Yank Tank for upto £2000. Am I dreaming...?

[Darren156]

Guys, recently sold my Nissan Skyline and want to replace it with something American, I have about £2000 maximum to spend and need it rather sharpish.

I'm not TOO worried about overall condition, just something with presence that runs and drives well, not too fussed regarding the engine size either, would LOVE a V8 but don't mind a V6 either. For £2K I'm not going to be getting anything that lights up the streets anyway, even if it were a V8, lol

I do like the 80's Camaro's / Firebirds / Trans AM's, but in an ideal world want something from the 60's or 70's. I've been typing CHEVROLET, PONTIAC, DODGE, MERCURY, CADILLAC etc etc over and over again into eBay to see what pops up within my area but so far nothing that decent has caught my attention.

I'm after something like the 1970's Camaro but my budget is restricted with only a 2k budget. I really dont want to have to get a Jaguar XJS but with my budget I might have too, lol

Any advice and help would be appreciated!

[hearselover]

Try these, loads around if you look. Some may need a bit of haggling skill but im sure deals can be reached they almost always can. Realistically your stuck in the 80's or early 90's unless you want to buy a box of bits.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-FORD-MUSTANG-/110694385...

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2821132.htm

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2778667.htm

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1256013.htm

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2859599.htm

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2843676.htm

[steveo3002]

90s mustang v8

think the 60s stuff will be basket cases
http://www.rodsnsods.co.uk/forum/vehicles-sale/199...

[Madscanner]

What about a Fiero - several decent ones on the market for not much money, and insurance can be pretty cheap. They only have two seats, and not a large boot, but you don't buy one for its practicality...

Edited by Madscanner on Thursday 2nd June 18:53

[Wadeski]

sounds like there is a GM B-body in your future

[notransistors]

I owned a 3rd generation ['82-'92] Firebird that lasted from purchase in '83 until I crashed it two years ago. Was ultra-reliable and easy to maintain. [Never ever consider the '82 as it had a p.o.s. automatic that was replaced with something infinitely better the following year].
It is not yet a classic, so prices [at least here in the USA] are still reasonable. A loaded S/E V-8 model has standard 4-speed auto, air, electric windows/locks, t-tops, alloys, 305 V-8 with carb, 4-wheel discs, traction-lock differential, two-tone paint, factory rubber undercoat, etc..... As long as there are no leaky vacuum pipes, the computer will keep soot to a minimum, passing even N.Y. and California inspection.

And the car is a looker. Reminded me of the TR-7 I owned and loved/hated.

[LuS1fer]

Any coupe/pseudo-pony/muscle car will attract high prices. V6s will always be hard to shift and will sell for far less than the inferiority gap between V6/V8 justifies. As posted on another thread, a '93 5.0 HO Thunderbird recently went on ebay for £750 which is based on the same platform as a mustang and at that price, you could certainly "make something" of it even if it were along Mad Max lines.

It's these lesser-known and out-of-hand rejected models that actually provide much of the same with less of the looks. That doesn't bother me and I once had an ugly-as-sin 1973 Chrysler Valiant 4 door 5.2 V8 for £500 with a hand-painted body....cool in a defiantly uncool way.

[steveo3002]

notransistors]I owned a 3rd generation ['82-'92] Firebird that lasted from purchase in '83 until I crashed it two years ago. Was ultra-reliable and easy to maintain. [Never ever consider the '82 as it had a p.o.s. automatic that was replaced with something infinitely better the following year said:

.
It is not yet a classic, so prices [at least here in the USA] are still reasonable. A loaded S/E V-8 model has standard 4-speed auto, air, electric windows/locks, t-tops, alloys, 305 V-8 with carb, 4-wheel discs, traction-lock differential, two-tone paint, factory rubber undercoat, etc..... As long as there are no leaky vacuum pipes, the computer will keep soot to a minimum, passing even N.Y. and California inspection.

And the car is a looker. Reminded me of the TR-7 I owned and loved/hated.

plus they look like knight rider if you get a black one

[Motorama]

http://www.rodsnsods.co.uk/forum/vehicles-sale/86-...

[300bhp/ton]

LuS1fer said:

Any coupe/pseudo-pony/muscle car will attract high prices. V6s will always be hard to shift and will sell for far less than the inferiority gap between V6/V8 justifies. As posted on another thread, a '93 5.0 HO Thunderbird recently went on ebay for £750 which is based on the same platform as a mustang and at that price, you could certainly "make something" of it even if it were along Mad Max lines.

A 93 T-Bird


Is on the MN12 platform, this is pretty unique to the T-Bird and the Merc Cougar. It shares nothging with the Mustang. It's a front engine rwd but with IRS and was an all new platform in 1989. A very good platform in fact, if a little heavy by the then standards (although not by today's).


The earlier T-Birds (83-88) are based on the Fox body platform as shared with the 79-93 Mustangs.

[PaulFontaine]

I would say save up a little more so you can live the american dream and not a nightmare. Even in the US it would be hard to find a solid american piece of quality iron for your price point and given that you are abroad it will make it even more difficult. Stay miles away from the Ford Thunderbird or 4cyl ford mustang, camaro etc.