Last weekend, I came VERY close to buying this 2007, 12K miles, locally built Factory Five, built for the owner by his mechanic bro-in-law (the second one he'd built). All parts were new (no donor car involved) and the craftsmanship looked impeccable (it took 1st place twice at some car show at Knott's Berry Farm).
I would've given him his 32.9K asking price if it came down to it...but, the footwell was so tight and the pedals so tightly spaced that I'd have to wear driving shoes or drive barefoot (which the owner most often does
). I'd planned to take it to my mech. on Tues. for a PPI, but opted out, thinking about it over the weekend.
"2007 MKIII FFR Cobra replica. All new parts. Cost over $50k to build. Koni adjustable shocks, Engine Factory 302/400HP Ford crate V-8 engine. Tremec World Class 5 speed trans. 3.73 rear end. 17" Bullitt wheels with BFG KDW tires. Car weighs 2100 pounds and does 0-60 in less than 4 seconds and sticks to the road like glue without breaking a sweat. Completely sorted out to be a street driver. Very docile and tame until you put your foot in it. And of course it has a lifetime California exemption from smog regulations because it is SB100 registered."
Asked why he was selling it, he said he's got another on order, wants a 427 (200 lbs heavier motor!
). He's a "King of the Hill, point 'n shoot kinda guy and doesn't care that the 427 plows through corners.
He wouldn't let me drive it until after the PPI and I said "Sold!" but took me for a spin. It rode well with the Konis set to next to softest setting and it was crazy quick. Oh, and ear plugs would be necessary before every throttle tip-in if you value your hearing.
I called him Tues. to tell him I was passing on buying and he said his brother, who'd been on the fence, freaked out (he didn't know the car had been put on Craig's list) and bought it from him that day.
FF has a good rep but the guy said their fiberglas bodies, while accurate, were crappy in terms of the hours needed to fill, sand, fit and prep for paint.
Good luck finding a good one!