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No way on the older stang - I respect them, but they are ugly IMO. Rx7, no thanks. The rx7's are not cheap and they are not really that good of a choice for a Minnesota car, RWD + really light car + snow = bad news.Originally Posted by Kremithefrog
A BIG part of my choice in car is going to be looks.
I may look into another Cougar and swap the 2.5L out for a 3L.
I am just mainly looking for ideas right now.
Thanks for the two ideas - they just aren't exactly what I am looking for.
ill keep watching this thread since my new car budget is the same as yours.
Honestly, the only real GTP horror stories I've heard are usually after heavy modifications where the tranny blows out. A rebuild is expensive but since the Grand Prix's are very popular cars I would just get one from a scrapyard as they are about $600 Canadian in Ontario.
I orginally purchased a GT but swapped the motor to the supercharged version (from 3.8L to 3.8L s/c) hence my signature :wink:
The swap with the cost of labour and the motor was $1500 Canadian which I do not consider very expensive at all.
Since the car is very common, parts are quite cheap and can either be acquired from dealerships, online (i.e. ClubGP where people sell modifications when they upgrade more, selling car, lease ends, etc.), or even from scrapyards for bigger parts.
I consider the availability and low cost of parts to be a huge plus along with the large aftermarket.
For aftermarket parts you can check out www.zzperformance.com www.pfyc.com www.intense-racing.com etc.
Choose wisely :wink:
Ryan
Trans AM????
To find one in good shape for his price is extremly hard to get. I know because for the past 6 months i was looking into one, but know im saving up some more for a month and will see what i can get, Ill probally be getting a 02-03 SE-R Spec V though, but only time will tell.
But anyways i currently have a 97 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE, I bought it for 5,000 from a old friend were i used to live and it now has 93,000 miles and it runs excellent, blast to drive and its an automatic. Very easy to mod, i havent modded mine, but im actually in the process of selling it.i have some buddies that want it from me because apparently im the only 18yr old that truly takes care of thier car.
:wink:
Fox bodies look good if done right, but I understand if you don't want one.
RX7s are cheap. Very cheap. Unless of course you don't know where to look. And like I said, you'd probably want a cheap beater anyways so some $500 escort or festiva or geo would handle your winters. You could get a decent rx7 and beater and easily stay under $4000.
Are you looking to mod the car you buy or keep it about stock? FWD and power really don't mix. Yeah you can do things to make it work OK but you'll never get it to the same point as RWD.
If looks are a big choice, again I think you really need to think about what you want. The eclipse and gtp are pretty different in that aspect.
Personally, I think a cougar looks better than both those cars. But also I'm not into big mods on the cdw27. If you do all the work yourself (including engine prep,etc.) the 3L swap is easy and cheap but a lotta people put too much money into it. They're great cars but aren't the cheapest thing to modify, have unique problems, and can never launch real good without spending some serious money. But if you keep it cheap (why cdw27s, especially SVT Contours are so good to me is their crappy resale, I only paid $2400 for mine) and simple, then it's a good option.
I can't say that I'd recommend a DSM (Eclipse/Talon), especially a turbo one. It's difficult to find one that hasn't been beaten-on, and the reliability will suffer if it has been modified. Can't comment on the Pontiac though. Good luck.
^I'm not so set on this - there are plenty of well-modified, well-cared-for, DSMs. Yes, it may take a bit of time to locate, but it's not by any means a rare find.
Certainly, these vehicles may have been driven harder, but "beat on" typically implies a bit of lack of mechanical empathy on the owner's behalf, and that is something that can be screened-for during the pre-purchase interview.
It will be hard to find *ANY* performance vehicle which hasn't been driven harder (even ones that are truly factory-stock, or have been "returned to stock" for re-sale) than the average runabout family sedan or minivan. It's just the nature of the game, and it's something that every potential secondary owner should both understand and be willing to accept and adjust for the consequences thereof.
Reliability/durability is a totally separate concern of the upgraded vehicles. If they're running at *significantly* higer power levels, then yes, that concern is valid - but that concern is also valid for *any* vehicle running increased power levels.
However, a well-upgraded and well-cared-for DSM, within reasonable power levels, can be dead-reliable everyday drivers that only requires routine care on the level of any other automobile of the same age/mileage.
^ This is a valid consideration - if true "big power" is planned.
For reasonable power levels, though, LSDs, suspension modifications, and even choosing the correct tires/tire-pressure can make even a rather powerful and fun front-driver very streetable and without torque-steer concerns whatsoever.
But again, it's a trade-off. If the buyer lives in a foul-weather (especially snow/ice) area, the front-driver, at a lower power level, may be a better choice - however, if a fair-weather fun-car is desired, and if part of that equation is big-power, then yes, a RWD vehicle provides an inherently more suitable platform.
^ This is very important for anyone planning upgrades, as well as for longer-term maintenance, and I also consider this to be a very big plus in terms of the purchase of an older "performance vehicle."
Similarly, I would also rank high the availability of community support, which, for both of the OP's interested vehicles, are definitely among the best of the on-line generation.
I don't want to achieve massive power. The mods I would do would be "basic" bolt ons I/H/E for sure. The GTP would surely get a smaller pulley. The DSM might get a larger turbo.
I am not keen on the idea of buying a car that I can only drive in nice weather.
I LOVE the way a Cougar looks - the coug was my first love. The only things that are keeping me away from the coug are the difficulty that comes from adding power and the fact that I am interested in a car with a factory built FI system.
Kremit I still don't understand why you consider the GTP and the DSM so VERY differetn.
I'm not sure about the Talon or Eclipse type cars but my GTP handles quite well in the winter because its bigger and heavier. I use it year round and for a 4-door grocery getter I consider 12s in the 1/4 mile impressive :wink:
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