Curious if anyone owns or has owned one of the Cobra cars such as Superperformance Mk III or Factory Five and how driving one of those compares to the C5. Have been looking at the Cobra's and they all seem to have very low mileage, even ones where the owner has had it for 10 years. Curious as to why and if anyone has some first hand knowledge.

 

Check the thread "what did you drive before your C5 or C5Z" (sorry, can't recall exactly). One of the replies was an ex Cobra kit owner.

 

The cobra kit is like driving a dune buggy, with side pipes, it's alot of fun, it's very noisy, very hot,and if you get csught in the rain. You get wet.
It's more like a Disney ride.
The C5 Is A Fun car, reliable,ENJOYABLE Even IN THE Rain YOU CAN Talk WITH A PASSENGER WITHOUT screamimg...NOT THE Case WITH THE Cobrs..

The reason these kit cars are low mileage is because, you never want to be too far from home.

If you do the car right...it's a bit obnoxious, it turns almost every head, lots of kids wanting to challenge you, gets the attention of any law enforcement, so you don't blend in with anything.

 

Hello, the Factory Five cobra replicas come as a kit, although last I knew they did have some shops that would professionally build the car so you were delivered a finished vehicle. I went up to their Cape Cod Mass shop and spent some time there, very impressed with what I saw, especially for the price. The Superformance cars are factory built cars manufactured in South Africa. I thought the Superformance cars are of exceptional quality, a beautiful rendition of Shelby's original. The 2 seat cobras are the most visceral feeling cars I personally have ever known, raw, loud, fast, minimalistic, very, very basic cars, but just so cool. They feel different than anything else I ever drove. That being said, my personal opinion, and its just that, nothing more, is that the Cobra truly is a very nice toy with Steve McQueen coolness just dripping off of it. I didn't consider it to be a practical everyday car or a long road trip car that the C5 is. Thats where the C5 excels, great performance, looks, comfort, every day practicality and a price that can't be beat. I'd still like to have that black big block Superformance in my garage though, right next to my black C5! Best wishes!

 

I drove my Factory Five roadster for 10 years and 22000 miles. Faster than a C5 up to a point due to the much lower weight. Never any interaction from police or any other "authorities" possibly because I usually drive responsibly ? On one interesting city corner I turned the same way i would in my Miata and did an instant 180, that was a quick lesson learned, car would break loose in a heart beat, you really have to drive the car 100% of the time.

Longest trips ever attempted approx 300 miles, no more driver fatigue than any other car. And, yes you can talk to the passenger except when doing serious acceleration. You have to consider these cars are "custom built" by each owner and some are built for all out performance and others for ease of driving and comfort (relative). Mine was on the lower end of performance but quite high in the ease of driving criteria.

Biggest complaint and the ultimate reason for selling was RAIN. With no roof deciding when and if it was a "good" day to drive the Cobr* was too restricting toward the end of my ownership. With marginal wipers it was too chancy to drive at night with possibility of water running down both the inside and outside of the windshield and my glasses. Under those circumstances it just became too risky.

Anyone with a serious interest in building a FF5 contact me by a PM and I can get into a lot more detail. Bob

 

Interesting perspectives on the Cobra kits. I agree they just exude coolness.

 

I've had 5 Cobras (4-FFR's and 1-Superformance),the FFR's seem to handle better than the Superformance when setup correctly maybe due to the lower weight. I autocross and would never even consider driving the Cobras as I feel they are a handful to drive fast whereas I will drive the Z06 next year at some events (I just bought the car 2 months ago but did have a C6 ZR1 a few years back). Factor in the comfort,AC,windows,noise,etc. and the choice to live with for a longer time the vette wins hands down. I must say the "cool factor" of the Cobra is above the vette but if you take it on a longer than 2 hour drive you may be questioning your purchase! Rich

 

I sold my Backdraft last year. It had an all-aluminum 427 Windsor stroker putting out 612 hp/615 torque... in a car weighing in below 2300 lbs. I owned it for 8 years. Fun car... but with limitations. Engine noise, wind buffeting, & sun exposure all take their toll on a long drive... and a VERY stiff clutch meant you did NOT want to drive in traffic. With fully independent suspension, the ride is pretty decent- tho wheels/tires also factor into that. (mine had 15s... most newer Cobras are running 17s to 20s). Seems every time I had mine out, there'd be someone in a C6 Z06 chasing me down, wanting to race. (I never gave into that) The Cobra is a very fast car. BUT... it is limited by aerodynamics and ergonomics. The driving position is a bit awkward. My pedals were offset about 1 foot (to the left) from the centerline of the steering wheel. Also, the forward-canted shifter made the shift pattern a little "unnatural". The mid-mount shift location is better. The front end gets a little light, north of 100 mph. The TKO-600 transmission does not like to be shifted quickly at high rpm. All little stuff. The downsides are that there's no way to secure the car... no top, no side curtains... and I never parked it out of my sight as a result. So it's limited to short drives on nice days. Yes, you can get a top & side curtains, tho they're not really recommended above 70 mph or so (a hardtop would be better). Some are better insulated against engine heat than others as well. If you want to get into it... go for it! But do your homework... different mfrs have different features... and different price points.

 

Sounds very nice, but admittedly, even though in some ways a Cobra is a dream car, I wouldn't want to DD one.
Noticed you just joined, first post, what are you driving now?

 

From 2005-2008 I worked with a company as a Tier 2 coach works designing aftermarket S197 Mustangs, much like Roush or Saleen. During this time we acquired a Superformance dealership in Cincinnati and also sold out of NorthEast Ohio. I have tons of seat time and experience in the MarkIII Cobras, the Shelby CSX - and the adjoining replica/component cars of the MKI and MKII gt40 and the Noble M12 3R/M400 vehicles.

The cobra is probably my favorite car to drive ever. It DEMANDS respect and talent at all times. Very short wheelbase, plenty of grip and high HP means they can snap in an instant. They work much better than you'd think as they actually book up fairly well, the caveat is you may not always feel that you aren't getting 100% traction. If they DO get loose, there is often no warning. The thick sidewalls act like springs, you load up on them and they will squirm then project. If the car 'binds' and releases you are in for a ride.

Id compare user friendliness to a Harley Davidson. It's loud, smelly, shakes and beats you up in the wind and elements. However, that is fun of the car; its character. You take it out when it's nice, it's a conversation piece, and you don't leave anything you can't afford to lose inside. As noted they get light in the nose @110 or so and can be a handful. It's not really the car for horseplay unless you're pointing it straight, unless you are VERY confident in your abilities and have lots of room. I hated taking our customers and letting them drive me back. I generally just tried to scare the **** out of them on our trip out, to where they were afraid to do much.


These replicars are very pretty. They look like toys and not nearly as intimidating as they should be. These are racecars. They will kill you just as fast as you can push the gas, with as much anger as the originals. The GT40s were flat out dangerous. Like riding in a bomb that will impale you on near any impact. They are not to be taken lightly.

The C5 is a very usable modern sports car. They are just as docile and friendly as a Honda Civic, especially if you leave all the traction and stability controls active. Stock for stock they are in different leagues. The c5z is a bit of a runner stock, but it's no Cobra - not by a longshot. With the nannies off and a few bolt ons, the C5 comes alive. It will get out from under you and get up and scream. You won't get near the sensation in an FRC car though - such a waste of a fun platform. Both the cobra and the corvette are enjoyed best in the open air. They are sensory overload vehicles, the more you can engage at once, the better.

The c5 is three times the car more stable at speed and although it can get light, it's no where near as noticeable. They feel 100x more precise, even stock. Make no bones about it, it's a better sports car - the c5 is world class.

But it lacks the attitude, the charisma. Some things just cannot be replaced or created no matter what you bolt on. So much of it depends on your planned use of a vehicle. If you are even remotely cross shopping a cobra; you are already aware that it's like owning a boat. Everyone wants a ride, use the same way and run through gas while getting sunburnt. But you are the badass. Even if you are a total schmo - strapping on a Cobra kicks you up a few points. They are not for poseurs, even if owned by some.

I want to move my c5 to buy an early Viper. Seems like the best mix of the two. Or I should just get a Cobra anyhow.

If I had one quib, it would be the reverse mounted shifter in the Cobra. No matter my seat time it felt awkward, and I found the reverse lockout overly sharp and painful to press against. Probably lots of variance between brands there. Putting the Superformance next to a CSX , you will see just how different they are from the Shelby. All of the subtleties turn glaring when you begin to inspect element for element. Still, even with the wacky off brand chassis I've driven; they are still fun.

Also, the Cobras retain their value quite well. Bought used, you could easily enjoy and resale the vehicle in 1-5yrs at near the same or more $.

Hope that helps!

 

I had a slew of Mustangs before the Cobra, & I'm now in the market for a new toy... and considering getting into a Corvette. I just haven't decided what my "pain threshold" (re: pricing) is. Recently under consideration are an '04 commemorative C5 Z06, a '13 C6 427 anniversary 'vert, and a '14 C7 coupe (auto). I know... quite a difference... not just amongst the cars themselves, but also in pricing... $20k spread. When I sold the Cobra, I told myself I wasn't going to tie up a ton of cash on a toy, but it looks like I'm headed that direction again. Am still deciding how far off the deep end I'm willing to go. My daily is an '08 Mercury Grand Marquis (sentimental value... was my grandfather's last car). I also have a '16 Ram 2500 HD crew cab 4x4 with the 6.4 hemi. Is the first time in over a decade that I've been down to only two vehicles... guess I'm having withdrawl symptoms...

 

I love my 04Z as my DD, not a C7 fan, but you gotta make up your own mind, hard choices ahead for you. haha
Like the sentimental thing on the DD, I'm not at all that way, but I appreciate those who are.

 

You had almost the same car, same 427 Windsor... same exact personality. as I mentioned in my post... fun car. with side pipes on a 90+ day and you are stopped at a light, you cant wait for the light to change.. the heat come right up on your arm.. Noisy as hell but Like I said Much Like a Disney E ride.. sensory overload. Lost of looks challengers and compliments. thumbs up a dozen times in a 30 minute cruise. cant go too far from home. and after you do your 10 mile circuit a few hundred weekend days, it starts to get a little old.
Bill aka ET

while the Cobra is nice and fun with alot of restrictions... A C5 is all that and more.

 

This is all great information. Some of the replies are very detailed and I appreciate the input.

I think its also interesting to other on the forum as well.