Should you buy a Factory Five Cobra? 3 Things I Love and Hate About my Cobra

[@jon4739]

Agree with the other comments. My gaps on my MKIV that I built are just perfect. Paid a premium for body and paint work knowing that there is SO much of it on this car. Also installed the drop trunk mod giving it even more usable trunk space. Agree about the weather. I live in the southeast and pop up showers are the norm. As for the space. I installed the carbon fiber dash which has a glove box and fabricated a carbon fiber transmission tunnel top to match the dash with aluminum cup holders installed in the forward of the shifter. Great channel and content!!

[@bbaz6729]

From what I've been able to figure out, it appears one of these builds is just about 100K. Is that accurate?

[@greggherod2153]

You said the gaps are one of the things you hate, but if you take your time during the build, it is very easy to have very consistent gaps on your hood, trunk, and doors. I have seen several Factory Five Cobras with near perfect gaps. It shouldn't be too difficult to have the gaps on your car adjusted if you wanted to.

[@adamdrivesla8268]

This is true. However, the vast majority will generally have inconsistencies since they are not assembled in a perfectly calculated assembly line. Customers should be prepared for some of this inconsistencies unless they are willing to pay 2x-3x the price of a relatively similar build with some inconsistencies.

[@Rich-yy7ny]

Yeah it’s tough but it really is up to the builder.

[@pjp7259]

He didn’t build it

[@stanstazenski1749]

Ive not seen one including mine with gaps as bad as the one in this video

[@ThomasJones-ij6hv]

​@@pjp7259but did he buy it straight from the factory or from a home builder?

[@eliklappenbach2426]

Build it yourself and most of these problems can be fixed

[@rhodekihl5270]

You are 100% correct about who should own them. I have been in love with them since i was a child. I bought mine when i got the chance and i still grin like i did when i was 12 every time i look at it.

[@MScott-y4g]

Friend of mine built a top for his Cobra. He went to a car show in Dallas in rain on him all the back home 250 miles. That's when he built the top. Looked really good too.

[@Chumly409]

I agree with the others saying the "Dislikes" are really the lackings of the builder themselves. Even a factory GM Corvette have fitment issues from car to car if you disassemble it and put it back together without attention to detail. This is a very basic vehicle building process: Get the gaps right. I noticed this right up front with the rivets chipping the paint, don't paint then install rivets! They can be done prior and masked just like anything else that would need masked (liquid electrical tape/plasti-dip does wonders for detail masking).

[@michaelvadney5803]

You are coming from a different perspective then most Factory 5 guys. When you build the car yourself you see it totally different. Plus you can have a hard time when someone asks you, "did you build the car"? Just sayin'

[@shortattentionspangarage1312]

I find it ironic that someone from SoCal is complaining about the weather. Back in 2016 when I lived in San Diego I remember taking my motorcycle to work every day from March to November and never hit one drop of rain. Try that in Floriduh... Also, the gaps are completely preventable if the kit is built by a competent person.

[@NarwahlGaming]

Yeah. I find his weather complaints ridiculous. I'm in Michigan. We get 3, maybe 4 months of usable weather a year. Storing a vehicle is second nature up here. We learn our ABCs, how to tie our shoes and how to install a car cover as children. 😂

[@schrodingersmechanic7622]

I ride my motorcycles in everything but snow and ice. This dude whining about a drizzle...

[@Ed-lb2sm]

Not if you build it yourself, I built a Mark 3, and the gaps were Perfect. How did you not notice all of this before you purchased?

[@snakechmr5191]

Liked your video Adam. I finished my last-run MkII nearly 20 years ago and it still going strong. Built in additional storage in the trunk and the back panel. For weather here in the mid-Atlantic, one can get a very effective removable top. There are some owners in our Cobra club that have removable hard tops. What you didn’t mention is just how fun they are to drive - and not just straight line hijinx. A well setup Factory Five Roadster (Cobra) takes turns “like a cat on carpet”. I’ve driven mine on errands, car shows, tours, autocross, and hot laps. Mine is reasonably comfortable enough to drive long periods (though I’m not as young as I was when I finished her). Is it perfect? No. But it’s mine and close enough to perfection as I could get it. The moral of the story is, build your own to YOUR specification if possible and measure perfection through your efforts and results.

[@TheUsmc0802]

Complaining about storage in a Cobra SMH

[@akvalues]

So it was built poorly 😂😂😂

[@andrewlanger2168]

Not every one. They're kit cars built by regular people, unless you have over $1m to buy an original. You can actually build one yourself for around $30k from factory 5. Keep in mind, with a small block or an LS they weigh about 2150lbs and about 100lbs more with a big block so even a stock 5.3 is going to make a fast car.

[@paulbeswetherick4261]

3 things you hate, why did you buy a cobra then? They are not practical cars, nor were designed to be. They have always been a race car for the road. You don't see race cars with cupholders and storage, absolute Muppet!!

[@MDC_1985]

Yeah, Adam bought one that was built pretty poorly, that’s not on Factory Five, it’s whoever actually built it. Listening to Adam talk…. That car is built way better than he’d ever be able to achieve… Guy seems like a simp.

[@PeterRoss-t9q]

Not exactly. It's a kit car. Adam is a bit of a Tinkerbell

[@akvalues]

@@andrewlanger2168higher quality than kit cars

[@paulborror2544]

Just to pile on, 2 of the 3 things you hate about the car are reflections of the builder. Not Factory Five. No reason for the panel/door mismatches to be like that. It doesn't take any more time to build it right. Not everyone knows, but Factory Five doesn't build these. They only sell the kit. No question there's a lot of variability in the build quality. If you don't build it yourself, take the time to find one that was built properly. There are plenty of them. Also, as already stated, this isn't the current Mk4 version which has a lot of improvements making it easier to get it right. They are a blast though and agree get a lot of attention.

[@BKMDano17]

FFR is crap and they know it call their support and they just lie and make-up BS stories. Sure you can get anything right but do you want to pay $15,000 for a paint job

[@24X7CARZ]

Hey Adam. San Diego-based car KZbinr here. Enjoyed this video. Hope you’ll be back doing more content.

[@tmr626]

Some of those Backdraft Cobras are super nice. You can get carbon fiber options, power steering and a big and tall version of the car for a person who is 6' 3".

[@CapeCodTrainTodd]

I bought my FFR in 1998 and it has been on the road for 23 years. Everything you say is True. The fit and finish depends on the builder and body guy. I added a lockable glove box but storage? Who needs a cup holder? This thing is a race car LOL I live in the North East so months go by that it sits but when a day presents itself for a drive it is like meeting up with an old friend. Security is a concern. I take mine to do errands but I don't leave it unattended for long. The Hate, more like negatives are, it's a fair weather car, security and it is loud. The Loves, it's special, people enjoy it and it is loud. The car is not for everyone but it is fun.

[@peetywondr3256]

I agree with 100% of this . . . there are just some thing you have to concede to when owning a Cobra. Like an "E" ticket ride at Disneyland, you know you are going to be bounced around and might get wet . . . Built mine in 2000 (MK-II) and the gaps are perfect still. Added a few "creature comfort" items along the way; glove box, battery relocated to create (even) more trunk space, MK-IV seats, fresh air vents, moved hand brake to the left of driver and built a Bimini top for shade on sunny days (I live in Vegas and it's HOT! here).

[@CapeCodTrainTodd]

Nice add ons. That is also something that is really neat about these cars. No 2 are alike having been customized by their builders/ owners. I went to the FFR homecoming "lite" this past August and saw many fine rides each with their own level of cool. 😁@@peetywondr3256

[@BradThePitts]

The gaps should not be like that - my bodywork was done by someone that's done hundreds of Factory Fives. 15 years later, all the gaps are still even and the doors close perfectly. But then again, if it was a home job the builder saved about $6000.

[@adamdrivesla8268]

Nice, yea better to pay more and get a better quality build if the imperfections are going to bother you.

[@jeremiahm1413]

Bought a F5 MK2 in December 2019 with a 302 supercharged motor at the time. Damn lil rocketship. Love it and yet have SUCH respect for it. You can tell those back tires want to overtake the front tires if you get on it too hard. I am so glad I bought one prior to "the plague" when car prices went totally insane. Living in Ohio, I only get to take it out 1x a month during some parts of the year, so when I do, we going for a solid cruise! Overall, great video! Would give it "5 stars" if that was still a thing on YT 😆

[@davidrogers852]

It's not Factory Five Racing"s fault that you bought a car that somebody threw together and didn't have a clue they were doing. I have built 3 of these from the ground up and never had a problem. The body on a original Cobra was hand made and was not symmetrical and not perfect. Factory Five builds their molds off of an original SC Cobra. If you know what the hell you are doing they can be made perfect. Their customer service is awesome. If there is a problem they make it right.

[@Masterchief68a]

Always the cobra! There’s some other sweet rides that could be built. For instance, Pontiac Solstice, 57 vette, any of the baby birds, just to name a few! Any others out there with suggestions?

[@robertandrews6555]

Luckily for me i have OCD, and my cobra was built perfectly 👍🏻

[@tristanflynn6381]

Definitely planning on saving for one, currently busy with my rusty ass charger but. I’ve always wanted a cobra that I could thrash on, and not worry about prices or ruining an authentic cobra. Thanks for the honest feedback about your experiences

[@PaintitBlackRs3]

The first point makes sense considering it’s a kit car however a good restoration shop can get these fiberglass bodies pretty straight and near perfect but most people aren’t gonna spend that kind of money on body and paint.

[@markbartley3630]

Fitment of body panels reflect the abilitys of the person who assembled it, not ff.

[@richardschipper5989]

or the quality of the paint shop

[@mikekoenig9950]

I built a MK2 years ago in my garage. It was very near perfect and a very custom build. The only thing I would have done differently is I would use a 450-500 hp small block, I had a 460 bb with over 600 hp, it was fun, but obviously handling was sacrificed a bit. Great car, great kit. They have also came a long way with them since the MK2

[@donaldkaye6736]

Thank You so much, You really “cut to the chase” as they say and it was All Useful Information! Thanks 😊

[@Travis8126]

Factory 5 Cobras are only as good as the builder who built it. Your car has some issues, whoever built it did not have great attention to detail. These cars are not practical or safe, they are race cars.

[@elenaeverroad3389]

Ikr, it's something you just want a smooth ride in and don't wreck 😂

[@weslautenbach8002]

I’ve driven mine in the rain a couple times, I haven’t melted yet! It gets wet

[@Bananablitz83]

My grampa was on channel 7 news for his factory 5 cobra like 20 years ago. Btw love the car

[@macmaven5037]

Sounds like your body guy didn't know Cobras. As with any car, a good body guy can get perfect gaps. If you are a builder that is sloppy with your dash wiring, then yeah, it will look like yours. There is an under dash panel available to clean up the look as well. No one said you can't drive in the rain. Won't hurt the inside. :)

[@mchristr]

The shop that painted the car could have fixed the gaps. But it's clear that the previous owner cut corners on the build.

[@2JZDestroyer]

i mean i understand as a fellow roadster driver; that its a pain in the butt to equip a hardtop for a single day. They do exist though , its exceptionally rare to see one equipped on a cobra though.

[@RobertBeck-pp2ru]

Car shows in England are full of properly built Cobras from all manufacturers. Most have very well made hardtops and meticulous detail to fit and finish. FF prefers to build theirs as true to the original Shelbys. (topless)

[@clementkhoza6890]

I think you can get a hard top for rain and all that stuff, it’s an old people car; it doesn’t need to say it in your face that it’s a weekend only car, in a sense it captures the true essence of owning a car anyways and that is, to drive it.. As for the gaps and inconsistencies I think you can redo the car and you’ll be good … I can’t wait till I own one ..

[@truantray]

This version is a car for Boomers to buy ice cream. The UK built FIA Cobras have a much lighter powertrain, handle better, and have a higher top speed from a fastback roof. Why TF would someone buy a roadster and then complain about practicality.

[@bullfrogzbodyshop]

I found a perfect lil cup holders/mini console for mine at autozone. I'll make a short vid of it if you're interested, it fits perfectly in our cars,right up behind shifter sorta under dash

[@airwarorg]

You've got a lot of the same drawbacks and benefits with a nice shiny cruiser motorcycle as well. The plus with a motorcycle is, it's far cheaper and far more accessible. Lots of chrome and really pretty, but kind of also a pita. Probably the one extra pita over a cobra is suiting up and suiting down every time, but on the plus side, you don't have to panic if your motorcycle gets caught out in the rain unlike a cobra. What makes driving a motorcycle all worth while thought, is the high mpg, which the cobra replica can't touch. 50mpg is typical.

[@stevend8785]

How does it ride? Is it rough? Stiff? Comfortable?

[@kevinwells768]

No reason why a well built GRP car should have bodywork like that. As for interior storage: Usually there is a glove box, and I thought FFR owners put coffee cups in the trans tunnel? Anyway, nice vid all the same.

[@resiggy13]

Come on, its not really fair to complain about the car's build quality if you bought it rather than built it. It can be built to perfection or it can be half-assed to mediocrity. Poor fit and finish isn't the fault of the car - it's the fault of the builder.

[@Ken-o5c2e]

They make soft top and removable hardtop.??

[@ParvizMalakouti]

Solid breakdown

[@jaredkish8716]

It’s basically like a motorcycle. It’s a roadster so you are exposed. That’s part of the experience. Gotta dress the part if you want to use it seasonally

[@velocityjet1884]

Factory 5 is an amazing kit car, the downfall is you have to build it yourself, which I got no clue

[@jjmaxx3834]

Don’t claim that you built it unless you did the body and paint yourself. I did build my MKIV including body and paint. I took me a very long time and it turned out great! The body and paint was by far the most difficult part of the build.

[@macmaven5037]

You spend a couple of years building a car and then cheap out on the body work and paint? LOL. Those are skills, especially body work, that takes years and years to master. Sounds like your car might look like this guy's car.

[@richardschipper5989]

@@macmaven5037 a stupid reply by someone that has no clue. I've seen enough painted by the owner to know that they can be just a good as any. In fact I've seen some come out of a 'pro' paint shop that looks terrible, worse that this one

[@deano9006]

“….this car is the mistress, it can do things the wife cannot….” Perfect summary of any sports car/hotrod ever purchased/built 🤣🤣🤣

[@randallsehn1221]

liked the video but have to disagree about driving it in inclement weather. I owned an ERA for over 10 years and used it as a daily driver for 3 while living in San Francisco. Drove mine in rain a lot; you just need a waterproof jacket, pants and boots. Oh and a small squeegee for clearing the inside of the windshield. Also drove it in a couple of blizzards; its cold but doable. Just dress very warm and don't count on any heat from the engine or heater, with the top down you won't feel any of it.

[@Jommybutler1234]

I wonder what the effect of all these Replica Cobras has had on the market value of the Real Cars?

[@wskinn]

I definitely hate people who talk to camera behind the wheel instead of focusing on driving.

[@ParissaKhoury]

As a woman its better to be a mistress than a wife. You get all the benefits wifhout any long term commitments

[@Deep6Motors]

Touché

[@RobertBeck-pp2ru]

I like your philosophy about life. You understand things.

[@mdcannon1974]

was hoping to learn what microphone is that you are using? maybe post a link? Thanks @AmateurHourGarage

[@adamdrivesla8268]

Sure, heres the link. Its the DJI wireless store.dji.com/product/dji-mic?from=store-nav&vid=109401

[@fromnineteeneightyfive]

Just the video i was looking for. Thank you! BTW, did you buy yours private party/auction/elsewhere? I'm also in SoCal and looking for one.

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

Not mentioned as a like or a dislike was driving it. I think I'd be... Like 1 Driving it. Fun little go cart open to the air like a motor cycle (which I love) 2 The look. I am a senior and can remember seeing the first one in the 60s. Loved it then and now. 3 That I built it myself. There is such pride of accomplishment with using build vs buy. I am a DIY audiophile. I can't imagine enjoying some overpriced thing that does not do exactly what I want it to do. Dislike 1 Can only drive it when it is nice weather. Again like my motorcycle 2 Maybe that it is too noisy and doesn't handle all that well. I think that can be tamed by being less focused on autlhenticity and build one with modern tech. The new FF MKV looks like the one for me. I'd put fuel injection, 5 speed trans and perhaps focus on the sound of the exhaust. Sure and build in cup holders and ditch the radio. Even power steering and AC for the foot wells.

[@bryanmoyer6602]

ERA makes a cobra that is so authentic looking that carrol shelby miss took it for one of his own cars. i have read that the fit on them is perfect. so if you do not like the fit on the factory five cars. buy an ERA cobra.

[@RobertBeck-pp2ru]

I believe ERA are factory built for quality fit and finish. FF spends a lot of time and money on chassis refinement, as their cars are meant for racing. Body work is left up to the buyer. Their slogan is "built, not bought", referring to the skills (or lack of ) or the buyer.

[@ollygmoney]

Good info.

[@marcomaldonado9518]

Wow.... good job man! Straight and to the point!

[@ccwzagnut]

I'd be curious to know how easy/hard it is to sell this car when you are finished with it. Anyone have any comments about that? I'd love to have one but eventually I'd have to let it go... Being old and all.

[@ParvizMalakouti]

Liked and subscribed

[@shi_thead475]

Fiberglass brother. You can file finish any body line to perfection

[@clarkclifford2338]

Convertible top, elbow grease (body fit), for storage… just do everyone else’s mods and realize that it’s a two seat car, much like a Miata.

[@clay1883]

Comparing it to a Miata is an insult to Mazda.

[@jeffjustice3341]

try thinking about your car as a race car. After all, it was built to go from point A to point B as fast as possible.

[@bebo5558]

ANY kit is only as good as the builder! Computer geeks have a saying, garbage in, garbage out!

[@davidless57]

If cost is no object, Superformance will reduce the problems you mentioned…perfect alignment of panels, nice glove box, more trunk space, a soft top I’m told will perform well at 100 mph.

[@lewf5685]

Nice video! I’ve always wanted one but it’s that practicality thing that I just can’t get past…yet!😂

[@adamdrivesla8268]

Thanks. Yup it makes a great third car lol

[@elenaeverroad3389]

Smokey Robinson cruisen

[@carsthatlast441]

Cool video bud, thanks!

[@40wattgarage87]

If you had built it yourself & hired a body/paint pro who knows these cars... All of your dislikes wouldn't exist. My MkIV has: door pockets, glovebox, cup holders, interior "cubby" access to upper trunk (where your speakers are), and being a "Mid-Westerner" all my life I'm used to a 7 month driving season. It's an open-cockpit sport car (that originally had zero creature comforts)... you will get wet, you will get grimy, but they're too much fun to care!

[@A.J.1656]

It sounds like if you ride a motorcycle and know how to cope with a lack of cup holders and weather and build the car correctly, there will be nothing to hate about the car.

[@eddiegray793]

A 1958 mga had a soft top and side curtins

[@Guest-at-the-Asylum]

Panels should have been fit properly during body & paint process.

[@andyjackson5404]

The Ray Charles Built Edition … who knew

[@geomax3465]

This car is what in Germany call it a mock-up before they start working on a project. 🤭

[@detroitbucknut]

the first 2 of the 3 cons can be fixed with a screwdriver, number 3 can be fixed with a 3/8 drill bit into the floor and a poncho. lol

[@trinidyjohnson9295]

Yeah that's weird when I purchase a two seat race car I expect ample luggage storage..... Damn dude I'm starting to think you got ripped off

[@ericbitzer5247]

The shifter looks like it's backwards.

[@RacerX1971]

Really, you complaining about interior storage? Heller..it's made for speed. It's not a storage..😂😂

[@davidblack2978]

Guardsman Blue?....

[@DB-zk6td]

All high performance vehicles are a love hate relationship.

[@chopsquadz]

Always first! Merica!!!

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

Get a soft top for it 😊

[@bradmaas6875]

This is a second car, so convenience is OTD. You want storage, go buy a Caddy. This was and is a purpose-built car.

[@philipshilling8665]

One thing about Factory Five Shelby AC Cobra replicas that few people know, is that the bodies ARE NOT ACCURATE. To be fair, most Cobra replicas are also not faithful replicas...therefore we should perhaps not call them replicas, but rather, Cobra-inspired kit cars. While different manufacturers all have their own unique deviations, the single biggest inaccuracy that most share, including Factory Five, is a taller profile. Beneath the doors you find an extra four inches or so that will not exist on any real Cobra built at the Thames-Ditton AC factory in the 1960s. Those inaccurate extra inches give most "replicas" a BLOATED/PREGNANT look. Real big block Cobras, while very wide because of all the flaring, still kept the sleek profile dimensions of the AC Ace and early Cobras.

[@xDivinitysCreaturex]

I thought so too, thanks for explaining it.

[@LonBlair-r8u]

Cobra is the best car ever made.

[@kevinredden]

Contact FFR and they can sell you a soft top kit

[@destruxandexploze2552]

Built not bought… but you didn’t build it. You bought it. If you built it, you could customize and fix EVERYTHING you hate about it.

[@cs1375]

If there is inclement weather you just drive faster.

[@robwiley8614]

Sounds like you should have bought a Camry

[@richardschipper5989]

or a miata

[@jasonochs8369]

how about drivability and foot room? I bought mine even after asking a few questions on this subject and its so damn tight and off to the left...I dont know how I will ever be able to drive it remotely competitively...yeah, its THAT bad...

[@jamessepulveda5202]

What if the wife is a plaid tesla.?

[@RobertBeck-pp2ru]

Leave it at home.

[@Guy-mx4fb]

Superformance and back draft make the better cobras

[@macmaven5037]

Not really. They are assembled in South Africa as rollers....no engine, trans or plumbing. Depends on the builder though.

[@richardschipper5989]

really? you have personal experience with all three? I have, thats not really true because it all depends on who built the FFR

[@ropac1256]

Idgaf about detailing my car, such non-car guy energy

[@COBRATV427]

👍 😍

[@LNVACVAC]

Still it is less a pain in the than owning a ferrari or most mercedes

[@BoondockSaintRyan]

Just found your channel looking up Cobra's. Your list of Cons is hands down the dumbest list I've ever come across. It's a project roadster designed for driving. It isn't a daily driver. You could have saved half the work of editing by skipping all of that. If you have an issue with this, either go buy an original that has the same problems, but will set you back $250k+, or just sell it to someone who will appreciate it. You're hilarious. Cheers.

[@dbullis2433]

Would you like some cheese with that wine? Maybe stick with your Tesla.

[@jeffnash9333]

These videos crack me up. Where do people like this come from? You baught a hand built car from someone that apparently didn't care that much about those details or trying to make a known street leagl race car pretend to be a Miata and you want to pick it apart to "expose" it's issues you don't like. I can help. I can put you in touch with some people that will build you one of these cars exactly the way you want it. Just hang onto your bank account when you get the final bill. Or..... here's a crazy idea, instead of buying something to complain about, build one yourself. It really isn't that hard and you can put everything into it exactly the way you want.

[@rickuyeda4818]

It will always be a Kit Car. Every Factory Five Cobra owner wishes that they had an aluminum body Cobra.

[@Guest-at-the-Asylum]

Really?

[@sheerluckholmes5468]

Factory Five? Ahh now there's ya problem, ya shoulda bought it from Factory One.

[@mikeconner3280]

boo hoo. Feel so bad for you. Perhaps you could BUY the fixes!!!

[@RobertBeck-pp2ru]

You hate it for lack of storage? It's a f88king race car, not a Ford Expedition.

[@digitalbobby42]

He said it's impractical.