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Feb 14, 2017 10:53:10 GMT
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As kid my dream cars were always American. Shows like Knight Right, Dukes of Hazard, The A-Team etc all brought on this desire to own something as stylish, brutal and loud…a V8. I started driving after eleven years of riding motorcycles every day.
The harsh weather was taking its toll on me and that’s where I began my car journey. I’ve been driving classics as daily’s, all of them pretty rare but I’ve decided that it’s time to get two vehicles and use one as a daily but keep something special under cover…saving it for nice days and shows.
My current car is everything a car should be, without the niggling worry of failing sensors and new-fangled technology that you can’t replace. It’s super-fast with good road holding and comfort, just what I was looking for at the time.
So, my worry now is that as I’ve built up to this point, will I be forever disappointed with a yank tank? I’m not confining myself to an era, it could be almost any age but I’d prefer classic American muscle. Obviously the draw to tax free motoring is appealing to. I want something that’s easily going to reach a ton and purr along all day, preferably a manual. Road holding wasn’t their specialty I know but I guess suspension can be uprated on my things these days.
Lastly there’s the budget, I’d be looking to pay between £5-15,000. It’s not much but I think I could bag something I could refine even further for that.
So, just sticking it out there, what cars could fit this category from the states?
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misteralz
Posted a lot
I may drive a Volkswagen, but I'm scene tax exempt!
Posts: 2,342
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Feb 14, 2017 11:11:14 GMT
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Nothing. You also don't say what your current car is, so we can't properly calibrate your disappointmentometer.
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Feb 14, 2017 11:21:48 GMT
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Current car is a '95 Soarer. Twin turbo manual. (Currently for sale) |
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Feb 14, 2017 12:23:41 GMT
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Not old but - corvette C5
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1970 Porsche 911E
2002 Porsche Boxster S
2002 Peugeot Partner 1.9sdi
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thebaron
Europe
Over the river, heading out of town
Posts: 1,648 
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Feb 14, 2017 13:14:37 GMT
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Not old but - corvette C5 This is a very good shout when looking at your requirements. Looks good Quick OOB Drive pretty well. LS will take all manner of Modifications. Huge tuning potential. No rust Reliable. |
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Feb 14, 2017 15:08:17 GMT
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Current car is a '95 Soarer. Ouch. If you are used to Japanese build quality, any US car will be a disappointment. |
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93fxdl
Posted a lot
Enter your message here...
Posts: 2,000
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Feb 14, 2017 16:23:30 GMT
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Looking at your current wheels, I would think you should avoid any of the muscle cars, try concentrating on non sporty stuff, day vans, pickups or even station wagons, the vehicles where the style of the ride is more important than the performance,
Lowriders would be an example of this, but a nice 50s sled probably would bust the budget
Ttfn Glenn
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You could start out with a sound US import like this one. Put up with the straight 6 while you find yourself a V8 to rebuild. Repaint / re-trim as a GT lookeylikey and watch as the the world drools. Mustang straight 6 : £10K  |
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Not old but - corvette C5 Funnily enough my old man is looking at a C5 or C6, so I wouldn't be copying him 
I do think I want a classic, regardless of performance, it's for the style of the ride, oh and the sound.
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You could start out with a sound US import like this one. Put up with the straight 6 while you find yourself a V8 to rebuild. Repaint / re-trim as a GT lookeylikey and watch as the the world drools. Hey that's not a bad shout, and getting a V8 in there wouldn't be much of a problem. Would the manual box be suitable? I do wonder if I'd always be yearning for the fast back...like owning a 924 and wanting a 911.
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Hi mate
I had a few V8's. The Chrysler I had was just 100% awesome. It was loud but not silly loud. It was comfortable but thirsty.
A 160 KM daily commute killed the dream.
I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It was fast, loud and not that thirsty. I hated it all the way.
Would I get another US v8 Ohh yes. They are great. My wife in her BMW would leave me for death but the sound of a v8 is sooooo
addictive...take one for a spin. Find a long tunnel, open your windows and kick it a gear back.....Your addiction has now officialy started!!
My dream would be a late 70's Camaro or a Cuttlas or a Caprice wagon or a....I like 'm all as long as they are big and kinda loud...
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My son drives an early '90s 2.5 twin turbo Soarer and is very pleased with it. He deliberately chose an automatic since he does a lot of driving in city traffic but he tells me it goes pretty hard all the same.
That old six banger Mustang would suit me just fine for a daily. Wouldn't spoil it by putting a V8 in it and pretending it is something it is not. Tidy base model ones like that must be in the same category as poor quality wobbly children's play pony curse word nowadays.
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Why is poor quality wobbly children's play pony not permitted?
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A pox on the auto censor editing function. May the fleas of a thousand camels infest its armpits.
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Why do we think old American cars are badly made piles of curse word?
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My son drives an early '90s 2.5 twin turbo Soarer and is very pleased with it. He deliberately chose an automatic since he does a lot of driving in city traffic but he tells me it goes pretty hard all the same. That old six banger Mustang would suit me just fine for a daily. Wouldn't spoil it by putting a V8 in it and pretending it is something it is not. Tidy base model ones like that must be in the same category as poor quality wobbly children's play pony curse word nowadays.
When I saw this manual for sale I jumped at the chance. it's rare, reliable, fast...pretty much everything you'd want but there's something missing. I miss classics. I travelled many miles in 80's vehicles and this step into the 90's has been a nice change but I know where my passion lies. The Mustang would be nice to potter about in, I quite like the car how it is in the listing. I must admit, having a mustang that doesn't sound like a V8 doesn't appeal so much.
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Very little beats the sound of a sweet six on full song.
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Why do we think old American cars are badly made piles of curse word?
I don't mind the quirkiness of classics, I've had a fair few and I admire the inspired design. I haven't been in that many American cars...a Plymouth Satellite, Z28, Cuda and I like them. The 80s Trans Am I went to look at last week was quit alien to me after spending so long with European and Japanese 80's cars.
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I shouldn't worry too much about handling, and power to weight ratios etc if you've got an American car itch to scratch. You just have to realise that they will be a lot different to what you are used to, not necessarily better or worse, but different. Its all part of the experience. Also to be fair muscle cars, and American cars in general are best suited to cruising, so don't worry too much about having an auto, it's no bad thing. I flit from all sorts of cars from classics, to modern, to muscle cars, to pick ups, to sports cars, to 4x4s, and they're all good, and I enjoy them all for what they are, you just have to realise each car's strengths and weaknesses. For the budget you have you could get something really quite cool, and enjoyable... £6000 would buy you this...  You too could be Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit! But seriously, get out there, have a look at various different American cars, talk to their owners, have a drive of them, see what they're about. Oh and don't worry too much about fuel economy, they're not generally as bad as everyone thinks, my Firebird above is pretty good, I've had thirstier Vauxhalls! Now get out there and scratch that itch!  |
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Feb 15, 2017 10:21:03 GMT
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Very little beats the sound of a sweet six on full song. I have a 3 litre straight 6 and a 5 litre V8. The V8 sounds much better. |
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