How much would you pay for a car of truck?

Post by **Old Savage** » Sat May 12, 2012 11:10 am

Ray paid $150,000 cash for this new Mercedes. Wow!!!

I, on the hand, decided $17,000 out the door for this Toyota.

as you can see - it is a Tacoma

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sat May 12, 2012 11:17 am

About three years ago, I "treated" myself to a 50,000 buck F250 Super Duty diesel. It was certainly superb, but not personally worth the cost. I'm back to a loaded Ranger 4x4 4.0 Litre for 20,000 and very happy with my choice. The onlyist thing I miss is the cab space, and only with passengers.

Nice headlights

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Sat May 12, 2012 11:19 am

People buy cars and trucks for all kind of reasons other than transportation and hauling. My reasons stop at the new Ford F150 I bought last December.

Barcelona Rick · Post by **Barcelona Rick** » Sat May 12, 2012 11:51 am

OS.....I am in my late 50s....I just added up ever vehicle my wife and I have ever owned including our son's while he was at home....could not reach that $150,000 mark....but I am tickled that your friend can afford it.....BTW....nice looking ladies as always....

rick

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sat May 12, 2012 11:58 am

If I were in the financial situation where I could afford to pay $150K for ride and that's what I wanted, I'd do it.

Most of the vehicles I've owned in my life were purchased used. Rarely over about 10K max. A couple new ones that went over 10K were both 4x4's.
My last vehicle was a 95 Nissan Pathfinder. We paid $3,500 cash for it. Nice vehicle but a bit small.

Joe

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Sat May 12, 2012 12:12 pm

I'm setting $1.5 million as my max !

Seems to me thats what the Limited Special Edition Enzo Ferrari was selling for a year or three ago . Or atleast thats what they said the one in the Winn Casino in Vegas was going for , seems Winn had his own Ferrari dealership inside his casino .

Now if I'm being realistic extravagant I am thinking Chevy Sliverado 1/2 ton crew cab 4x4 and a Benz sedan in the E350 class . Out the door for both at a tiny bit less then 100 G's !

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Sat May 12, 2012 12:29 pm

40,000.00 for the Ford Escape, it is a nice ride.

Post by **Old Savage** » Sat May 12, 2012 12:38 pm

Ray - went to a retreat of some kind in Hawaii and "discovered" himself and that is what "he" really wanted - not the electric Tesla or something like that.

Be fun to cruise around Malibu with this and look for "photo opportunities".

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Sat May 12, 2012 12:44 pm

I don't figure to buy anything new, except work vehicles from here on out. Jeep and Ford are both over thirty years old. I can fix anything on them without a bunch of OBD stuff. And, while getting some parts for the Ford is getting difficult (mostly interior parts), you can still build a CJ from the frame up with parts bought off the web.

The only thing that would prevent me from this plan would be getting too darned old to do the work. But then, a high school buddy still owns his repair shop, and I think his kid will be taking it over, so I'm good.

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Sat May 12, 2012 1:27 pm

New F150 i recently bought was 30k ---- Wife's Accord came in slightly under 20k.

Personally thats not my theoretical "limit" for a dream car --- i would love to own a nice Cadillac CTS Sport model someday --- but thats about all i want to pay for daily drivers and work vehicles. I'm not in a position to afford a new Caddy or 'Vette yet anyway

That said --- if it wasn't for my job, i would be quite happy driving my little high mileage Wrangler every day and using one of my antique pickups for the occasional big job. The new truck i mentioned is the first vehicle i have financed in about 15 years -- i already feel locked away in debtors prison -- accountant says the payment is a write off, but it still comes out of my account every month

Ray's Merc does look awesome though OS !

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Sat May 12, 2012 1:55 pm

if I had 150K, I sure would not blow it on a vehicle....
I have a 2003 F-350 6.0 with 140K on it and its just getting broken in...
and its still looks pretty darn good....and its paid for....33K

on the other hand my wife wants a new car....ford fusion
I think she should get a mustang...
and I would use the rest to buy a nice piece of land!

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Sat May 12, 2012 2:51 pm

do the chicks come with it?

I paid $1500 for my first car, a Chevette, and $5,995 for my second car, a Volvo. That was in 1993. At the time, I went walking around car lots and saw many choices for about $9,000, recent Japanese and American plastic bubble cars, but couldn't stomach it and was going to buy nothing until I saw the Volvo.

In my head, things haven't changed much and I would have a hard time plunking down anything in 5 figures for a car. Especially while I'm living in the city, where things happen to cars.

I know it's not realistic, but I'm stuck in that time warp. Recently I passed a car lot with reasonable prices (circa $2500) on the windshields and I thought "not too bad". Then I pulled in closer and found out those were just the down payments.

I think my next car will be a van, or maybe a light truck, and those seem to be plentiful at reasonable prices.

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Sat May 12, 2012 3:39 pm

Had a dufus in a Mitsubishi who thought he could beat me across an intersection last week and it cost me my 97 Chevy Silverado C1500. 259,000mi

Yesterday I picked up a replacement.

A 2011 Chevy Silverado C1500. Got one with a small block V8 and Crew Cab.

It will be my do everything and go everywhere truck. Commuting, hunting, hauling, travelling, errands... everything.

At the end of the day it will run me about 30K just for driving it off the lot

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat May 12, 2012 4:01 pm

I've paid from a low of $50 (twice) for cars... to a high of 38K for my last ride... not counting my work trucks. All of which were higher, even tho' used. Have you priced a NEW class 8 truck? Sorry, if you work for one of the 4 truck manufacturers, I hope you keep your job

but, I'll just have to keep my little '97 model... fairly well-broke in with only 1,887,475 miles as of this afternoon!

Booger Bill · Post by **Booger Bill** » Sat May 12, 2012 6:36 pm

My first 3 or 4 cars were about $65 to $100s. Now I spend about that when I gas up! I have owned 3 new vehicles in my life time.
How people can lay 50 to 60 K on wheels is beyound me.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sat May 12, 2012 7:12 pm

I'll be looking to find a new F-150 in the next month or so. I'm thinking it's going to run about 30K.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Sat May 12, 2012 7:23 pm

I'm one of the the lucky few that has a company ride and gas card. It's a 2011 F-150 with the new V-8 that
gets 20+ MPG.

My personal vehicle is a 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (4 door) Sahara Edition, paid too much in my opinion but it's still worth way more than I owe on it. I love that Jeep but I'm going to trade it for an F-150 4X4 four door short bed in the near future. The Jeep is just not big enough for what I get into.

jb

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Sat May 12, 2012 7:54 pm

I am kinda cheap now after buying a lot of new cars/trucks

Anymore I want a 3 year old 4X4 for around $12000-$13000
Also it has to have less than 30,000 miles/under warranty/non-rental

Last three bought.
was---- 2.5 years old Ford Escape XLS 27000miles---- $8900
was----New 2009 Nissan Sentra 4 miles------$10,100 after cash for clunkers
was---- 2.5 years old 4X4 Kia Sportage 29000 miles ----$11900

Almost bought a 2009 Toyota Prius Hybriid 3 months ago(26000 miles)for $13500 but waited and it got bought while I waited

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Sat May 12, 2012 8:12 pm

2ndovc,
One of my mountain trucks is a ford short wide 4x4, hard to beat when the going gets rough.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Sat May 12, 2012 8:27 pm

My 2007 Tacoma has 180,000 on it. It is the last new vehicle I will buy in this life time. I will buy used trucks from here on out. I have no vehicle payments and if I cant pay cash, I just will have to do without.

gak · Post by **gak** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:04 pm

In my dreams

Anyone got a spare $750k or so?

Actually got to drive one of these once. Forty-eight valves doing their thing and that scream at 6-7000 or so a sound to behold!
Kinda hard to fit 31" AT's under those fenderwells though

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:34 pm

rjohns,
my mountain runner is a Ford 1990 Bronco II, James Duff stage 3 suspension, all the goodies.
You are right, buy them used, build them right.

willygene · Post by **willygene** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:54 pm

I like my 2012 ford super duty gas burner I just got rid of a 2011 diesel it cost to much to fuel and service. The ford only cost 30,000 new. I sure as he'll ain't gona buy a foreign or a government motors vehicle. Dodge is out as well due to bail outs. Ford took none.

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Sat May 12, 2012 11:11 pm

Never have bought anything new. My dad always bought a year or two old, letting the first guy take the biggest loss on depreciation. I tend to go a bit older, buying clean used rigs, and just driving them till they aren't worth fixing major things, and getting something a bit newer next time. I've had pretty good results, and drive cross country now and then. No worries. My "newest" rig is mid 90's, with 230,000+ miles, and still gets me there. No rust helps, it doesn't look as old as it is, according to others. I guess I never really was into newer vehicles, just want clean, reliable, and able to do what I need done.

Think I paid about $5k for the last Suburban I bought several years ago, a bit overpriced, but it's run pretty well for the most part.

adirondakjack · Post by **adirondakjack** » Sat May 12, 2012 11:17 pm

New things are nice. The money moves the economy, benefits us all round about.

That said except for my motorcyle ($8300 cash, OTD) no new for us ever Wife's '08 Hyundai with 20K on it was the closest and most expensive. Average has been 5-8 years old, except for two, not over $5k, often far less, and most often cash. MY $3000 van is a good runner, and I OWN IT, it don't own me.

Canuck Bob · Post by **Canuck Bob** » Sun May 13, 2012 3:15 pm

Never owned a new vehicle. My TJ was about $13000 my wife's recent Honda Element was $21000 and the car she got rid of was a 1991 Volvo 240 series. Just 5 years ago the age of our two vehicles combined was over 40 years. My retirement 1994 Toyota pickup is getting a new clutch right now. The TJ is a working vehicle that earns mileage as a travelling sales vehicle. The day it doesn't earn its keep it is gone.

Times are changing though. My health has all but eliminated me twisting wrenches so auto wrecker parts and garage clutch jobs are history. I found an honest mechanic who works from home for extra cash and he is my go to guy.

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Sun May 13, 2012 8:22 pm

Way back in the fall of 1974 I purchased my first and only brand new vehicle. It was a 75 F250 4 x 4, and I still have it, it still runs and we still use it on the farm, however, it has a few odd parts on it, I even shoehorned a Chevy stearing sector into it, about 10yrs ago, because couldn't find decent replacement parts.

I have an 83 F250 which still pulls a gooseneck trailer, and gets me to work in bad weather. I have an 89 Jimmy with only 90,000 miles on it, which is my lowest milage rig, other then my 2 Harleys, and an 02 Grand Cherokee with 180,000, we bought it almost new with only 19,000 on it at the time. I am not buying any new vehicles, I am going to run these into the ground, and then get a switch and beat them till they get back up and go some more.

I hate payments, and don't have any, If I can't pay cash, I usually don't buy. A new vehicle is not an investment, it's a cost, and I don't know how people afford them, that make a lot less money then I do, but I guess it's a matter of what's important to you, and what you are willing to give up in other areas of your life so you can make the payments.

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Mon May 14, 2012 12:35 am

Man earns his money, he should spend it however he sees fit. Period.

That said, I subscribe to a Christian ethic that would make it impossible for me to enjoy a $150,000 automobile when tens of thousands of those dollars could do so much good in the world. It would be impossible for me to enjoy a multi-million dollar house for the same reason. Now a $60,000 car or a million dollar house? Sure, that I could enjoy and not feel like a gravy swilling pig, but here's the thing guys - THAT'S JUST ME. I'm no judge and I don't. Those are just MY completely illogical, totally subjective limits and they shouldn't/don't apply to anyone else.

I hope your pal enjoys his $150,000 car as I assume that HE EARNED IT (or you wouldn't be pals with him). Let's see some pictures of you driving it.

Oh hey! Surprise your buddy for his next birthday by bolting a set of Texas longhorns to the hood!

Oly

P.S. My last two Grand Cherokees window stickered at over fifty grand!! I didn't pay that for 'em (not even close), but sheesh...

Post by **Old Savage** » Mon May 14, 2012 5:40 am

Well Oly, long horns on the Mercedes??

Ray is an engineer for Lockheed. Makes enough I am sure. As far as where the money goes - I think if you buy anything made like that it goes to so many people that you are keeping a lot going and if your intent is God's will I think the Holy Spirit goes with it - my view. I told him it is no Toyota pick up but it that is what he wants. Whenever I get where I want to go, which will be Calif Country Club tomorrow for a golf tourney, I can't really tell how I got there. I would like to see my old long gone 51 Ford I bought for $75 in 1965. Something good where everything works right comes to mind. My wife likes the new Challenger, I had a yellow 74 when we met 37 years ago. She likes the orange.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Tue May 15, 2012 5:37 pm

gak wrote:In my dreams Anyone got a spare $750k or so?

Actually got to drive one of these once. Forty-eight valves doing their thing and that scream at 6-7000 or so a sound to behold!
Kinda hard to fit 31" AT's under those fenderwells though

Yea, and the speed limit is 65 to 70 most places. Of course out here on Pacific Coast Highway, they try to get things like this up to speed. I usually doesn't end well.

tman · Post by **tman** » Tue May 15, 2012 5:49 pm

I'd go $20K for a decent 1968 GTO with a his/hers hurst shifter.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Tue May 15, 2012 6:23 pm

tman wrote:I'd go $20K for a decent 1968 GTO with a his/hers hurst shifter.

ME TOO!
or a 69 boss 302

tman · Post by **tman** » Thu May 17, 2012 5:25 pm

Seriously looking at a newer Hemi Challenger.Might be my next toy.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Thu May 17, 2012 5:29 pm

I won't buy a "new" car or truck.

If I had the money to buy a "new" car or truck, I would spend it having a OLD car or truck rebuilt to better than OEM...

tman · Post by **tman** » Thu May 17, 2012 5:36 pm

Old Ironsights wrote:I won't buy a "new" car or truck.

If I had the money to buy a "new" car or truck, I would spend it having a OLD car or truck rebuilt to better than OEM...

That would cost way more. Even a Poor condition muscle car is gonna cost you $12k. Throw in another $40k, unless you do the majority of the OEM rebuilt yourself. Modify the braking system to actually stop a 60's musclecar, another $2k. have fun finding 116 octane leaded gas. Trust me , been thru it

octagon · Post by **octagon** » Thu May 17, 2012 8:25 pm

Bought a new GMC Texas Edition 4 door six months ago for 33Gs and it has been great. 5.3L motor gets 22 mpg in the desert (flat). Great truck. Am going to get a new Road King soon for about 23Gs. I have drove a lot of old trucks and scooters most of my life and am enjoying rolling in some newer stuff! (Still have the old stuff too).

gak · Post by **gak** » Thu May 17, 2012 9:02 pm

tman wrote:
Old Ironsights wrote:I won't buy a "new" car or truck.

If I had the money to buy a "new" car or truck, I would spend it having a OLD car or truck rebuilt to better than OEM...
That would cost way more. Even a Poor condition muscle car is gonna cost you $12k. Throw in another $40k, unless you do the majority of the OEM rebuilt yourself. Modify the braking system to actually stop a 60's musclecar, another $2k. have fun finding 116 octane leaded gas. Trust me , been thru it

I've had this "fantasy" as well and have dabbled but never went/completed whole hog. But if you're rebuilding to "better than OEM" I sure as heck would keep the compression down enough for regular gas! My dream's a "mid-year" (63-67) Vette partly retro-rod'd/modernized. (Stock in appearance and underneath--except aforementioned braking, wheels/tires, crate motor with modern carburetion if not EFI, heads on up buit for lower octane unleaded, etc, but with stock (except rotary comp fand new freon) rare(ish) factory a/c, topped off seats upgraded (Recaros).
None of these fantasies successfully address the one area modern cars are a true improvement on--airbags...we've all known someone (or perhaps are one) saved by them...but when you play in the old/classic car world, I guess you can't have everything.

My "thing" when younger was Corvairs. A 65 Corsa (eventually built to 66 improvements/specs) was my main ride for ten years.
(66 Corsa - Not my shot)

Whole family had them since 62, the latter a four door a/c'd Monza we watched lowered brand new off the boat in Japan. Our family car for two years there, perfectly suited for the seasonal monsoon conditions and zany two lanes there. A friend and I hobbied in these in the 70s and 80s, and at one point we had a dozen or so in various states of disrepair...One of our "business plans" was to ship rust-free Az bodies back east. Real-life careers intervened rudely on our fun with that and other plans, but they were a hoot to fiddle with. Continues to be a bargain classic--easy (just different) to work on, and a ball to drive, the 2nd Gen's (65-69) especially major handlers with their 63+ Vette fully IRS. Lotsa parts still available with continuing small-but-rabidly devoted following. I've toyed with the thought to either build or--smarter at my age/energy/budget--get one as a ground-up restore but with some modest modern improvements. Factory a/c but with rotary a/c comp, decent seats, upgraded wheels and tires. That's all that's needed

Little known factoid, 'Vairs were built from the get-go with hardened valve seats so the switch to unleaded was uneventful. As with a lot of 60s classics, octane became an issue however. Lots of "101+" purchased in those years, especially for hopped up engines where backing off the timing just woudnt do

. Suposedly known for throwing fanbelts what with the contorted routing, I blew only one in some 300,000 miles. But I always had one in the trunk along with a Snap On 9/16ths swivel-end socket wrench "just in case" and still remember the part number! Fun--and when maintained/done right--super reliable cars.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu May 17, 2012 10:11 pm

My dream fleet consists of the following '55 Chevy models: 210 sedan (have), a 210 wagon or Nomad, a sedan delivery, '55-½ 3100 p/u (have), 3100 4x4, 3100 Suburban, and a V-6100 (130" wheelbase) 2-ton with 5th wheel & 4 car trailer. Yes, I have give this some thought. And yep, I bought my Lotto tickets!

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Thu May 17, 2012 10:53 pm

First car cost me $15.00 at a Ma Bell auction, I had just turned 15 years old too. 1961 Ford Falcon dark green with a gold bell on the door. Floor was so rotten I had to put plywood in the foot wells. Three on the tree w/85 HP straight six. Drove that car until I got my temp drivers license, then bought my 63 1/2 Ford fast back with 406 and tri-power. Had to drive that one to drivers ed three times a week to learn how to drive...then I got my real license.

Just picked up my brand new 2013....yep that is 2013 Ford Taurus SEL last Tuesday. Listed with most of goodies at a hair over $32k, but actually purchased it for $27.5k. Thought it was not a bad deal, and I use it primarily for work. It replaced my 2008 SEL with 120,000 miles on it.

If I had a 150k to spend on a car, I wouldn't, could buy another 70 or so adjacent acres.

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu May 17, 2012 11:05 pm

Took my driving test in a Corvair - the older bathtub looking style.

gak · Post by **gak** » Fri May 18, 2012 5:36 am

Old Savage wrote:Took my driving test in a Corvair - the older bathtub looking style.

Of that body style, in addition to our 62, in 1968 my brother and I (I = maintained

) got a four door '64 that was wonderful, smoothest engine ever, could put a dime on the air cleaner lid. Whirrr. That early style was fun in its own right. Though they weren't the ultimate handlers the later (65-69) were, Nader (forever) aside they were a gas to drive. Never saw a car handle backroad washboard as well as the early swing axle cars and the '64 was the best of them. Loved that compound curve rear window on the four door, strongest glass--never (ever) saw one broken, and was a unique design touch. I remember changing the u-joints out--maybe too much washboard?--in drifting snow and howling wind on jacks (before we were smart enough to always have other support!) at 20 below in northern New Mexico, with a portable womens' hairdryer hose directed at my fingers. Those were the days!

Right now, helping a friend fix up his 51 3100 5 window Chevy truck, retaining the 235 six but "enhanced" a bit. A real classic. Other than a '54 (birth year) variant of the above, my fave truck to restore to "original or better" would be a '68-or-so Ford F-100, to me the epitome of "ranch truck." Love the looks and function of that era Ford truck and '68 intro'd the 302, though I have a soft spot for the 351W, strong motor which I had (put) later in a 79 Supercab, replacing a worn 302.

Shasta · Post by **Shasta** » Fri May 18, 2012 5:15 pm

The first new car I ever bought was a 1975 Ford Pinto wagon for $4,000. My trade-in was a 1969 Chevy Camaro.

The only other new vehicle I have ever bought was a 2002 Ford F250 Super Duty diesel that cost me around $32,000.

The best price I ever paid for a car was $0. It was my first car, a stripped body shell of a 1955 Chevrolet Nomad given to me in 1969 by one of my older brothers. Junkyard parts, elbow grease, a paint job and some upholstery (total cost of well under $1,000) got it looking like this:

After I got married, the Nomad sat about ten years before I decided to fix it up a little. The "little fixing" turned into a full body off concours quality restoration back to factory original, taking me nine years and finished in 1994. I did as much of my own work as possible and still spent $23,000. It has a 265 c.i. four barrel V-8, power steering and power brakes. The bright side is it is now worth about three times that much, and has won first in class at many collector car shows. Yes, I still have it after 43 years.

SHASTA

gak · Post by **gak** » Fri May 18, 2012 5:54 pm

Shasta - stunning, love those!

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Sat May 19, 2012 1:56 am

Yeah, I know it's stupid, but I sure like these:

Reminds me of the cars I lusted after as a kid.

Oly

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat May 19, 2012 3:19 am

Shasta wrote:The first new car I ever bought was a 1975 Ford Pinto wagon for $4,000. My trade-in was a 1969 Chevy Camaro.
The only other new vehicle I have ever bought was a 2002 Ford F250 Super Duty diesel that cost me around $32,000.
The best price I ever paid for a car was $0. It was my first car, a stripped body shell of a 1955 Chevrolet Nomad given to me in 1969 by one of my older brothers. Junkyard parts, elbow grease, a paint job and some upholstery (total cost of well under $1,000) got it looking like this:

After I got married, the Nomad sat about ten years before I decided to fix it up a little. The "little fixing" turned into a full body off concours quality restoration back to factory original, taking me nine years and finished in 1994. I did as much of my own work as possible and still spent $23,000. It has a 265 c.i. four barrel V-8, power steering and power brakes. The bright side is it is now worth about three times that much, and has won first in class at many collector car shows. Yes, I still have it after 43 years.

SHASTA

They're absolutely a labor of love! I gotta get pics scanned of mine!

BenT · Post by **BenT** » Sat May 19, 2012 6:48 am

Shasta, gotta like those Chevys. My first car was a 57 2 door station wagon. I parked my 64 Corvair Spyder in 1987 with 63K miles on it. When the kids get out of the house I will probably pull it out and start restoration. I have a buddy who builds Corvair engines up for airplanes . (Fly Corvair). We used buy engines out of junk yards for $10 in high school and stack them up. We could have them out in 30 minutes. It was a treasure hunt for Corsa 4 carb heads.

Post by **Old Savage** » Sat May 19, 2012 8:03 am

Oly - that is my wife's favorite car - she likes the orange.

gak - I think that Corvair, the older one is the smoothest handling car I have ever driven. I don't ever see them and So Cal is a haven for old cars. Have to look at the next big car show.

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Sat May 19, 2012 8:58 am

I have a 1966(first year)Ford Bronco (170cid/standard shift)
Its all original with 70,000 miles, I bought from original owner in 1979

They seem to have the rocker panels go bad,but otherwise the sheet metal on those guys are like a tank.
Its that Turquoise blue(original). Kinda cool vehicle actually. This model year they did not have steering stops on it so you can turn it at direct angles.(I remember it actually would out go my brothers CJ5 in the tight areas because of how it turns)

Guess that first year people going down the highway like when seeing a deer or such and cranking the wheel would flip it,they then installed steering stops in 1967.Also it came from the factory with NO backup Lights.Also got a laugh at inspection time (when the kid inspecting it said---the back up lights don't work)

I would say son------It came from factory that way--so just pass it!

So, my wife says its an eye sore in yard----what should I do???? (she says ---scrap that gaudy thing ??????????

)

Is cool with the top off/front windshield flipped down/windows cranked down----kinda reminds me of those Range Rovers over in Africa

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Sat May 19, 2012 9:16 am

Oly, not a thing wrong with the new ones. They look a lot better than Fords attempt at resurrecting the early T-birds.

Speaking of the T-bird redo, when they were first announced, I seriously considered buying one. Then I saw one

Had Ford recreated the body exactly, without the "updating", I'm fairly sure they would have sold many more. Heck, they'd probably still be selling them.

gak · Post by **gak** » Sat May 19, 2012 9:54 am

Old Savage wrote:Oly - that is my wife's favorite car - she likes the orange.

gak - I think that Corvair, the older one is the smoothest handling car I have ever driven. I don't ever see them and So Cal is a haven for old cars. Have to look at the next big car show.

I liked our early "1st Gen" (60-64) and "2nd Gen" (65-69) cars equally but in some ways for entirely different reasons. Characterized by many as "cute" versus the later's "handsome" or "pretty," The first was perfect as a round town or quick road trip fun runabout I'd change very little on in a "complete" restore--essentially keep stock except essential improvements like an alternator (vs generator) and of course modern tires. I'd even keep the wheels and stock interior. "Personality" wise, they just seem to want to be kept pretty stock, though some have had fun hopping them up. While on vacation several years ago driving the Pacific Coast Highway--in my Corvair of course!--I stopped at a Safeway in Malibu. In the parking lot was an attractive blonde, visored in her tennis outfit, etc "the Malibu set look" -- a real head turner -- whirring by in a 64 Monza Convertible that looked box stock and brand new..and everybody looked ooh'ing and aw'ing, and not just at her! She and the Vair fit right in in that "jet set" Mercedes/BMW environment. Oner person even said, where can I getone of those? I thought "Imagine that, a lowly Corvair getting the same looks as a Ferrari roadster." That's what that early (esp convert) could be.

Versus this

OTOH the complete redesign (65+) above with its "more modern" swoopy lines is the one that was so modernized with myriad technical improvements to begin with--it begs to be further toy'd with, with less sensitivity toward absolute originality...adding more current performance tires, larger wheels, sound system, seats, engine--as it then can truly run with (and then some) the other classics and even more recent performance cars. More of an up-to-date grand tourer that can handle with the best--amazingly flat cornering and high limits with that Vette IRS.

Although entirely different personalities (and ultimate performance capabilities) both generations shared basic engines, transmissions and of course layout, and that great non-power'd steering. Great in the snow of course with that weight in back, also enhancing breaking and launch. In super icy conditions, I remember adding a sand bag in the front (trunk) to improve steering.
Awesone car that, aided by Nader's fine work (mostly on the early models, but...) and an increasingly tepid market, internal Chevrolet internal politics helped with the coup d' gras to keep the Vair subverted in the line up (re evolution and market suopoort of the car) over the years...sad, but now all the better for folks wanting a fun and unique classic on a budget. A frame-up 66 Malibu or non-special ed 67-69 Camaro will 25-60k, and a 66-67 Vette fully restored--esp frame off--can command uwards of 60-100k. A 66 Corvair Corsa--the ultimate technical evolution of the car--maybe $20-25k on a very good (seller's) day.