Looking for something more practical, need input

[CanucksRT]

I've been looking at vehicles with my uncle, and it got me thinking, my truck isn't very practical for me, so I'm strongly considering getting a car. I have a '02 Dakota R/T, and I want something with better mileage, and can fit more than 2 people.

I'm looking at these cars so far, and I'd like it just be around 20k

LS-1 Trans Am WS6 or SS Camaro, I really want one of these, but I can't find one anywhere In B.C. (Canada). I've heard they don't have very good handling, but if somone can tell me it's better than my truck (which i think is decent), than that's all that matters to me.

BMW M3, now I'm not sure which years I should be looking into, so more information is needed. I saw somone's 95, and I loved the interior, and the speed of these are awsome.

'86 Buick Grand National, they have only one in the lower fraser valley (my area), and I'm going to look at it tomorrow. I love the speed and styling of these, my concern is the reliablity, (it has 124,000KM, about 80,000 miles), and is the handling suspension any good? I mean better than a truck at least?

I have basic needs too, I would only do slight mods (intake, exhaust), and it's basically just for daily driving. I'm not into racing, but would like something faster than my current truck. And I'd like it to be a coupe, oh and I'm not much into japanese vehicles, but I would be willing to make some exceptions. So fire away, with some input or other suggestions.

[jncodave]

My pick out of the ones you mentioned would be the M3 for its luxury and reliability and it has the best handling of the cars you mentioned. Also I think it would be the most practical. And I think this will be your best bet for a daily driver. The problem is finding one for the price.

I am a huge Camaro fan but it isnt the most practical car in the world, the back seats are pretty much useless for anyone but small children, as far as the handling, it is definitely better than your truck but the car does feel a bit heavy. You can pick up an LS1 for pretty cheap so since you have 20k to spend, I would go with a SS if you find this is the car you want.

The Grand National is a great car and as long as it has been properly taken care of and not abused, then it will last you many more miles. I have never driven one so I cant go into detail on the handling but im sure it is much better than your truck. The problem with the GN is that it is the oldest car here, I also love the styling and it is a very quick car, but since you have 20k to spend, I would try to go for a newer car.

As far as gas mileage I would assume that the M3 and GN would be better than the LS1 because they are sixes but that is just a guess.

Again I would go with the M3, BMW reliability, great styling, great performance, luxury, and I think it is the most practical.

hope this helps, good luck choosing

[curtis73]

Well, the handling goes something like this. The M3 would top the handling list hands down. The Camaro/TA would be next. It is a slight step down in handling, but still incredibly competent. They can be made to outhandle a stock M3, but never with the refinement, ride quality, and reliability that an M3 can offer. The GN is not what I'd call a handling vehicle. They came with the FE4 suspension which increased spring rate by about 10%. That puts them somewhere between marshmallow and cotton candy. They are crippled by short spindle heights and weak springs and sway bars. Both of these are easily fixed with later F body (camaro/TA/firebird) or B body (Impala/Caprice, etc) spindles, tubular upper control arms, and better springs/sway bars. That is a very common swap on those G/A bodies. With an aggressive approach, the GN will handle as well as or better than an F body, but again, not with the panache and refinement of the BMW.

Avoid the F-body as a means of transporting more than two people, like jncodave said. If you're going to do aftermarket mods, I might suggest against the M3. BMW aftermarket plays to some ritzy folks. Camshafts for BMWs can be as much as $1100 and so can intakes. Exhausts can be as high as $700 for painted steel catbacks. They are also already very well balanced, so mods like exhaust and intake don't make very many gains on them. The LS1s respond very well to intake and exhaust mods and the LS1 is proving to be a very reliable engine indeed. The GN is an incredible car, but they bring more money than they're worth as a daily driver because of their demand. The M3 or F-body will give you more bang for the buck.

[CanucksRT]

I'm still gonna check out the GN, but your right, for more practicallity, the M3 and the F-Bodies will serve my purposes better. I still dig the classic look of the GN over the other 2. Oh and, if I got an M3, I would barely touch it with mods, I'd only do slight mods if I had an F-Body.

The vehicles arn't a means of transporting more than two people (I'd get a sedan if it was that important), just in some cases, with my R/T, i've had to drive an extra person home, and it's a pain in the ass, because they have to squish together, and get mud everywhere (I wish it had a bench seat like the Lightings). Many times it has got me out of being the DD, but I'd rather fit 4 than 2.


I'm also considering gettin an earlier 4th gen F-Body, with the Lt-1's. I cannot find an LS-1 for sale where I live, so I'm wondering, besides the obivous difference in power of the engines, do the LS-1 equipped f-bodies, have better things like suspension etc., than the Lt-1 equipped?

And for the BMW, I'd consdier getting an E36 or E46, just would like to know what they usually run for, and is gettin an E36 a better deal overall than an E46 as of now? (I know it's obviously cheaper, but in terms of value).

[MexSiR]

Audi A4 is another good option, you can get a 2000 model for that money I bet.

Stick with the M3, those are awesome cars...far off the league of a trans am or camaro.

[kman10587]

Well, lots of luck fitting more than two people in a 4th gen. Camaro/Trans Am. As others have said, the BMW will you give the best ride quality, most refinement, and nicest interior, but you will pay for it. The car itself is the most expensive of the bunch (when comparing year-to-year), and if you don't know how to work on a BMW, the dealerships overcharge for service big-time. My pick would be the LS1 Trans Am. I love the swoopy looks, the powerful yet reliable and economical motor, and the wide and affordable aftermarket, of which a healthy portion is dedicated to road racing. Since you're coming from a Dodge truck, I doubt the lack of refinement in the Camaro/Trans Am will be unbearable for you, but if you really appreciate the M3's first-rate interior and ultra-smooth ride, and you've got the extra bucks, go for it.

[curtis73]

Originally Posted by CanucksRT

I'm still gonna check out the GN, but your right, for more practicallity, the M3 and the F-Bodies will serve my purposes better. I still dig the classic look of the GN over the other 2. Oh and, if I got an M3, I would barely touch it with mods, I'd only do slight mods if I had an F-Body.

My personal first choice out of the whole list is the GN I much prefer the classic looks vs. the "batmobile" F-bodies, but its personal taste entirely.

I'm also considering gettin an earlier 4th gen F-Body, with the Lt-1's. I cannot find an LS-1 for sale where I live, so I'm wondering, besides the obivous difference in power of the engines, do the LS-1 equipped f-bodies, have better things like suspension etc., than the Lt-1 equipped?

For the most part, they are identical suspensions. In fact, they have changed almost imperceptably since the first camaro in 67. Geometries are very similar. They may have altered spring rates and heights or sway bars between the LT1 and LS1 cars to accommodate the different weights of the engine, but for the sake of daily driver status they are identical. The main benefits I would see with the LT1 is that you get an equally reliable (but a little less refined) engine for much less money. Then if you wanted, you could spend the money you saved on more mods. Otherwise you hit the nail on the head; the main difference is power.

And for the BMW, I'd consdier getting an E36 or E46, just would like to know what they usually run for, and is gettin an E36 a better deal overall than an E46 as of now? (I know it's obviously cheaper, but in terms of value).

I think the E36 M3 and the non-M E46 should both be in your range, but probably not an E46 M3. Both will offer tremendous value, but in my humble opinion I would rather have an E46 than the E36 M3. Its partly style since I much prefer the look and feel of the E46, but also the M's are very race-inspired. I drove a few M's in my life and found that the high-revving heavy breathing S engines used in M's are incredibly fun, but I got tired of having to wind it out every time to get the fun I was looking for. As far as resale value, you can't go wrong with any of them. I bought an 87 E30 cabrio for $5000, drove it for almost three years and 36,000 miles, visited a dozen states, two Canadian provinces, and Mexico in that car, and sold it back to the SAME GUY I bought it from for $4400. I didn't think that $600 was such a terrible loss for a three year road trip. Not to mention all the women that.... uh... that's for another forum.

While you're in your search, maybe look for an E39 5 series. Its the 97 and later version. I think its one of the sexiest BMWs ever (next to an E46 M Cabrio ) It had one of BMW's finest engines, the M62. You could also look at the E34, which is the 88-96 version. They also had either the M62 or the M60 which was the M62's predecessor and still a fine engine.

[CanucksRT]

I'm actually also considering a new Mustang GT, I could get an 02-03 Cobra, but I doubt it gets any better mileage than my truck. The speed of these thingsfits my needs, and looks to match. Not to mention the price. What do you think? Compared to my other choices?

[DinanM3_S2]

My first instinct is always to go with the M. The BMW handles better then any of those cars, looks better (imo), and has the luxury car interior. An E46 M3 costs ~$40,000, so those might be out of you range, but an E36 M3 is still an amazingly good car. The biggest problem is cost of tuning.

A Mustang GT wont handle like the M3, and doesn't have the interior, but has plenty of power, and better handling then a GN of Camaro.

Another option could be a last generation Audi S4. Good TT engine thats easy to tune, 4-doors, and Quattro AWD. Overall a very good car.

[CanucksRT]

Well now, I'm gonna go look at the vehicles, and kinda decide from there.

I've narrowed it down to, E36 M3, LS-1 Firebird, LT-1 Camaro, 05 Mustang GT. Just gotta see how each feels.

The M3 would definately be the pimpest ride, not to mention the handling and interiors of it, I gotta say though, I'd feel weird driving a bimmer, dunno kinda like a snooty person, but they are cool. Other thing is that it is Premium, but I think the 6er more than makes up for the F-Body/Stang V-8's? Am I right?

The LS-1 TA WS6, is my number one choice, I love the looks of it and the LS-1 engine, but I doubt I'll be able to find one. The LT-1 Camaro, I'd get over an LS-1 'Maro, because I prefer the look of it (headlights mainly), and I am able to find many LT-1's, and can barely find an LS-1's. Also I love the T-tops of these two.

The 05 Stang GT, I love the looks of these, especially from the side, and I really like the interiors. Gotta love 300 horses from something this new and affordable. I know it wont be the next best thing, when the Cobra is released, but I wouldn't want a Cobra, because with what they may put into it, sounds like a gas guzzler. I'm only concerned if they release something inbetween the GT and Cobra, something that gets decent mileage, and a bit more power. (Kinda like a Mach 1, although I'm not sure if these had decent mileage).

[youngvr4]

i also was gonna prefer the audi s4

[CanucksRT]

Just wanna say, I checked out an '05 Stang GT, and I pretty much loved it.

Now the interior is much better than the F-Bodies, and I love the look of it. It's not nearly as refined as the M3, but for the price it looks great.

I loved the sound of the motor, had a spacious backseat, the new Mustang has sold me so far. Only complaint I have, the hood is a bit high, you can't see that much compared to some of the other cars I've briefly driver, although this is coming from somone who has pretty mainly just driven trucks.

Now I just gotta check out the F-Bodies, and the M3, than take em for some test drives.