First hurdle cleared, and the wheels are in motion

MPTech

MPTech

Member # 032
GCC Member
Location (City)
St. Louis (south county)
First Name
Mark
Last Name
Patterson
New guy here, I've been researching my F5 Roadster dream since the beginning of the year and explained my grand plan to my wife yesterday for her approval (it helped buying her roses and taking her to Shannons for a $200 dinner). She rolled her eyes and said OK, if your not buying anything right away, then OK. I said 'of course dear!" (I'd buy it tomorrow if she let me!!) but I can wait.
So, for the time being, I'll just continue to check out the great resources (this site & F5 Forum) and hang with you guys and envy your sweet rides.
If you have any suggestions for getting started, let me know. I did pickup the latest (and last?) Kit Car magazine and Mustangs & Fast Fords. Any specific build sites?
My plan is a F5 Basic kit and donor parts, nothing fancy. I'm pretty handy, but not a mechanic (I'm a computer geek/Project Manager). I am pretty handy with upgrading, fixing, and building PCs, so if anyone needs PC help, maybe we can trade some mechanical work later!

I've got my membership filled out to turn in at the next meeting, looking forward to seeing you guys again!

Thanks Guys! Looking forward to seeing (and HEARING) your cars up close and personal!:D
 
This may fly directly against your discussions with your wife, but the prices right now (in this market) are at at unheard of lows. Literally, in some case you couldn't build for that cheap. A bunch of low miles cars are on the market. Some people are selling their projects half done as well. Check out cobracountry.com for a large listing of cars. But, the big news is you cleared the first hurdle - congrats.
 
Like Mark had said, a lot of cars are selling real cheap right now. You can also check out some F5 stuff on the FFCobra forum. There is a category for vehicles for sale. I was going to build too, but found mine there. Like he said, I couldn't build the car for what I got it for and I could start driving now. I'm getting some of the "build experience" now with the upgrades. We'll have to talk sometime about the computer stuff. I'm a .net developer myself. Good luck and all I can say is strike while the iron is hot!
 
like they are saying the prices of a built over building are close to being the same..:eek: a shame though
there is a site Scott hooked me up with "Mk3 build" he uses alot of breeze up-grades ect.. ect.. doing the complete kit myself with solid rear axle less moving parts to worry about but the IRS is a nice set-up i have done all the research already, and having done work on rusty
parts and greasy sh*t i am looking forward to bolting together in a more clean enviroment.
i can only say this you build it yourself it becomes a part of you.
i know about that feeling every building or job i have done for 30 years in my trade i leave a part of me there, you can bet on that!!;)
 
Hey MarkP check out the thread posted by BBG in this Forum titled "Craigslist." Incredible buys. The prices are incredibly low. It's definitely a buyer's market.
 
I'm in the drive now crowd. Although I didn't build my car, the upgrades I have made practically equal a build :rolleyes: but, I was able to drive it for the past two years. A few things to consider, and I will speak only to the buy/drive now and let Tom/Scott/Paul chime in on the build:
- When I bought my car at FastLane, I had a 30 day warranty. I drove the car to check things out the first 30 days and the starter went bad. They replaced for free.
- The car came with an appraisal, title, and inspection. Ask anyone on here and they will tell you licensing is a pain in the a$$, especially in Illinois. Why is a title so important? Well, in my case, the car was already titled as 1965, which means no emissions testing :D
- Although at the time I thought I had time to build the car with my son's, it turns out I had little to no time to work on a car and would have taken up my wife's spot in the garage. Also, my son's have taken very little interest in the car much to my surprise.
- Mods - Well, this is a can of worms, or not, depends how you look at it. The first year, I didn't touch the car. The winter of 2006/2007 I began my modifications. New mini starter and new brakes. A few other dress up things, nothing major though. This winter, 07/08, I have started the most mod's ever in a short amount of time. But, it has truly given me a sense of building the car.
- Buy now/drive now - I have made several cruises with and without the club, with and without my wife, and been through towns I've never heard of since May of '06. I've enjoyed the drives, the friends, and working on the car.

HTH
 
Hey MarkP I'm with Tim on this one. I bought mine off ebay in Nov. of 07 for a lot more than what they're selling for now. Go to the thread in this forum "Craigslist" & click on the one that is in Glen Carbon, IL. If that is Kent & Gorja's Car you owe it to yourself & your wife to take her to see it. The paint on that car is gorgeous. She will love it. It is a STEAL at that price.
 
Just to counter Tim. I just finished up my build last fall and am awaiting Illinois license. There is nothing like the feeling of standing back and looking at what you have accomplished every step of the way. I would not have half the pride I have in my car if I did not build it. Nothing against those who didn't build, but it is different.

All the memories created with friends, my dad, and my very young son building this car are priceless. Now I get to enjoy driving it with my son, and when he is old enough to fully participate, I'll probably sell it to build another.

These cars get alot of admiration everywhere you go, and it is very satisfying to tell people you built it all yourself!!!!!

I would highly recommend the build it over buy it route.

I always like to tell my friend who bought the GT500: "You can't buy class....you half to build it!" But I'm just kidding of course, it's all what you have time for, and what you really want out of the car. The fulfillment of building it, or driving it right now.
 
My thoughts here are that even though the pre-built market is at a low dollar point right now, you've got to do what you and the Mrs. are comfortable with. These cars are expensive toys not necessities and the more she buys into the program, the happier you both will be when it's time to get out and enjoy it. Cruising weather is approaching and non roadster (roadster pending) folks are always welcome to follow along in whatever you are driving that day. The wives always gather and chat at gas & food stops, it helps the new to the group wives get comfortable with the idea of having the cobra and a sense of what it's all about fun and camaraderie wise. Pull the trigger when she is ready. Just my .02
 
Wise Tom, wise. Mark, Tom received his kit from his wife for his Birthday(?) or was it Christmas, anyway, I would say she was ready and comfortable :D
 
If you decide to build it, no matter how on board your wife is, be prepared for the conversations about how much time you are spending with your new mistress, and the unending depletion of funds for your project...ask me how I know.

But, it is truly a proud moment when you finish something you had no idea how to do, was sure you wouldn't figure out, etc. and it's done.

If you ask my wife about this, should would tell you to buy a completed one...and I might agree if you knew how it was built, what parts went into it, and if the builder was thorough and documented his build. Some of the ones I see people off-loading right now are not complete, and would require going back and redoing some of the original construction...to make it the way you want.
 
Other side of the fence

I am not of the "drive now" crowd. some of us get our jollies by building. As much as I would like to be on the road this spring, I take great satisfaction that I "built it myself". It is truly 'my car'

You will quickly learn, in the Cobra community, there often are multiple answers and none of them are right or wrong - it is what you want to do with you part of the hobby.

You'll need to figure out, do I want to build a car or do I just want to own a Cobra. Each evokes a different answer and each is correct

Once you get that part figured out, then comes the manufacturer selection. They are not all the same and depending on what you are trying to do, some may get ruled out: ie, some build to a longer wheelbase to get more foot room. If you are trying to be accurate to the outline, a 94" wb will always look different than the original 90". But it you are after a nice car to drive, then that is a different story.

FFR has the biggest following and the strongest marketing department. But they also have made some compromises along the way. You need to know, study and understand all these, then make an informed decision.


Have fun

Paul

ps: oh, and by the way, if you think this decision is difficult, wait till you try to select a color :( :) :confused:
 
PaulProe said:
ps: oh, and by the way, if you think this decision is difficult, wait till you try to select a color :( :) :confused:
Click to expand...

Are you still trying to figure out what color you are spraying on yours!

P.S. - Mark was going to come by my house on Sunday but I had to give him a raincheck. From my conversations with him last week, he sounds like a builder...so in that respect, his mind is probably already made up.
 
My story - is that my wife knew I deserved/wanted a toy - she was ok with it, but not "bitten" like I was. She resisted at first, and then when we took a test drive - that changed her mind in an instant. So, I'd say - bring her to a meeting this spring - several members will offer up rides for you and her.

We've had the discussions about spending cash on it - but she knows how much I love it, and she loves it too. She actually enjoys it much more than I initially thought possible. And she was the determining factor in my engine choice - go figure. So, I would say get her involved from the beginning - she can help. So, the big decisions are 1) build or buy, 2) manufacturer, 3) Engine options 4) color, plus 5) all of the other smaller decisions along the way that will eventually add up to "your car".

One of the neat things about this club, is that there are all levels of cars. At one meeting last year, we had I think 15 cars in attendance and no 2 were the same color.
 
WOW! GREAT feedback guys! REALLY REALLY appreciate it!
You guys are a great encouragement!

I'd love to be able to drive it tomorrow and the prices are REALLY tempting, but there were a couple stipulations from "The Boss". We agreed to wait until this crazy economy stabilizes a bit. I'm not in fear of losing my job at this time, but if things don't get better, who knows! I also agreed that I'd pay cash for the Basic Kit (without tapping the checking or savings accounts) ouch! (we're having the kitchen remodeled next month (ouch! ouch!) But, you wouldn't believe the shit I'm finding in the basement, garage, and closets that's going up on ePay!:cool: (she won't miss some of those shoes and purses anyways!)

I also LOVE to buide & brag! It's always been my dream to put a motor in something! And building a Cobra is like a dream come true!

I've built several Decks and finished 3 basements (mine with a full bath / shower and wet bar). i've built dozens of PCs and a Video Arcade that plays thousands of Arcade and console games. Friends & family members are blown away when I tell them I built a video arcade (and see it for real, seriously, it looks like something right out of a Mall or bar, but it plays every game you can think of, plus a few thousand more!)
There jaws will surely drop when I show them a Cobra, then tell them I built it!
It took me 5 years to finish the basement (2 kids in high school / grade school / in every sport & after school activity you can imagine (plus I was coaching & Asst Scout Master as well as my wife was a GS Leader!). I also traveled / lived in Chicago for 9 months and was working 90 hour weeks! so life was crazy then, but it's settled down quite a bit now. Well, my son's in college and my daughter heads off to MIZZOU in the Fall, so I'm calling this my Empty Nest therapy!

Unless an unfinished kit falls in my lap (I'm looking!), I plan to buy in Jan / Feb, next year, when I get my bonus and Tax Refund! My wife spent them on the kitchen this year :eek:.

WOW, A Christmas present from my WONDERFUL wife would be great! Tom, can you pass my wife's cell number to your wife and have her call her! :rolleyes:

Meanwhile, I've started my Christmas wish-list for Santa and listing everything on ePay that isn't bolted down!
 
STL-Mark, good advice. Thanks! And Thanks Again! This is so cool talking to you guys! (my wife told me this morning I've been in a great mood for the last 2 weeks! Definately has something to do with making my decision, attending last week's meeting, then getting my wife's blessing!!!!!!;) ) A gear-head's dream come true!

I planned to get her actively involved. An old Project Management trick is to get the customer personally involved and let her have a say-so in the decisions, once she has buy-in she will feel ownership as well. I just need some help in selling her on the "Roadster" (no top) concept. I've owned 2 MG Midgets and currently drive a Camaro convertible and her biggest complaint is the wind musses her hair! What will it do to it @ 120mph!?!?!:D
When the weather gets nice, I'll bring her to a meeting and a cruise.

As far as the spending, I did tell her I'd still need motor, trans, rear-end, tires, etc. I may have neglected to mention the upgrades and the fact that the car is never "truely finished". :rolleyes: There's plenty of time for that detail later..........


My decisions so far are:
1) build/buy: build (that's half of the attraction to me, but I may need some help / advice from you great guys!)

2) manufacturer: Factory 5

3) engine: Mustang donor(?), but don't know yet, this is somewhere I could use some help (I'd like a crate, but cost is a factor. second choice is something better than a stock 4.6 or 5.0. A Super Charger would be desirable (HIGH on the cool meter!) and or DOHC, but I need to do a lot more research)

4) color: although there are some really cool colors / paint jobs (and I'm a die-hard Red guy) it would have to be a traditional Blue with White Stripes for me

5) all of the other smaller decisions: I've started my list and I'm sure it will change dozens of times before this experience is over!

I'd like to keep it close to an original, but with subtle modernizations. (17" wheels/tires) current motor/drivetrain (has to be a stick! After i got rid of my 2 Midgets and Manual Trans. Mustang, I swore I'd never have another stick, but I never thought I'd be entertaining a Cobra!)

Also thanks to STL-Scott, Purple Venom, and a couple other guys for offers to come check out their builds. What great guys! I'll definately take you up on it when the weather improves and I'd love to be there for a first start / Go-Cart ride!!!!!
 
Mark I was exactly the same way. Until my wife found out how many hours it would take to build it. For our anniversary she took me to Fastlane and told me to pick from one of their 4 cobras they had in stock. I didn't end up with one that day, but I found mine within two weeks. There are definitely times I wish I had built mine. As Tim and I've said before, that's what upgrades are for. ;) Do what works best for you. Multiple guys have the 5.0 with superchargers. A couple have the 4.6 or are in the process of building them. Marks blue pig is a BBF 460 that's been bored and stroked to a 588 and 650 HP. :eek: That thing ain't right. Always one in every crowd. I was also stuck on the blue with white. You really should go to the London Cobra Show in June and see the great colors there. From what I hear, it's amazing. Paul said he took a ton of pictures. Let us know if we can help spend your money. Heaven knows they've helped me and I would like to pass it on.:cool:
 
Let me answer 3 for ya - BBF - BIG BLOCK FORD - Too awesome and your replica wouldn't be a replica if it were a small block ford :D I love to spend other people's money :D
 
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