what manufacturer's name is on them. I have a SPF with well over 60,000 carefree miles on it since I bought it 11 years ago. The first 45,000 went on pretty fast. The last 15,000+ has been a little slower due to a career change. Nonetheless, I have driven mine hard and had no problems at all on or off the track. Now keep in mind I am also running a 514 with about 600 HP and the same torque. I am currently replacing that engine with an 800 HP 800 ft lbs Jon Kaase P-51 engine. You strap that much engine in a car (and many if not most SPF's are running well over 500) and hook it up (tough to do....I know) and there is a chance something is going to snap. If you are only running 400 HP...there is a big difference. The nice thing about big HP is it is hard to hook it up and when the tires are spinning...nothing is gonna break...LOL.

Comparing SPF and Backdraft is tough to do depending on what you want in a car. If you just want a fun basic car, the Backdraft is tough to beat. But you add all the things that come standard in the Superformance and you will see a backdraft rivaling the price tag of the Superformance. Of course, the REAL cost of a car is not how much you pay for it. It is the difference between what you paid for it and what you can sell it for. And even THAT number will change a lot depending upon how long you keep the car and what you have in it. I could sell my car today at about the same price as I paid for it. That is mostly due to the fact that prices have increased over the years. But that works to my advantage. It is probably too soon to guess how well the resale value will hold up with some of the new manufacturers but the Spf holds its own against most of the others. I imagine (although I have not checked) that a Shelby holds very well due to the name if nothing else.

Hal Copple has somewhere around 150,000 miles +/- on his SPF with virtually no troubles. Yeah, he has gone through some brakes and had some minor upkeep things to do on it. The engine (which is has nothing to do with SPF) has had some work done. But it has to be the highest mileage cobra out there and it is absolutely gorgeous and tight as a drum to this day. Keep in mind that he has a good 50,000 miles of track time on that car and NO he does not baby it around the track. That says a LOT about the quality of a Superformance. It does not mean others are not as good. It is just a real life example that SPF has been tested in ways few others have and it remains like new.

As far as who is fastest....that story will never be told to anyone's satisfaction but I would venture to say it has a lot more to do with the name of the driver than the name of the car. I know three or four SPF drivers who i would put up against anyone without concern for what the other person is driving. I also know a couple of Backdraft guys who are FAST (one is a dear friend and Backdraft dealer which is one good reason I would not say anything bad about a backdraft). But one has to remember that the car is not what makes these guys fast. It is the skills they have developed behind the wheel.

pjmoore2003 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-04-2010, 07:45 PM

It's been already said... You'll like one on looks mostly. Go with that. Just remember, you can make your BDR look very vintage... it just won't ever have the same shape. But I'm happy with that. Love the mean look, dual round tail lights. I like having 17's for wheels, but I also like the classic billboard look. 17's and it still rides nice over bumps.

PJ