Bad Bowtie
Well-Known Member
Boring background (feel free to skip):
Alright well the time has come to let go of the current car. I drive 200+ miles a week and that will be rising soon, so I'd like something better on gas. Don't get me wrong, the Camaro gets 20 city / 30 highway, but I just want that extra 10+mpg for the commute to school/work/gf's school. Income never really allowed for another car (damn college), but that will be changing at the end of this month. With that said, I would like to get rid of the car for a lower mileage one as well (mine's at 103), not just mpg.
Anyways, I plan on getting a cheap beater, either a Civic around $1,500 or splurge a little and get this nice Integra I was looking at ($2,500 obo). That isn't what want help with though. I want help with the choosing of a fun car.
Choices: GTO vs F-body
Another LS1 F-body (98-02 Camaro/Trans Am), lower mileage though
Pros(+):
+Lighter than the goat
+cheaper payment
+cheaper insurance
+cheaper parts
+t-tops
Cons(-):
-rough ride
-older car, more can go wrong
-weak rear (already broke one 10 bolt in this car bone stock)
-LS1 = small bore, biggest I can go without a resleeve is 396ci, but that has geometry issues so more likely a 393ci
-rattle trap
2005/6 Pontiac GTO (only want an LS2 6 speed)[same as a Manaro for you Europeans who didn't already know]
Pros(+):
+ride is 100x better
+LS2 has a bigger bore, which can be used for a 402-414ci stroker
+newer car, less to go wrong
+factory heads are the on
+built solid
Cons(-):
-more expensive insurance (almost double)
-bigger payment (~$100 more)
-heavier
-more expensive parts (headers/exhaust only really)
Cars are a driver's race stock for stock, looks are a toss up in my opinion. I used to want a GTO reallllly bad when they came out Original plan with the f-body was to wait a year to buy, and build a single (88mm) turbo 600rwhp stock bottom end car, but I figure I'll save that for the dream Vette build yearssss down the road. Both would end up being around the same thing, heads/cam/intake/exhaust maybe a 100 shot of giggle gas on top. I guess there is an option 3, a C5 vette (same $ as a GTO, faster stock vs stock than either, $16 more per month insurance than my Camaro, most expensive bolt-on parts).
So as you can see, I'm totally stuck. Complete deadlock. Normally, I wouldn't turn to the internet for a decision like this, but I can't decide. ANY help is wanted and appreciated!
Alright well the time has come to let go of the current car. I drive 200+ miles a week and that will be rising soon, so I'd like something better on gas. Don't get me wrong, the Camaro gets 20 city / 30 highway, but I just want that extra 10+mpg for the commute to school/work/gf's school. Income never really allowed for another car (damn college), but that will be changing at the end of this month. With that said, I would like to get rid of the car for a lower mileage one as well (mine's at 103), not just mpg.
Anyways, I plan on getting a cheap beater, either a Civic around $1,500 or splurge a little and get this nice Integra I was looking at ($2,500 obo). That isn't what want help with though. I want help with the choosing of a fun car.
Choices: GTO vs F-body
Another LS1 F-body (98-02 Camaro/Trans Am), lower mileage though
Pros(+):
+Lighter than the goat
+cheaper payment
+cheaper insurance
+cheaper parts
+t-tops
Cons(-):
-rough ride
-older car, more can go wrong
-weak rear (already broke one 10 bolt in this car bone stock)
-LS1 = small bore, biggest I can go without a resleeve is 396ci, but that has geometry issues so more likely a 393ci
-rattle trap
2005/6 Pontiac GTO (only want an LS2 6 speed)[same as a Manaro for you Europeans who didn't already know]
Pros(+):
+ride is 100x better
+LS2 has a bigger bore, which can be used for a 402-414ci stroker
+newer car, less to go wrong
+factory heads are the on
+built solid
Cons(-):
-more expensive insurance (almost double)
-bigger payment (~$100 more)
-heavier
-more expensive parts (headers/exhaust only really)
Cars are a driver's race stock for stock, looks are a toss up in my opinion. I used to want a GTO reallllly bad when they came out Original plan with the f-body was to wait a year to buy, and build a single (88mm) turbo 600rwhp stock bottom end car, but I figure I'll save that for the dream Vette build yearssss down the road. Both would end up being around the same thing, heads/cam/intake/exhaust maybe a 100 shot of giggle gas on top. I guess there is an option 3, a C5 vette (same $ as a GTO, faster stock vs stock than either, $16 more per month insurance than my Camaro, most expensive bolt-on parts).
So as you can see, I'm totally stuck. Complete deadlock. Normally, I wouldn't turn to the internet for a decision like this, but I can't decide. ANY help is wanted and appreciated!