Why Do Cobra Owners Sell So Fast?

[lippy]

I met a guy today that had his Kirkham Cobra at the Palo Alto Concours. He said it's 7 years old and he drives it to work. The car has more than 100k miles. He is selling it, but only because he has a number of cars and is running out of room. Since I'm building a Cobra but haven't spent much time in one, this was a good data point that these cars are useable - especially in NorCal where you rarely if ever need to worry about unpredictable weather.

[decooney]

Originally Posted by lippy

I met a guy today that had his Kirkham Cobra at the Palo Alto Concours. He said it's 7 years old and he drives it to work. The car has more than 100k miles. He is selling it, but only because he has a number of cars and is running out of room. Since I'm building a Cobra but haven't spent much time in one, this was a good data point that these cars are useable - especially in NorCal where you rarely if ever need to worry about unpredictable weather.

Just finished dinner and It's 6:30pm on this June 30th summer evening in NorCal, and a predictable 104 degrees right now. Darn, gonna have to pass on the after-dinner drive this evening. Ugh.

[Danr55]

Sometimes, the car turns out to be just too much for an individual. I've known at least two of those in the last three years. One man punched it and lost control and almost crapped his pants. The second man just could not handle the power. The are, afterall, custom built race cars with even the smaller, tamer engines creating quite a stir when you stick your foot in it.

[WardL]

Just tonight I discussed "What if I sold my Cobra?" with my wife. I bought my Cobra used with 1,700 miles and wondered why so many Cobras are for sale so soon. I expect to have 11,000 miles on my Cobra by the end of summer after 3.5 years of ownership. I've autocrossed and been on a race track at 130 MPH with my Cobra. Why would I sell? I explained there was no reason to sell to buy a different specialty car because anything else would not measure up. Hey, I could always buy another Cobra! If I'm not driving the Cobra, I'm selling. In the Pacific Northwest from October to April, you aren't driving your Cobra. I agree with what has been said, guys that don't build (and buy a roller) decide they want every special feature in their new baby. After a year they either realize their wife won't go or they don't know how to press gently on the gas and when they jam their foot on the gas they almost die. A near death experience in a Cobra is all too frequent. My Cobra is the reason I retired at 60, thank you very much! Since I am not a bow-tie guy I'll never have a Corvette. The best explanation for short ownership is "Corvette" person buys a beast. As said earlier, buy used and enjoy it. If it don't work out, sell and you might break even. Let's see you do that in a Corvette! For sure, don't miss the opportunity to own a Cobra! You will NEVER regret it!

[Cobra Braggin']

Thanks Ward for your 2 cents. I appreciate the input from all of you guys that have already traveled down the road I'm now trying to get on... I just won't be satisfied until I've owned one of these incredible machines. I'm a guy who never really had the hot car I always wanted when I was younger and I'm 45 yrs. old now. As the kids are off in college now, I want to do this for me soon, so I can truly appreciate the experience.

Since I live in NC only 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Dennis Olthoff Racing, my plan is to visit Dennis, test drive one, and then take some lessons to really learn how drive and handle this street legal race car before I order mine.....Thanks again for your comments!


Cobra Man For Life!!!

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Originally Posted by Cobra Braggin'

Since I live in NC only 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Dennis Olthoff Racing, my plan is to visit Dennis, test drive one, and then take some lessons to really learn how drive and handle this street legal race car before I order mine.....Thanks again for your comments!
Cobra Man For Life!!!

This is the smartest thing you can do, test drive one and then attend a couple of driving courses/schools to learn how to drive/handle a high powered car safely....once you get your car, go back and get some instructions in your car.......you'll be glad you did......

David

[Cobra Braggin']

Thanks David! I'm not quite ready to buy just yet, but I'm hopeful within a year or two I can make the leap! But, in the meantime, I figure I can learn as much as I can so I'm truly ready to handle all that brut power. So glad Olthoff Racing is just down the road from me....

Chris

[Magicalab]

Because the next one is better than the last and gets better each time!

[krkucin]

The Cobra was my dream car for over 20 years. After years and years of research and more dreaming, and finally having the financial ability to get one, I went with an SPF. I have had the car for just over a year now, and it sits in the garage getting wax applied to it more than it is out on the road. If the weather is not perfect, it doesn't leave the garage. This leaves a lot of money tied up in the garage with few days for having any fun. If you still have your heart set on a nice SPF, I have a perfect one I'll sell you. Message me if your interested.

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by krkucin

I have had the car for just over a year now, and it sits in the garage getting wax applied to it more than it is out on the road. If the weather is not perfect, it doesn't leave the garage. This leaves a lot of money tied up in the garage with few days for having any fun.

Great answer. The dream is better than the reality for a lot of folks.

[PSB]

I'm thinking about selling mine, so I can build one of these:



Pete

[krkucin]

Originally Posted by PSB

I'm thinking about selling mine, so I can build one of these:



Pete

Is this a GTM? I am thinking about doing the same thing.

[PSB]

No, not a GTM. Superlite Coupe by Race Car Replicas: SuperLite Cars Made in the USA, Engineered to Win on the Street and Track by Race Car Replicas

Pete

[zots]

I sold my first Cobra when the wife decided to go back to work after having kids....and she thought she needed a roof.

I sold my second Cobra before Texas became Kit Car friendly since I could not meet DOT and emissions requirements for the year it was titled.

So, will it be a third Cobra? Or a GT40? or SL-C? I am visiting Race Car Replicas this July to make my decision!

[vatdevil]

Originally Posted by zots

I sold my first Cobra when the wife decided to go back to work after having kids....and she thought she needed a roof.

I sold my second Cobra before Texas became Kit Car friendly since I could not meet DOT and emissions requirements for the year it was titled.

So, will it be a third Cobra? Or a GT40? or SL-C? I am visiting Race Car Replicas this July to make my decision!

Well, when I do sell, it will be to buy a GT40. CAV, RCR, SPF....not sure yet.

[CSX3183]

My profile says I'm waiting on my CSX 4000 series, well that was true when I signed up. But in 2007 , I visited RCR, and was so impressed with his cars, that I got my deposit back on the 4000, so I could purchase a Mark 4.

Unfortunately, before I could pull the trigger I got involved with a 66 Ford 2dr Custom R code, a one of one, which was just highlighted in Muscle Car Review, I'm the buyer who didn't buy because of health reasons,, cancer, so all future projects were cancelled.

Anyhow, you'll be very impressed with Fran's operation, man I wish I could of pulled the trigger on a Mark 4, to me, there's nothing more beautiful.

Originally Posted by zots

I sold my first Cobra when the wife decided to go back to work after having kids....and she thought she needed a roof.

I sold my second Cobra before Texas became Kit Car friendly since I could not meet DOT and emissions requirements for the year it was titled.

So, will it be a third Cobra? Or a GT40? or SL-C? I am visiting Race Car Replicas this July to make my decision!

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by CSX3183

My profile says I'm waiting on my CSX 4000 series, well that was true when I signed up. But in 2007 , I visited RCR, and was so impressed with his cars, that I got my deposit back on the 4000, so I could purchase a Mark 4.

Unfortunately, before I could pull the trigger I got involved with a 66 Ford 2dr Custom R code, a one of one, which was just highlighted in Muscle Car Review, I'm the buyer who didn't buy because of health reasons,, cancer, so all future projects were cancelled.

Anyhow, you'll be very impressed with Fran's operation, man I wish I could of pulled the trigger on a Mark 4, to me, there's nothing more beautiful.

CSX3183,

66 was a Les Ritchey car if it was a factory lightweight (no painted bumpers).
Love that car!
I am sorry to hear about your recent troubles and will pray for you. I sit on several boards related to cancer, mainly The LLS folks, and stand willing to help any way I can.
God Bless.

[Tutosnake]

Are you kiddin' me? I don't even know why I BOUGHT it in the first place

Unrelated: CSX3183: you can always borrow mine. Come down to Shreveport, LA, and you can drive mine!

Hector

[mikiec]

I have no idea. My FFR has been on the road since Jan 2001 It is the longest I have ever owned a car.

[Bernica]

You get to LA, just let me know and you and I will ride. I will take you to a place and give you have the keys.