gskomes

Hello everyone,

I have been around this site once in a while for awhile and just joined, and I could use some opinions on what I should do.

I used to have a 98 z28 that I miss and a ninja 600r which I got in a big accident in (not my fault, guy went through a stop sign), but anyway long story short I have a itch for some kind of performance vehicle that I need to scratch.

So here is what I am looking at:
1 - 13/14 (new or used) camaro ss 1le (trying for around 36k new 30k used, winter i would get 2nd set or rims w/ snow tires)
2 - 08/09 pontiac g8 gt/gxp (gt for about 20k, gxp if i can find one for under 25k and manual and winter i would get 2nd set or rims w/ snow tires)
3 - c6 corvette with a crap DD on the side (vette for 30k or under)
4 - 02 trans am ws6 under 15k with decent DD on the side (like an ats)
5 - try to fine a classic muscle car in decent working condition under 15k with a DD on the side also
6 - (last and least if nothing else works out) subaru wrx (leased of 2-3yrs then find something else)

Would like another crotch-rocket but that would make a lot of people pissed off lol.

I am really stuck because I like all of those cars and I would have a good time with any of them. Definitely be doing modifications eventually to all. Also, I would prefer a manual car because i miss it.

Some extra information is I am going to be 25, close to debt free and have good credit and have a pretty good job and live in NJ. My friend goes the to track every few month and I would like to start going with him. Also , my cousin's fiance drag races, so I would also like to go with him once in a while as well.

If you have an opinion of which way I should go with this, please explain why I should.

Thank you.

RJDio

I'd go Trans Am WS6, but I'm biased. I'm amazed at how many are parted out, seems daily on this board, it isn't like they made a ton of them anyway and a rare color makes it more unique. Pontiac - gone. Trans Ams are still some of the freakiest looking cars on the road and I don't see them hardly anymore. Honestly, I'd shop and shop and shop till I found a '01 or '02 Trans Am WS6 with the LS6 block, there are 10-25% that do, why...just for the hell of saying it has a better windowed LS6 block.

black_phoenix

iTrader: (27)

i strongly recommend a c6

rcerex

C6, out of the box performance and handling . It is still a better car overall, mod for mod. The cost is higher, but it is a better car. Insurance won't be as bad as z06.

Zlow28

iTrader: (11)

id get a c6 too. Second choice would probably be a 2014 1le camaro.

omarrakeen

iTrader: (2)

another vote for the C6. a car ready to go!

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

I would go with option #3, 4 or 5. All three would be excellent choices IMO, and which one is best really comes down to personal preference, what you value most in a car, and exactly how you intend to use it. Option #5 will require the most skill/work (or need for outsourcing) on your part, as most classic muscle cars for under $15k won't be fully restored examples so you can expect them to need some work. If you are willing to get something from that era that wasn't a true "muscle car", then you could get a lot more (condition-wise) for your $15k. Options #3 and #4 would be more weather resistant if the car will be occasionally used in rain/foul weather, etc., and they would offer better reliability out of the box.

If you do go with this option, I wouldn't worry about looking specifically for an '01/'02 car or an LS6 block at all, I'd instead make sure to find the nicest condition, lowest mileage example possile with the fewest previous owners, that still fits my budget. Since you intend to modify it anyway, most of the advantages of a later model will be negated, and personally I care more about having the nicest example of given car that I can find vs. one with a rare option/feature or a "last year" example. If it just so happens that you can find a last year, rare feature car that is also excellent condition and within your budget, then that's great too.

Furious1

iTrader: (1)

I went through a similar scenario a few years back and I settled on a low mile WS6. It was cheap enough that it left me plenty of extra cash to "play" with.

mjs1012

iTrader: (36)

What about a c5z and a decent dd?

RJDio

here ya go. Looks bone stocker from the small pics. (except autotune start, drilled / slotted rotors, brake calipers), A4 tho. Not really a low mile car but is open for offers. One thing about shopping for that hotrod car, it is fun to shop! ! I agree a vette would be shweeet too!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pontiac-Trans-Am-Formula-Trans-Am-Ram-Air-WS6-Collector-Edition-T-Tops-1-TXownr-Remote-Start-Alarm-/191041050058?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2c7aef15ca&item=191041050058&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

ever consider a GTO?

gskomes

Thanks for the opinions everyone. Keep them coming.

Even before I started looking at the comments, I was starting to look at C6's a little more (I have found a few 08 and 09 in the 27 to 30k area trying to push for one with the z51 package). Also looking up old beaters like a saab 93-3 for cheap or something.

I also really like the WS6 ideas as well, since it was my dream car back in high school and I could make that a nasty little car but it would need a lot more work than the vette.

There is something about wanting to own a new car which keep making me look at the 1LE and it is an impressive car for how heavy it is.

I am actually looking more away from the g8's. I like them but I have no need for more than 2 seats, and prefer a manual.

Starting to look away from classic just because they are going to need a lot more work than the rest. I would love to have one but they are going to take a little too much of my time.

AS for a gto, I was never too crazy about them. They looked too bubbly for me and the front is really starting to look dated IMO.

This is tough.

94 White T/A

either c6 or trans am for me.

don't limit yourself to just ws6's if you go that route... you'd obviously modify it, so whats a few hundred dollars for a hood if you fins a clean sleek beak?

I'm not a huge fan of the new camaros. Not that i don't like them.... and they are growing one me.... but something keeps me from wanting one.

slaterdump

iTrader: (1)

First choice would be the Ws6, for obvious reasons. Second would be the G8, and if that failed then the WRX.

RJDio

my coworker had the WRX as a service vehicle, got to expense a lot of it. awd, the stories he would tell. I'd say test drive one, you may never come back to LS land.

1994_383_Z28

iTrader: (1)

c6...

98CayenneT/A

Found a car for ya, check that one out, that's my vote! WS6
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ra...301188808.html

WhiteHawk489

if you plan to modify, I would go for a WS6 or similar like a Firehawk(modifications are similar w/ less production #'s). This would leave a lot more money to upgrade/customize with. Vette is great out of the box but less money to upgrade with. also im sure insurance would be more.
Personally I like more unique cars so id go Firebird and make it a beast. At least around where I live I see vettes all the time and Firebirds are few and far between, definitely no Firehawks(except for mine of course).
I know you don't need the seats but I like to G8's(they are available in manual). I've got a 1 yr old though.
Happy car hunting!

RJDio

Great thing about a Fbody is the Ttops and back seat. I have daughters, so there are times I'm running them around, picking up a friend of theirs, or just a day date with wife and daughter. Etc. Hard to do in a vette. I love vettes tho, just not in a place in my life I can have one.

OA_Blackbird

I'm clearly biased but the Trans Am all day.