Coupe or Roadster???

[Tooth]

Hello

Been obsessed with the idea of building a cobra for ages. I'd get it in my head, start looking for donor cars, then chicken out. Then when ff started getting away from the donor car option, I'd look at donors, look into new stuff, get bogged down on motor options, then chicken out. Been down this road many times, but this time I just can't shake it. I feel like it's time to finally build one of these things. So, now that I'm 99.9% pulling the trigger I'm flip flopping on which car to build. In my mind I'd rather have a coupe, but would rather build the roadster. That's based on feeling like the roadster would be an easier build with more support, and the coupe potentially being something I'd drive more often living in the northeast.

Any advice one way or the other would be greatly appreciated. Plan either way is a coyote with a six speed.


Thanks

[GoDadGo]

Check out Edwardb's (Paul B) Roadster & Type-65 build threads.
In my opinion, he is likely the best hobbyist builder out there.
Also, after building a Roadster I feel like I may be able to tackle a Coupe.

https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

Good Luck!

[Tooth]

His builds are outstanding.

Thank you, I need all the luck I can get.

[Sdonnel]

See which one you can get in and out of easier. I was also looking at the coupe until I needed to be a contortionist to get in. Love the roadster.

Scott

[Alan_C]

The Cobra is the kit most built and most desired should you decide to sell down the road. The Cobra will cost less to build. The Cobra can be built faster as the coupe is a bit more complex. The Coupe is going to need AC as it gets quite warm inside. Either car will make you feel like a rock star with the attention they will draw.
I built a MK4 using a 2004 donor. I loved the car when the weather was good. You need to remember that with the roadster there is little you can do to deal with the weather when it turns for the worse. Ultimately I decided I wanted a car with a roof so that I could take long trips to a few car shows on my bucket list. I sold the MK4 and decided to do a vintage Mustang restomod. I will suggest any kit from FF is easier than trying to put modern components in a vintage car. However the restomod effort has resulted in me learning so many skills not needed for the kits, like welding.
That said, you will likely find building either kit to be one of the most satisfying efforts you will do in your life. Pick one of the two and make your purchase. Just make sure you have the time and budget to complete your project. All the help and advice you could ever need you can find on the forum. It is rare that you can get into a project with a support group to help you when needed.

[David Williamson]

I have and drive both, very different cars. The Coupe costs more and takes more time to build. The Cobra is easier to drive because visibility is better and it is easy to get in and out of it. Both are fun but the Coupe attracts more attention because most people don't know what it is.
David W

[Francky]

I have both the Roadster and the Daytona, and if I had to choose between one or the other, that'd be a tough choice.
I live in MD and I started with the Roadster and I LOVE it, it's a wonderful car... sounds amazing, drives great... when the weather and the weather outlook is perfect, not a chance of rain and not too hot.
I used to drive it a bit during the winter with a heated jacket, heated gloves and a trapper hat, it's actually quite pleasant.
Unless you have a top, you obviously really need to avoid "chance of rain" days and driving it when it's 95F+ isn't very nice.

Because of the limited days I could drive the Cobra, I started to look for another weekend classic car with a top, wipers, AC, heat etc... and ended up getting a Coupe. It's perfect for when I cannot drive the Cobra or for longer drives.
In addition you don't see those very often so it gets a lot of attention during meets.

I didn't build any, so I cannot comment on the level of difficulty.

So if I had to only have one, I think that'd be a Roadster, with a Top, Wipers, Heat and AC, but you cannot go wrong with any of those 2 cars (the AC in the Coupe is a must though).

[edwardb]

I've done both (mentioned above, thanks for the shout outs...) so can offer my comparison. I agree the Coupe is a more complicated build. The Gen 3 is a very well sorted out build and the basic chassis/driveline is about on par with the Roadster. It also has the advantage of a much larger engine compartment and transmission tunnel. So even the larger setups (mine is a Coyote with a T-56) fit much easier than in a Roadster. Where the Coupe starts to get a little more complicated is typically it has more options than many Roadsters. Like heat and A/C already mentioned. I wouldn't build one without that. And the body is more complicated to get fitted and will cost more to paint. So in general a Coupe is going to be the higher priced choice. I too was worried about getting in and out. But with practice don't pay much attention to that now. But it's something to consider.

As far as which do we prefer? For us it's the Coupe hands down. After driving three different Roadsters over 10+ years, we are really enjoying the closed cockpit. Heat and air make it very comfortable in almost any weather. The Coupe is loud (lots written about that) but it's the car only. Not wind noise, traffic, etc. We drive with ear plugs and it's easy to go longer distances. I find it drives like a bigger car than the Roadster. Longer wheelbase, long nose, larger cockpit and hatch area, etc. Just feels bigger and drives that way. Ride is a little more controlled. Again, probably the longer wheelbase. I agree it's not the easiest to see out of. But with decent mirrors on both sides I've gotten used to it. Look over my shoulder at the blind spots all the time. Living in Michigan, our driving season is pretty short. We were optimistic the Coupe would extend our driving season. Just yesterday, we decided to do a fall color cruise. Probably 50-75 miles. It was a nice sunny day and the colors were beautiful. But the temps were in the 40's. Would never had done the cruise in the Roadster. The Coupe was warm and comfortable and we had a nice drive capped off with lunch at one of our favorite restaurants. Good stuff. Agree with the comments that it gets a lot of attention. Much more than the Roadster. Of course probably over half don't know what it is. But that goes with the territory. You won't go wrong with either. Good luck and come on in!