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View Full Version : New car--what to do?


boss281
03-02-2009, 08:06 AM
I've been DDing my '97 Mustang GT vert all last year when my son needed to start using my truck every day, and I've put 30k on it!. Now it's sitting at 98000 miles and I'm just putting more shit weather and wear and tear on the poor thing. I've yet to do the PI head/manifold/cam/LTs power upgrades because that means downtime. So I'm thinking another vehicle so I can refurbish and upgrade this baby and make it a fair weather driver again.

My gut is telling me to pick up a low mileage used 5.4l F-150 cheap. I just love trucks but I'm sure not only will fuel prices spike again some day but I'll have trouble parking it in our cave like parking garage. Plus, I need to use it for towing the car and don't want a million miles on it. No, I need to find something a bit more fuel efficient but something I'll love driving every day. When I say fuel efficient I mean 25mpg highway is fine, and upper teens, lower 20s city.

I can't say I have a price range in mind. I've looked at a LOT of foreign cars from Nissan (Altima, Maxima, Z), VW (GTI), used BMWs/Acuras/Lexus' and just can't find something that has the right zing although the 6 cylinder Altima coupe I drove was a blast and they wanted to give it away.

Now, let's talk American cars. I love the Challenger, I really do, but it's a huge pig and the minute I got it I'd spend $8k on upgrades to help motivate the beast. Chevy has nothing I like (except trucks). I've been considering a used S197--local Ford dealer had a 25000 mile 2005 in black on black for $15k. Maybe I should wait a bit and see what the 2010 looks like in person (I hate the photos of the rear) or wait a bit longer and check out a Taurus SHO. I don't know, Fusions are going cheap and Steeda has some nice components for the platform. the new fiesta and focus hatchback are coming soon too.

I've never been this puzzled about getting another vehicle in my entire life...

John

ArtQ
03-02-2009, 09:05 AM
It's tough to beat a Taurus, them things go forever and the SHO has enough zip to keep you awake.

2k05gt
03-02-2009, 11:34 AM
yea, a hooptie thread....

Get a late 90's 4.0L Ranger PU, 4x4 for those winter days

A friend of mine has the Honda Ridgeline and loves it, get ok Mileage
18 23

MarcSpaz
03-02-2009, 01:00 PM
I'm sorry, did you say fiesta? hahahahhaa You must like people laughing at you.

If you want a good, cheap, used vehicle and still be able to tow, look for a low milage 1999-2000 Jeep Cherokee XJ with the 4.0L inline 6. I switched to 4.10's from the stock 3.07's so I could tow my last race car, but it worked great, has plenty of room, and could get around pretty good.

chad05gt
03-03-2009, 08:47 AM
CHEAP run around; I just bought my Mom a 2008 turbo PT 'Looser' for ONLY 10K tax, title, lic. w/ 2100 miles on it; clean title....

cheap, fun, under warranty... yes

ugly....FUGLY, YES!!


more fun than I thought.... YES!

In fact, Im looking for another one for ME to drive to work.... a lotta space, small, park anywhere... and a turbo for me to play with :D


... and verrry FUGLY:p

firestang70
03-04-2009, 12:00 AM
That new SHO will be one fun car. Fusions are very nice cars. This time next year I will start looking for sweet used deal on nice Ford truck.

boss281
03-15-2009, 05:44 PM
Well, I'm pretty much decided on getting a used 5.4l F150 to use as a tow vehicle, wet weather commuter. I'm seeing some low mileage (under 60k) for 15-18K trucks within a 100 mile radius. A nice one was for sale on NVMC, but he isn't price competitive with the others out there unfortunately.

Looking for a nice one in black, with red as a second choice...