Taking a Road Trip

[Quattroboi]

I'm new here- had bad experiences asking for help on the web.. but I'm looking to take a road trip and need all the advice and help I can get. So I'm going for about 15K miles- all 48 states. I'm taking my best friend along and eveyrthing but the car is figured out.

What I'm looking for:
Simple and reliable (IE not something that would take a genius to work on)
Convertible
Not brand new
decent gas mileage
CAN seat 3 or 4 in a pinch, 2 is where it's at though
Manual tranny is preferable
and finally- something fun to drive, with a bit of attitude.

By attitude I mean something that has good perfromance, but also something that you would give a second look to- like an M3 convertible or something of the like. (

Price range: (M3's are out lol)
I'm looking to spend downwards of 20K.. prolly around 15 or so. (the less the better- cuz I can then do slight mods such as CD player and alarm)

I would appreciate ANY constructive advice- I'm going in about 4 monthes and just need an idea of 2 or 3 cars to start looking out for. I'm going to be taking it all over the country so I don't want something brand new to worry about, but I do want something I can at least enjoy driving.

I am not all that keen on Japanese cars.. although I am open to anything. right now I have a 325is, a Mitsu 3000GT VR4 and a Celica so something older and american might be right.. or european.

thanks!

Jeff

[bretfraz]

This is a great topic. I'd be happy to throw out my two cents.

What stands out from your post is that the car has got to be a convertible and has got to be simple and reliable. This is gonna narrow the list somewhat but I think you'll find something cool to drive:

Muscle Car - I think you're on the right track with your idea of something older and American. If you wants looks and attitude nothing says it better than a muscle car from the 60s or 70s. A lot of city folk have woodies for BMW's and other Eurosleds but out in the country you'll be surprised how little people care about your $50,000 uberwagon. But pull up in a Pontiac GTO convertible or a SS Chevelle and get ready for attention. You'll have to shop aggressively for a good one as their owners think they're worth millions when only the killer ones are. And you have to be super-careful of fakes as they are a dime-a-dozen. But a road trip in a GTO would be awesome!!
There's lots of cars that fall into this category: Oldsmobile 442, Dodge Challenger, Plymouth Barracuda, Buick GS Skylark, Ford Fairlane or Torino, you name it. And you don't necessarily have to have the hi-po version of a car. The basic version will work just fine. Something like a 1971-2 Chevelle Malibu with a 350 will still be nice and smooth and you can find parts for it anywhere.

Pony Cars, new and old - This is just as good as a muscle car, IMO. The best thing about a Camaro or Firebird or Mustang is that an old one costs about the same as a new one. You have all sorts of choices here. A 2-3 year old Mustang GT convert. will run you about the same as a nice 1966 Mustang convert. So go nuts in this category!

Euro Cars - A number of good choices here but things get risky unless you buy a sorted one and are a good roadside mechanic. The first car that popped to mind was a Mercedes SL roadster but that's not a 4-seater. You know BMW 3's so maybe a 3-series cabrio? A Jaguar XJ-S would be stylish but could be a reliability nightmare. My personal choice is a Saab 9-3 or 900 cabrio. But they're kinda quirky and parts availability is sketchy; doesn't scare me but Saab's aren't for everyone, which is exactly why I own one

If you do choose a Euro car make sure you have it checked out by a marque specialist. It'll likely cost a few bucks (maybe a thousand or more) to bring the car up to full spec. But it will be different, that's for sure.

I'm sure I missed a bunch but these were the ideas off the top of my head. Let us know what you decide and make sure to take lots of pics on your road trip. It'll make for a great story. Have fun!!

[Quattroboi]

While I have time to search for a great car.. the thing is, I'm a bit worried about the gas mileage. I've been trying to figure ways to make the trip more and more cost efficient.. and while I want a car with attitude, I think that is why I am leaning towards newer.. For instance, I just talked to someone with a 94 Mustang. a 94-94 stang convertible gets about 25mpg, still manages a V8 with a manual tranny and has enough options that I would ba happy PLUS an airbag (if' I'm not mistaken) While the safety doesn't top my list, it's up there. But..... it's not original at all. There are a ton and a half of those out there, and I buy one for 15K and the only way to make it original is to spend another 10K on mods and even then.. it's not the same.... THEREFORE, as much as I want a 94 mustang because of the practicalities, it's not original at all- something I understand with your Saab.

To make this short- I really really like your ideas- and at first my #1 car was a 67 RS/SS convertible. I want something around that time, but they are all so big and therefore gas guzzlers.

Anymore ideas? Anything about the 94-95 stangs?

Jeff

[Dave C.]

I'd personally shoot for a '96-'98 'stang. The difference v. a '94-95 is that they dropped the 302 OHV and went with the 4.6 SOHC. It is my understanding that these get better gas mileage, also I would believe that they'd be more reliable. What about a Bimmer Convertible??

[Quattroboi]

I love Bimmers- have one, but I have noticed that they have a lot of little problems.... that would make me nuts, especially since even through living here for my life, I have yet to find a completely reliable mechanic.. so I know I won't be able to find one on the road. With regard to the 96-98 mustangs- they have the same gas mileage or so I read, and they are pricier. I think the only draw back is that I would like to get the cobra, but they are in such limited production they are a lot of money.

Can anyone here recommend a camaro convertible? I was looking at the 91-92 Z28.. they are gorgeous. any thoughts?

Jeff

[Dave C.]

Originally posted by Quattroboi
especially since even through living here for my life, I have yet to find a completely reliable mechanic.. so I know I won't be able to find one on the road.

Quattroboi, check http://www.aseblueseal.org/businesses/virginia_1.htm
to find a good mechanic.

[Quattroboi]

Thanks a lot for the info- but I have been to .. I think all of the mechanics on that site that are in my area.. in fact I used to work at one. Even the place I was working at screwed something up in my BMW though.. The only fantastic mechanic I know is the ont hat refurbished my 3000GT VR4, and they take a year and a day and cost $$$ for it too. I'm just saying that while that would be a nice site as a basis.. while I'm out on the road it would be difficult to just go by a name and hope for the best.. thanks!

Jeff

[PrinzII]

Since you have specified which class of car you want, it would be better to go with the pony cars since they will give you the mileage and the performance you are looking for.

The LS-1 in the Z28 actually does pretty well on Hwy mileage (even the SS variant does well).

The Mustang GT is a good choice as well. The 4.6 is a better motor for midrange and high end driving.

Others I would think of:

Audi A4 (1.8T and 2.8)

[Quattroboi]

With regard to the 5.0 vs. 4.6.. when I got my 2.5 liter 325is, I got a great car, but I couldn't help wondering and wondering if I should have gotten a 3.0 M3. I think that whether the 4.6 is initially better or not, don't you think it would be wise to get a 5.0 for the fact that it's the famous "Ford 5.0" and I can eventually mod it? I actually found a gorgeous 86 5.0 convertible.. good miles, some mods.. but decent ones- nothing to radical. Plus from what I'm hearing I really will want to get a decent price- the trip is getting more and more expencive.

Now the 86 isnt' exactly the look that I want.. but this one is just about right- and also whatever I get will most likely need to be cheap enough to take a beating.. yet reliable enough to keep on ticking.

Thanks

Jeff

[geekysteve]

My choices & reasoning:

A) Buick GS Stage1 Convertible (1970 or 1971). 455CID, 360 "advertised HP", 510+ lb/ft torque at 2200rpm...not much more needs to be said.

B) Any Chrysler "letter" car (300 K, etc) from about 1963 - 1967. Cheap, mondo power, good times had by all. You can find these for around $10K in great condition, plus you can resell it when you're done and not take too much of a hit.

C) Mustang LX/GT Convertible, 1989 - 1993. These cars were nearly bulletproof and they're a blast to drive. Plentiful, reasonably priced and easy to work on/modify. You should be able to get a nice 90 - 93 GT/LX convertible for about $7500 - $10K. $5K in mods = rocketship (supercharger, exhaust, intake, MAF, TB, ignition) + $5K in stereo mods (JL Audio, SoundStream, Eclipse) = yowsers!

Just my thoughts, and agree - stay away from the foreign vehicles. I have a BMW and while I drive it anywhere, it's a 1998...anything older would make me nervous. :-)

[Redcar GUY]

This is just my 02$

Have you ever drivein a newer Mustang/Camaro>? I have riddin in a ton of new Stangs and I own a 97 SS. I would NOT Choose to drive either car for more than 3-4 hours at a time!
I have taken the SS on trips to car shows that were 3 1/2 hrs away from home and it is not easy on the people at all....... I know mine is a SS but the Roughness is still about the same in A Z28.
This is just my take on the cars... I would love to see you get a SS or a Z28! Just wanted to let you know

[Quattroboi]

Only reason I would stay away from the first 2 are gas mileage- an issue that up until just a couple of days ago I didn't realized was going to really effect what I buy. I do like the mustangs though, and I just talked to a contact at the Skip Barber racing school.. They live buy 5.0's.. so I think that might be the road I take.

OTHER than body style, can anyone tell me any practical differencet between the pre86 Stang GT vert and the Post 87 stang gt vert?

thanks

I like the body of the 87 and after, but I keep on finding great deals of the 86 and before..



Jeff