ea_sport said:
Hi all, I know I posted my question about comparing C6 Z06 and C7 Z51 but today my wife and I saw a Shelby Cobra (presumably either Factory Five or Superformance) on the road and she asked why I don't get one of those instead. Well, I actually have been thinking/considering the Shelby Cobra (replica/kit car) and since my wife encouraged me to get one I am obligated to at least investigate my options.
I don't know much about it and there isn't a lot of discussions on this forum about this so I was wondering if anyone can help me answer the following questions:
1. What is a good source of information to do more research around the Shelby Cobra replica/kit car?
2. What to look for when looking at one of these? presumably it'll depend on who build it but I was wondering if there is any specific areas that can show the quality of the build
3. How are these kit cars to drive on the track and for autocross? Does it depend on the donor car, suspension set up, which engine used, etc.?
4. If you have around $45K would you get a Shelby Cobra Factory Five or Superformance, well built C6 Z06 or a C7 Z51?
5. How is their resale value?
6. What do I need to know when looking at/considering one of these Shelby Cobra replica/kit car?
Thanks guys.
I'm in the process of building a Factory Five MKIV roadster - so take my comments with a bit of bias.
1) TheFactoryFiveForum.com and FFcars.com are invaluable when it comes to information on these things. There is a great community there, build threads if you are trying to determine what is involved in a build, and the like. You can basically find an answer to any question there.
2) If you are looking at a Superformance or Backdraft the build quality is kind of a wash as they are all built in-house. If you are looking to purchase a pre-built Factory Five (or another one of the kit companies) there is more variance as you are reliant on the guy who built it so quality can vary drastically.
3) Good question - I'm actually building my Cobra for track duty (IRS, 427W engine, Tremec 5-speed, Wilwood brakes with front/back bias adjustment, etc.). That said, the Factory Five suspension components are completely adjustable on all four corners and the chassis is track proven so you certainly have plenty of levers to mess with. General thing I've been told on what to look for (on the Factory five front) for a track build is IRS and a small-block (either Coyote or SBF).
4) This question is a bit too late for me - my decision was made - Cobra all the way! But it really depends what you want out of your car. Cobra certainly rougher around the edges than a Z06.
5) If you build you will likely not get your money out of it if you sell - that said good builds will go 50K-ish so its not like you will take a huge bath. How much you put into a build is also very specific to what you want to do. Plenty of ways to spend/save depending on your preferences. That said, if you are buying pre-built, from what I have seen they seem to hold their value pretty well.
6) If pre-built - can't really go wrong with a Superformance or Backdraft. Gotta do your homework if you are buying something sombody else built. If building your own - FF has a great community so you'll never be stuck on an island by yourself it you have any issues and plenty of guys put their builds on the track.