Whittling down the car choices

Now that the truck sold, looking at cars in the $3000 range.

Miata
C4 vette
P71

Go.

Interesting mix of choices. What's the purpose of the car? I'd vote Miata over the C4 and wouldn't spend much time considering a worn out cop car.

Personal cruiser that turns heads.

.... and doesn't suck when it comes to maintenance or repairs.

... and other car suggestions welcome.

The entire population that would turn their heads for a $3K Miata or P71 can be counted in this board so.... VETTE!

Matt B wrote: The entire population that would turn their heads for a $3K Miata or P71 can be counted in this board so.... VETTE!

This. I also find a C4 Corvette more comfortable for long trips than a Miata.

V8s make cool noises. Cool noises are good. I agree that a Corvette probably best fits the intended purpose here.

what condition are these $3k C4's in? i never find them anywhere close to that price until they are to far gone

edizzle89 wrote: what condition are these $3k C4's in? i never find them anywhere close to that price until they are to far gone

I was thinking the same thing...

color me surprised!

(all three are A/T, otherwise I'd be calling about #1)

Listed today, asking $3900, 119k:

Also listed today, asking $3000,slight damage but only 70k miles:

Listed yesterday, asking $2800, "runs":

Matt B wrote: The entire population that would turn their heads for a $3K Miata or P71 can be counted in this board so.... VETTE!

A vette always turns my head. I turn my head away. I'm courteous enough that I try not to let the driver see my laugh!

Depends, who's heads are you trying to turn? By default, any of those cars will turn a GRMer's head, we notice them, and like them on their various real merits.

For the rest of the population:

Miata: Women, because they'll think its cute.

C4 Corvette: redneck dudes - its hit the price point that its the current "Bubba" Vette. Buy this one if you want to hear some great tall tales from some guy with a muscle shirt and a big gut about how fast their Vette (that doesn't run right now) is.

P71: Wackers, who will ask you why you don't have any antennas on the trunklid, or a laptop tray on the center console.

bludroptop wrote:

edizzle89 wrote: what condition are these $3k C4's in? i never find them anywhere close to that price until they are to far gone

I was thinking the same thing... color me surprised! (all three are A/T, otherwise I'd be calling about #1) Listed today, asking $3900, 119k: Also listed today, asking $3000,slight damage but only 70k miles: Listed yesterday, asking $2800, "runs":

not bad at all except #2 (lol) having hood damage, probably not cheap to replace. not sure what years those are but if it were me i would avoid any crossfire injected C4's, tpi is a much better option

At least around my neck of the woods, $3k won't buy you that nice of a C4. You'll get one that runs and drives, but is definitely in need of TLC. $3k will be a fairly nice NA Miata.

BlueInGreen44 wrote: V8s make cool noises. Cool noises are good. I agree that a P71 probably best fits the intended purpose here.

Sorry, hope you don't mind if I fixed your typo. :)

Could find a decently clean z32 in that price range.

shrugs

Petroboy wrote:

BlueInGreen44 wrote: V8s make cool noises. Cool noises are good. I agree that a P71 probably best fits the intended purpose here.

Sorry, hope you don't mind if I fixed your typo. :)

There was Grand Marquis at our last autox with some exhaust work. They can sound good.

Rupert wrote: A vette always turns my head. I turn my head away. I'm courteous enough that I try not to let the driver see my laugh!

Says the man with a Kilt picture in his profile and owns a Honda Fit!

C4 Vette's are awesome vehicles, but a $3k version is probably a great project vehicle, but not much more. $3k Miata's ditto, beat to death and beyond. For a usable vehicle in that price range from your list, any Panther not just a P71

I see you're in PA, if that's half as bad as Michigan for salt, the only $3k Miata's are probably the Superleggera versions with ventilated rockers and other strategic weight reduction.

curtis73 wrote: .... and doesn't suck when it comes to maintenance or repairs.

OK, that removes the C4 from the list.

THis is a pretty typical $3k C4 http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/88-z51-c4-update/48348/page1/ That was year 2 after which I had already replaced every bushing in the rear, every u-joint, all the brakes (pads, rotors, lines, fluid 3 times to flush out the garbage). Expect it to need an engine rebuild, every door and window seal to leak, the interior to be disgusting, dirty and broken etc.

I'd vote late 80's Fox body. With an LR4 swap.

You want a P71 in Pennsylvania? Here ya go...

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/4441149733.html

Adrian_Thompson wrote: I see you're in PA, if that's half as bad as Michigan for salt, the only $3k Miata's are probably the Superleggera versions with ventilated rockers and other strategic weight reduction.

As a PA resident, this has been my experience casually looking for Miatas. If you see a decent running one for $3000 that isn't rusted to hell, don't think about it for long as they sell quickly. Especially now that we're starting to enter "convertible season".

Anymore, "fun" + "$3000" = "project" and I already have way too many of those.

Ha. I think if it were my choice I would choose a Crown Vic... it's just not what comes to mind when "turns heads" is mentioned.

Now that I think of it, I always thought a Merc. Marauder I used to see around had a nice exhaust note.

chrispy wrote:

Petroboy wrote:

BlueInGreen44 wrote: V8s make cool noises. Cool noises are good. I agree that a P71 probably best fits the intended purpose here.

Sorry, hope you don't mind if I fixed your typo. :)

There was Grand Marquis at our last autox with some exhaust work. They can sound good.

curtis73 wrote: Personal cruiser that turns heads.

None of the above.

Duke wrote:

curtis73 wrote: Personal cruiser that turns heads.

None of the above.

Ok... what would you suggest?

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/4436675696.html

"needs engine work." That could be scary or could just need spark plugs.