nascardude56

iTrader: (6)

Im going to be getting a car soon and have 12k to spend:

I want something that can be driven daily and handles well, it will barely see any drag strip time

It seems like an ls1 fbody is the best bang for the buck car but im also considering a ls2 gto, c5 corvette, and imports like the g35

What other options are there and what seems like the best for my purpose?

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

Well if it's daily driven then will you be modding it?

nascardude56

iTrader: (6)

Yes, but only to what it CA smog legal which is basically worthless, I will focus on the suspension since I plan on doing a few autox's

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

With 12k to spend you'll likely need to forget about the GTO.

If you care more about handling, you could probably find a high-mileage C5 for that price range. Otherwise, you can build a pretty nice Fbody.

nascardude56

iTrader: (6)

I found a ls2 m6 gto locally for 12k with only 70k miles so its not too bad, just worried about the weight

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

Thats a sweet deal. You can always buy a good F-Body and mod it and maybe, probably still have a little money left over

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

Not just weight, but from what I pick up here and there that parts are becoming harder to find. Replacement parts, that is (like BCM, etc.). Further, they need quite a bit of work to the suspension just to iron out issues from the factory.

They are nice cars and all (I had an '05), but I'm just trying to be realistic since you have a $12k budget.

nascardude56

iTrader: (6)

Ya,thats true, the fbody that im interested in has 79k miles and its a 6 speed with a hotchkis suspension, he's only asking 7k so i might go for that, just want to make sure it would make a good dd

WS6_Veteran

iTrader: (6)

Thats a really nice deal, I would look at it and be ready to jump on it. Definitely give you enough money left over for some good bolts on and finish out the suspension. Hopefully you dont mind buying premium fuel and stupid gas mileage especially if your using it in town. I gave up DD'ing my fbody and bought an s10 40 bucks a week in gas was killing me especially when I only live 5 miles from my work. Lol, my 2 grand 4 banger s10 is only burning 10 bucks in fuel a week.

nascardude56

iTrader: (6)

Is your fbody a a4 or m6? I have read that the m6 gets pretty good gas mileage without a heavy foot

WS6_Veteran

iTrader: (6)

M6... and in the city might as well give up. I get about 10-13 MPG. 14 if I shift before 2K and really focus on my shifting. But, its hard with an M6 to not run it through the gears lol.

Highway though in 6th gear I get a good 24-26 mpg depending on the area and if I can lay on CC and just let it ride. But running only premium still hurts.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

I wouldn't put such emphasis on running premium fuel. When breaking it down, we're talking like a $3.00 upcharge per tank. It's very nominal.

As for mileage in general... It's a performance car from a decade ago... one can't have their cake and eat it too. Nonetheless, they get great mileage considering their performance. That one can nail 30mpg on the highway is really amazing while having 300rwhp.

nascardude56

iTrader: (6)

Thats true, Ive been researching other cars like a g35 and they dont get any better mpgs, ls1's seem the best in the performance car dd category

Jtm2085

iTrader: (1)

I would look really hard for a decent milage C5. They are really starting to drop in price around my area. They make great DD's if you can live with out a back seat.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Get a 2001 or 2002, no EGR and it comes with the ls6 intake, also the stock manifolds and Y-pipe on them flow better.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

You can still get away with having the stock heads ported(better flow) and milled(higher compression) or aftermarket heads (same benefits) that have a CARB number like the AFR heads do, and a cam is still very doable as long as it had at least -4* overlap and a good tune.

NC01TA

nascardude56, I think an F-body would be an excellent DD and gas consumption should not be an issue, unless you need a car that gets 25-30 mpg. That won't happen with many V8 cars, not for city driving. I've owned F-bodies for 17 years now and they are wonderful for DD use to highway trip use. That's my opinion but you may feel differently. For $12,000 you can buy one heck of a nice ride. Look at this one that sold for very close to that money. https://ls1tech.com/forums/vehicle-c...13k-miles.html
That car is going to be good for the new owner for many. many years. Best of luck with your decision and search!

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

If one is going to mod their car, I wouldn't suggest getting hung up about those things. Saving money on getting a cleaner car that might be a 99 or 00 would be worth the few hundred bucks to upgrade intakes.

nascardude56

iTrader: (6)

I agree, 01 and 02's are a few thousand more here which isnt worth it for me, I currently drive a wrx and cant stand the turbo lag, just want instant torquey power

Chawlz

Between fbody and gto, I prefer gto for dd. More comfortable and doesn't feel cheap (don't shoot me guys!). I couldn't drive more than 20 or 30 min at a time without having a sore back, those seats weren't great. As far as power, gto stock (ish) feels just as strong/fast as camaro stock.
Camaro does get better gas mileage (about 30 hway vs about 20 hway both 6speed) and would have plenty of mod money left over. Camaro is surprisingly easier to get baby in and out of back seat due to longer doors if you have kids.