DocNinja

Hey all, I'm a late 20's college student who works full time. I need a new car but I can't decide if I should go find a beater (American or Japanese 4 banger) or just go ahead and pony car (Camaro/Mustang) I don't have a family and don't plan on having one for quite a awhile. If I did get a pony car I'd probably get a v6 model and then trade it in for a v8 model. Any input is appreciated.

sgtrgpfdps

Sounds good but I don't get get a v6 then trade it in for v8. In a pony car ?

sreve

iTrader: (3)

The 4th gen cars are old enough now they are pretty cheap
in stock form with a controlled right foot they do really good on gas.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

if you can afford an ls1 fbody get one.



just look for one within your budget.

NC01TA

Life is too short to deny yourself a decent car. I've felt that way since I was 16 years old and my thoughts have never changed, and I'm now 58.
You can get a decent lower mileage '98 -'02 F-body or '05 -'06 Mustang for very fair prices that won't break the bank. It depends what you want. Just get a good one, not someone's modded abused mistake that they want to dump.
Be patient with your search and be willing to travel. Sweet rides aren't always in your zip code, and sometimes not even in your state. This is serious $$ so don't settle!
Best of luck!

bad_408_vert

iTrader: (6)

Ls1 Fbodys are great cars but keep in mind that newest fbody is 11 years old.
Even then the only gripe most have is window motors and VATS.
Both that can be addressed for about $150.

Look for one that is mechanically in good shape and in your budget (being a college student and working full time leaves no time or money to be wasted on someone else's nightmare project).

You 'll regret getting a v6 pony car after a few days of owning. I know I did
There is price difference between v6 and v8 cars, but insurance and gas are the same.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

i wouldnt say insurance and gas are the same. but not enough to worry about.

DocNinja

Sorry I guess I could of explained that better. I want one of the new pony cars (2010 up for the Camaro and 2011 for the Mustang) but the cheapest I can find one is around 20k for a V6. While the V6 are putting down 300ish HP I really want that V8 growl. I've always been a believer of the "Go big or Go home" mantra.

However I'm a full time student and have a full time job so taking on a big car note probably isn't the smartest move heh. On the flip side of that, I don't want a lame car either. Right now I own a 2004 V8 Tundra that is bleeding me dry due to driving 40 min one way for work and fill ups costing $75 on average.

So I need to find another daily driver but I can't decide what to get. Most of the newer cars don't interest me and the ones that do aren't in my budget.

Hopefully that answered your question.

DocNinja

I found two so far, what do you guys think?

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...6&cardist=6249


http://www.autobestbuyil.com/detail....PrefID=0&.aspx

The white one is closer to me but more expensive. I don't know how much it's really worth. I'd like to stay around 6k with it being a 13 year old car.

The blue one is about 75 mi from me so I can't just swing by to check it out. I think the price is about right.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

honestly, those newer v6 mustangs and camaros have good power and are nice.



theres nothing wrong with them. theyre great daily drivers and get decent mileage.

red04montels

iTrader: (1)

wait until you're on your feet and actually have money.

JohnS Z28

iTrader: (1)

Im sorry to break it to you, but a 3.8 firebird is going to get about 18 MPG in town, compared to a 5.7...which gets 17
You said you want a v6 to trade it for a v8? Sorry but nobody wants to downgrade their v8 to a v6, my 98 z28 costs 5400, blast to drive and is in decent shape. Please don't waste money on a old used v6, If you really want to get something out of a v6 you're gonna be buying a NEW car, like '11-'14

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

for that price range id just look for an ls1 powered fbody.

Bocefus

iTrader: (17)

Buy the cheap reliable 4 cyl gas saver (Civic, Accord, etc) until you can comfortably pay in CASH what you want.. Burdening yourself with a large car note while going through college is a bad idea.

Fry_

Here are some real performance options for you.
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/3949112405.html
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/3947296912.html

MikeWS6

My heads/cammed car gets 20mpg around town lol

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

Id do this^

DocNinja

What do you guys think about this?

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4049257542.html

Nevermind the post is a month old and the guy sold it within a hour of posting it.

JDEP162

il post again, learn from me man, wait, save, save, shop around, and ull find a great car someday . dont rush it or ull regret it man. ive bought cars just because i wanted one asap before. always regreted it. finaly saved up and shopped around, found a great car at good price.

M4N14C

iTrader: (3)

Can't tell you how true that is. While I was saving up, I was always on Craigslist checking out the local deals. But be realistic. Don't expect to get a low mileage SS or WS6 with 4k in your hand. Save up, take your time and pounce only when you find a car that has everything you need.

Really hard if you have a quick trigger finger like me