what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, style?

[mnypitboat]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

Depends on if your talking ab out only the US, or other parts of the world, you do know you can still buy an original old body style VW bug in other parts of the country, even though VW announced it was ceasing production, there are still two plants in other countries thare are producing them.

Where can you buy an 03 Fox body Mustang? If you can produce some research or even a website, I will concede. VW bugs are one thing, they stopped production completely. They still made Mustangs, just not a Fox body.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

We had a 99 M3 convertible as well that was extremely reliable. The only issue we had in 100k was the stupid airbag sensor under the passenger seat. Otherwise not a lick of trouble. It got about 28mpg and handled like it was on rails. I bet you could get one of them in the 10-12k range nowadays. Come to think of it, my 944 turbo was pretty decent too til I started modifying it. Then I started breaking things.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

Ford did not produce the Fox bodied mustang, it was done by and aftermarket company, just as the Shelby mustangs were.

I think I may be a bit old for this conversation, I remember Shelby Mustangs, Yenko Camero's and whole bunch of others that have come along the way. When I start thinking about 03, my Aerostar and Cherokee comes to mind! Of course, I still remember 20 cent a gallon gas and a pack of smokes for 15 cents...cripes I am getting old..

Another one you might look into is the Saleen series of Mustangs, they had some great cars..

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

It is always fun to have these kinds of conversations, because there is no right or wrong answer, only opinions, and they are all based on our experience and our age!

 

[rbh]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

Last years VAUXHAUL?????


YUP watching to much BRIT, TOP GEAR!!!!

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

Well, I have never owned a Chevy in the last 50 years that didn't nickle and dime me to death..they just did not work out for me, and I have had 11 corvettes and 8 camero's, to much work for this old body!

But being honest with you, I never really considered a corvette or a camero a sports car, I have also owned several mustangs, and never considered them sports cars, now one of my favorites that I owned, that almost killed me was my 1966 Plymouth Hemi Convertible, had tons of power, but could not take a corner worth a darn!

If you talk to an old school Sports Car guy, if it had roll up windows it wasnt a real sports car. Funny you consider the 66 a sports car. I wouldnt call a Camaro or a Firebird a sports car, nor a Mustang for that matter. More of a pony car. Sporty, yes, sports car, not really. The Corvette. Yeah, its pretty close to what I would call a sports car. 2 seater, low slung. I am surprised you had issues with yours. I drove the crap out of mine, and the LS1 and LS6 engines just kept going. Of course I maintain the crap out of them too. My wife has a 5.3 in her Trailblazer. Same basic engine, but cast iron block instead of aluminum. Just reaching 100k, and all we have done to it is a reostat on the climate control, $80, and an auto shift cable, $90. Otherwise just general maintainance.

For fear of getting political, I will say this. With what is going on at GM these days, I wont buy another new one. I can promise you that.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

Ford did not produce the Fox bodied mustang, it was done by and aftermarket company, just as the Shelby mustangs were.

I think I may be a bit old for this conversation, I remember Shelby Mustangs, Yenko Camero's and whole bunch of others that have come along the way. When I start thinking about 03, my Aerostar and Cherokee comes to mind! Of course, I still remember 20 cent a gallon gas and a pack of smokes for 15 cents...cripes I am getting old..

Another one you might look into is the Saleen series of Mustangs, they had some great cars..

Huh? Ford produced the Fox body mustang from 79 to 93. Look at those websited I linked.

Saleens were cool, but a bit pricey and a bit troublesome. If you go with a Mustang, go with the 03/04 Cobra "Terminator". Very fast and very reliable if you dont beat on it. and the best part is that cool whistle of the S/C under the hood.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

It is always fun to have these kinds of conversations, because there is no right or wrong answer, only opinions, and they are all based on our experience and our age!

You are right about that. But it gives the OP something to think about, some options, and ultimately can get a feel for what is out there and go drive a couple.

 

[JB]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

The OP question is: "What sports car would you get. . . "

There are no wrong answers.

 

[Cofe]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

I know you are talking high end sports cars, but if you want a great sleeper car that will beat many modern sports cars, then look at the Ford Taurus SHO. I was really surprised with the Yamaha motor version of 1989. Here is a good link to check out......http://www.carnewsbreak.com/news/1039701_1989-ford-taurus-sho--the-once-and-future-sleepe

 

[ezmobee]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

WANT!

Pontiac G8

or I'd settle for one of these GTO's

On the cheap end, Toyota MR2's and Honda Preludes are pretty darn fun to drive for a couple grand.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

I think a Pontiac Solstice would solve my midlife crisis affordably.

 

[drrpm]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

I'd pick a Porsche Cayman or BMW M3 (E46).

 

[25thmustang]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

Where can you buy an 03 Fox body Mustang? If you can produce some research or even a website, I will concede. VW bugs are one thing, they stopped production completely. They still made Mustangs, just not a Fox body.

I haven't read this whole thread, but having been around Mustangs for some time, I might as well chime in.

The fox body is a term for the 1979-1993 bodied Mustangs. The Chassis that continued to 2004 was actually based off the Fairmont. It is correct that the chassis from the 1979-2004 cars is almost exactly the same, but the cars referred to as "fox body" were the 1979-1993. The 1994-1998 were referred to as the SN-95 cars, and the 1999-2004 were usually called the "new edge". The 2004+ is referred to as S197.

Under $20K, good reliable sports car, the Mustangs not a bad choice, but even the 2004-2010 4.6 cars were heavy and needed a bit more power (IMO). The C5 Vette is a great choice.

Whatever you get, please do NOT get an automatic version.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

Also, I'm not sure where someone heard Ford not producing the fox body Mustangs. They did, it was the convertibles that were sent out and done by another party. The T-top cars might have been the same, but only lasted into the late 80s.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

WANT!

Pontiac G8

or I'd settle for one of these GTO's

I think a Pontiac Solstice would solve my midlife crisis affordably.

I like all 3 choices. For a GTO I would go with an '05 or '06. They had the LS2 where the '04 had the LS1. For $20k you could get a real nice, low mileage '06.

A Vette is always on the list, at least for me.....

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

I haven't read this whole thread, but having been around Mustangs for some time, I might as well chime in.

The fox body is a term for the 1979-1993 bodied Mustangs. The Chassis that continued to 2004 was actually based off the Fairmont. It is correct that the chassis from the 1979-2004 cars is almost exactly the same, but the cars referred to as "fox body" were the 1979-1993. The 1994-1998 were referred to as the SN-95 cars, and the 1999-2004 were usually called the "new edge". The 2004+ is referred to as S197.

Under $20K, good reliable sports car, the Mustangs not a bad choice, but even the 2004-2010 4.6 cars were heavy and needed a bit more power (IMO). The C5 Vette is a great choice.

Whatever you get, please do NOT get an automatic version.

Thank you. I was beginning to think I was going nuts. I kept looking for the elusive 03 Fox body. LOL

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

What would I get? Dunno, already have what I wanted...

01 Audi TT

I have an aftermarket controller for the wet clutch pack that manages power bias front to rear, compression/rebound adjustable coilovers, polyurathane bushings thruout the suspension, Ground Control 'race' camber plates, manual boost controller, upgraded intake related stuff, and I cut the muffler off. Its got a turbo, it doesnt need a muffler.

Bought it for $10K, and 5 years later and 60K more miles, its worth about $10K

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

I know you are talking high end sports cars, but if you want a great sleeper car that will beat many modern sports cars, then look at the Ford Taurus SHO. I was really surprised with the Yamaha motor version of 1989. Here is a good link to check out......http://www.carnewsbreak.com/news/1039701_1989-ford-taurus-sho--the-once-and-future-sleepe

If he's going to consider a SHO, I would consider nothing but a brand new one. Getting parts for the older SHO's are like getting parts for an OMC King Cobra. Especially the V8 they did in the late 90's. Had issues with cam shafts breaking, and no replacement part's available.

 

[Philip_G]

Re: what late model (5-10 yr)sports car would you get - maint., economy, handling, st

20k I'd go with a C5 vette, if you can squeeze out about 30k you should be able to drive away with a C6.
Run far away from the rx8, no power, horrible mileage to boot. I won't even get into the rotary..

I had an 04 gto when they came out, good bang for the buck, especially with a supercharger and the holdens are built pretty well

I wouldn't mind a G8 GXP for a daily driver but people are WAY too proud of them still.

If you didn't mind straying from the sports car thing an early cadillac CTS-V should be about in reach.

Mustang with the modular? no thanks, but a fox body if you can find a clean one cheap wouldn't be a bad project/toy.