Moving to Texas - eyeing up a V8. Suggestions?
Discussion
So, I'm heading to Texas A&M in July for an engineering postgrad. With America being the land of cheap cars, cheap petrol and cheap insurance that it is, I'm hoping to get my hands on a nice V8. I've pretty much no idea what's available, so does anyone have a suggestion?
Being a student, my budget wouldn't be too high, maybe 3 grand or so. Scouting Craigslist and the like turned up a load of 3rd gen Camaros, and even a few Porsche 928s!
I'm pretty much open to any ideas, as long as it's relatively sporty, has a manual, and can turn a corner without falling over. :P
Being a student, my budget wouldn't be too high, maybe 3 grand or so. Scouting Craigslist and the like turned up a load of 3rd gen Camaros, and even a few Porsche 928s!
I'm pretty much open to any ideas, as long as it's relatively sporty, has a manual, and can turn a corner without falling over. :P
Gavin is correct - 3 grand is not going to get you much, let alone a V8. Reasonable 928s start at $10k or so, but they are going to be money pits - not ideal for a student, surely?
Given that cars keep their value quite well, if you have some capital to sink, you could buy something more expensive, and get a decent amount of it back later. Running costs will be lower too. $15k might get you a leggy Pontiac GTO?
I wouldn't set your heart on a manual either - not all that common, but in Texas the roads are straight and traffic lights aplenty, so a slush box is a useful companion.
I have just blown some wedge on a 17 month old Audi S4 V8 - my first V8 after more than 3 years here. It has to be done, I certainly support your sentiment...! I can't do American cars though - although Pontiac G8 GTs are bargains in the low to mid $20s and drive quite nicely.
Given that cars keep their value quite well, if you have some capital to sink, you could buy something more expensive, and get a decent amount of it back later. Running costs will be lower too. $15k might get you a leggy Pontiac GTO?
I wouldn't set your heart on a manual either - not all that common, but in Texas the roads are straight and traffic lights aplenty, so a slush box is a useful companion.
I have just blown some wedge on a 17 month old Audi S4 V8 - my first V8 after more than 3 years here. It has to be done, I certainly support your sentiment...! I can't do American cars though - although Pontiac G8 GTs are bargains in the low to mid $20s and drive quite nicely.
Don't fancy your chances much with 3 grand 928s! I'm sure you'll be in the Camaro/Firebird market - this was my idea a few years back too when I was looking to do a placement in Austin actually.
If you take the sporty requirement out you can get something different - my Dad has just bought this for $3200 and I can't wait to take it for a cruise. 1 owner from new, and I think it's only done about 60k:
If you take the sporty requirement out you can get something different - my Dad has just bought this for $3200 and I can't wait to take it for a cruise. 1 owner from new, and I think it's only done about 60k:
One other thing - car insurance is expensive here - more so than the UK in my experience and especially so when you arrive here with no credit or driving history. I am now paying about half what I was when I first arrived, and it is still $2k per year for a 2009 Mazda SUV and a 2008 Audi S4. The S4 was about $80 more per year to insure than a 2007 Golf GTI, so it doesn't seem to be related so much to the type or value of the car... Although I guess with a $3k car you can cut some coverage back to the legal minimum...
...and apologies for being negative and apparently p1ssing on your fire! Just wanting to give a reality check...good luck with your car hunting and your placement. You will be in Austin or College Station?
...and apologies for being negative and apparently p1ssing on your fire! Just wanting to give a reality check...good luck with your car hunting and your placement. You will be in Austin or College Station?
Edited by david968s on Thursday 25th February 15:16
david968s said:
One other thing - car insurance is expensive here - more so than the UK in my experience and especially so when you arrive here with no credit or driving history. I am now paying about half what I was when I first arrived, and it is still $2k per year for a 2009 Mazda SUV and a 2008 Audi S4. The S4 was about $80 more per year to insure than a 2007 Golf GTI, so it doesn't seem to be related so much to the type or value of the car... Although I guess with a $3k car you can cut some coverage back to the legal minimum...
...and apologies for being negative and apparently p1ssing on your fire! Just wanting to give a reality check...good luck with your car hunting and your placement. You will be in Austin or College Station?
I'm headed for College Station - I'll be working in the Flight Research Lab at Easterwood Field....and apologies for being negative and apparently p1ssing on your fire! Just wanting to give a reality check...good luck with your car hunting and your placement. You will be in Austin or College Station?
Edited by david968s on Thursday 25th February 15:16
As for the insurance, that's surprising - I ran a few test quotes with Geico, and to insure a 92 Camaro, with a brand-new Texas licence, would only cost roughly $600 a year! I know that's not fully comp, but even adding the works only pushed it to $8-900. Any way you cut it, that's a lot cheaper than the €1500 I'm currently being fleeced for on a Spacewagon...
BTW, no worries about the realistic view - I'm just trying to see what options are out there, and any info is greatly appreciated
Edited by laylaholic on Thursday 25th February 17:11
With regard to insurance, check the thread a few lines down
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... insurance questions
Matt's comment are quite relavent with regard to credit score, poorer people generally pay more, they live in less desirable neighbourhoods which ups the risk and therefore the premium.
Anyone living at the same address as you will also affect your premium, so three blonde daughters of driving age are not Ferrari compatible, nor would a flat mate with a prev DUI be desirable
Car...assuming that's 3k Sterling then you could start looking for an early to mid 90s Camero/Firebird/TransAm, you should be able to find something for about $5K it'll have a 100K on the clock, but that should not be a problem.
Look at US E bay, put in the zip of Tex A & M set the grab area to 100 miles.
Personally I like the circa 88 Firebirds.
A decent 928 will be well out of your price range as mentioned before.
If it's $5k then it's a project at best. Parts are expensive, an injector cost between 150 and 200 depending on the year, there's8....
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... insurance questions
Matt's comment are quite relavent with regard to credit score, poorer people generally pay more, they live in less desirable neighbourhoods which ups the risk and therefore the premium.
Anyone living at the same address as you will also affect your premium, so three blonde daughters of driving age are not Ferrari compatible, nor would a flat mate with a prev DUI be desirable
Car...assuming that's 3k Sterling then you could start looking for an early to mid 90s Camero/Firebird/TransAm, you should be able to find something for about $5K it'll have a 100K on the clock, but that should not be a problem.
Look at US E bay, put in the zip of Tex A & M set the grab area to 100 miles.
Personally I like the circa 88 Firebirds.
A decent 928 will be well out of your price range as mentioned before.
If it's $5k then it's a project at best. Parts are expensive, an injector cost between 150 and 200 depending on the year, there's8....
Going the Ford route a mid 90's Mustang GT should fit into your budget, its not a bad car and the HO 5.0 is pretty tough so millage should not be an issue (it will have high miles at $3k). If you want something with low miles, a mid 90's Thunderbird is probably the cheapest V8 out there, no one wants them so they as cheap as chips (I just can't get over the looks, not for me). As others have said, its not like the UK, used cars are expensive over here. $3k 928? I'd be amazed if the thing ran, its a boat anchor at best.
Or, buy a great big bloody truck, won't handle all that well (not sure if Texas has corners anyway) but they are a bit of fun and you will fit right in with the rural crowd over in Texas
Or, buy a great big bloody truck, won't handle all that well (not sure if Texas has corners anyway) but they are a bit of fun and you will fit right in with the rural crowd over in Texas
When you get here, you can build one of these!
http://www.youtube.com/user/LS2V8Miata?feature=mob...
Even though mines a one-off I designed and built, there's two Great LSX Miata conversion kit manufacturers now.
What-ever you get, it Better Be Comfortable, Have Tall Gears and Cruise Control because Texas is so Big & Flat with nothing to see for Days!!
http://www.youtube.com/user/LS2V8Miata?feature=mob...
Even though mines a one-off I designed and built, there's two Great LSX Miata conversion kit manufacturers now.
What-ever you get, it Better Be Comfortable, Have Tall Gears and Cruise Control because Texas is so Big & Flat with nothing to see for Days!!
Edited by LS2 V8 Miata on Friday 5th March 22:58
Grady said:
Err - Bring a V8 Wedge with you. Silly low prices in the UK, shipping isn't too bad and it would be a blast in the Hill Country. And you might be able to sell it off here when you go back.
OK maybe not a practical suggestion but I'm appalled by the prices.
Grady
I know what you mean. I gave my 280i Wedge away last year rather than scrap it.OK maybe not a practical suggestion but I'm appalled by the prices.
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