Buying Advice

[paulp]

I've been interested in kit cars ever since I first saw a Nova when I was about 12. I've been thinking of buying a cobra for about a year now.

Ideally it would be a Blue Dax, silver stripes (very original!), creme interior, 17'' halibrands, twin single hoops, 351 V8 but here’s the kicker….I don’t have a garage. I could not sleep at night knowing that was on the drive.

My best option probably to go for an entry level V6 Sumo still in Gel Coat. I've seen a couple advertised around the 7-8k mark which seems like a reasonable price. I’d be happy to stick a car cover over that, then if I’ve still got the bug after a year, build a garage, and buy another one.

So here are a few questions for you….

The main reason I want a cobra is performance, so what can I expect from a V6. Am I going to be disappointed? I'm happy to make changes to the car aesthetics but I don't want to mod the engine. If I need to do that then I'd rather go bigger to start with. I’ve driven a TT (I believe it was 180hp) and was not all that impressed with the acceleration. I’m not looking for a track car, but it does have to put a smile on my face.

My wife hates the sidepipes and would not even try to get into the couple we have been to see (that may be an advantage!). What's the clearance like on under slung exhausts. It must be nothing as the ride height seems to be about 4 inches as standard.

I’ve seen some sumo’s where the track looks a little wide. By that I mean that the wheels are not as concave as I would expect, and seem to be compensating for a wide track to keep the wheels under the arches. Would these be Granada based cars?

Thanks in advance for you replies!

PS I was at the European Fast Car show on Saturday….. nice doughnuts!

[kdavies3]

If you felt that an Audi TT was inadequate then I'm pretty sure you'll be disappointed with a Sumo V6.
Even a stock RV8 may not give you the thrill you want.
I suggest you blag a ride in as many Cobras as you can of different types to get a feel for it. :thumb:
If you have a local meet go along I'm sure the guys will oblige you with a ride.
I know with Plod and CrendonMan it's any excuse to show off.
Not like me who's always well behaved. :angel:

[mclark]

Paul,

I can only speak on the ground clearance issue and I can safely say that underslungs are a real pain on a Dax and for me to say that it must be bad (for me it was underslungs or nothing).

But now that I've had them I very close to changing them as I'm doing a 3 day classic car run around Sussex in aid of a childrens hospice (Richard Houes Trust) and I think the underlusngs will be a no go

By the way my De Dion's up for sale but sadly not a 351 (or V6)

[kdavies3]

Mike , do I gather that Roger hasn't been able to lift them up much then?
Or has he not had chance yet?

[craigh]

The audi is quite a heavy car at around 1450kgs so the 180bhp model is prob not that impressive,I think most pilgrims weigh in at about 1000kgs
you probably will be dissapointed with the performance of the v6,although a nice noise can still be obtained from them with a decent exhaust system,a mates father recently sold a tvr s3 which sounded lovely,and was quite pokey with the cologne v6,not sure on the power output maybe around 180bhp?
you might be better off looking for a rover v8 powered car with around the 180 to 200 bhp mark for decent performance,with the noise to match
underslungs do hinder the ground clearence,i think there is around 5 inches on the gd,which easily clears most speed ramps and so far i have had no problems

[mclark]

Kev,

It's due to go back to Roger in 3 weeks but this is cutting it tight for the Rallye de Richarde and it may just be easier and maybe quicker to just convert to side pipes.

Oh yeah, the Dax has about 3 and a smigden inches of clearance with the underslungs fitted at the correct height

[plod]

Paul hi,


I was one of the tossers who went mowing the lawns in the arena with my son. I have underslungs if you noticed. Mine was the almost black one with none of that boy racer white stripe stuff on it and also the one that looked the best, sounded the best, did more spins than anyone else, and was driven by a much better looking bloke than the others.

Whereabouts are you? I'd be willing to teach you the benefits of V8 (chevy, not Ford) with underslungs..

I do joke mate. I am biased to its nth degree about V8' and underslungs. Pls have a good think about yr engine choice.

My underslungs give me somewhere just over 3 inches of clearance. Quite honestly, the lower scoop at the front of the body is lower but I dont mind damaging that occasionally. However, the exhausts are at their most vulnerable somewhere just behind the front wheels. I've done 3500 miles and they're still on.

Tell us where you are mate

Paul

[robinj66]

The reddish/brown car in the show ring on Saturday was a Pilgrim V6.

Come on down to the East Kent Coast Cobra Meet on the first Tuesday of the month - that car is guaranteed to be there as it belongs to the area rep - I'm sure he'll take you out and prove that V6 can provide more than enough acceleration.

Mind you I'm biased - mine has a V6 too (not yet on the road)

[paulp]

Thanks for the replies....I might have to consider a V8, but as the weight of the cobra is 60% of a TT a 150-160 bhp Cobra must be reasonably quick. Does anybody have 0-60 times for their cobras, or better still 50-70.

N20COB, I live in the walderslade (chatham) Kent area

I'm very concered about the clearance as I live on a steep hill. The entrance to my drive has a hump where the camber changes from the hill to my flat drive. It used to scrape some normal cars exhausts, so last year I dug out the concrete and put in a lower hump, but I suspect it could still be a real problem with underslung exhausts. I'll probably try measuring the clearance on my car, then drive over the hump and see how far it reduces. It sounds like if the difference is more than 3 inches I'll have to go with side pipes.

Robinj66

Where is the East Kent Coast Meet, I'll try to get along.

[paulp]

How realistic it this acceleration calculator? Anybody who knows their Cobras weight, power, and 0-60 give it a try.

I know 0-60 times are are not the best way to look at acceleration, but at least if its accurate I can compare it to cars I've driven.

http://www.cars-cars-cars.org/0-60-Times-Calculator.htm

I've actually driven the current MR2 (about the same weight as a Cobra) as mentioned on the site. 138bhp 0-60 in 8 seconds......totaly unimpressed.