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Maggie’s Sports/Muscle car advice?

slm9s

slm9s

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 18, 2008
751
61
WA
Starting to think about my next car. I have an '06 GTO (~420 hp w/ Hurst 6 speed manual) currently and really enjoy it. It will be my short daily commute to work car and a couple spirited drives per week (no tracking/racing). I do have a 6yo child that I'll occasionally have to haul so I need a backseat and this eliminates MANY good cars. I mostly value straight acceleration, but still like to pull some g's in a turn.
So, I'm looking for 400+ hp, a somewhat usable backseat, decent reliability (everyday driver), and I PREFER a manual but its not a dealbreaker. Price range $35-70k.
My current short list: (I'll buy used)
Nissan GTR - no manual, barely usable backseat, high cost
Porsche 911 turbo - smaller backseat, reliability?, high cost
Benz AMG - love the CLS AMG cars, no manual, poor reliability
CTS-V - not quite sold on the looks, o/w VERY nice
Lexus ISF - no manual, not sold on the looks

Another thought is to buy a classic sports/muscle car and not take such a big depreciation hit. Something like a restored '69 Chevelle or something like that (I'd like suggestions here). But would anything like that have the reliability?
 
Once you go GTO................go old school.

Like this
IMG_0749_zps1dc879cb.jpg


But not the reliability that I am reading from your description. How about a Challenger SRT 8. Some of the best interior offered today in that class. Personally I would go Ford KR500 but that's just me.
 
This should be fun....I have the same thoughts and have to take into account 2 small kids as well. Big HP and reliability is a tough one which would probably be best served by a late model something. Mustang has been mentioned, just introduce Mr. Kenny Bell and 600 HP should be no problem. Corvette is out since there is no back seat, but good lord what a bang for the buck, especially slightly used. I would check out www.racingjunk.com for some good old school touring cars. I just saw a nice '70's vintage touring car that was awesome on there!!!

Good luck.
 
I've always wanted a '69 or so Nova. I just think its a sweet looking car. There's a few nice ones on 'racingjunk' thanks for the link. :)
 
CTSV or C5 vette...

seriously...i've been looking for a CTSV for a while......

toss in a decent cam, springs/retainers, fasst, t/b, l/t's and a GOOD speed density tune...and off you go.

i've looked at 996's and 997's....been wanting one for a while, but you just can't get in one for the price of a CTSV that'd come close to competing with it. Also...996's, while better than 993's and older....they can be a handful when pushing really hard... just sayin
 
Cheap way, Mustang GT + mods, or higher level Mustang

If you want the best for the money, I don't think a GT-R can be touched, for all around performance.
 
Vette has no rear seat per his specifics needed.

Porsche-service isnt as bad as an exotic (last service was 197.00 i think, non turbo car though) and reliability is fine ive owned one for 6 years with no issues at all. A 996/997 will handle a road race setting.

GTR-Fast as hell but still a Nissan.

AMG-high cost and costly repairs.

CTS-V-highly impressed as far as speed. Didnt handle like i expected though.

FWIW-Ive driven/been around all these cars on your list. As others have said give the new GT500 a glance and i can get you a price on one if youd like;)
 
Not a Corvette fan as they are a 'dime a dozen' just like the mustang. Ford isn't backing their stuff well at all and don't feel they are producing a solid vehicle. But, you can just replace the garbage in the Mustangs and have some fun with it....

Speaking to a guy last night - GTR's ride very stiff as one would expect. So, if you want performance and 'look what I own' the GTR would be a ticket.

MBnz - Love the E63AMG, but no manual and you'll be wagging a Vegas experience with Maintenance and longevity/reliability as MB isn't known for that - But if you can afford one you prolly will not care.

CTS-V = corvette with a Caddy body. not bad, but seats should be perf. oriented and not submarine the driver with the surround area. feels like a coffin

Porsche - could be a wild card the carrera 4s has a good record, think my old neighbor has that line and loved it.

Mitsubishi Evo - since 2012, just a go cart on wheels. very rough, huge power, terrible vision out of it for blind spots etc...........no a rec.


Cars for Thought:

1. Subaru STI 2013 or wait for the latest 2015 next year - sure boy racer and all the other less than stellar words from rich folk, but huge tuning ability, great daily driver, Reliable, and has plenty of room/use. IMO

2. Audi RS models. Like an RS4 or possibly the RS6.

3. Lexus - sure no manual, but they always tend to build a SOLID car that will last

4. Acura rebirth of the NSX - out the price range but.....

5. BMW - M5 ? hated my BMW and will not go back due to continuous engine and cooling issues from 2k miles on...... but sure a nice car to drive when it worked


To me - money would be best spent on the Subi or the Lexus - for long term fun and reliability/resale etc. Very usable cars. If you haven't driven the latest STI,or at least a 2012+, try one. Still the most smile per mile IMO and when you can tune it up even further and wax a Corvette or a lot of those listed above on the road/street .... even bigger smiles since you spent 40k With tuning for a New STI compared to their 60-100k of 2 seat less than functional/non-family vehicle

Gotta love cars
 
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What do you mean Ford isn't backing their stuff well? Serious question. As far as American products, Ford is doing better than Chevy or Fiat/Chrysler. Ford's new Coyote engine is the best engine they've had in a long time.
 
If BMW is an option, look at a gen2 M6. A low milage car could be found in your price range and the rear seat is more usable than the turbo porsche and the GTR.

As far as safety concerns i have seen that the German cars hold up well in a collision. Had a friend hit "the tree" at Virginia It'l Raceway in a C2S 997, 45k in damage and he walked away. Same guy's niece was broadsided by a duramax running 65 in her IS-F, totalled the car but drove it on the rollback. Impressed me.
 
JMGlasgow said:
What do you mean Ford isn't backing their stuff well? Serious question. As far as American products, Ford is doing better than Chevy or Fiat/Chrysler. Ford's new Coyote engine is the best engine they've had in a long time.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I think Ford has the most impressive line of domestic vehicles at the current time as well as the service after the sale.
 
If you are going to spend $35K - $70K on a car why buy an off the shelf car that's going to depreciate by 50% in three years? Buy or build a classic that won't go down in value, that way in 15 years when you get tired of it you can sell it to pay for the first year of college for your kids.
 
GT500 gets my vote. Very comfortable, a lot of power, handles great.
 

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Sab and JM - not the right post for arguing, but if you own a new/newer F150Screw, or Shelby for that matter, and have issues or actually look below the skin for quality and support it isn't there. Granted, I think I found the @#$#@ dealership with subpar employees who truly don't care if they dmg or do #$#@ work. Also, it doesn't help when your new Ford needs to be repainted due to fact. blems

BMW M6 - Good call, darn nice looking machine, but still wonder about the mx and reliability/cost.

TWOSUN Davey - you going to trade that 12 STI for the 'next Gen' STI coming next year??
 
Spend some money on the Goat and buy a new 4dr car good on fuel for a daily driver.

You already have a great platform to start with. Heads/cam/intake(if it doesn't have the LS6 intake already)/full exhaust/good tune and you are at your mark or damn close to it. You could have a daily driver that will go any where and haul the rug rats around. Hell, if you want some more power, get a Procharger and keep the boost low.

The GTR came out when I was still working at Nissan. Wicked out of the hole, not worth the $$ IMO. Damn expensive services.

Out of all the cars mentioned, the 'Vette is still the king for the money, just doesn't have the back seat...
 
I picked up a new leftover 2012 SRT8 challenger with everything I wanted for 41000.00, has a big back seat, and trunk. Has active suspension, is available with auto or 6-spd trans.....and has 470HP stock. So for the money not bad and I am very content with it, when you can hook it up pulls like my old 440 powered B-body MOPARS, and there are a decent amount of them out there running low 12's bone stock on the tires they come with.
 
I have a 996 and it is a really fun little car. Great handling and while it only has 320hp it uses them quite well. No maintenance issues in the 3 years I have had it (knock on wood) and has a better street presence than the Mustang and such. That said, if I have another kid I may go to the CTS-V just to have more space. I remember being cramped in the back seat of my dad's Porsche when I was 8 years old and don't want to induce claustrophobia in my kids.

As for Ford- I also have a 2011 F-250 Diesel and the forums for it are plagued by mechanical issues and accounts of the dealer/manufacturer denying warranty claims all over the place even for completely stock vehicles that have been dealer maintained. Ford doesn't even have solutions for all the problems they are having and are screwing customers left and right.
 
slm9s said:
Starting to think about my next car. I have an '06 GTO (~420 hp w/ Hurst 6 speed manual) currently and really enjoy it. It will be my short daily commute to work car and a couple spirited drives per week (no tracking/racing). I do have a 6yo child that I'll occasionally have to haul so I need a backseat and this eliminates MANY good cars. I mostly value straight acceleration, but still like to pull some g's in a turn.
So, I'm looking for 400+ hp, a somewhat usable backseat, decent reliability (everyday driver), and I PREFER a manual but its not a dealbreaker. Price range $35-70k.
My current short list: (I'll buy used)
Nissan GTR - no manual, barely usable backseat, high cost
Porsche 911 turbo - smaller backseat, reliability?, high cost
Benz AMG - love the CLS AMG cars, no manual, poor reliability
CTS-V - not quite sold on the looks, o/w VERY nice
Lexus ISF - no manual, not sold on the looks

Another thought is to buy a classic sports/muscle car and not take such a big depreciation hit. Something like a restored '69 Chevelle or something like that (I'd like suggestions here). But would anything like that have the reliability?
Click to expand...

Go old school! Won't depreciate like the others and you can actually work on them yourself!!! If your mechanically inclined? Really digging that 57 chevy pro street, 168 BTHPM posted! :cool:
 
I would think something like a Fox bodied mustang with a turbo'd 331 or 347 would get the job done. I built a turbo charger setup for small block third gen trans am, very usable. Big blocks weigh more, and you would suffer in the turns. The Fox body is an awesome car (and I'm a chevy guy) and a turbo or procharger setup would give you all kinds of usable power without being too rough on fuel. Backseat fits your needs too....
 
Get a new Mustang 5.0, get a Rousch charger for it, lower it a tad at a good shop, save a good 20k~120k, use that money to buy a plane, a 2nd home, a mistress...
 
I'm currently driving a '06 Chrysler 300C SRT8. For an affordable full-size sedan, it's reasonably quick, and has been extremely reliable to date (with 95k on the odometer, it's consumed roughly $300 of repairs). My next ride of this type is likely to be a current-gen SRT8 sedan or a Caddy CTS-V, although I'm also toying with the idea of getting a proper two-seat sports car such as a used C6Z06 and just driving my truck whenever running around with the kid.

If you are thinking about the CTS-V coupe, be aware that rear seat access would appear to be problematic. From what I've seen playing around with it in the showroom, it would be a real PITA to insert and buckle in a child. Somewhat surprisingly, the Camaro ZL1 appears to be more practical in this regard.

Building a fast and reliable daily-driver from a classic musclecar will get expensive damn quickly, even with doing some of the work yourself. Start farming out significant pieces of the job, and it's amazing how fast the bills will pile up.
 
Pick your flavor....ZL1 or GT500. Can't go wrong with either.
I went the vette route and left the pony cars to the wife and children... :)
 
sab9259 said:
Vette has no rear seat per his specifics needed.

Porsche-service isnt as bad as an exotic (last service was 197.00 i think, non turbo car though) and reliability is fine ive owned one for 6 years with no issues at all. A 996/997 will handle a road race setting.

GTR-Fast as hell but still a Nissan.

AMG-high cost and costly repairs.

CTS-V-highly impressed as far as speed. Didnt handle like i expected though.

FWIW-Ive driven/been around all these cars on your list. As others have said give the new GT500 a glance and i can get you a price on one if youd like;)
Click to expand...

CLS 63 Amg is a reliable car. I have an 07 that is super charged and it lays down 720 hp at the crank



Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
for that money you could buy a really mint 87 Buick Grand National slightly mod it and easily have a low 11 second car with a huge trunk and back seat while still holding value.
 
A bit of a different option, but you might take a look at the Acura 3.2TL in the 6 speed manual with SH-AWD
It is not going to go in a straight line as fast as a dedicated muscle car, but it makes a very good daily driver with excellent reliability and very safe to carry your kids around in.
And if you know how to drive them hard, you can really have fun in them as they can be pushed very hard, especially when going in a straight line is not all that you do.
Being that they are about $43k new, you could have plenty of leftover in your 70k budget for a dedicated weekend muscle car.
 
Have to admit that even though I'm a Camaro guy, the Shelby GT500 is the best option for the money. I'm partial to old school:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34926710@N05/3858018670/" title="IMG_0123 by rjpricejr, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3580/3858018670_2200b8041c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0123"></a>
 
I rode in a 2012 Porshe 911 Turbo S, Holy shit, its the fastest car any of the magazines have ever tested. 530 hp awd, high 10's stock.. will do 102 in the 1/8.. 175k tho..


Ch
 
chansen49 said:
I rode in a 2012 Porshe 911 Turbo S, Holy shit, its the fastest car any of the magazines have ever tested. 530 hp awd, high 10's stock.. will do 102 in the 1/8.. 175k tho..


Ch
Click to expand...
I think that title is held by the Veyron, 0-60 in 2.4 seconds.
 
No Audi love?

How about an RS4? I have an S4 Avant, last year for the NA 4.2 L v8. I've replaced brake pads, tires and a signal light, just usual stuff, and I'm at 70,000+ miles; it's a 2008 model. They are really sweet driving cars. They're not importing the Avants (wagons) at this level anymore but sedans are available in the US.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-audi-rs4-avant-first-drive-review
 
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As the proud owner of a 2010 Shelby GT500, Red with white stripes, I would recommend the GT500. But then again, I am being biased in my opinion. It is an awesome car with plenty of power and always gets people's attention. You could always send it to Shelby and have the Super Snake package. Either way Ford has answered my lifelong desire to own a Shelby. Cheers!
 
My buddy just rolled up with a beautiful Shelby that was heavily modified under the hood today. Picked it up this week with under 10k miles on it at about a very significant discount. No idea what all had been added to the car (I'm not a car guy) but that car was outrageous.
 
You know what type of 5th gen Corvette 40 grand can get you? Definitely something well north of 650 turbocharged HP that handles really nice. Check out some tech websites sometime. If you were to look into a 1998-2002 F-body you could get extreme power for your money. I saw a fully built 2000 z28 built by Speedinc sell for 25k that had zero miles on the build and made 900hp. They are not rare or classy but can be fast. Just some samples. Also consider a 03/04 terminator. Pretty nasty cars especially with a KB blower on them. First one is 20k with 954rwhp. Looks wild...especially with a 152mph/8 second 1/4 mile.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/vehicle-classifieds/1417966-1999-trans-am-954-rwhp-152-mph-traps.html

http://ls1tech.com/forums/vehicle-classifieds/1554480-fs-05-gto-408-stroker-500rwhp.html

http://ls1tech.com/forums/vehicle-classifieds/1623935-2001-ws6-fully-built-545rwhp.html

http://ls1tech.com/forums/vehicle-c...006-corvette-auto-targa-heads-cam-forged.html
 
Saw a guy start a project of putting a '55 chevy on a corvete frame and engine. Surprising to say the least.

Look for an old late '60's chevelle for something different.
 
Wolf22 said:
Sab and JM - not the right post for arguing, but if you own a new/newer F150Screw, or Shelby for that matter, and have issues or actually look below the skin for quality and support it isn't there. Granted, I think I found the @#$#@ dealership with subpar employees who truly don't care if they dmg or do #$#@ work. Also, it doesn't help when your new Ford needs to be repainted due to fact. blems

BMW M6 - Good call, darn nice looking machine, but still wonder about the mx and reliability/cost.

TWOSUN Davey - you going to trade that 12 STI for the 'next Gen' STI coming next year??
Click to expand...

Not trying to argue either. I was just wondering where Ford went wrong in your book. Sorry to hear your horrible experience at the dealer level.
 
It depends on what you want. I have a 2011 Challenger R/T Classic that I worked and it's 420 HP with little torque management. It's good for straight line racing. However, I like to do more of the round track stuff and the 4200 pounds sucks. So, I bought a Mustang GT that is 420 HP stock. Since, I will be racing this car it will be naturally aspirated. I can get it to about 550 HP with mods and a tune. Stock, the car's weight is 3600 lbs. I plain on getting it down to 3300 lbs. These cars have been keeping up with the BMWs at the track and when modded beat the 302 Boss. I will have about $42,000 into the Mustang to race on the track. However, it won't be a good street car. The Challenger, since I have it already, will be my cruiser car.

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This thing is sick. I am telling you right now this bitch will walk nearly everything on the list. It has some mods ok. 2.5 upper pulley, 140 thermostat, afr ported throttle body, ported blower snout, air raid intake, brake duct ram air mod, solid isolator, Id 850 injectors, ecu and trans tuned to perfection. Ask my next door neighbor why he won't take his 2013 gt500 out of the garage or the rt challenger before that. When it's all said and done this is not only a station wagon but it's a fucking cadillac boys. This is the most fantastic vehicle I have ever owned. It gets less than Stellar mileage though. If my neighbor could drive standard or make the snake hook up I may have my hands full but to date that has not been an issue.
 
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