Inexpensive Muscle-Cars

[dgs49]

I'm daydreaming about trading my "third" car - an '06 M-B C230 Sport - on a used "muscle car" in the Spring (it's currently in storage). With a budget of US$16-18k, there are actually quite a few of them to consider (NOTE: Availability of a stick shift is a must). Consider:

'05/06 Pontiac GTO (the 400hp V8 was made standard in '05),

'04/05 Cadillac CTS-V,

'08/09 Ford Mustang GT,

'09 Chevy HHR-SS,

Chrysler Crossfire SRT6,

Pontiac Solstice GXP (Saturn Sky Redline),

Pontiac G6 GTP,

Dodge Caliber SRT4,

Saab 9-3 Aero,

Nissan 350Z,

The availability of sites like Cars-dot-com and Autotrader makes it possible to filter for the stick shift, low mileage, and CPO (certified pre-owned) vehicles, which can be had with outstanding factory warranties. For a purchase like this, I would be willing to drive quite a distance for the right car/deal. Ideally, a desirable car would be found at an M-B dealer, to maximize the trade value, or alternatively, at a new car dealership that sells the brand I am buying, so I would have at least the hope that the person who traded it liked the car, or that a knowledgeable mechanic has gone over it.

This is a good time to be a car nut.

[quaddriver]

Do something unusual and actually get a muscle car...everything you mentioned is available en masse, to the masses.

for the dollars you mention, find an actual muscle car. Since you are a bit light it wont be a numbers matching largest engine available with a drop top example, but it will be something that turns all heads young and old and gets people to say: I remember......

that is the point no?

(for example on ebay right now, for about 3G too high is a BEAUTIFUL 1977 gran prix SJ with the 6.6 and a t-tops. can you say 500 built?, quite a few 60's cutlass drop tops)

thats how Id spend my disposable 16-18G....

[Liberty1]

I doubt DGs wants to have to work on it, I don't really know, but I would gather he likes driving and not working on cars. Therefore I think most of his choices are pretty good. I would limit them to these however.

'05/06 Pontiac GTO (the 400hp V8 was made standard in '05),

'04/05 Cadillac CTS-V,

'08/09 Ford Mustang GT,

Nissan 350Z

My Bro-in-law has a mustang GT, lots of fun, cheap parts and reliable.

I would love a 350Z, but they are really small inside, if you are over 6 feet tall like me, it's probably not an option.

[dgs49]

I have no interest in working on cars, or paying others to work on them (other than routine repairs). No doubt it would be possible to cobble together an insanely fast vehicle by dropping a crate motor in an old junker, or modifying an old Mustang or Camaro, but I wouldn't be interested in that.

Based on published information, none of the 60's mid-size muscle cars can perform with the cars I've named. The CTS-V, GTO and Mustang GT are all capable of 0-60 times just a tic over 5 seconds. And they can actually go around a bend at speed as well, without causing driver panic.

When it's pure speed I want, I can ride my bike - a Vulcan 2000 - which goes from zero to 60 in about the time it takes to say "Throw out the anchor! This is too damn fast!"

[dales]

'05/06 Pontiac GTO (the 400hp V8 was made standard in '05),

'04/05 Cadillac CTS-V,

'08/09 Ford Mustang GT,

'09 Chevy HHR-SS,

Chrysler Crossfire SRT6,

Pontiac Solstice GXP (Saturn Sky Redline),

Pontiac G6 GTP,

Dodge Caliber SRT4,

Saab 9-3 Aero,

Nissan 350Z,

buy a "sleeper" you'll have a much more fun

[Jarlaxle]

What about a 1998-2002 Camaro Z28, a Firebird Formula, or a Trans Am...for your budget, you can get a well-kept Camaro SS or Pontiac Firehawk with 6-speed, or a regular Z28 or T/A ragtop. They are rocketships, good handlers, and will pull down 28MPG on a road trip. (Gotta love that double overdrive 6-speed!)

Also, they are 4-door sedans, but don't overlook the Pontiac G8 and the Dodge Charger SRT8! The SRT8 especially...WOW.

[dgs49]

Yeah, those Camaro's and Firebird's are an option, although I never liked their ergonomics. I would NOT get a ragtop - they are structurally weak, and rattle like a bucket of bolts when you close the doors.

Along the same lines, I've always liked the old Mitsu 3000GT, and it is still possible to get a VR4 with relatively low miles.

I crossed the Mopars off the list because none of them is available with a stick. I realize that the slushboxes are wonderful, but I want to decide for myself how to drive.

[Liberty1]

Yeah, those Camaro's and Firebird's are an option

I never cared much for their looks, they always seemed to be styled like they were trying too hard to look cool.

[Jarlaxle]

Styled for aero, actually.

[dgs49]

I thought they DID (do) look cool.

Which was why I was totally mystified about how Mustangs outsold Camaros and Firebirds combined in the late '90's.

The only criticism that was on the mark, as far as I was concerned was that the overhangs were ridiculous. They were structurally too weak to have the long wheelbase that they should have.

And I believe they did not have reclining seats (I know my earlier one didn't), which is ridiculous.

[Jarlaxle]

No idea on the seats...but one reason the Mustang sold better is that it was built MUCH better. The interiors on the F-bodies were pretty cheap.

Also, the Mustang was somewhat more practical...roomier cockpit, more cargo space.