"Vimto" (smudgey)
07/15/2014 at 16:52 • Filed to: None
1
11|
"Vimto" (smudgey)
07/15/2014 at 16:52 • Filed to: None | 1
| 11 |
I came to the realization that it wasn't my Versa I wanted back, it was driving a manual. Given the money I just dropped on fixing my A/C and getting new tires, selling my Mercury just doesn't make financial sense (or emotional, I do love this car).
So, my options are buying an absolute beater (I'm thinking under $1500 here) to satisfy my manual craving or swapping a Mustang transmission into my MGM. Something tells me that's far more expensive and difficult as I'm imagining.
Thoughts on any 5-speed mid-90s econoboxes a la Kia Sephia that may be out there in the wonderful world of Craigslist? I live alone in an apartment (house shown in pic is parents'), but I'm sure my Panther would have no issues towing a 2700 lb car + dolly home.
TheCraigy
> Vimto
07/15/2014 at 16:55 |
|
Save your money and one day you'll be able to afford a proper sportscar with a stick.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Vimto
07/15/2014 at 16:58 |
|
I'm not sure a mansmission swap into the GrandMa is a good idea. Its cruiser qualities tend to balance decently well with being an auto - it's no track-blaster. If you can get something cheap and Japanese, German, or Foxbody with a stick, it'd make for a nice contrast and do so cheaply, if not necessarily reliably.
|
Vimto
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
07/15/2014 at 17:03 |
|
I'm well aware it isn't in the car's nature, but in reality it is just a Crown Victoria with a chrome grille and somehow that sits a lot better with people (probably because P71). I'm a third of the age of the average GrandMa owner and while I enjoy rolling slow, I also enjoy rowing my own.
Camry-Into-Canyon
> Vimto
07/15/2014 at 17:03 |
|
That is all.
FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> Vimto
07/15/2014 at 17:04 |
|
Love me some trailer hitch MGM
http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/xmas-present-p…
I too have thought of the manual swap. I've done a decent amount of research. Its pretty well documented on the web. I'd say budget $3-4,000.
|
Vimto
> Camry-Into-Canyon
07/15/2014 at 17:05 |
|
Seen that video. I am sure that Vic has far more than just a transmission swap, haha...this is the only visual I've seen of a manual in a Panther actually working though.
|
Vimto
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
07/15/2014 at 17:08 |
|
That kind of money is doable, what isn't is I'm in college, have class Mon-Fri and work 5 random days of the week. So yeah. Time is a thing.
Delta Five Nine
> Vimto
07/15/2014 at 17:13 |
|
It doesn't have much more.. when P71C1 went balls out he put a 5.4 in it, the 4.6 didn't have a whole lot done to it. He has quite a bit of documentation on what's necessary on crownvic.net. Several people have done the swap, and he's done them on several CVs himself.. really not bad for a swap into a car that was never meant to have one.
RAGS
> Vimto
07/15/2014 at 17:57 |
|
Mazda 323/Protege/Mercury Tracer/Ford Escort...easy to find for about $1500, and just a few junkyard parts away from going from fun to absolute hoot to drive.
Zibodiz
> Vimto
07/15/2014 at 18:02 |
|
For a fun, cheap toy, you can easily get a decent Miata (I know, I know, everyone says that), or Escort (I'm about the only one here who says that). Get the GT, or (if you want late 90's/early '00s) the zx2. Any of those 3 cars will be tons of fun, reliable, and let you enjoy having a manual on the cheap.
Regardless of what anyone says, it's impossible to satisfy all of your car needs (wants?) with just one ride. Which is why I have 4.
|
FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> Vimto
07/15/2014 at 18:06 |
|
Gotcha well all in good time.