Thread: Almost 16, what kinda car

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I am almost 16 and have been looking around for cars. My friend just got a honda civic hatch with a body kit & engine swap. I don't really want to get a ricer, but I don't want to pay an arm and a leg. What I really want is a nice muscle car that can own ricers. I like first generation camaros, but I want something that will haul. Basically I am looking for a muscle car with in a reasonable price, any ideas?

There are more ideas here than you could imagine. But your idea of "reasonable" may not be the same as anyone elses. If you throw out a dollar range you will increase your odds of getting a thoughtful, and useful, response.

Cheap, fast, reliable. Pick any two.

Abe

Forsaken,

Just for fun, you ought to go to ebay and check out the going prices on various muscle cars. I think you can get an idea of what you are going to have to pay to for the "hot" models, and you might learn about some of the better bargains in other models. Come back here to CHR and ask specific questions about what you're considering to buy, and I'll bet you'll get a few comments.

Be sure to do some homework before you whip out the wallet

Dan J

OK the 2 cars i have been thinking about:
1967 - 69 Camaro or a Nova (not sure what year)
what are the pros and cons, and i am looking for some thing fast.

Something fast - at 16? Not a bright idea...but you won't be the first.

Where be you? Here in teh north east (and other snowy rusty areas)67-69 ANYTHING that runs and has a floor is not cheap. start at mebbe 10 grand and go up. Most novas will be 6 cylinder rides, not fast.

Try the 84-92 Camaros/Firebirds. Under $2500 and sometimes under $1000. Mostly likley V8 equipped, handle nice, lots of parts you can get for them, and if you have the ten large now, you can make it wicked fast with the change.

77-87 Caprice/Bonneville, etc are out there too, about $1500 here for a nice one, with a V8.

YOu could also get a Mustang or Crown Vic if you wanna go ford.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by screamer63_1979
[B]Something fast - at 16? Not a bright idea...but you won't be the first.

Let me ask u want kinda car u wanted at 16?

Another body style to go with is the Monte Carlo family. Look for 1978-1983 Monte Carlo's, Oldsmobile Cutlass, and Buick Regal.

Those cars are cheap to buy, can be made pretty fast and are expendable so when you do wreck it (You're about 16-it's gonna happen) it's no big loss.

Abe

Dear Forsaken, I turned 16 and got a '72 Dodge Charger with a 400 BB. Great fast car for a 16 year old. Big back seat also!

Concerning affordable "muscle" cars comes back to the old question..."What years and what cars are considered "muscle" cars?" Thats a WHOLE different subject. And a hotly debated one to this day in the site as of others as well. Everyone has a opinion AND THAT IS GOOD!!!!

Leaning towards the MOPAR way, I suggest the following:
'70 to 74 Dodge Darts and Dusters
( older ones are hard to find in good shape) You can get one of these with a slant six, drop in a big block and go "spanking" some ricers. They came with disk brakes and most came with 727 trannies. You may have to get a stronger rear end tho.
They are cheaper and lighter than the Challengers, 'Cudas, Chargers and Road Runners.
I will also agree with the '78 to 81 malibus, cutlass. I had a '81 Cutlass that I put a Z28 engine in with dual exhaust and a shift kit and had a BLAST street racing it. ( I don't condone this! )Some came factory with V8's and to hi-po them would be easy. Also look at the mid 80's fox body Fords. The mustangs and such. Alot of hi-po prospects there. Don't forget the Mercury Capris of the time either. Alot alike the Mustangs. Dont' qoute me on this...I am remember a MOPAR guy.

It comes down to this...look at a car. What is the potential of it. Imagine it in skinnies and tubbed. the perfect stance, a hood scoop, and such. What may be cool to some one else may not be cool to you. Find a car that the "lines" look good to YOU!
Good luck and keep us all posted!!
DCON

Forsaken, as Bob said a general ball park on what you can afford would be helpfull to get an idea on what you can realistically expect. (Personally at 16 I WANTED a Hemi Road Runner, I GOT a 58 International Pickup (only managed to wreck it twice in 6 Months)).

One thing you can and should check before you buy anything is what insurace is going to cost. While you my luck into a Camaro you can afford, your likely in for a rude awakening on what it costs a 16 year old to insure it. The same will likely hold true for any car that the insurance companies classify as preformance cars such as Mustangs, Firebirds, etc.

This may make the cars such as the Monte Carlo (and clones) non-SS Novas, Darts/Dusters etc much more realistic in your case. All of these cars have the potential for becoming extremely quick if built correctly.

If you plan on just going out and buying an out of the box "fast car" remember if you do your research or are lucky you get what you pay for instead of somneone elses problem.

Forsaken...I turned 16, my mom said "You want a car? Get a job, get a car." She did not help with insurance either.

Car 1: 1963 Ford Galaxie 2 Dr, rust bucket. 289 Ford-o Matic.
Car 2: 1972 Charger, 400 auto, posi, etc. I have witnesses to a christmas day 1979 ride...11:31 seconds long (Freebird on a tape timed us) about 31 miles of hiway...
car 3: 1963 Ford Galaxie 2 dr, 289 auto.
Current daily driver? 93 taurus, V6 auto. OOOH, how exciting. i can get lotsa tickets in it though...and it will bury it's speedo easily.

I am now 41, a parent, and have matured a BIT. I also spent 10 years at a motorcycle dealership and know WAY too many kids who at 16 or 18 bought TOO much horsepower and well, didn't live to enjoy 17 or 19.

Why is the driking age 21? When you are 23 you'll understand!

I have to pay for the car and gas, but for the first few months my parientals are picking up the insureacne. I can propably dive one of my folks sencond car(92 camery) but i would have to share it with my sister, and i dont trust her as far as cars go. I might get a junker now and then wait till i save up a little more to get some thing nice. I dont think i want to buy a car thats fast and clean, but rather some thing the used use a "little" work, I think your car means more that way when u work on it, but has the potential to be a pretty fast ride.

my mother only drove one year and my dad passed away when i was 12, so i was kinda on my own. Fortuanely i worked with a guy whose hobby was old cars, preferrably full size early 60's fords, with big blocks and folding tops. Between him and his brother at one time they had 16, plus their daily drivers and a truck.

They had a 64 2 door hardtop with a 406 Tri-Power and a 4 speed. The 406 was MEAN and NASTY - 13.5 compression! Would wheelie on the 1-2 shift! Kept blowing head gaskets so it got pulled and a 390 went in. Still wicked fast...especially when trying to stop with 4 wheel manual drum brakes!

Forsaken, where do you live, are you able to travel to get a nice car to start on, ie do you have a pickup and trailer available ?? What price range are you looking at for project cost?? Don't let folks talk you out of what you want, just be willing to make sacrifices to have it !!!

I am willing to travel a few state away for a car. I know i could probaply get a tralier from where i work at. I would really like a Nova or Camaro because i think they look pretty clean. Will post back later class is almost over