Hey everyone, just thought I'd introduce myself and clear it up that I DO drive an import but I'm not a "ricer". I have a love for all kinds of cars/trucks and I respect vehicles of all makes. I understand that the majority of import drivers (5" fart cannons w/ bench seat spoilers and graphics who drive like ********) have givin other import drivers like myself a bad name, but I'd like to avoid being labeled as one of them. My Prelude was my second car (first was a 95 Mitsu Eclipse GSX (turbo AWD) but the motor went bad within the second day of owning the car). I was able to sell that and buy the Prelude which has treated me well for the 3 months I've owned it. No, its no 13 second car and I don't drive it like it is. I think its plenty quick for me (17 years old) and first car. It's great on gas and the insurance is considerably less than for most F-Bodies. I am however in the market for an F-Body or Mustang and I'd like to hear some suggestions on what model/year you would all consider for me and my budget ($6,800-$7,000). I'm also really leaning on a manual transmission (like my Prelude) because personally I think it's a lot funner to drive. Any suggestions?

 

with that budget a LT1 or a 5.0 can be had and modded , You can get a foxbody(5.0) for like 2500 and up, tack on H/C/I for about 3grand and you can get anything from high 11's to mid 12's out of them.

 

Yep, take a look at LT1s (That is the engine used in the first part of the fourth generation of the F-body cars, 1993 to 1997. LS1s are 1998 to 2002.)

 

I'd lean more for the 5.0 than a LT1. but thats just me. Or you could just save a little more for the ls1.

 

Just save up a little bit more and get and ls1. Welcome to the site as well.

 

Welcome, I would take these guys advise and get the LT1 or save for the LS1. My girl friend has a 95 cobra 5.0 and it runs good and fun to drive,but stock for stock the LT1 will smack it around .

 

I got my LS1 for $7500. Save up and you won't regret it.

 

Bang for buck an LS1 is probably the most mod friendly motor out. It is really hard to NOT make power with an LS1. but you will be hard pressed to find a LS1 car within your budget

The LT1 is a really good motor but dose not respond as well to mods as the LS1, but there are lots of parts for them and they are cheaper to come by.

The 5.0 has the most mods out there. Probably more then the LS1 and LT1 together. That is not necessarily a good thing. You can kill a power curve on a 5.0 fairly easy with the wrong mods. However Fox bodies can be had cheaply and are cheap to modify. Superchargers start at less then 2 grand.

You can also pic up and older F-body and swap in a LS1 or LT1. But that may put you over budget

But then again your prelude does have a H22 if you put a turbo on that you could have a very quick import

 

Thanks for all of the input guys, I was also leaning towards the LT1 or an older 5.0 like most of you suggested. I think the LS1 would be out of my price range and I'll consider that when I'm a little older.

GoldenVelvet, I was considering boosting my Prelude but I'd like to own an American car because first of all it's American... and second no one can deny that a V8 sounds better than any import. I think American cars have some type of superiority over imports even when just sitting at a stop light , none the less racing one. I want the muscle

 

Thats funny!

 

Welcome and good luck! I would save for the LS1 or if you are in a hurry get the LT1.

 

your on the right track , kind of rare havin people my age that like muscle cars,... I never would have thot that imports would be more popular to youth then muscle

 

im 17 and i went with the big bag muscle 231 c.i. v6 firebird
i know i know, i should of got the v8, but my car was only 6 grand, and up here in michigan there aint a v8 98+ fbody for less than 14 grand.

 

I lived in Wisconsin and got 99 z28 for 11k?

 

Get an LS1, you wont regret it!!

 

My bid is also for the LS1. Welcome to the site.

 

Stretch it and find an LS1. Simply amazing, even bone stock. I bought mine when I was 18 and everything's been awesome.

 

I agree with the majority of people here, I think the LS1 would be worth saving for. Otherwise the LT1 is still not a bad choice. Insurance will probably be a bit of a jump between the 2 as well. Eiether way I understand where you are coming with the import hting. I owned an Integra for about 1.5 years and loved it, but my heart was always with the V8 power. I now drive an 04 GTO and never plan on looking back. I will probably own American made cars for the rest of my life!

 

Wierd I live in michigan and got my 99 SS with 30,000 miles for 13,000. And it WAS all stock. you can find em, ya just gotta have the time and patience to find the right seller.

 

LS1s are pretty darn close to your range. Take a look here. Another few hundred dollars and she could be yours.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/vehicles-sale-lsx-powered-only/297439-1998-formula-firebird-sale-8100-a.html