Cobra replica lark. Any fun?
Discussion
Like I suspect most on here, and despite having cars we thought (hoped) would be 'keepers', one gets to thinking about what the next one might be. I've been pondering this for a while and not coming up with any conclusions (currently it's a 911 GTS 2WD manual), but riding home from work the other day (motorbikes cause me similar first world problems) I saw a fella in what looked like a souped up Austin Healy, going all tail out and squirelly and obviously having a ball.
For some reason this got me wondering, as I have in the past, about a Gardner Douglas Cobra-a-like. I've no idea what these are like to drive and own. Any PHers who care to comment have an opinion? Are they a bit chavvy, silly, not great fun to drive, unreliable, expensive - or the opposite of all? In the unlikely event that I did take the plunge how long afterwards would I miss what a modern sports car offers?
For some reason this got me wondering, as I have in the past, about a Gardner Douglas Cobra-a-like. I've no idea what these are like to drive and own. Any PHers who care to comment have an opinion? Are they a bit chavvy, silly, not great fun to drive, unreliable, expensive - or the opposite of all? In the unlikely event that I did take the plunge how long afterwards would I miss what a modern sports car offers?
Ive not long sold a gardner douglas mk3 and although i loved building the car and enjoyed driving it the practicality forced me to sell it. The driving experience is very raw and not to everyones taste.
I fitted a soft top but it just spoiled the look of the car and was not a great fit, leaked like a sieve in heavier rain.
As a pure drivers car the gardner douglas is hard to beat but some of the other major players have caught up chassis wise, dont think of them as kit cars but hand built sports cars.
A top end model with big power sold privately will cost you around £30k, its up to you if you can justify spending this amount on one though as i dont think i could.
I fitted a soft top but it just spoiled the look of the car and was not a great fit, leaked like a sieve in heavier rain.
As a pure drivers car the gardner douglas is hard to beat but some of the other major players have caught up chassis wise, dont think of them as kit cars but hand built sports cars.
A top end model with big power sold privately will cost you around £30k, its up to you if you can justify spending this amount on one though as i dont think i could.
Edited by ch427 on Thursday 3rd July 16:00
Been pondering the same myself. Modern cars are leaving me cold these days, even stuff like 911s and I'd be bored in no time. Personally I'm looking at already built and rebuilding/fettling over the winter months as I'm pretty sure it's more cost effective. Haven't driven any yet but went for a ride in a Dax the other day and it seemed a hoot. There's a huge variation in quality though so look at as many as you can.
They're not investments though and don't appreciate like classics (real ones excepted) but don't depreciate either. It wouldn't bother me that they are replicas and not the real thing as the Cobra replica scene is pretty mature now.
For me they need to be unadorned without bumpers and side pipes but part of the fun is getting it how you want it.
They're not investments though and don't appreciate like classics (real ones excepted) but don't depreciate either. It wouldn't bother me that they are replicas and not the real thing as the Cobra replica scene is pretty mature now.
For me they need to be unadorned without bumpers and side pipes but part of the fun is getting it how you want it.
[quote=ch427]Ive not long sold a gardner douglas mk3 and although i loved building the car and enjoyed driving it the practicality forced me to sell it. The driving experience is very raw and not to everyones taste.
I fitted a soft top but it just spoiled the look of the car and was not a great fit, leaked like a sieve in heavier rain.
As a pure drivers car the gardner douglas is hard to beat but some of the other major players have caught up chassis wise, dont think of them as kit cars but hand built sports cars.
A top end model with big power sold privately will cost you around £30k, its up to you if you can justify spending this amount on one though as i dont think i could.
Thanks for that ch427. Rather tells me what I already suspected. They look fun, but despite what looks like luxury compared to a Caterham (I've had three of them), isn't really any more comfortable and probably is less fun to drive.
I fitted a soft top but it just spoiled the look of the car and was not a great fit, leaked like a sieve in heavier rain.
As a pure drivers car the gardner douglas is hard to beat but some of the other major players have caught up chassis wise, dont think of them as kit cars but hand built sports cars.
A top end model with big power sold privately will cost you around £30k, its up to you if you can justify spending this amount on one though as i dont think i could.
Thanks for that ch427. Rather tells me what I already suspected. They look fun, but despite what looks like luxury compared to a Caterham (I've had three of them), isn't really any more comfortable and probably is less fun to drive.
Last year, I was convinced I was going to go for a GD Cobra kit, and fit it with an LS3 V8. Got all the brochures, worked out a schedule and how much it would cost over three years - was quite exciting.
Until I seen one in the flesh at the Stoneleigh Kit Car Show. The footprint was bigger than I imagined, and the roof looked like it wouldn't keep the rain out (unless you had the removable hard top option). Up until I actually seen them up close, I was convinced this would be my next car, but I went for another TVR in the end - just as much fun to drive (I suspect) plus the added practicalities of a targa roof. It seemed too restrictive and only good for the dry weather.
Until I seen one in the flesh at the Stoneleigh Kit Car Show. The footprint was bigger than I imagined, and the roof looked like it wouldn't keep the rain out (unless you had the removable hard top option). Up until I actually seen them up close, I was convinced this would be my next car, but I went for another TVR in the end - just as much fun to drive (I suspect) plus the added practicalities of a targa roof. It seemed too restrictive and only good for the dry weather.
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