Dreams......Muscle/Pony Cars.......What to do??
Discussion
Hello all,
I've been on pistonheads for a while now and have a various weekend toys, most recently a TVR Chimaera. I've just sold the TVR to fund my upcoming wedding next year.
Well, For the past ten years i've wanted to follow my childhood dream of owning a late 60's early 70's muscle/pony car. Every time i get close my head overules my heart and i buy something more sensible (Capri, Jap imports etc).
We'll since i now have a mortgage, i'm engaged/wedding approaching fast, getting close to 30 and the other half hinting at kids i realised my days of spending fortunes on cars is not going to last forever. So post wedding if i'm going to live the dream, it will be have to be then or possibly never.
This is where i need your advice on many fronts.
Firstly when i say post wedding, i mean time to accrue enough funds to get a decent choice, so i'll be looking at early 2011 (i know, talk about premature). I'll be looking at around £10k to spend (again i understand the muscle car revival and soaring prices but lets base it on todays choice).
It will be garaged and used solely as a weekend toy/warm summer nights. I have a standard UK garage at which the TVR fitted in fine. I've checked various cars for sizes and have made sure they can fit (Carfolio).
Roadrunners, Challengers and Chargers are out of my price range so, my list so far compromises:
66-69 Mustang.
68-74 Chevy Nova.
Circa 70 Dodge Dart.
Circa 70 Plymouth Duster.
Early 70's Camaro.
Corvette C3.
My fave 2 are my original love (mustang) and the car i can't stop thinking about (Nova), though i've not discounted any of the above.
The mustang and corvette seem to have a good uk backing with many owners and forums based here for all tech queries, parts and advice. The others i have yet to find an active UK forum for.
So any suggestions greatfully recieved??
Owners of above cars......any advice really on the reality of owning such a car?? I've often heard that dreams don't neccesarily become a great reality??
Gatherings/Events....A major part for me with both the TVR and MR2 was the weekend events/meetings etc. I'm midlands (halesowen) based and would love to see some of these cars in the flesh and talk to various owners in person for advice. Are there some that i should put on the calendar for this year/next??
What are the 60's 70's American cars like on british roads??
I know you shouldnt ask such a silly question regardin these cars but, Fuel consumtion. With the TVR it was high teens and expensive servicing. I'b be looking for a 302/350 or max 383, so what should i expect in real world driving terms (sunday blast) in MPG or more importantly, as with the TVR, miles per tank??
I have many more questions but have asked the main ones here! I will ask more at a later date.
Thanks for the advice,
Dave
I've been on pistonheads for a while now and have a various weekend toys, most recently a TVR Chimaera. I've just sold the TVR to fund my upcoming wedding next year.
Well, For the past ten years i've wanted to follow my childhood dream of owning a late 60's early 70's muscle/pony car. Every time i get close my head overules my heart and i buy something more sensible (Capri, Jap imports etc).
We'll since i now have a mortgage, i'm engaged/wedding approaching fast, getting close to 30 and the other half hinting at kids i realised my days of spending fortunes on cars is not going to last forever. So post wedding if i'm going to live the dream, it will be have to be then or possibly never.
This is where i need your advice on many fronts.
Firstly when i say post wedding, i mean time to accrue enough funds to get a decent choice, so i'll be looking at early 2011 (i know, talk about premature). I'll be looking at around £10k to spend (again i understand the muscle car revival and soaring prices but lets base it on todays choice).
It will be garaged and used solely as a weekend toy/warm summer nights. I have a standard UK garage at which the TVR fitted in fine. I've checked various cars for sizes and have made sure they can fit (Carfolio).
Roadrunners, Challengers and Chargers are out of my price range so, my list so far compromises:
66-69 Mustang.
68-74 Chevy Nova.
Circa 70 Dodge Dart.
Circa 70 Plymouth Duster.
Early 70's Camaro.
Corvette C3.
My fave 2 are my original love (mustang) and the car i can't stop thinking about (Nova), though i've not discounted any of the above.
The mustang and corvette seem to have a good uk backing with many owners and forums based here for all tech queries, parts and advice. The others i have yet to find an active UK forum for.
So any suggestions greatfully recieved??
Owners of above cars......any advice really on the reality of owning such a car?? I've often heard that dreams don't neccesarily become a great reality??
Gatherings/Events....A major part for me with both the TVR and MR2 was the weekend events/meetings etc. I'm midlands (halesowen) based and would love to see some of these cars in the flesh and talk to various owners in person for advice. Are there some that i should put on the calendar for this year/next??
What are the 60's 70's American cars like on british roads??
I know you shouldnt ask such a silly question regardin these cars but, Fuel consumtion. With the TVR it was high teens and expensive servicing. I'b be looking for a 302/350 or max 383, so what should i expect in real world driving terms (sunday blast) in MPG or more importantly, as with the TVR, miles per tank??
I have many more questions but have asked the main ones here! I will ask more at a later date.
Thanks for the advice,
Dave
musclecarmad said:
Dave81 said:
Hello all,
I've been on pistonheads for a while now and have a various weekend toys, most recently a TVR Chimaera. I've just sold the TVR to fund my upcoming wedding next year.
Well, For the past ten years i've wanted to follow my childhood dream of owning a late 60's early 70's muscle/pony car. Every time i get close my head overules my heart and i buy something more sensible (Capri, Jap imports etc).
We'll since i now have a mortgage, i'm engaged/wedding approaching fast, getting close to 30 and the other half hinting at kids i realised my days of spending fortunes on cars is not going to last forever. So post wedding if i'm going to live the dream, it will be have to be then or possibly never.
This is where i need your advice on many fronts.
Firstly when i say post wedding, i mean time to accrue enough funds to get a decent choice, so i'll be looking at early 2011 (i know, talk about premature). I'll be looking at around £10k to spend (again i understand the muscle car revival and soaring prices but lets base it on todays choice).
It will be garaged and used solely as a weekend toy/warm summer nights. I have a standard UK garage at which the TVR fitted in fine. I've checked various cars for sizes and have made sure they can fit (Carfolio).
Roadrunners, Challengers and Chargers are out of my price range so, my list so far compromises:
66-69 Mustang.
68-74 Chevy Nova.
Circa 70 Dodge Dart.
Circa 70 Plymouth Duster.
Early 70's Camaro.
Corvette C3.
My fave 2 are my original love (mustang) and the car i can't stop thinking about (Nova), though i've not discounted any of the above.
The mustang and corvette seem to have a good uk backing with many owners and forums based here for all tech queries, parts and advice. The others i have yet to find an active UK forum for.
So any suggestions greatfully recieved??
Owners of above cars......any advice really on the reality of owning such a car?? I've often heard that dreams don't neccesarily become a great reality??
Gatherings/Events....A major part for me with both the TVR and MR2 was the weekend events/meetings etc. I'm midlands (halesowen) based and would love to see some of these cars in the flesh and talk to various owners in person for advice. Are there some that i should put on the calendar for this year/next??
What are the 60's 70's American cars like on british roads??
I know you shouldnt ask such a silly question regardin these cars but, Fuel consumtion. With the TVR it was high teens and expensive servicing. I'b be looking for a 302/350 or max 383, so what should i expect in real world driving terms (sunday blast) in MPG or more importantly, as with the TVR, miles per tank??
I have many more questions but have asked the main ones here! I will ask more at a later date.
Thanks for the advice,
Dave
You will have to discount the more 'desirable' cars as ten grand won't get you much unfortunately mate. I'd discount a mustang as you won't get a nice one at all.I've been on pistonheads for a while now and have a various weekend toys, most recently a TVR Chimaera. I've just sold the TVR to fund my upcoming wedding next year.
Well, For the past ten years i've wanted to follow my childhood dream of owning a late 60's early 70's muscle/pony car. Every time i get close my head overules my heart and i buy something more sensible (Capri, Jap imports etc).
We'll since i now have a mortgage, i'm engaged/wedding approaching fast, getting close to 30 and the other half hinting at kids i realised my days of spending fortunes on cars is not going to last forever. So post wedding if i'm going to live the dream, it will be have to be then or possibly never.
This is where i need your advice on many fronts.
Firstly when i say post wedding, i mean time to accrue enough funds to get a decent choice, so i'll be looking at early 2011 (i know, talk about premature). I'll be looking at around £10k to spend (again i understand the muscle car revival and soaring prices but lets base it on todays choice).
It will be garaged and used solely as a weekend toy/warm summer nights. I have a standard UK garage at which the TVR fitted in fine. I've checked various cars for sizes and have made sure they can fit (Carfolio).
Roadrunners, Challengers and Chargers are out of my price range so, my list so far compromises:
66-69 Mustang.
68-74 Chevy Nova.
Circa 70 Dodge Dart.
Circa 70 Plymouth Duster.
Early 70's Camaro.
Corvette C3.
My fave 2 are my original love (mustang) and the car i can't stop thinking about (Nova), though i've not discounted any of the above.
The mustang and corvette seem to have a good uk backing with many owners and forums based here for all tech queries, parts and advice. The others i have yet to find an active UK forum for.
So any suggestions greatfully recieved??
Owners of above cars......any advice really on the reality of owning such a car?? I've often heard that dreams don't neccesarily become a great reality??
Gatherings/Events....A major part for me with both the TVR and MR2 was the weekend events/meetings etc. I'm midlands (halesowen) based and would love to see some of these cars in the flesh and talk to various owners in person for advice. Are there some that i should put on the calendar for this year/next??
What are the 60's 70's American cars like on british roads??
I know you shouldnt ask such a silly question regardin these cars but, Fuel consumtion. With the TVR it was high teens and expensive servicing. I'b be looking for a 302/350 or max 383, so what should i expect in real world driving terms (sunday blast) in MPG or more importantly, as with the TVR, miles per tank??
I have many more questions but have asked the main ones here! I will ask more at a later date.
Thanks for the advice,
Dave
i can only speak about a chevy v8 and they are ultra reliable and very cheap to fix and repair.
there is not much to go wrong.
henderson taylor for insurance will be about one hundred and fifty quid a year for anything yank
free road tax too and zero residuals.
anything after about 1971 is down on power due to emmissions controls unless it has been tuned.
surprisingly good one fuel - about 20 mpg in my 70 camaro z28
the bigger 'muscle' cars won't fit in a standard garage without some real effort such as a plymouth duster - my camaro just fits in width wise and length wise
buy a good one not a poor one as you will get your money back on resale
there is a gorgeous red firebird on ebay for twelve grand which looks lovely and will be quite quick
the above is mine and its for sale at £14950 no offers but you can get a nice ish camaro for ten grand i'd have thought if you know where to look.
corvettes are nice i know a guy that sold a nice one for about eight grand about six months ago
there are a good few on ebay
they aren't great to drive round corners but they are more about the 'event' of driving.
go to drag strips for events such as at santa pod and york dragway. there are also many other events throughout the year
oh and you only live once!
£10K should currently get you a fairly reasonable late 70's 350 cu in Vette- at the moment - scorned by many for too long as being a bit 'pussy' and lo-po 'cos of emissions - many will have had engine hop-ups - handling with suspension in good order and modern tyres and shockers can be surprisingly good despite what some may say - economy will really depend on the state of engine tune and be anywhere between 12/14 and low/mid 20's on a run. My big block 489 cu in manual with 500+ bhp and mofo 950 cfm carb actually manages to scrape 16 mpg on a run - many mechanical spares are readily avaiable and generic to other GM stuff - may be expensive to import trim and body parts though.
Edited by roscobbc on Tuesday 20th October 00:57
You may get an F-body in a modern garage, but you won't be able to get out of it easily. I used to climb out of the window and across the roof/boot with my old Firebird. Even shutting the garage door was a problem. I had to 'relieve' parts of it so the exhaust tips wouldn't buckle.
As others have said, and as you also acknowledge, £10,000 will be pretty much entry level for anything desirable by the time you're ready to buy, but there will always be dreamers out there who think their cars are worth big money. Mustangs seem to be going up in value every month, although I reckon you'll be able to grab one requiring some work for about £10k. Personally, I can't see F-bodies going much above £10-12k in the next couple of years; they'd need to be truly exceptional/desirable (BB?) and numbers matching. You'll know which ones are overpriced; they'll be for sale for months.
From your list, I'd go for one of the Mopars. I don't think there are many Novas in the country, unless you intend to import one yourself. Whatever you get, make sure it's a V8, enjoy it, and don't even consider the price of fuel.
As others have said, and as you also acknowledge, £10,000 will be pretty much entry level for anything desirable by the time you're ready to buy, but there will always be dreamers out there who think their cars are worth big money. Mustangs seem to be going up in value every month, although I reckon you'll be able to grab one requiring some work for about £10k. Personally, I can't see F-bodies going much above £10-12k in the next couple of years; they'd need to be truly exceptional/desirable (BB?) and numbers matching. You'll know which ones are overpriced; they'll be for sale for months.
From your list, I'd go for one of the Mopars. I don't think there are many Novas in the country, unless you intend to import one yourself. Whatever you get, make sure it's a V8, enjoy it, and don't even consider the price of fuel.
You will probably find a nice Mustang notchback (called coupe) but not the far more desirable fastback. A friend of mine has just bought a Mercury Cougar which is basically a Mustang underneath though lacking the desirability and cachet of the pony.
Mopars are far harder to get parts for - a friend of mine has had a Roadrunner and a Charger and they do seem to have foibles.
You can't really go wrong with a Chevy although the Corvette has a fibreglass body and they can also have issues so you need to buy a good one. Several years ago, thetre was a stunner for sale for £13k but I imgine it would be more than that now. I've also seen very bad Corvettes - the fibreglass tends to develop pinholes underneath and the air gets in and the paintwork bubbles.
2nd gens Camaros and Firebirds have to be looked at with care because they rot to hell and back so again, you need to buy a good one that has been kept in the dry.
Garages are variable but if you have intrusions halfway along, it will be difficult to open the door. I've had a 1972 Chrysler Valiant in mine and of course 4 door cars have shorter doors to get out of. 4 door cars are an option - cars like the Plymouth Satellite for example and will be cheaper than 2 doors.
Personally, I would approach it from a carte blanche point of view. Go and see anything and buy the car that is in the best condition. This may mean the less desirable cars. Bear in mind that 60's cars drive like 60's cars with very little steering feel.
You may want to consider something later like a C4 Corvette - great value at the moment.
Mopars are far harder to get parts for - a friend of mine has had a Roadrunner and a Charger and they do seem to have foibles.
You can't really go wrong with a Chevy although the Corvette has a fibreglass body and they can also have issues so you need to buy a good one. Several years ago, thetre was a stunner for sale for £13k but I imgine it would be more than that now. I've also seen very bad Corvettes - the fibreglass tends to develop pinholes underneath and the air gets in and the paintwork bubbles.
2nd gens Camaros and Firebirds have to be looked at with care because they rot to hell and back so again, you need to buy a good one that has been kept in the dry.
Garages are variable but if you have intrusions halfway along, it will be difficult to open the door. I've had a 1972 Chrysler Valiant in mine and of course 4 door cars have shorter doors to get out of. 4 door cars are an option - cars like the Plymouth Satellite for example and will be cheaper than 2 doors.
Personally, I would approach it from a carte blanche point of view. Go and see anything and buy the car that is in the best condition. This may mean the less desirable cars. Bear in mind that 60's cars drive like 60's cars with very little steering feel.
You may want to consider something later like a C4 Corvette - great value at the moment.
t, its a foot too short" 
Poncho pilot said:
That does look like a good buy.. If I wasn't so so heavily invested in mine I'd have it.. Thanks for the info guys.
As has been noted normal Nova's seem to be uber rare over here, though there are stacks on Ebay USA so believe i'd have to import if i'm not extreamly lucky.
Nice Firebird......Wedding next May, and saving, so 2011 at earliest for funds.
Can someone explain F-Body and the other derivatives in laymans terms please?
As per sizing my garage was built by my late Grandad, so going from the sizes from Carfolio all of the cars i have listed will fit width ways. Garage is around 6 meters long with no narrowing obstructions (other than tumble dryer and access via inwards opening door to garden at rear).
The black Camaro would be right up my street regarding the whole spec. Saw this for sale a while ago aswell. Very nice.
Mopars look fantastic, but spares, parts and all that regarding rarirty and issues slightly concerns me. This is why Chevy and Ford seem the obvious choice considering the amount of engine specialists here in the UK (not sure on the Mopar front?, and not dicounting them at all though).
Still looking for Forums and shows to go to over the next 12 months for advice gathering???
Thanks,
Dave
As has been noted normal Nova's seem to be uber rare over here, though there are stacks on Ebay USA so believe i'd have to import if i'm not extreamly lucky.
Nice Firebird......Wedding next May, and saving, so 2011 at earliest for funds.
Can someone explain F-Body and the other derivatives in laymans terms please?
As per sizing my garage was built by my late Grandad, so going from the sizes from Carfolio all of the cars i have listed will fit width ways. Garage is around 6 meters long with no narrowing obstructions (other than tumble dryer and access via inwards opening door to garden at rear).
The black Camaro would be right up my street regarding the whole spec. Saw this for sale a while ago aswell. Very nice.
Mopars look fantastic, but spares, parts and all that regarding rarirty and issues slightly concerns me. This is why Chevy and Ford seem the obvious choice considering the amount of engine specialists here in the UK (not sure on the Mopar front?, and not dicounting them at all though).
Still looking for Forums and shows to go to over the next 12 months for advice gathering???
Thanks,
Dave
A Corvette is a Y-body but not referred to as such as there is only one model.
The F-Body is used as shorthand because the Firebird and Camaro are spun off the same shell. InitiallY, the first and 2nd gen Firebirds used different engines to the Chevrolets which used the very prolific 5.7 small-block. Because the F-bodies together couldn't outsell the Mustang, they began to converge and by the 3rd gen the two cars were basically the same with different front and rears and interior differences. The Firebird was the upmarket car, the Chevy the street stripper although this became increasingly blurred as Pontiac produced the 3rd gen "Formula" which was essentially a lighter Trans Am.
The 4th gen F-bodies were again identical mechanically although the use of plastic panels allowed for greater design differences at front, rear and sides.
1st gen - 1967-1969 (Firebird came along later than the Camaro)
2nd gen - 1970 - 1981 (although the cars evolved through this period, the Firebird going from single headlight "bullnose" to Smokey and the Bandit quad-square-lamp front ends with and without grille)
3rd gen - 1982-1992
4th gen 1993-2002
Models can be different but essentially a Firebird will have a V6 and a Trans Am/Formula will have a V8. The 3rd gen added a GTA. The Chevy is a bit more complicated dependent on generation but the top model was juggled between Z28 and SS. On the 3rd gen the RS was a V6 with optional V8 but on the 1st gen, it was an options package.
The F-Body is used as shorthand because the Firebird and Camaro are spun off the same shell. InitiallY, the first and 2nd gen Firebirds used different engines to the Chevrolets which used the very prolific 5.7 small-block. Because the F-bodies together couldn't outsell the Mustang, they began to converge and by the 3rd gen the two cars were basically the same with different front and rears and interior differences. The Firebird was the upmarket car, the Chevy the street stripper although this became increasingly blurred as Pontiac produced the 3rd gen "Formula" which was essentially a lighter Trans Am.
The 4th gen F-bodies were again identical mechanically although the use of plastic panels allowed for greater design differences at front, rear and sides.
1st gen - 1967-1969 (Firebird came along later than the Camaro)
2nd gen - 1970 - 1981 (although the cars evolved through this period, the Firebird going from single headlight "bullnose" to Smokey and the Bandit quad-square-lamp front ends with and without grille)
3rd gen - 1982-1992
4th gen 1993-2002
Models can be different but essentially a Firebird will have a V6 and a Trans Am/Formula will have a V8. The 3rd gen added a GTA. The Chevy is a bit more complicated dependent on generation but the top model was juggled between Z28 and SS. On the 3rd gen the RS was a V6 with optional V8 but on the 1st gen, it was an options package.
Edited by LuS1fer on Tuesday 20th October 14:37
Dave81, be careful of those measurements on carfolio and other websites, some are way out and the width can be based with or without the mirrors. Best look at a few sites on your chosen model and go for the average or larger quoted figure.
Musclecarmad - 20mpg?, your not getting your foot down enough - lol!
Musclecarmad - 20mpg?, your not getting your foot down enough - lol!
MikePCG said:
Dave81, be careful of those measurements on carfolio and other websites, some are way out and the width can be based with or without the mirrors. Best look at a few sites on your chosen model and go for the average or larger quoted figure.
Musclecarmad - 20mpg?, your not getting your foot down enough - lol!
Thanks for the heads up. Will def check before i go to far.Musclecarmad - 20mpg?, your not getting your foot down enough - lol!
I'm going to the classic car show at the NEC (go yearly) and look forward to it every year. Will keep a tabs on the big american meetings for next year too.
Another question?????
I know that Americans were running on unleaded a long time before us, but what do the majority of late 60's early 70's run on???? My Jap Import would only run on 97-99 Ron????
Thanks again Guys and gals.
Dave81 said:
Another question?????
I know that Americans were running on unleaded a long time before us, but what do the majority of late 60's early 70's run on???? My Jap Import would only run on 97-99 Ron????
Thanks again Guys and gals.
I believe that 1975 on and some 1974 californian cars ran unleaded. But there are a few before this that will run ok on it as well. It's a difficult one as most will have already had the necessary modifications made to run unleaded, but some may not. My 72 Camaro SS350 ran unleaded from the factory and I'm pretty sure it was indicated on the dash to use unleaded only (for some reason I can't remember if it was (I owned it for 5 years?) must be getting old!I know that Americans were running on unleaded a long time before us, but what do the majority of late 60's early 70's run on???? My Jap Import would only run on 97-99 Ron????
Thanks again Guys and gals.
ALL American cars from 1975 onwards had to run on unleaded (as did any European cars sold into the States) - 'Cooking' American cars 1972 onwards will generally run unleaded as compression ratios on most cars were getting lower this year. Truth is that any pre 1975 American car unless something really special will run on unleaded with no problem.
Personally Id go for a later model Mustang, Camaro or Corvette, or even Monaro. Fuel injection and 30mpg on a trip.
Plus more power, faster etc. Plenty of LSx Camaro's under £10k, C5 Vettes from around £12k, Mudstains are a tad more mainly because they are newer.
Then you get the benefit of much better brakes, suspension and stuff like cd players, ABS, traction control etc. Easier starting, blah blah.
Sure they arnt as "cool" (arguable with the retro mustang and camaro out now). But who wants a leaky, rusty, hard to start, crap brakes old skool musclecar when you can have a practical warm dry, fast, safe late model one at the same price!?
Plus more power, faster etc. Plenty of LSx Camaro's under £10k, C5 Vettes from around £12k, Mudstains are a tad more mainly because they are newer.
Then you get the benefit of much better brakes, suspension and stuff like cd players, ABS, traction control etc. Easier starting, blah blah.
Sure they arnt as "cool" (arguable with the retro mustang and camaro out now). But who wants a leaky, rusty, hard to start, crap brakes old skool musclecar when you can have a practical warm dry, fast, safe late model one at the same price!?
ringram said:
Personally Id go for a later model Mustang, Camaro or Corvette, or even Monaro. Fuel injection and 30mpg on a trip.
Plus more power, faster etc. Plenty of LSx Camaro's under £10k, C5 Vettes from around £12k, Mudstains are a tad more mainly because they are newer.
Then you get the benefit of much better brakes, suspension and stuff like cd players, ABS, traction control etc. Easier starting, blah blah.
Sure they arnt as "cool" (arguable with the retro mustang and camaro out now). But who wants a leaky, rusty, hard to start, crap brakes old skool musclecar when you can have a practical warm dry, fast, safe late model one at the same price!?
Plus more power, faster etc. Plenty of LSx Camaro's under £10k, C5 Vettes from around £12k, Mudstains are a tad more mainly because they are newer.
Then you get the benefit of much better brakes, suspension and stuff like cd players, ABS, traction control etc. Easier starting, blah blah.
Sure they arnt as "cool" (arguable with the retro mustang and camaro out now). But who wants a leaky, rusty, hard to start, crap brakes old skool musclecar when you can have a practical warm dry, fast, safe late model one at the same price!?
Dave81 said:
Mopars look fantastic, but spares, parts and all that regarding rarirty and issues slightly concerns me. This is why Chevy and Ford seem the obvious choice considering the amount of engine specialists here in the UK (not sure on the Mopar front?, and not dicounting them at all though).
Chevys & Fords are for the show & shine owners who are afraid of taking their car to the strip for fear it might break & Mopars are for drag strip pounding street strip owners.Engines are not a problem on Mopars.
Total loss said:
Dave81 said:
Mopars look fantastic, but spares, parts and all that regarding rarirty and issues slightly concerns me. This is why Chevy and Ford seem the obvious choice considering the amount of engine specialists here in the UK (not sure on the Mopar front?, and not dicounting them at all though).
Chevys & Fords are for the show & shine owners who are afraid of taking their car to the strip for fear it might break & Mopars are for drag strip pounding street strip owners.Engines are not a problem on Mopars.ringram said:
Personally Id go for a later model Mustang, Camaro or Corvette, or even Monaro. Fuel injection and 30mpg on a trip.
Plus more power, faster etc. Plenty of LSx Camaro's under £10k, C5 Vettes from around £12k, Mudstains are a tad more mainly because they are newer.
Then you get the benefit of much better brakes, suspension and stuff like cd players, ABS, traction control etc. Easier starting, blah blah.
Sure they arnt as "cool" (arguable with the retro mustang and camaro out now). But who wants a leaky, rusty, hard to start, crap brakes old skool musclecar when you can have a practical warm dry, fast, safe late model one at the same price!?
I agree to an extent with your reasoning here (also the reason i havent owned an old yank as yet), but this is the route i've been before. The problem for me is that if it returns over 30mpg, is warm and had all the modern day equipment and safety features and is a daily drivable car, i would struggle not to use it everyday. This is something that happened with the MR2 and eventually it gets boring. I also lost well over £4k in 18 months of ownership in depreciation.Plus more power, faster etc. Plenty of LSx Camaro's under £10k, C5 Vettes from around £12k, Mudstains are a tad more mainly because they are newer.
Then you get the benefit of much better brakes, suspension and stuff like cd players, ABS, traction control etc. Easier starting, blah blah.
Sure they arnt as "cool" (arguable with the retro mustang and camaro out now). But who wants a leaky, rusty, hard to start, crap brakes old skool musclecar when you can have a practical warm dry, fast, safe late model one at the same price!?
Honest to god the best car i've ever owned was a 2.8i Capri. It cost me £1600 to buy, wasn't economical, could of been used every day but you would of been mental, hit 70 quick enough but wouldn't stop due to the silly size of the front brakes compared to the cars weight. Handling wasnt the best, I took the front end off to get rid of some rust and repainted, and when i opened up the bonnet it had moving parts. For me it all ads to the cars appeal and sense of occasion when driving. The car was the slowest of all 3 weekend cars i've owned in my time but still is the only one i wish i still had. Was an occasion to drive every time and for me there is something about old school metal.
I'll be honest i've looked at C5's, Monaro's and Newer Mustangs (SN95 on) and when you compare prices to what you get it makes financial sense. But, it just doesnt get me like old cars do, and in reality when i have kids then maybe the Ro and Mussi would be a goer.
Getting parts and specialists are the only big concerns i have regarding the older cars....
Thanks,
Dave
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