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KeithK

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I'm new here- had bad experiences asking for help on the web.. but I'm looking to take a road trip and need <span style='font-size: 12px;'>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.

<em class='bbc'>What I'm looking for:[/i]
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
 
This is a great topic. I'd be happy to throw out my two cents. :D



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!!
 
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. <strong class='bbc'>But.....[/b] 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
 
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??
 
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 <strong class='bbc'>lot[/b] of money.

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

Jeff
 
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
 
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)
 
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
 
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. :-)
 
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 <strong class='bbc'>would NOT Choose [/b] 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:)
 
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
 
I have a 3000GT VR4 with the electronic suspension switching capabilities.. as hard a drive as it is in sport mode.. I would NEVER put it anywhere else. Unless you're in the backseat of one of these rides, I am fairly immune to ride conditions.. as long as I can feel the road and have power on demand without killing my budget- I'm happy :-)



thanks though..



Jeff
 
How about an older Buick or Caddy convertible? Say PRE-85 or earlier.



Then you can add the horns to the hood and get some looks!!! and if the seats are kinda ugle get ya some COW skin seat covers.



But thats me. Big huge cars!:xyxthumbs
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Quattroboi [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>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 [/b]</blockquote>
However, you can easily fit the nose clip and rear taillights of the '87-93 to it with no problem whatsoever. :D
 
That's what I'm thinking.. I think for the trip I would like to just get the car and get it prepped and go. Get the basics you would need to be on the road- alarm, CD and major tune up and a good cleaning.. when I get back with 15K miles more than when I left.. then I will worry about either modding it further OR selling it.. but for now, I think it will suffice.. thanks though!



Putting on the new "nose" would be awesome though.. I love the front end of the 87-93's!





Jeff
 
The motors are also slightly different between the 86 and newer. Actually, if I recall correctly, and I might be way off 'cause I haven't been under the hood of a 'stang since around 97, the 89 5.0 got SFI, and some other major motor mods.



Knowing how abundant 89-93's are (I did a search on autotrader.com with a VA zip code (22201) and 100 mile radius), I would say that's your best bet. Here are some examples:



1992 Mustang GT Convertible 5.0, Auto, PW, PL, PS, Power Seat, 54K Miles, Red = $9,600.



1993 Mustang GT Convertible 5.0, loaded w/CD 51K Miles, $11,000.



1989 Mustang with 306 Stroker, Vortec S Trim supercharger (!), power pipe and much more = $12,000.







I agree with RedCar - Camaro's beat you up (so do Mustangs to some extent, though I drove mine to Indy, Tulsa and Dallas (from Madison, WI) without too much trouble)...
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by geekysteve [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>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. :-) [/b]</blockquote>Why's that Steve?? I tend to believe that most foreign cars are more reliable than American ones. (There are exceptions of course, but I will not believe that say a Ford Escort is more reliable than a Honda Civic.) I do however think that a 302 'Stang w/ a manual tranny is a fairly reliable vehicle. I say manual tranny b/c I know that Ford has some of the worst slushboxes on the market. Just my thoughts, and I think you may know more than me b/c I think it was you who was a Ford tech. I could be wrong.
 
Hi Dave,



My concerns were with older German cars. I'm a huge fan of Honda's, Nissan's, etc - those things are (for the most part) indestructible! I also realize that American cars are notoriously weak in certain areas (transmissions for sure, as you've noted), however, were I to have a problem on the road, I'd rather be in a Chevy or Ford than a BMW or Mercedes.



It seems like finding a good BMW/Mercedes/Jag/Porsche/etc tech is sort of a crapshoot. There are awesome, high quality techs in this arena, but they're often far and few between. There are also very poor Ford/Chev/Chrysler techs, but the numbers usually play in your favor when it comes to less exotic manufacturers.



As far as the 'stang with an auto/manual; I'd be careful about buying a supercharged 302 that still had the stock T5, but if it had been upgraded at all, I'd feel fairly confident. Further, I'd have a mechanic pressure test/fluid flush the auto trans just to be safe, so I think we're sharing similar thoughts.



So, no harm, no foul - I'd take an Accord over an Aires K; just talking mostly about the German cars.



(as a previous owner of a mid-80's jag, mercedes & now a BMW)



:)
 
Steve, I see where you are coming from, although you did not admit/deny that you were in fact a Ford tech...a conspiracy in the making?? Too many insider secrets??? Heh heh heh!! Just yankin' ur chain, I totally see what you are saying and in fact agree with you.
 
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