12-18-2006, 07:38 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Loveland,
CO
Cobra Make, Engine: EM, Buick V6, FFR Spyder, Buick V6
Posts: 275
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Not Ranked
My car has been a daily driver for 12 years, and has 61K miles on it, so it's not out of the question...just gotta keep it out of the snow.
I'd recommend automatic transmission though. Just makes it easier to deal with.
Screw the neighbors...they'll get used to the sound. Rear-exiting exhaust will give you trouble trying to get the plumbing under an already low-to-the-ground car. You'll probably jack the suspension up as high as it will go for daily street driving to prevent pot holes and speed bumps, but the exhaust will be vulnerable. Consider two mufflers and short tail pipes that dump under the car at an outward angle.
Small, efficient engine too. If you're putting on miles, gas mileage is a concern, only because of the limited size of your gas tank.
Consider heated seats. You will want to drive the car without a top, even in somewhat cooler weather, and the heat doesn't really work if there is no top on the car. However, heated seats do the job well.
AC, well, could give you overheating problems in an already hot scenario. The addition of the condenser will naturally cause higher engine heat by blocking the radiator, but it can work as long as you install a waaaay oversized radiator from the start.
Choose a light colored, non metalic paint scheme as daily drivers tend to get beat up in the roadway by debris and such, so you'll be touching up the chips - at least in the beginning. After a while, you'll live with paint chips.
Install a decent GPS system. Always good to know where you're going.
Use all season performance tires since the summer-only tires are useless in the rain. Consider 17 inch wheels, no larger than that. Otherwise, you'll eventually trash the wheels with curb rash, potholes that eat wheels, etc.
Installing a radio and CD player is your choice. If you crank it loud enough for you to hear, you'll get the neighbors attention too. It will probably need to be louder than the exhaust.
Just a few opinions...
__________________
John Spina
FFR Spyder
EM Cobra
Bumble Bee
Everett Morrison built in 1995, 78,000 miles
FFR Spyder built in 2004
Both with Buick V6 turbo engines
11.40 @ 118 in the EM Cobra
11.99 @ 119 first time out in the Spyder
It's only funny until someone gets hurt.
Then it's friggin hilarious!
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More Advice!
"Glove Box" 
, maybe to keep a dust rag in, not gloves for his cold-weather driving habits.
Hybrid Mode
