Selling a Cobra ?

Selling a Cobra ?

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Discussion

bigee

Original Poster:

1,489 posts

245 months

Tuesday 26th June 2018
quotequote all
I haven’t even bought one yet ( still looking about ..) but thought I’d ask for anyone’s thoughts on selling privately ?
As in are they a hard car to sell on ?
Quite a spread on prices ( and no doubt quality ) but thinking more selling privately , quite a niche sale I’d have thought . Certainly I’ve been actively looking for a few weeks and private sales seem to be re advertised over and over again .... ambitious pricing or just a hard sell? I reckon that’s why the specialist dealers seem to price way above private to allow for holding stock for a while ?
Any thoughts ?

Narcisus

8,247 posts

287 months

Tuesday 26th June 2018
quotequote all
Well times may have changed but when I sold mine, granted it was 1996 it took me 5 minutes. Sold it to Hallmark for within £200 of the price I wanted. Picked the phone up. That was it !

Belle427

9,743 posts

240 months

Tuesday 26th June 2018
quotequote all
I struggled to sell mine a few years ago, was a Gardner Douglas so a sought after model.
The first to view did buy eventually.
It wasn’t as bling as some and had no sidepipes so that probably put a lot of buyers off.
You build to your taste which can be a problem sometimes.
It can be a buyers market but you need a healthy budget as most of the higher end cars are £35k plus.

ugg10

681 posts

224 months

Wednesday 27th June 2018
quotequote all
If I were looking I would stick to the bigger names - GD would be probably top of my list (unless you can afford a Kirkham), followed by Dax or Hawk or even a southern roadcraft (older kit). It would have to have an American V8, preferably a Ford 351 but a Chevy small block would be next best but an LS1/2/3/6/7 would probably trump either of the older engines, no rover v8's for me. Then it would have to have jaguar running gear, again no Granada or Cortina ones. Then fit, finish and trimming (all to personal taste) plus build quality would be well scrutinised.

As has already been pointed out, he problem with that is that you are then looking at fairly hefty money (£30k+) and I would have a mental battle over buying a cobra or something like an Audio R8 at that price. As for resale you have already spotted that it is a very niche market and selling may take time but a good name, well speced and well presented should be sellable in the future.

If you have even deeper pockets the Cobra Daytona (hard top coupe) replicas are very nice and I always had a soft spot for the 289 slab side versions (Hawk).

bigee

Original Poster:

1,489 posts

245 months

Wednesday 27th June 2018
quotequote all
Hmmm.... you've basically said what I'm thinking. For similar money I could be in an R8 or (another! ) v8 vantage...which would obviously be a safer bet in terms of resale , mad really to be thinking resale when I've not even bought yet but I pretty much change my cars every 6 to 12 months so probably prudent to at least give a nod to it.
Trouble is the Cobra just looks and sounds so good ( to me at least ) and I've long since thought I've got to try one.
Real world problems eh ?

ugg10

681 posts

224 months

Wednesday 27th June 2018
quotequote all
Hmmmm indeed.

The £30k ish price point is a very interesting proposition. Not enough for a full fat Ultima, Caterhams at that price will hold their value but don't scratch that V8 itch and Cobras can be a risky business depending on spec/finish.

On the other hand there is a long list of desirable main stream cars - As you said V8 Vantage, R8, Maserati Grandtourismo, Bentley Continental, 5.0l XKR, Lexus RCF, Nissan GTR, new Mustang V8 etc.

But nice problem to have !

Belle427

9,743 posts

240 months

Wednesday 27th June 2018
quotequote all
Can also be very difficult to live with day in day out as weather gear makes them look crap but is essential if you actually want to drive it anywhere.
The db replicas hard top is a nice thing.

bigee

Original Poster:

1,489 posts

245 months

Wednesday 27th June 2018
quotequote all
Belle427 said:
Can also be very difficult to live with day in day out as weather gear makes them look crap but is essential if you actually want to drive it anywhere.
The db replicas hard top is a nice thing.
Wow! Posting pictures like that doesn't exactly make me want one less !

happie33

282 posts

142 months

Wednesday 27th June 2018
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bigee ——- where are you based ?
plenty of cobra clubs up n down country for you to turn up and have a look...
ask the owners - they be more than willing to take you for a blast.

defo talk to owners before heading to a showroom..
owners always know someone that is selling ....

bigee said:
I haven’t even bought one yet ( still looking about ..) but thought I’d ask for anyone’s thoughts on selling privately ?
As in are they a hard car to sell on ?
Quite a spread on prices ( and no doubt quality ) but thinking more selling privately , quite a niche sale I’d have thought . Certainly I’ve been actively looking for a few weeks and private sales seem to be re advertised over and over again .... ambitious pricing or just a hard sell? I reckon that’s why the specialist dealers seem to price way above private to allow for holding stock for a while ?
Any thoughts ?

bigee

Original Poster:

1,489 posts

245 months

Wednesday 27th June 2018
quotequote all
In the N.West, funny enough going to a local meet on Monday, A local guy has arranged to meet up . Good thinking though 're owners knowing what might be for sale !


happie33

282 posts

142 months

Wednesday 27th June 2018
quotequote all
good man
report back

here’s my tiny rover 3.5 v8
been to stelvio / mille miglia / laon/ spa / le mans classic twice
never missed a beat ....



bigee

Original Poster:

1,489 posts

245 months

Wednesday 27th June 2018
quotequote all
Tell me,in your opinion of course! How is the 3.5 v8 overall ? Quick enough ? Makes the right sound etc ? Seems a lot of choice available 're engine choice, seen a few jag v12s about as well .

bigee

Original Poster:

1,489 posts

245 months

Wednesday 27th June 2018
quotequote all
Yours looks fantastic ...obviously!

ugg10

681 posts

224 months

Wednesday 27th June 2018
quotequote all
The v12 ones will almost certainly be a Dax cobra and a fairly early one at that it used a single donor, usually an xls with lots of tin worm!

bigee

Original Poster:

1,489 posts

245 months

Thursday 28th June 2018
quotequote all
Thought so , but surely only the running gear , and again you would think you would refurb parts before re use ?
Something else to check I suppose !