Wife wants Cobra...

[summers3d]

My wife wants an Shelby Cobra (replica). She likes to drive my 911 and thinks she would really like her own "fun" car. Any feedback on if this is a good idea would be appreciated.

-David

[}{arlequin]

if she likes it and you don't mind guys staring at her .... then go for it!

(low weight, high hp.... you'd enjoy it too )

[jmz]

it's a great idea.

[Joeaksa]

You know that there are "upgrades" to wives available these days?

My wife always wanted to drive my '72 911 so we finally settled on a '81 Targa, more reliable and it could be a daily driver. When we divorced she kept the car and I kept mine.

Cobra can be a real handful, even for experienced drivers. Might look at something a bit more reliable and docile, unless she is very good with a car.

Joe A

[RSBob]

You are a lucky man to find a woman with high horsepower aspirations in one of THE classic muscle cars. Sure beats one looking for a nice mini-van or Camry. Dave is right on both accounts - she will get the looks. (you will also extra-bonus points to last you many years), and you will have a blast with it.

[}{arlequin]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Cobra can be a real handful, even for experienced drivers. Might look at something a bit more reliable and docile, unless she is very good with a car.

Joe A

i believe that Factory5 has a modified/tamed version of the car which doesn't make it as vicious

[Series900]

definitly cheaper to keep her, and if she is a gearhead, whats not to like? get the gal a cobra, more useful than a stone.

[89turbocabmike]

I've driven my brother's Factory Five and it is a really good replica for the price.

[2.7RACER]

There's Cobras and then there's COBRAS. The kits and the engines that go into them vary from worn out 5 liter mustangs up to 7 liter high horsepower badboys. Suspensions, wheels, brakes and kit quality are all over the place. I would carefully educate myself before making the plunge.
A few Cobra kits have shown up at the local track where we play and seriously embarrassed themselves. Beaten badly by Miata's.
All the HP sounds scary and the cars look great, but getting the power down is another issue.
Not to say all Cobra kits are bad, look for all the pieces to handle the performance. Otherwise you'll have a old plastic car without any modern conveniences.

[89turbocabmike]

Well said Doug, that's why I'd take a close look at the Factory Five. Sounds like David's wife wants a fun driver. I use to build v-8 powered super-7 replicas and have seen a lot of kit cars come and go. Other than some of the upper end stuff, like ERA, Unique, Butler etc, there is a lot of junk. Especially when your shopping on price. What I like about the Factory five besides a fairly authentic look, is a proven and inexpensive drive train. If she wants to track it, FF has the experience from their spec racers.

[DCobra]

Sounds like you have a keeper. As a former owner of an ERA FIA car I am biased towards ERA. Ger her a smallblock FIA car with a 289 or 302. The FIA car is about the only one that you can run exhaust out the back, not as loud and obnoxious as side pipe exhaust. Also, the ERA car is about the most accurate replica made.

[Venetian]

I"ve driven the Superformance "427". Beautiful car but a real handful to drive. Not what your "average" woman would want.

[dmcproud]

I have a replica and if you get her one, it does not need over 300HP unless she wants a fire breathing monster. They only weigh about 2300 pounds and most people get a little excessive on the engine (me included)

I put too much engine in mine and I honestly believe it is much more than should be driven on a regular basis.

[Isabo]

Has your wife driven one?
It's a very different drive to what I'd guess she's used to. She may love it, she may hate it.

[Gunter]

She'll hate the bad burn on the legs from the exhaust pipe running along the sides!
Step out gingerly!

[HawgRyder]

I consider Cobras to be 20 minute cars.
They are lots of fun, but the seating and pedal positions do not allow the average person to relax and enjoy.
I know there will be lots of people disagreeing with me on this one.
The Cobra was built as a race only car.
Shelby did a great job, truly a legendary figure in automotive history.
I got to meet him once at Mosport in Canada, taller than me, very positive in attitude, very memorable.
Bob

[}{arlequin]

Originally posted by Gunter
She'll hate the bad burn on the legs from the exhaust pipe running along the sides!
Step out gingerly!

if this is not true 'negativity' then at least you're looking at a glass half-empty


what about the fact that while wearing a sexy skirt she'll just have to take an extra w.i.i.i.i.d.e. step to get out of it?

[Venetian]

Quote "She'll hate the bad burn on the legs from the exhaust pipe running along the sides!
Step out gingerly!"

Very true! I found the best way in and out was "Magnum" style ie hopping over door! Again, probably not what a lady would want to do!

[austin552]

Dang it! My wife wanted a PT Cruiser...
She wouldn't go for the Spyder replica.

[Jims5543]

Wild cars! There is one that comes out to our local AX and is the fastest car there ervery time. Smae guy went down to the Bay Bottom Crawl (Google it) and shattered the fastest time for a fendered car on his 1st run and was even nipping at the heals of the Formula Fords.

Your wife is nuts and I think its cool!! Get her the car and enroll her in an Evolution Performance Driving School where she will learn the cars quirks in a safe enviroment.

Some links:

http://www.ffcobra.com/
http://www.clubcobra.com/f50/s

http://www.autocross.com/evolution/