"NinetyQ" (NinetyQ)
03/17/2014 at 11:12 • Filed to: None
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"NinetyQ" (NinetyQ)
03/17/2014 at 11:12 • Filed to: None | 0
| 26 |
I've been thinking recently about taking my Grand Prix off constant daily driver duty and getting something else to tackle most of the year. I want something modern-ish and reliable for a daily driver, but also fun and manual.
My budget would be under $8k. Closer to $5k is preferable.Here's my train of thought when it comes to considering cars I would choose for spring/summer/fall duty:
I should get a '99-'04 Mustang GT. I like the looks of those, and they always sound nice.
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But wait, an LS1 Trans Am would have more power and be great. *looks it up on Autotempest* Crap, they're twice as expensive as the Mustangs.
I could go with a third-gen and get a Trans Am GTA like my dad's old one. That would be pretty great. But I want a manual, and those are only good in automatic.
I should just get a Fiero GT. But I want a V8! (repeat cycle)
daender
> NinetyQ
03/17/2014 at 11:14 |
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Go late-LT1-gen F-body, you're still getting a pretty strong engine and the looks with a bit more weight but much more affordable than a LS1-car.
For Sweden
> NinetyQ
03/17/2014 at 11:15 |
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Put a V8 in the Fiero
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NinetyQ
> For Sweden
03/17/2014 at 11:15 |
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Quite costly.
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For Sweden
> NinetyQ
03/17/2014 at 11:17 |
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Then get a bicycle
JR1
> NinetyQ
03/17/2014 at 11:19 |
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Juts get the Mustang, most flexible muscle car around. Easy to modify and they have a strong and loyal following. Never carried for the 1994-2004 but a muscle car is a muscle car.
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NinetyQ
> For Sweden
03/17/2014 at 11:21 |
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That doesn't have a V8, more than one seat, a roof, good top speed, great noise, or anything!
And I already have one.
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For Sweden
> NinetyQ
03/17/2014 at 11:22 |
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Fun V8
Cheap
Pick one
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NinetyQ
> For Sweden
03/17/2014 at 11:24 |
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Well, you could get the Mustang with all three of those. In fact, most of these cars demonstrate that you can get those things affordably. It's the Trans Ams that are either lacking the cheapness or a good manual option. The GTAs only came with a 305 instead of the 350 when they came with a manual.
JEM
> NinetyQ
03/17/2014 at 11:24 |
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I'm in exactly the same boat. Looking for a fun RWD manual daily driver for preferably under $8K. At this point, I'm pretty torn between a Miata and a Mustang, with the occasional bad thought of buying a BMW. Or getting a small loan and getting a late C4 Corvette.
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> NinetyQ
03/17/2014 at 11:32 |
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MUSTANG
crowmolly
> NinetyQ
03/17/2014 at 11:35 |
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Well, all of these cars are older. Youngest one is still 10 years old. That's a factor.
Are you not a Camaro fan? You can probably find an LS1 Z in that price range, but expect to have to do some work on it.
BarryDanger
> NinetyQ
03/17/2014 at 11:36 |
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Why do you want to keep the miles off the Pontiac? It doesn't strike me as a vehicle that is desirable or worth keeping around. If it is no longer reliable why not just sell it and put the money towards something worth keeping and driving regularly.
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crowmolly
> daender
03/17/2014 at 11:39 |
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LT1 parts are getting harder to source. As an example, the crankshaft bolt and washer are hard to find and might even be 100% discontinued. They are LT1 specific. Replacement optis aren't offered with the good optical sensor anymore so that's a crap shoot. LT1 tuning is basically limited to two or three places. Breadth of aftermarket parts like clutch kits is narrowing. The LT1 is much-maligned for no reason and is a better performance platform than many people give it credit for. But it's more tricky to work on and repair- especially since the newest one is 17 years old.
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NinetyQ
> crowmolly
03/17/2014 at 11:39 |
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For reasons that are beyond logical explanation, I'd have to go with a Trans Am if I go F-body at all. There are only a couple of years in the history of the F-body where I like the Camaro over the Pontiac offering, and you have to go pretty far back for that.
Also, they're all older because I like cars that are older. The Fiero seems like a pretty attractive option to me because I'm familiar with GM-ness of that era, and it's 2.8L V6 is sort of related to the later 3.1 in my GP. The GTA is also an attractive option, and definitely a consideration. I just wish I could get a stock manual one and not settle for the 305 engine instead of the 350. Here's an example of what I found: http://peoria.craigslist.org/cto/4369836904…
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crowmolly
> NinetyQ
03/17/2014 at 11:42 |
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http://peoria.craigslist.org/cto/4325325336…
Go offer him $7500 cash.
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NinetyQ
> BarryDanger
03/17/2014 at 11:42 |
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Because I'm irrationally attached to it and have a barn I could put it in when not using it. I also live in a snowy area, and could use the GP during the winter months if I wanted and put my RWD car away. It's not so much about keeping miles off it. The miles are already there; it's up to 212k. It's on its second engine and transmission (the latter of which has since been rebuilt too), and it needs a little work. Which isn't bad, but I miss the days of having two cars (my Audi 90 Quattro 20V and GP) and being able to switch between them.
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NinetyQ
> crowmolly
03/17/2014 at 11:44 |
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Hmm... not bad.
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NinetyQ
> BarryDanger
03/17/2014 at 11:45 |
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Here's a picture. Kinja won't let me edit my last post.
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BarryDanger
> NinetyQ
03/17/2014 at 11:52 |
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I completely understand, I love having two cars and can't really explain why. Guess it's the idea of having a dedicated winter and summer car.
Agrajag
> NinetyQ
03/17/2014 at 12:12 |
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NinetyQ
> Agrajag
03/17/2014 at 12:14 |
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Automatic, soft suspension, huge, four door... It's awesome, but not for me.
Corey
> NinetyQ
03/17/2014 at 12:40 |
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The Mustang GT might be the best bang for buck option in the $5-8k range. That said, if you don't like the looks of the Ford (which I think looks like the car given to waaay too many teenage girls) there are plenty of classier rides that have already been given the LS-swap treatment by some power-hungry enthusiast. Think E36 BMW coupes: excellent handling + American V8 power = stupid smiles all day long.
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NinetyQ
> Corey
03/17/2014 at 12:44 |
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Good point. Although I sort of hate the thought of buying someone else's project... I guess it just depends on how well it's done. But at this point, I don't really want a BMW. They're not bad, but I want something that looks more fun. Right now I'm leaning toward the Fiero. Plenty of engine swap possibilities there since it's mid-engined and takes normal transverse FWD drivetrains.
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Corey
> NinetyQ
03/18/2014 at 10:41 |
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Along those same lines, the Toyota MR2, depending upon which are easier to find.
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NinetyQ
> Corey
03/18/2014 at 10:52 |
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First-gen is ugly, second-gen is too expensive, and I don't want a four-cylinder. Third-gen is ugly again.
I'm really not trying to just shoot down your ideas, lol.
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Corey
> NinetyQ
03/18/2014 at 22:52 |
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First gen are weirdly angular. Second gen look good, can be expensive, if not expensive might require a little labor, but some amazing power can be made with them. Third gen... god awfully hideous, and only came as stupid ragtops.