$10,000 Question: What car?

[TnPaulMan]

Hey all!

I am fortunate enough to be able to get a gift of $10K from my mom for college graduation in the spring (May) and it is supposed to be applied to a car. What I have right now is a tiring Isuzu Rodeo and I love it but it is getting old and hell, I want a fast car. The way I figure it is that I can probably get about $2500 out of it so I can count on $12,500 for a "new to me" vehicle.

Here are the requirements:

Gotta be quick
Gotta be reliable
Gotta have a 5 speed
Gotta have a V-8

I am looking for opinions on what car I should go for. The list that I am looking at is an 99 up GT, 96-98 Cobra, possibly 99 if I can find one, LT-1 or LS-1 Camaro or Trans Am. I am trying to stay away from anything high milage and or heavily modified.

Here you go boys, let me know what you would do if you were a 24 year old college graduate with $10K and a hole in your pocket for a ride.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[stallion98gt]

as u said: 99+ GT or 96-98 cobra...

 

[MY Cobra]

I got my 99 cobra with 36k on the clock for 11 grand and it had a 8,000 dollar paint job. Gotta know how to talk your way in to a car and find peopel that need the cash. take your time and find the one you really like. when you find it do not act suprised point out the little things that are wrong with it. you can get it for less.

 

[TnPaulMan]

I got my 99 cobra with 36k on the clock for 11 grand and it had a 8,000 dollar paint job. Gotta know how to talk your way in to a car and find peopel that need the cash. take your time and find the one you really like. when you find it do not act suprised point out the little things that are wrong with it. you can get it for less.

OOOOOHHHHHHH, what a score. I would be all over that. And great advice.

Paul

 

[wanta5.0]

I got my 99 cobra with 36k on the clock for 11 grand and it had a 8,000 dollar paint job. Gotta know how to talk your way in to a car and find peopel that need the cash. take your time and find the one you really like. when you find it do not act suprised point out the little things that are wrong with it. you can get it for less.

That is a steal!

 

[Dr GT]

yea man seriously, take your time. i made some hasty purchases on cars and i really got screwed over with problems....take your time, you won't regret it.

 

[TnPaulMan]

I certainly will, the way i figure it is that I have all of this time to start looking and test as much as I can out. If I do get a 99 cobra, isnt there an issue or two with them?

Paul

 

[Ghostface]

I bout my '00 GT about 9 months ago and regret not getting a 4V (Cobra engine). I would try to look for a any cobra 96+ that hasn't been modified or with high mileage (I wouldnt take anything over 60K), and with 12,500 you should be able to have your pick. You might also want to check insurance, a V8 is gonna be ALOT for an 18 yr. old. Good luck and drive safe!!

 

[Superhereaux]

since you're posting here, i'm guessing you'd prefer a mustang over an fbody. but if you've never driven an fbody, you should. you might like them


if i had a choice between all those cars, i'd hold out and look for a nice 99 cobra. the problem was the upper intake wasn't polished and the wrong mufflers were used choking up some hp. ford fixed most of them with a recall. i don't know if you can pick one up for under $10k, but they're still "new" and probably have less the 50k miles. i just like the newer body style.

 

[Back2Mustangs]

Take it from someone with alot of Mustang experience, AND alot of LT1-LS1 F-Body Experience.... If you want to waste your money on a car that will only last about 50K miles before it starts to expensively fall apart before your eyes, then buy an F-Body. If you want a car with alot of potential for going faster for less, and that will last you a couple hundred miles, then buy a Mustang! And take these other guys' advice about taking your time. Hold out until you find EXACTLY what you want. Why spend your money on something that is not otherwise?

Mustangs = Like the Rev-Limiter
LS1's = Break at Rev-Limiter

 

[jbrown]

get a 99+ cobra or 98+LS1

 

[dkshadow]

If you wanted to spend exactly $12,5k... Id definitely get an LS1 if I can find a low mileage one at that price. 300+rwhp stock and theyre really great cars. Easy to mod, though a little pricier... but it will see better gains than a modular would.

Dont believe the crap about it breaking at 50k miles. I got friends with Ls1s and Lt1s that have over 100k still running great. My car on the other hand (03 GT) has 15k and runs like chit... its been back to the dealership plenty of times. I still love her though.


Another option would be going to a used dealership and look for Mach 1s. You can find a used one for around 17-18k and put the 10k as downpayment and pay the rest. Im thinking of getting rid of my pos for one... that or if I can hit a deal on a used 03/04 Cobra

 

[wanta5.0]

If you wanted to spend exactly $12,5k... Id definitely get an LS1 if I can find a low mileage one at that price. 300+rwhp stock and theyre really great cars. Easy to mod, though a little pricier... but it will see better gains than a modular would.

Dont believe the crap about it breaking at 50k miles. I got friends with Ls1s and Lt1s that have over 100k still running great. My car on the other hand (03 GT) has 15k and runs like chit... its been back to the dealership plenty of times. I still love her though.


Another option would be going to a used dealership and look for Mach 1s. You can find a used one for around 17-18k and put the 10k as downpayment and pay the rest. Im thinking of getting rid of my pos for one... that or if I can hit a deal on a used 03/04 Cobra

Yeah LS1s won't break after 50k. That guy is a dumb ass. They also won't bent push rods from hitting the rev limiter either it is when it gets past the redline due to shifting into the wrong gear etc.

If you want LOTS of power and good looks get an LS1 Trans Am.

If you want pretty decent power and good looks get a 99 Cobra. That would be my choice.

EDIT- I can't type when I'm tired.

 

[crazystang05]

yeah i would go with a 99 sanke but if you can't get one of those i would go with a 98 sanke cobra are always better than gt no matter what year unless u get an 05, and i think that cobras generally hold there value better if that means anything to u

 

[Snarf]

yeah i would go with a 99 sanke but if you can't get one of those i would go with a 98 sanke cobra are always better than gt no matter what year unless u get an 05, and i think that cobras generally hold there value better if that means anything to u

Was this post in english?

 

[TnPaulMan]

I did some research about the LS-1s and I know that they are big piles but hey, maybe someone can give me a good reason to snap one up. Probably not though.

I have been looking around for a 99 Snake and it looks like it could be a possibility so I will probably go that route. With the money I have to spend, then it makes sense to get out of GT territory and into a Cobra.

So all of you say to get a 99 over a 96-98? As far as drag racing is concerned, I don't do much of it and I would take it down the track for novelty purposes. I want a mean handling car so I figure the IRS is the better choice even though I know the panhard bar and torque arm set ups are bad ass too. Some one tell me different.

As far as plans for the motor, I would eventually like to throw a 8psi boost on it and get a little more umph. Which one is gonna "get it done" better?

Thanks again all.

Paul

 

[WhiteDevil69]

I did some research about the LS-1s and I know that they are big piles but hey, maybe someone can give me a good reason to snap one up. Probably not though.

I have been looking around for a 99 Snake and it looks like it could be a possibility so I will probably go that route. With the money I have to spend, then it makes sense to get out of GT territory and into a Cobra.

So all of you say to get a 99 over a 96-98? As far as drag racing is concerned, I don't do much of it and I would take it down the track for novelty purposes. I want a mean handling car so I figure the IRS is the better choice even though I know the panhard bar and torque arm set ups are bad ass too. Some one tell me different.

As far as plans for the motor, I would eventually like to throw a 8psi boost on it and get a little more umph. Which one is gonna "get it done" better?

Thanks again all.

Paul

If its an option to put a down payment on a car and pay it off, get a 99 or 01 cobra for sure, their heads flow better than most aftermarket 2v's stock and the intake on the 99+ is pretty nice outta the box. good luck, and 8psi blower and a decent exhaust setup and you will be blowin past 400rwhp real quick (LS1)

 

[Jackie Chan]

96-98 cobra on white or black with clears, all the bolt ons, 4.30 gears, lowered on deep dish bullitts(black cobra black wheels) or 17x10 cobra r's(white). I wouldnt hold your breath for a 99+cobra for 12k, thats just stupid to sell that cheap, you could take the car to carmax and get 13-14 for it.

 

[Fast Eddie 2k1]

Do you want payments? Or do you want to buy a car for 12,500. If payments, then the Mach I should be considered. Maybe a 2003 with low mileage. Be sure to do a carfax before buying any used car.

 

[FallenPhoenix]

there's a '98 or '99 SS camaro here, mineral grey in color. It was repoed and is sitting at a credit union, the interior looks nice and I couldn't find a scratch on her