$40K to burn...what to buy?

Silencer_Nate · #1 08-20-2003, 09:04 PM

After buying my 2003 Mustang GT Centennial, driving it a month and chancing on finding a buyer who bought it cash, I'm looking for a new pair of wheels and thought about looking around first. As a highly-tuned car lover, I want something fast, but what your opinion...what quick street-racer should I buy/mod? I'm pulling on a SVT Cobra, but several people say I should stick with the "True American Sports car", the Corvette. At this point, I can get a loan and pay maximum 80K, but I really don't want the hassle of it and want to pay cash. Therefore, let the games begin!

YogsVR4 · #2 08-21-2003, 07:28 PM

40K.... That won't put you in a vette. A bit more would and it would probably be worth the extra 15K or so to get in a Z06. If you're not in a rush, I'd wait a couple years for the 350Z to come out in its turbo form. That should be a great ride.

The alternative is that you could buy just about any 30K sports car and dump 10K in go-fast mods. A WRX STI would fit that bill nicely.

Silencer_Nate · #3 08-21-2003, 09:18 PM

Uggh...vettes...

Don't get me wrong, they'll smoke my old GT, but the friend that I know who had one (wrecked

) said it didn't handle half as good as my mustang...I assume all the f-bodies are like that, but then again I have a VERY limited driving experiance with any GM car, having always bought a Ford (Mustang, F-150, and Focus).

Mustang01GT · #4 08-22-2003, 02:58 PM

Well..do you want handling or a monster drag racer? I'll take a vette over a mustang ANY day..

Silencer_Nate · #5 08-22-2003, 03:38 PM

Don't get me wrong, I want a drag racer; but I would also like to be able to do a 3 point turn on a street, not a 7 or 9 point turn ;-)

Besides, I have a light slope on my driveway and have problems getting long or bad rear suspension vehicles up it. (eg. my mustang had problems getting up when fat people were in the back)

mtnagel · #6 08-23-2003, 03:44 PM

I do love the looks of the 350z, but I have no idea on performance on them. I saw one at the dealer with a price of $28,000 so you'd have some spare change too.

Although I've always loved Vettes ever since I was a kid.

Though choice you got there. I wish I had that choice. I'm thinking about getting a new car in a year or so and I'd be lucky to be able to afford a $25,000 2004 Grand Prix that I really like.

Matthew

Silencer_Nate · #7 08-23-2003, 10:44 PM

Alright...how about a 2001 Camero SS? (The price is $21,700 with 10K miles) I'd save a buck or two and could mod it a little after paying for the TT and car.

YogsVR4 · #8 08-24-2003, 10:44 AM

An SS with a TT conversion would kick major ass. Not many of those running around out there.

Silencer_Nate · #9 08-26-2003, 01:07 AM

Okay, so I've basically decided to buy the newer generation Camaro (98-02). What year is the best (performance-wise)? I assume the SS with the LS1 is the faster engine I can need to get ahold of, but do I want the SLP package/etc.?

BigDanTheMan · #10 08-26-2003, 02:23 AM

nuts to that - get a mach 1 or something rare

omicron · #11 08-26-2003, 06:54 AM

Try and find a Pontiac Trans am FireHawk, those things are bad ass, and have the looks/performance to back it up. I'd say look for a really nice deal on a trans am or a camaro, anywhere from '98 to '01, they are all good.
http://www.coil.com/~jimd/99firehawk/99hawk.html
this is a '98 camaro ss

Silencer_Nate · #12 08-26-2003, 05:52 PM

I just got rid of my Mustang GT...I doubt I'll buy another Ford racer for awhile. Don't get me wrong, it was/is a great motor/car, but everytime I stopped at a streetlight and a TransAm/Camaro/F-body car stopped next to me, I got VERY skittish, knowing good damn well that I wouldn't stand a chance against it.

(Luckily it never came down to it) I'd bet even the Cobra would lose against a Camaro with a decent driver. Therefore, of the F-bodies, what is the biggest bad-@ss besides a Corvette, which I'd hate to pay the insurance on (I'm only 20)? Camaro SS? TransAm Firehawk? A Firebird? If anyone has the specs on each, I'd appreciate it.

YogsVR4 · #13 08-26-2003, 05:52 PM

The Firehawk is pretty sweet, but the SS will run with it all day long. If he's planning on putting a TT in there, then all bets are off. It'll run with the best in the world.

omicron · #14 08-30-2003, 01:53 AM

1999 Pontiac Firehawk
5.7L V8 OHV 16V FI Engine
Horsepower: 302 @ 5200rpm
Torque: 332ft/lb @ 4000rpm
16.8 gallon tank.
Width: 74.4 in.
Wheel Base: 101.1 in.
Maximum Seating: 4
___________________________________
1998 Camaro SS
5.7L V8 OHV 16V FI Engine
Horsepower: 310 @ 5200
Torque: 340 @ 4000
Length: 193.5 in.
Width: 74.1 in.
Height: 51.3 in.
Wheel Base: 101.1 in.
Luggage Capacity: 12.9 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 4
Acceleration (0-60 mph): 5.1 sec.
1/4 mile: 13.8
Braking Distance: 114 ft.
Road Holding Index: .87 g
Maximum Towing Capacity: 1000 lbs.
Drive Type: RWD
Turning Circle: 40.1 ft.
15.5 gallon tank

Silencer_Nate · #15 08-30-2003, 02:04 AM

Thankx for the specs...I was looking for the 2002 though. I dunno the Firehawk's specs, but here are the stock Z28s (w/o SLP or SS package)

Type
5.7-liter OHV V8

Block material
cast aluminum

Displacement (cu in / cc)
350 / 5665

Bore x stroke (in / mm)
3.90 x 3.62 / 99.00 x 92.00

Cylinder head material
cast aluminum

Valvetrain
overhead valve

Ignition system direct direct
Fuel delivery
SFI

Compression ratio
10.1:1

Horsepower
310 / 231 @ 5200

Torque
340 / 461 @ 4000

Maximum engine speed (rpm)
6200

Emission control system
converter/EGR

Estimated fuel economy
4-speed automatic: 18 / 26
6-speed manual: 19 / 28

Source: http://www.new-cars.com/2002/chevrol...fications.html

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