vinyl wrapping car (in San Diego)

[Cardiff Kook]

I was reading about wrapping last night and my takeaway was that your car needs good paint to wrap. Otherwise the wrap won't take hold and will come off. Any truth to this? I was considering wrapping my old truck instead of repainting it

[cruitr]

A friend of mine had his AC Cobra wrapped in silver. Money was no object for him. Yes, his paint had to be perfect before the wrap. The car looks great.

[Cardiff Kook]

^^I bet that Cobra looks sweet

[cruitr]

^^I bet that Cobra looks sweet

The Backdraft replica AC Cobra is the best. They were made in South Africa for a long time but now they are built in South Florida: Backdraft Racing - Custom Cobra Kit Car Manufacturers | Backdraft Racing

If anyone brags to you that 'my other car is an AC Cobra', just look at the inside of their left ankle. If it's not scarred, they are lying. It's impossible to get into the drivers seat of an AC Cobra without getting burnt by the sidepipes at least once. Cobra owners call those scars 'snake bites'.

I have a 'snake bite' on my inside right ankle. I've never owned an AC Cobra but I've been a passenger many times. The local club is a real nice group of guys.

[Cardiff Kook]

I always thought it would be awesome to own a Cobra. Could someone that is 6'3 fit in one?

[cruitr]

Originally Posted by Cardiff Kook

I always thought it would be awesome to own a Cobra. Could someone that is 6'3 fit in one?

Not sure. I'm 5'10 and I have trouble getting in one without getting a 'snake bite'. But come to think of it, I don't know any tall Cobra owners.

The real problem with owning a Cobra is:
1. You need to know how to do car maintenance and have the tools. A Cobra will nickel and dime you to death on maintenance.
2. You need a two-car garage. One for the car and one for the parts you collect for future repair.
3. A second car for day-to-day driving. A Cobra is like a Harley. You just need a regular car some times.

Here are some positives of owning a Cobra:
1. Want to meet people? Just park your Cobra in a visible parking lot and a crowd will gather around you.
2. Want to lose money owning a Cobra? You won't lose much when you re-sell, if any. Buy an $80k Corvette today and an $80k AC Cobra today. Check the value of each in 5 years. The Corvette value will tank.
3. Insurance and registration are pretty cheap. You need to buy 'stated value' or 'agreed value' insurance.

The Cobra is the featured car at Cruisin' Grand in Escondido on August 10th. Cobra guys (there is one girl owner in town) love to talk about their cars. Just don't ask "Is that Cobra a replica?" All street driven AC Cobra's are replicas. A real Cobra is in a museum. We did have two real Cobra's at our La Jolla Concours d'Elegance last April. Both were trucked in. I unloaded them.

My problem with the AC Cobra is heat. They run hot in the cab and the sun beats you to death on a long drive.

[Cardiff Kook]

^^^really good info. I remember making model Cobra's as a kid growing up and always wanting one with a 427 big block. I'm sure I couldn't fit comfortably in one but always love seeing them out in public

[TacoSoup]

Originally Posted by Cardiff Kook

I always thought it would be awesome to own a Cobra. Could someone that is 6'3 fit in one?

No, unless you don’t mind being uncomfortable. My friend’s dad in high school had one and he let us all take it out for a spin at his graduation party. I’m 6’4” and couldn’t imagine driving it regularly, even just for pleasure, it was fun though.

The same goes for Magnum PI’s Ferrari 308 GTS. The roommate of a girl I dated was restoring one to sell and let me take it out. Such disappointment that my childhood dream car could never be a reality. Tom Selleck (6’4”) must of hated shooting retakes with it.

[Slytrix]

Originally Posted by bloom

^ please post back neighbor's rec, though "happy wife, happy....

I have a place but...they won't work on your car if the paint is peeling and bubbling and like another posted it will be more expensive than painting even if they would.

Auto Armour and SD Wrap.

[bloom]

Originally Posted by bloom

My car's original exterior paint is quite weathered (bubbles, peeling) and am considering a vinyl wrap rather than a more likely more expensive re-paint clear coat.
What are the pro's and con's of the vinyl wrap for car?
What is the cost estimate for a small sedan type car?
Any specific excellent places in San Diego that do this type of work?

Now thinking to paint car option.
Any specific recommendations for places that do an acceptable decent paint job at reasonable cost (versus a high-end perfect perfect job)??