Which Cobra do I choose?

[garyholden]

Hi All

I'm a new member, and I need some advice please!

I'm eventually, after a couple of years waiting, able to seriously start looking into the different manufacturers of Cobra replica's so that I can order one. It seems to me that there are two main contenders; Dax and GD. The question is which one do I go with? ....and seeing as I'm posting this on the DAX site I know I'll get a biased answer.....but I still need some help making the decision. So any comments would be welcome.

Or are there any others that are worth a look?

Also are there any of you based up in the North West?

Thanks
Gary

[BIGUNDIES]

Hi Gary

I finally went with Dax after attending kit car shows and going to the factories. I have to say it was a close call between Dax and Ak, but the quality of the Dax product and the setup of the company swung it for me. I live in Ormskirk not far from the Wigan and Southport area. Have you started stripping down your Jag donor parts yet or are you yet to purchase them?

Good luck with whatever you decide, but I must warn you that most manufacturers are giving a minimum 6 month waiting time for chassis/body.

Lee

:tu

[TonyD]

Ok I'll take the bait.......

There are many different UK based Cobra manufacturers and they are all represented through their owners on this forum and in the club. The owners are extremely protective of their choice of make and will defend their own make to the death......so take what is said with a pinch of salt....apart from anything said about AK's which as a make are....oops sorry slipped into owner mode there.

This isnt a Dax site btw its just a very popular and well established manufacturer.

First of all decide what you are going to use the Cobra for, cruising or thrashing around a circuit, decide on a budget, add some more cash than you first thought of, then raid the kids piggy banks and have the family allowance transferred into your account.

Then get around as many of the different manufacturers as you can and see what you can get for your money, and check out their aftersales support etc. Talk with as many different owners/ builders as you can of the different makes and narrow down your choice.

If you dont want to build the car yourself theres some bargains going in "pre-cherished" Cobras at the moment or you can get a new car built to your specifications. This may require you to sell one of your kids or a kidney......or both if you really want to get a highly specced example. You will also have to wait some time to get either a kit or a new ready made example as most manufacturers have a healthy order book.

Welcome to the club and the madhouse, as the Americans say get ready to buy into the "Cobra Lifestyle".......which actually means a huge amount of grinning per mile....

Cheers,

Tony

[garyholden]

Thanks Lee for the reply

Still not bought anything as yet. I cant see the running gear being a problem (maybe you know different?) I'm more concerned with the engine and what to get before I order the chassis.

By the way I'm from Leigh. Most of the manufacturers seem to be on or close to the south coast! One of the reasons I'm considering GD is because they are reasonably close........and I was impressed at last years Donnington show.

PS Have you been able to locate your parts up here?

Cheers
Gary

[mclark]

Hi Gary and welcome to the madhouse :}

Depending on your budget and how you intend to buy the parts i.e in one lump or a package at a time, speak to the manufacturers as some do good offers.

As for engines speak to someone like British American Engines http://www.hosac.freeserve.co.uk/index.htm when I last visited them they had a selection of stuff from SBC to BB Fords.

I went for Dax as they are very local to me and when in need of bits it's a 10 minute car trip.

Regards

Michael

[dave]

Ditto to Tony's reply.
Another thought. If for some reason the manufacturer hasn't got an order book that's full until at least next April then TREAD CAREFULLY as the Cobra market is very boyant at the moment and if they aint' got loads of orders they might not be that good.From the Jag based kit manufacturers, Dax, GD and AK all have a passionate following for one reason or another and all are well established and have full order books, you won't go far wrong with either of these guys.


:tu

[dave]

One more thing.
If you want to see some Daxes going together you are welcome to pop over for a visit. I'm in Stoke on Trent (M6 J16/17)(4 cars in build at the moment).
:tu :tu :tu

[dave]

And another!!!!!Gary.
I've seen your post on the Dax site, it's not as popular a site as this so you may not get too many responses from there.
For Cobra stuff in the UK this is the place to be.
:tu :tu

[Happy Jim]

Gary,

I'd only echo what Tony says, we're all biased but can also give some sound reasoning when required - occasionaly!

As for running gear, you'd better wait until your much closer to a deceision - depending on your final choice you could end up with Ford gear, Jag XJ6 or Jag XJ40.

If you follow the correct route to selecting a manufacturer you'll need deep pockets (I need my car to do X, therefore it must be Y manufacturer with Z engine...now how much is all that ?). The other way is how much is my real ceiling (not the wife pounds that are much lower in value) and what can I get for it?

Whichever way you go make sure you visit the manufacturers to get a feel, also attend a club meet if there is one near you.

By the way, welcome

Rgds

Jim

[COBRA KEV01]

Go for a classic replicas viper.
The rest are just crap!!!!!!!!!!!{-} {-} {-} {-} }( }( }( }( :9 :9 :9 :-;