ClassicCar

candyc

Hi all-long story short, I turn 30 next year and am having a mid life crisis. I have decided the best thing to make me feel better is a new car! I have a company car that I drive for everyday purposes, but it's a Chevy Impala and does not make me feel young again! I have been kicking around the idea of either a 2000ish Roush Mustang with the supercharger (had a Mustang GT when I was early 20's and loved it) or getting a classic car. So, here's the deal. I am not looking to spend more than $10-12 on one, would not want one that I have to do any work to, and I would actually drive it, like every weekend and to pick up the kids, etc. I was briefly searching and for that price I can get like a 71 or so Camaro and same age Mustang. Now of course, these are local cars that someone has restored, but not to the point that I guess you would say they are all original, etc. My husband hates the idea of an old car, but I'm kinda loving it. Think it would be awesome to be driving something you can't count 100 of in a 5 mile radius. So my question is, is this a dream or are these cars actually able to be driven maybe 5000 miles or so per year? I know some people park them in garages and only bring them out for shows, but like I said, I would actually drive it and enjoy it! Not super concerned with numbers matching or all original or anything like that. Am I just buying a money pit that won't crank when I want it to?!

Thanks all!

Jon B

Yes, this is a dream.

If you want to feel younger, have an affair with a 20-year-old. It's cheaper.

Anyway, you're not allowed to have a mid-life crisis until you're 45.

candyc

Ha! My dad told me owning one would be like a love affair, I told him I am all about a love affair!

BJ__TN

Hi Candyc, Yes, there is nothing wrong having and driving an antique auto. By antique I mean cars of the late 40s to late 70s. Actually a classic car is more of an expense than an antique and are usually trailer queens. Antiques are made to be driven. The older mustangs and camaros are fun to own and drive and if you look enough You will find one in your price range. Also look for the cougars, firebirds, impalas. I had a 70s bel-aire with a 427 ci engine that I bought at a police auction. Wish I still had it! So if You find the right car go for it. You'll be happy, and it will show...
Bob Hickson

MikeWA

"Classic car" includes cars from the '20's on up to the ?'s. Don't get a car from the early '50's on back, and expect it to be an every day driver. But an early '70's Camaro or Mustang? They're as "competent" on the road as today's cars, and whole lot more fun.

Get one, and have a ball!

And by the way, you have to get to "midlife" before you can have an authentic midlife crisis. You ain't there yet. Sorry.

Oldcar_Mechanic

Don't let these old timers fool you Candyc, you can have a mid life crises anytime you please. And as for the affair................... that can be something that is way more fun then the old car and like Jon has said, it is cheaper then the car.

One thing to remember, the older cars do not drive anything like the car that you probably drive now. Steering, braking and comfort are not the same. But one thing is for sure, the old cars will put a smile on your face just about as big as the affair and get you a lot of attention and thumbs up.

Choose wisely and never look back.

Ron

candyc

thanks guys....I'm kinda at a cross roads now...just test drove a 2003 Supercharged Cobra Convertible Mustang putting out 475 hp at the wheels...that thing was insane! We put the top down, got on it and the supercharger whined and the exhaust got going and I SCREAMED LIKE A LITTLE GIRL! It was so much fun. My dad came and looked at it with me, he said it was nice but that it was nothing like two 4 barrels opening up....I'm wondering if I could have that much fun in a 70's Mustang/Camaro....I don't know, have never driven one. Also-found a 71 Cuda 440 six pack on classic auto trader for $11,400! I thought surely that thing is gone for that price....emailed him to see about it but I got too excited so went back and got the phone number, tried to call him and the number was disconnected, tried to look up the other cars he had for sale and it said he was no longer a member. Get an email from him today that he still has it! Ya right-not for that price!

As for the affair...the older I get the less attractive 20 yr olds are to me!

Oldcar_Mechanic

I'll agree with your Dad, there's nothing that compares to the feeling of a built up engine in an older car. Of course you would have had to be there to remember what it was like. A lot of the excitement was a part of our youth along with the power of the car. I've had my share of those cars and had the opportunity to work on and drive many of them in the recent year I was with a dealer that sold them. The feelings are still there and will never leave. Of course those cars can not compare to today's cars like the Mustang, Camaro or Challenger. The new ones are suspension and handling designed unlike years ago.

Maybe you should frequent some car shows and talk to people that have the car you like. Maybe you will get lucky and be able to drive theirs. At least you will get opinions of the car and what they go through on a regular basis to maintain it. That is if an older car is what you really want.

And as a second getting lucky, you may find that older then 20's guy to have that affair with.

Bottom line........ buy what makes YOU happy and will keep you "Screaming like a little girl". After all, isn't that what life is all about?

Ron

candyc

So I decided on an 03-04 Cobra Mustang, first year supercharged since I think the old Shelby's. Anyway-when I was test driving it with the sales guy, he got to talking to me (you know thats how they sell cars), and I guess he thought we were at that point in our relationship that he looks at me and says, "Candy, driving this car is better than having sex." I look at him and said, uhhhh it may be better than the sex you are getting. Maybe you need to get a new partner! But looking back on it, I think he may be right! That car was SO MUCH FUN! I found one putting out over 600 hp at the wheels, guy put a 2.3 Whipple? on it. I DO NOT need that much power because the one that was 475hp seriously scared me, I think I would get hurt really bad in it! But I would go out having a good time....and working on my affair :evil:

Variety is a spice in life, right?!

Oldcar_Mechanic

Gotta love a lady that has the right answers to a smart a$$$ salesman. Truth is there is NO driving any car that is better then sex.

Now tell me what the hell a Whipple is!

I never knew those cars put out that much H/P

Having a good time is one thing, but I would not want the going out part. There is way to much life to be lived for that short a ride. And amen to the spice of life

Lee ODell

The only Whipple I know of is a Whipple supercharger. Lee

candyc

ya the Whipple is a supercharger. So my guess is the guy pulled off the stock charger and replaced it with a bigger one that gives him a ridiculous 600hp. I don't know, I would probably use it if I had that much power, if I could keep the rear tires from spinning. That would be the trick! The stock cobras have 390 so even those are quick. It's really overkill-the sales guy had us going from 0-120 super quick in a car with 475 hp. I was kinda surprised-I thought what an idiot! He's out doing 120 in a car owned by the company he works for with a customer in the passenger seat! I told him he better slow down or pull over!

Oldcar_Mechanic

Thanks Lee

And candyc, why would you need all that power anyway? Are you moving to Germany and traveling the Autobahn? I never could understand the guys at the local cruise nights that have all that power under the hood and the others from other message boards that put these "Big Blocks" in there cars and never race them at the track. I guess egos have a lot to do with it.

Anyway, be careful or you'll be hearing the song from the "Beach Boys" but with the word Mustang in it, ha,ha.

Ron

GlobalCarDealers

Yeah i agree with you. The old cars were not as stylish and attractive those days, but when you look at it, it just stop your rolling eyes on it. you defiantly get a very different and unique feel when you drive it.

oldhudsons

referring to a car that has an auto. trans., power steering & brakes, disc brakes, power windows, etc., etc. as an antique is as bad a misnomer as calling any Chevy or Ford a "classic"!
The title of this thread is "how practical are classic cars". There is nothing practical about owning & driving either a TRUE classic or antique car, but on the other hand, there is nothing more fun & more interesting to work on, to research, to drive.
"Classic" & "antique" are probably the most mis-used words in the English language. They are used as "puffery" by salespeople in many fields other than just cars to try to get the unsuspecting to pay more for something than they should, as in "caveat emptor" or "let the buyer beware".
Yes, I know, I've pontificated long enough - I agree, let's return to our early morning coffee!

candyc

Well guys I am dead set on a Cobra. Found a one owner, retired couple. Kept all original parts, never wrecked. Never dynoed! I am going to have to because I just HAVE to know, but stock these cars are 390hp. Changing the pulley and exhaust plus a tune in all reality probably puts it close to 500. Bless his little heart, he's making me jump through hoops to get it though! He is terrified of me driving the car while it is still titled to him, but he doesn't have the title so I keep telling him there is no choice! Even if he has the title, I still have to drive it back to NC to hand it to the tag office. Anyway, here are some pics. Hope this thing works out....oh, and I am stealing it!

[img]http://[/img]

Oldcar_Mechanic

Looks good. Best of luck with it. Now, don't get to many tickets.

Enjoy
Ron

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