Living with a MKIV Roadster after the build

[Rbaldwin75]

Roadster fans -

My 15 year old daugther and i are about to embark upon our very own MKIV roadster build. We are excited for the project and the time that will be spent working and learning together.

To be clear WE LOVE THE CAR, but we are not going the "purist" route - we'd like to drive it and enjoy it around town and it will never see a track (at least not in the near future). My intention is to use the smallest V8, power steering, and maybe put in some a/c (we live in San Antonio so it gets HOT!). I know I know... I can just imagine the gasps and gaffaws now.

So, some of you may be thinking, just go buy a Miata. Well, I know we aren't buying/building a Miata, but my principle concern is safety - I'd like my daughter to be able to drive it without worrying about her killing herself and I'd like for it to be fairly reasonably tolerable on noise and drivability. Everything I have seen is loud, audacious, and head pounding - all beautiful machines, but I don't want to leave it parked because its a pain to drive.

I'm hoping that some of you experienced builders/owners could give me some personal perspective on your thoughts on the above, how its been to own one and drive following the build and some ideas of how you might go about a project for a younger inexperienced driver.

Thanks for any advice you have.

Robin

[FLPBFoot]

I'll go out on a limb here....I think if you put a pretty much stock 302 in it and used the Forte accelerator linkage and set it up so it takes a bunch of travel to get much throttle you MIGHT be able to have her drive it. Even with that you are giving an inexperienced drive a car that weighs 2200 lbs and NO crutches to help the driver. A manual trans can be a bear to learn how to drive and with a light car with even 250hp could be a very scary experience. I have 32 yr and 27 yr old sons and there is NO WAY IN H%LL i will ever let them drive my car. Way to easy for the thing to get away from you. If it were me, I'd go the Miata route, have her learn and maybe even have her do some autocross and other events. Get her skills up to a level that understands how to handle the car and them, and maybe only then think about building a Cobra.

[Jim1855]

Education, training and proper mindset are the key. Then put a hardstop on the gas pedal to provide restriction.

If you didn't raise a little moron, assuming you didn't, and both of you learn respect for the skinny pedal you'll be just fine.

But never forget you'll be driving what is probably the most dangerous car ever developed and there are few safety features in a Cobra.

Jim

[edwardb]

Your post draws some conclusions that aren't warranted IMO. No one is going to make fun of you for not putting a fire breathing engine in your build. Or A/C for that matter. Your choice and (for the most part...) the most common advice around here is "Build it how you want it." Gasps and gaffaws? Nope. Unless you get crazy with the throttle, set up properly these cars are surprisingly easy to drive in my experience. Go mild with the engine including a mild cam. I'd probably also recommend EFI to make it as drivable as possible. My only question about your post is whether a car like this is suitable for a low time driver. You may want to check whether insurance is even available for your daughter and one of these. Good luck.

[Sdonnel]

Someone on this forum will sell you the items needed to meet every need you mentioned. Except one. Diver ability. You mentioned the smallest V8 possible. That can still get you in trouble. If you do decide to go forward, make the commitment that she learns the abilities and limits doing autocross events. As she is going to be 16 soon, no insurance company will let her drive it until she's in her mid 20's. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. My 21 year old son is excluded on my policy from driving the car. However, he will autocross it when we get the chance to experience what I get to enjoy every time I strap the car on.

Plan your build. Build your plan. Enjoy the process. You may find you like the build almost as much as driving it.

Scott

[GoDadGo]

I've Met The Most Amazing People I've Ever Met Because Of This Company & The Great Folks They Attract!
Understand That Not Even Stuffing A Chevy In A Cobra Will Raise The Eyebrows Of This Family!

https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/customer-steve-l-graduates-his-mk4-roadster/

The Important Thing Is Having A Dream, Building That Dream & Enjoying The Journey Along The Way!
A Grand Adventure Awaits Those Who Are Willing To Take The First Steps Along This Road Which Is Truly Less Traveled!

Good Luck From The Dark Dart Side!

[J R Jones]

Robin, another factor to consider in this driver/transportation equation is the denominator.
As a motorcycle enthusiast I found early-on I could kill myself on it, but more likely someone else would take me out.
Actually over the weekend I read a post by a new FFR Cobra owner/builder that lost his car to a collision from the rear, and purchased a replacement already complete.
This fellow was not injured, but we must access road danger and accident consequence compared to modern autos that are flush with accident avoidance and protection from impact.
Your daughter is safer learning in a relatively safe road capsule.
jim

[Rbaldwin75]

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies thus far. I think maybe I didn't make myself clear that this car would not be HERS - it will be mine, but yes she will want to drive it, albeit she would have significant restrictions, and she would only be able to drive it on very special, limited occasions. So she has been learning on a stick (she asked!) so I think she could transition into a cobra with a little practice - but for sure I could see how even being careful with it, how the roadster could get away from you. That said, I had no idea about the considerations about insurance not even permitting it.

On that note, thank you for understanding wanting to have a toned-down roadster as well. That's for my sanity/life span too - I have '12 GT500 and that thing, even though I'm pretty conservative with it, has scared me a couple of times too, and temptations are always there.

Anyway, she's a good kid, good head on her shoulders, but the fact she loves riding in my mustang, is even wanting to build this (and wanting to fly fighter jets by the way), tells me she's got something of a speed racer/daredevil gene in her.

So, if you don't mind, how do ya'll enjoy owning your cobra, driving it now that you've built one?

Again, thanks all for the discussion. I really appreciate it.

[egchewy79]

I'm a recently "finished" builder (let's face it, it's never really "done") and have around 200mi on my odometer. Currently waiting for my turn with the body and paint gurus. For me, the best part was the build process. I'm really enjoying the drive, but do miss the build process. I've already started looking at things that I might upgrade, or even for my next project after my car has graduated. Everyone has different motivations, but having a car that I can claim that I built from ground up was my main motivation for doing this project. I take it everywhere I can, including the grocery store. Admittedly my available time is limited with a 3yo and 3mo old unless I can figure out how to put the car seat base in the passenger side ;)
I'll have a soon-to-be driver (14 yo son) who I'll likely teach to drive a stick shift in this car, but do agree that these lightweight cars are most likely best handled by those with more driving experiences. Looking back at my 16 yr old self, I'm pretty sure I had a number of close calls in a modern vehicle with all the safety amenities available at the time. I'll probably have my son learn how to work the clutch in the safety of a parking lot, but as a primary driver out on the open road?...maybe not yet. Plus the insurance issues that others have mentioned too..

[Ray]

What It Means to Drive a Cobra (from Dan Mroz)
Posted on April 11, 2018

Driving a Cobra Replica

“If you want to just gas and go, and never have to worry about replacing an alternator, or snuggling down the header bolts, or getting a wet leg driving in a rainstorm, or learning how to set your carb float level, or driving in traffic on a warm winter day with “winter gas” in the tank, get a Corvette. “

With a Cobra Replica you have to remind yourself that you are driving a handmade race car on the street. There is no compromise for anything other than pure speed. These cars are brutal and unforgiving, with all the refinement of a medieval battle ax. Like being in a relationship with an exotic dancer, you can never take anything for granted. These cars don’t have millions of miles of testing refinement before you get yours. For any trip longer than an hour, you need earplugs, and goggles, and carry Advil and eye drops. You will need to learn to “read” the clouds for rain in your path, and have experience in un-wrapping your frozen fingers from the MotoLita. You will experience lady passengers “wetting” the passenger seat when you merge into traffic from an on ramp, and then nearly burn their calf getting out of the car.

You will have all the invisibility of a burning Hindenburg, and flee from underground parking lots when uncountable car alarms are screaming your departure. When you shop, you will remind yourself that these cars get more attention than a dead body in a parking lot.

With a power to weight ratio better than almost every supercar, you will find your 1/4 mile times traction rather than power limited. On the other hand, when you stage, out of the corner of your helmet’s visor you will see almost the entire audience lining up at the fence, most with cameras up. If you track on a road course with a Porsche club, owners of expensive German machines will come to the fence to watch you power out in smoking oversteer. You won’t even try to start your engine in the garage, but push it out onto the driveway, else your loyal watch dog will croak from the exhaust fumes. If you idle next to other “sports” cars at a traffic light, by the green, their girlfriend will be coughing green phlegm into her hanky, yelling at her date to just go! When you refuel, you might as well prop the “bonnet” open, because you are going to have to show your motor to just about every other guy there. When you order your wings at Hooters, your waitress will whisper in your ear “take me for a ride.” When you stop at the red light, the girl in the convertible next to you will invite you to “take my top off too.”

When you slowly pass a troop of Harley riders, they will look over and give you thumbs up. When you want to ease out into traffic, other cars will immediately pause to let you go ahead of them. When your engine has its hot, crackling, intimidating exhaust side-pipe aimed right at the flank of the GTO, or the Z28, your exhaust pulsation’s slowly unscrewing his lug nuts, the other car will remain motionless, as if the slightest quiver of his car will cause your car to stomp it dead. When you leave it open in a parking lot, and come back to find your sunglasses and cell phone still sitting on the tunnel, it is because your car has sullenly warned those who came over to admire it “touch me and I will rise up here and kill you dead.”

When you put that tiny silver key into the ignition, and begin your start countdown, your car will whisper “take me for granted, and I will kill you.”

When other drivers just hop in and snap up their belts while backing out of their parking space, you will still have two more minutes before you even get all the Simpson’s properly on and snugged down. Pulling up in a Cobra Replica is like landing an F4U at an ultra-lite convention.

In summary, very, very few drivers want this kind of attention, or can tolerate all that a formidable Cobra Replica demands. These cars are intolerant mistresses.
But remember, there will come a day when you have to hang up your car keys for the last time. And perhaps you want to say then “I did it.”

************************************************** ******************************************

[Ray]

Ten Cobra Driving Safety Tips

1. The two most dangerous words in aviation are, “Watch this.” The same goes for driving a Cobra. Humility is a wonderful personal trait to have for driving a Cobra safely. If you’re not humble now try thinking you’re a hotshot driver in a Cobra for a while – you will get humbled, as they say down south, “…right quick.”

2. “You don’t even know what you don’t know”. Huh? Well think about it – if you’re not a professional race car driver, you’re kind of out of your element in a Cobra. I saw a video of a Cobra going out of control and rolling because the driver missed a downshift at speed in a sweeping turn. This caused the rear wheels to momentarily lock up and the rear end to slide out and thus the rollover. I didn’t even consider that as a possibility when I’ve been downshifting all this time, did you? That’s my point; I didn’t even know what I didn’t know. That short wheel base Cobra you’re driving can introduce you to all kinds of nasty things you never thought possible. Be careful out there and learn from others. The problem with learning from the school of hard knocks is that the tuition is too high.

3. “Know Thyself”, was said by the Greek philosopher Socrates. How true it is when it comes to driving a Cobra safely. I know that for myself I’m unqualified to be driving my Cobra anywhere near its performance limits. I have virtually no racing experience, very little training and I’m in my 50’s so my reactions are not what they used to be. Instead I have the advantage (I hope) of wisdom. It is said, “The superior driver uses his superior judgment so as to not have to use his superior skill.” The most important thing here is recognizing limitations, do you?

4. I saw a video of a Cobra going out of control when the passenger door was not closed properly and the driver tried to close it while underway. The lean of the body when reaching for the door caused the throttle foot to press on the pedal. Probably not a problem in a regular car but in a Cobra that does 0 to 60 in less than four seconds it’s a recipe for disaster – especially when you only have one hand on the steering wheel! What’s the lesson here? If something falls on the floor or to the side of the passenger seat from g-forces or whatever, wait until you’re stopped (in neutral) before reaching to pick it up.

5. Beware of the club ride. It could be that you will be surrounded by some guys driving bullets (it’s been said you don’t shift a Cobra – you just chamber another round) who are in denial or unaware of their limitations and driving experience. These guys and I’m including myself, have good intentions but are young at heart so the “two teenagers in a car” phenomena is in effect. You know how it goes; they say “This is so cool, let’s do something crazy!” Two teenagers in a car will do things one teenager in a car would never do. This effect can take hold in a club ride. Use caution and don’t get caught up in it. Be a defensive driver knowing someone, because of the above, may do something totally unexpected right in front of you.

6. Street racing kills. It’s stupid and only the completely self-centered do it. It can kill you, or worse yet it can kill innocent bystanders. So just say “no” and go to a track. When that Viper pulls up next to you at the stoplight and revs his engine, then if you must, yell “Ace Raceway [or whatever your local track is called], this Friday, 6 PM.” You’ve just saved face and saved lives — and I bet he never shows.

7. Take command of your Cobra. You can’t be afraid of it or else timidity will prevent you from taking the decisive action necessary to stay out of trouble. Now you must respect your Cobra, but not be afraid of it. Analyze yourself privately deep down and determine if you’re kind of afraid of the car. If you are, then it’s time for some professional training or time to sell the car. This is supposed to be fun and if you’re afraid of the car why deal with it, it will only cause trouble. A Cobra isn’t for everyone and there’s no shame in that.

8. Don’t let anyone tailgate you – ever. Folks behind you might want to get an “up close and personal” look at a Cobra and end up tailgating you. If you have to brake hard for some reason your car will stop much faster than theirs. You have no head restraints, virtually no crush zone and you’re basically sitting on top of a gas tank. Get the picture? Pull over to the slow lane and slow down if you have to in order to get them off your tail. Attention comes with the territory when driving a Cobra and the distractions can be dangerous.

9. Do “what if” scenarios in your head. Quickly now, what would you do if you were going down the freeway and your throttle return spring bracket let loose and you went to full throttle with no throttle control. Too late, you’ve already crashed. My answer is instantaneous and simultaneous controlled braking, clutch in, neutral gear then ignition off and coast to side of the road watching out for traffic and then and only then think about what happened. The key word here is “instantaneous”. You can’t do this quickly if you haven’t considered it beforehand. Be graphic and realistic in your scenarios. What would it sound like and feel like if you went to full throttle unexpectedly going down the freeway? How much time would you have? My engine has an electronic RPM limiter so I’m not going to worry about blowing my engine by depressing the clutch at full throttle. And so what if I did blow my engine – my life is at stake here. “What if” scenarios are wonderful because they’re free, they can save your life, and as my dad used to say, they “tickle your brain.”

10. Don’t go for a drive in your Cobra to clear your head. Clear your head then drive your Cobra. This ain’t the car to be driving when you’re distracted.
11. A bonus tip: Have fun – safely.
12. Leave the alcohol for the end of the day. Maybe, a single beer with a meal, but no more. These cars can go from fun to “OH S*^T!!” faster than just about anything I’ve driven.

“There’s nothing nice about a Cobra, it’s stripped down to the essentials – a big engine, a small car, and four wide tires trying to keep the whole business on the pavement. It’s loud, smells like gasoline, and shakes, shudders, and bucks. It makes your arms tired and your feet hot. You nearly crash about once every ten minutes. It’s so damn wonderful you can’t believe it

Cobra heard whispering to the owner: circa 1963
“When you put that tiny silver key into the ignition, and begin your start countdown, your car will whisper “take me for granted, and I will kill you.”

[chmhasy]

I did it for the build, but it is a blast to drive!

[Jim1855]

Just a note. I believe that the two posts provided by Ray and attributed to Dan Mroz were really written by Hal Copple, SPF 672. These have been kicking around for many years and are just as important and accurate now as when written, sometime before 2010 I believe.

Now on to another comment for rbaldwin75 the OP.

It has been suggested that AutoCross and other driving event training session would be a good plan. I heartily agree. I am not an autocrosser but all reports are that it is a relatively safe environment with little opportunity for real damage. It is a great training venue. There are also High Performance Driving Events (HPDE) where you both could learn on a road course with an instructor. SCCA sponsors driving events as does NASA. I'm not sure of all of the particulars as they'll pertain to your daughter but it certainly doesn't hurt to research and ask. Insurance ceases to be a significant issue as there are complications with insurance coverage at track events and there are no police to ask silly questions.

As others have stated, build the car you want with the equipment that meets your needs. It's easy to restrict power and then reduce the restriction as you learn the car and capabilities. Kinda like training wheels. BTW, driving a Cobra isn't much different than driving in snow, it's a reasonable application of too much power for what the tires will handle, just at a slightly faster speed.

I think building a car with your daughter is seriously cool. She will learn so much.

Jim

[Joel Hauser]

I have four kids, all of whom have a little blood sweat tears and curses in the build. When they are home - which isn't too often as two live in California, one in Philly and one in NYC, and I live in upstate NY - I encourage them to drive the car; heck I even encourage their partners to drive it. I also encourage them to drive my old triumph 650 tiger. It's almost as much fun to watch others have fun driving the car and bike as it is driving it myself. My main warnings are 1) don't burn yourself on the sidepipes, 2) don't grab the windshield getting in and out, 3) no power steering or power brakes, 4) please don't spin the wheels, and 5) don't burn yourself on the sidepipes. Your daughter will be fine driving it, especially if she helps build it.

[Bob-STL]

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies thus far. I think maybe I didn't make myself clear that this car would not be HERS - it will be mine, but yes she will want to drive it, albeit she would have significant restrictions, and she would only be able to drive it on very special, limited occasions. So she has been learning on a stick (she asked!) so I think she could transition into a cobra with a little practice - but for sure I could see how even being careful with it, how the roadster could get away from you. That said, I had no idea about the considerations about insurance not even permitting it.

On that note, thank you for understanding wanting to have a toned-down roadster as well. That's for my sanity/life span too - I have '12 GT500 and that thing, even though I'm pretty conservative with it, has scared me a couple of times too, and temptations are always there.

Anyway, she's a good kid, good head on her shoulders, but the fact she loves riding in my mustang, is even wanting to build this (and wanting to fly fighter jets by the way), tells me she's got something of a speed racer/daredevil gene in her.

So, if you don't mind, how do ya'll enjoy owning your cobra, driving it now that you've built one?

Again, thanks all for the discussion. I really appreciate it.

I built a coupe, partly to involve the family. I taught my wife and two sons to drive it. There are 18,000 miles on it.

Here is what we do with it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBMk3U6oARw

You can see my son driving it and auto crossing. I admit he is better than I.

With that said, I have let others drive it. Unfortunately, that caused a problem once. (It was my mistake in letting another drive it, so that probably will never happen again. Family yes, others no.)

Great idea to involve your daughter.

[bobl]

What an awesome project! By all means build it with power steering and A/C. It helps a bit with this heat, but you can add a soft top and be fairly comfortable. You can make it plenty quiet with a mild 302. Come up with a way to restrict the throttle when she drives it. I don't see it being any more dangerous than any other car in it's size. Take advantage of the next few years with her. She'll be grown and gone before you blink. I live in Spicewood, just west of Austin. If you ever get up this way I'd be glad to take you for a ride.

As far as insurance you are going to have to address that anyway. I raised a bunch of kids and always bought them a cheap car that carried liability only. Then they could drive any car I owned since they were listed on my policy. That was with State Farm in Texas.

Bob

[KegMechanic]

I have a 19yo daughter. Over the past 3 years I've had my MK4 insured with two different insurance companies through Robbin at Midwest. Both companies required that my daughter be excluded from the policy. No one with less than 10 years driving experience can operate the vehicle. I can't let my daughter drive my car if she wanted to. Fortunately, she doesn't want to.

[Rbaldwin75]

Wow! What a great community! Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond. These are all wonderfully great points. The build obviously sounds like where the joy is, but man I'd hate to tell my daughter "sorry, you can't drive it ever". Someone mentioned the coupe - I'm not sure if they are referring to the 818, but does anyone have any opinions on going that route instead? Seems like a much more docile machine. Of course you can't match the looks and legacy of the cobra, so that's a minus right there.

[edwardb]

Wow! What a great community! Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond. These are all wonderfully great points. The build obviously sounds like where the joy is, but man I'd hate to tell my daughter "sorry, you can't drive it ever". Someone mentioned the coupe - I'm not sure if they are referring to the 818, but does anyone have any opinions on going that route instead? Seems like a much more docile machine. Of course you can't match the looks and legacy of the cobra, so that's a minus right there.

The Coupe reference was to the Daytona Coupe. I've had both. Roadsters and now the Coupe. I wouldn't characterize it as much more docile. It drives a bit different because it has a longer wheelbase and the sight lines are different. But it's not docile. Any more than the Roadster is docile. Has the exact suspension components and a similar power to weight ratio with whatever you use to power it. Can't match the looks and legacy? Matter of opinion. The Coupe draws a huge crowd everywhere it goes.

[Old Timer]

If you would like to build it with a 302 and basic options, go for it. Having a child help you with the build will give them a great
understanding of what goes into a car, and even more respect for the hard work on your car.
As far as learning on your MKIV, I would let them learn on your GT500 if it is a manual. It will be 10 times more forgiving then a MKIV.
Once they learn a stick, and can drive it without any pucker factor, then you might let them drive your roadster in a parking lot.
Once comfortable, try autocross for a bit, then decide about on road supervised drives. Let then respect it more then your GT500.

I would offer that I had a 23 year old son that lives 3 hours from me and I was told he still lived in my house, and would be excluded.
It took a week of emailing his drivers license, 2 years of insurance, home lease, and other papers before they finally decided he was
no longer home. Finally I could get insurance, but my wife could not drive. Again more emails. None of us in the family have had a ticket
for the last 15+ years. I finally went to another insurance company, and got my insurance.
Oh, by the way my son has a GT350. :confused:

[Jim1855]

Rbaldwin75,
Of course your daughter can drive the car, just might not have insurance while she is. An insurance company cannot tell you what you can or can't do, they can only tell you what they'll cover.
Autocross is a great place to safely learn and there's a chance that neither of you would be insured during the time trials anyway. I'm sure other owners have researched this. Comes under competition, race tracks, timed events in the policies.
If you read build posts many owners drive their cars - go carting - prior to licensing and insuring. I'm not saying this is right, or wrong, but it's done. And a chance that many take.
FWIW, I may not license and insure my Challenge car and drive it solely on road courses, no insurance But then I'm not smart enough to come in out of the rain either.
Build the car, let your daughter enjoy all of the experience. Obviously, I'm rooting for her, and you.
Jim

[Rbaldwin75]

The Coupe reference was to the Daytona Coupe. I've had both. Roadsters and now the Coupe. I wouldn't characterize it as much more docile. It drives a bit different because it has a longer wheelbase and the sight lines are different. But it's not docile. Any more than the Roadster is docile. Has the exact suspension components and a similar power to weight ratio with whatever you use to power it. Can't match the looks and legacy? Matter of opinion. The Coupe draws a huge crowd everywhere it goes.

Thanks edwardb. When I was refering to the coupe I was thinking the 818, while cool, I don't view as having the same legendary roots as the roadster. The Daytona certainly is up there among the greatest! I was just wondering if we were going for the "build" experience, would the 818 be a better choice.

[Rbaldwin75]

If you would like to build it with a 302 and basic options, go for it. Having a child help you with the build will give them a great
understanding of what goes into a car, and even more respect for the hard work on your car.
As far as learning on your MKIV, I would let them learn on your GT500 if it is a manual. It will be 10 times more forgiving then a MKIV.
Once they learn a stick, and can drive it without any pucker factor, then you might let them drive your roadster in a parking lot.
Once comfortable, try autocross for a bit, then decide about on road supervised drives. Let then respect it more then your GT500.

I would offer that I had a 23 year old son that lives 3 hours from me and I was told he still lived in my house, and would be excluded.
It took a week of emailing his drivers license, 2 years of insurance, home lease, and other papers before they finally decided he was
no longer home. Finally I could get insurance, but my wife could not drive. Again more emails. None of us in the family have had a ticket
for the last 15+ years. I finally went to another insurance company, and got my insurance.
Oh, by the way my son has a GT350. :confused:

She's learning on a Mazda3 - it actually may be the easiest manual I have ever driven. She'll maybe one day get to experience the joys of the GT500, but not for some time. I actually think it was that car that made her want to learn to drive on a stick. We are most definitely going with the graduated/metered approach to learning how to drive.

[edwardb]

Thanks edwardb. When I was refering to the coupe I was thinking the 818, while cool, I don't view as having the same legendary roots as the roadster. The Daytona certainly is up there among the greatest! I was just wondering if we were going for the "build" experience, would the 818 be a better choice.

Oops. Sorry about the misunderstanding. I don't have any experience with the 818, so can offer only observations. I've only seen them in person on the showroom floor at Factory Five and at the Open Houses I've attended. Totally different build with the Subaru power, rear engine, donor is basically a requirement, etc. There aren't that many around and hasn't been on the market nearly as long as the Roadster. Which has gone through multiple redesigns and continuous improvement. I think you would find the Roadster is a more refined kit with many more proven options.

[J R Jones]

R, There are compromises to any car you chose to build. In the case of the 818, you could build normally aspirated to reduce complexity and power to weight. I find the weather proofing, heat and cooling are elementary. The mid-engine is harder to service, and somewhat difficult in assembly: plumbing, cabling and wiring. The ergonomics are a challenge.
Rather than me touting image and performance, google magazine road tests and Grass Roots Motorsports who built and tested one. The 818 scores impressive numbers.
I am surprised that FFR has not pursued the slab side Cobra for customers like you (and me) where extreme performance is not the priority. The original configuration was not, and is not, a slouch.
jim