Many of you know that I crashed my 2001 Mustang GT two weeks ago. I've finally gotten State Farm to come through with some money on it. So now... I have to figure out what to do.
I've always wanted a Mustang and completely loved mine. It was bright yellow and definitely not the mommobile's I've been stuck with for 30 years. I'm comfortable driving them and yes, I liked that I got comments on it.
So if I've got about $6500 to play with... looking in a 100ish mile radius of Charleston, SC... What do you suggest? The Mustang was an automatic because I've got a bad left knee and seated four (still have 2 kids at home). I currently autocross but was setting it up to put it on the track.
Any and all suggestions appreciated.
Early S197 4L V6 prices are getting in that range. Just looked up an '06 auto w/ 100K, was <$7K at dealer. Good chassis w/ huge aftermarket. Love my '05 GT.
Sounds like you should just get another Mustang then. For $6500...
'99 SVT Cobra: http://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/5614879148.html
'05 V6 Mustang http://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/5521877083.html
'06 V6 Mustang http://florencesc.craigslist.org/cto/5603016999.html
Kinda like a Japanese Mustang: http://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/5612519035.html
Put personally, I'd be looking at this, which looks like it could be very fun (read description): 
http://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/5599230614.html
Another mustang, get another gt and use the leftovers for mods. If you liked the new edge you had just stick with that bodystyle.
Mike
Dork
6/1/16 7:33 p.m.
Another Mustang seems like a great answer, but you're asking, which suggests you want to hear about things that aren't Mustangs.
I've been on a Mercedes kick lately. It's a problem. I'm not going to get over it in time for this post, I'm afraid.
A C32 AMG would fit easily into your budget, and would be my choice if I had your requirements, though they are rather anonymous.
Are you satisfied with the way it held up in that crash? If so get another one.
BTW, how fast was the freight train going that hit you?
In reply to Mike:
There is a S600 AMG local for $6k. I'm trying to convince her it's not a really bad idea. That's kind of hard when I'm not convinced myself.
E55 AMG, only $1500 more.
No luck so far on those.
Nick (LUCAS) Comstock wrote:
Are you satisfied with the way it held up in that crash? If so get another one.
BTW, how fast was the freight train going that hit you?
The cop said 45. The other car was a Ford 500.
It felt like about 90 mph. My knee verses the steering column felt it at about 90. As Toyman said, cop said 45. Let's just say I won't be wearing shorts any time soon because I might scare people after the bruising morphed down my entire leg.
Nick (LUCAS) Comstock wrote:
Are you satisfied with the way it held up in that crash? If so get another one.
BTW, how fast was the freight train going that hit you?
Wall-e
MegaDork
6/1/16 8:01 p.m.
https://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/5580225808.html
Wall-e
MegaDork
6/1/16 8:03 p.m.
Even safer: https://athensga.craigslist.org/hvo/5607275681.html
Mike
Dork
6/1/16 8:04 p.m.
Toyman01 wrote:
In reply to Mike:
There is a S600 AMG local for $6k. I'm trying to convince her it's not a really bad idea. That's kind of hard when I'm not convinced myself.
E55 AMG, only $1500 more.
No luck so far on those.
Tavarish over at Jalopnik has written extensively on the S class cars of this vintage. I do know certain #600 cars of this vintage had an oil cooler that was prone to leakage. It's buried in the V, between the heads. The heads have to come off. There was a CL600 here, maybe 2002, that had this problem with an ask of maybe $4000. From what I can tell, MB fixed it, because it doesn't seem to recur. If your V12 has the turbos, it's unaffected. Not sure of impact on the S class to be honest.
That's so I can blow them up before they hit me?? 
Wall-e wrote:
Even safer: https://athensga.craigslist.org/hvo/5607275681.html
Wall-e
MegaDork
6/1/16 8:12 p.m.
Blow them up, run them over, whichever is easier.
For track purposes with four seats and around $6500, have you looked at Lexus GS300s? An S160 GS300 with a set of quality coilovers would also fit your "comfy and practical, yet good-looking and trackable" description. It's got a revvy and smooth 2JZ-GE, mated to a reliable A650E 5-speed manumatic transmission. Here's one in your area. Throw on a set of nice set of CXRacing, Megan Racing, or Tein coilovers, and some sticky tires, and have an absolute blast. 0-60 goes by in an okay 7.5 seconds, but it's surprisingly tossable and neutral.
In reply to Stampie:
I do like my RX8 a lot, but I'm not sure one would be a good fit for Toymanswife - they're really only four seaters if the people occupying the front seat are relatively short (I'm 5'11" and I don't think anybody can fit in the seat behind me if I have the seat in a comfortable position). I would definitely test-sit in one first.
Also, if it has to be an auto because of the knee issues, those got the less powerful four-port engine, are generally slower and lose a bit of the magic. I think the only rotaries that might be acceptable with an auto are Eunos Cosmos, mainly because they have turbos...
In reply to BoxheadTim:
Yea I didn't find much in my quick search of Charleston CL. Well other than this but not sure what class it'd be in for autocross.
http://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/5588564040.html
Infiniti g35's can touch that price area and are pretty nice to drive. The interiors will be way above mustang in terms of comfort. The v6 sounds great as well.
https://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/5612519035.html
https://statesboro.craigslist.org/cto/5612454477.html
I agree on the Rx-8 -- not the right car to buy with an automatic.
GTO?
1980 Mercedes 450SL - From the classifieds on here.
In reply to dean1484:
Those are cool. Stealth rockets. Also the Infiniti M45
Man you all that are south of the rust belt are so lucky. I took a look at sub $7000 Camaros and just WOW. A rust free 79 Z28 (a personal favorite car of mine from the past) a real RS from he mid 70's. I am glad I don't live down there my yard would be full of projects.
