Help ME pick my next car

[cobalt9123]

Seeing as you guys all gave pokey some good advice, I figured I'd get y'alls opinion as well :xyxthumbs:

I'm deciding on a car to get over the next year for fun. It's going to be a weeknight/weekend car that I won't have to worry about driving every day (I have a Cobalt for that).

My specifications are:

1. Manual (6 speed preferable)
2. Rear-wheel or All-wheel drive (RWD being preferable)
3. Fast
4. Around $24,000 (obviously it's going to be used)

I've pretty much narrowed it down, with my brothers help, to three different cars that are in good condition with my price range, but am very open to other suggestions:

1. '02-'04 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (I have heard horror stories of how hard the paint is on these..)
   
   
2. '03-'04 Ford Mustang Cobra SVT -I have always loved these for their amazing looks and sound
   
   
3. '05-'06 Pontiac GTO - I love the way these look but have heard some horror stories about their suspension and cooling and I believe they're the heaviest of the group.
   
   

As far as color, I like all of these cars in Black, Red, and Blue. The cobra looks great in Oxford White as well.

Speed is not the MOST important condition, I would much rather have a fast car that didn't break a lot than a super FAST car that breaks all the time.

Like I said, I am open to any other suggestions as long as they meet my criteria, and hope to hear from owners of these cars! Thanks a lot for any help AG family! Feed back pleaserops:

 

[Finemess]

One vote for the Vette

 

[HighEndDetail]

Go with the vette.
And you can't believe everything you hear about vette paint

 

[cobalt9123]

One vote for the Vette

Thanks Finemess, can you elaborate?

Go with the vette.
And you can't believe everything you hear about vette paint

I can't? My brother has a Torch Red '01 Z06 and as I don't get my GG ROP until next week I, myself, can not testify for the hardness of the paint but I have even seen Mike Phillips comment on how hard the paint is, I do believe? Maybe it's only certain colors? And hey, you're not too far from me! I'm in Winder, GA Im the MAN

 

[LincolnZephyr2006]

Stang or Vette

 

[cobalt9123]

Note: The cars pictured are not the actual ones I'm looking at, they're just for reference for those of you who aren't sure what they look like.
Thanks

 

[jjkacz]

Since your open to other suggestions, have your thought about the CTS-V (2004-2007) or the E46 M3 (2001-2006)? The CTS-V had 400hp, 6 spd, and Brembo brakes. The M3 had 333hp, but don't let that fool you. It will run mid 13's all day.

 

[ScottB]

Get the Vette .... Mustang platform was around since the 70's called the FOX platforum. You dont necessarily need a Z06 and can keep insurance down with coupe or convertible. Add some headers, tuning, and exhaust and still be able to toss the top.

 

[Finemess]

Thanks Finemess, can you elaborate?

I just always wanted a vette. :xyxthumbs:

 

[BimmerFerret]

Vette or E46 M3. The Goat is cool for sure, but with what has been said. If you are considering the M3 in the back of your head, watch out for the Valve Checks and keep your cooling system up-to-date! The Vette has insane speed but personally I am not a huge fan of the interior.

A lot of the Mustang guys I know have their cars on jackstands because their cars break after repeated drag strip use. (1999-2004 2V is what I am speaking about) The Cobra is a great car to drive though.

 

[rwright]

Have you even considered a Genesis Coupe, 350Z, or G35?

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Had both an 03 Cobra and 03 z06. GET THE 02-04 Z06!!!!!! :dblthumb2:

 

[fancyfootwork]

Go with the Corvette. Although very popular they are amazing. Otherwise go with the GTO, may be a collectors car someday! What about a G8?

 

[BimmerFerret]

G8 is a great suggestion. That car is SWEET. I drove that car and was blown away with how great it is.

 

[detailjohn]

Of the 3, I would choose the Vette all day. It's definitely a car worth modifying and racing also. Mustangs are flexy flyers, they are waaaayy to soft to go around corners, and it's almost scary how the front end almost hits the ground when you slam on the brakes. Don't know much about the GTO.

 

[Locutus]

^lol, GTO's will be a collector, if any are left running!
I know I own a Mustang, and might sound a bit bias, but the new 5.0 GT is fast, then again they are a bit pricey. If your not going to mod the car, I would go the vette over cobra. A Mach 1 mustang would take some mods to be as fast (all aluminium version of cobra motor naturally aspirated)

 

[cobalt9123]

Since your open to other suggestions, have your thought about the CTS-V (2004-2007) or the E46 M3 (2001-2006)? The CTS-V had 400hp, 6 spd, and Brembo brakes. The M3 had 333hp, but don't let that fool you. It will run mid 13's all day.

I have considered the CTS-V but don't really like 4 doors and I also like the M3's but the maintenance from what I have heard is very expensive.

Get the Vette .... Mustang platform was around since the 70's called the FOX platforum. You dont necessarily need a Z06 and can keep insurance down with coupe or convertible. Add some headers, tuning, and exhaust and still be able to toss the top.

I've considered getting other versions of the Vette..a FRC hardtop like the Z06 or a coupe but I assumed the resale value on the Z06 would be much higher than the regular vettes.

I just always wanted a vette. :xyxthumbs:

Haha I heard that.

Vette or E46 M3. The Goat is cool for sure, but with what has been said. If you are considering the M3 in the back of your head, watch out for the Valve Checks and keep your cooling system up-to-date! The Vette has insane speed but personally I am not a huge fan of the interior.

A lot of the Mustang guys I know have their cars on jackstands because their cars break after repeated drag strip use. (1999-2004 2V is what I am speaking about) The Cobra is a great car to drive though.

Yes I have heard the maintenance for the BMW is very expensive. I don't want to deal with the problems of a Goat but I haven't heard of many mustangs being broken, thanks!

 

[Sinbad]

Since I am of a different nature, I will go against the grain and say get the GTO. You see Vettes and Mustangs everywhere. Always nice to be different. Spent most of my life as a GM tech and didn't see many problems with the GTOs. Should be able to get an 06 with the 6.0 for around $20,000 or less in good shape with low miles. Good luck with your search.

Also, the GTO would fall into more of a "sleeper" mode where it will be under the radar not only with the general public but also many law enforcement agencies. A lot of go fast parts available for these cars too.

 

[cobalt9123]

Have you even considered a Genesis Coupe, 350Z, or G35?

Yes I have considered a Genesis coupe, I really like the way they look and have heard they can match the looks with performance such as the V6 model turbocharged :xyxthumbs:
However, I haven't seen very many used ones on the market for cheap seeing as they're relatively new cars.

I have considered and driven both the G35 and the 350Z, they both seem like quality cars and had nice interior but were too expensive for the little performance they gave.

Had both an 03 Cobra and 03 z06. GET THE 02-04 Z06!!!!!! :dblthumb2:

Thanks for the info!

Go with the Corvette. Although very popular they are amazing. Otherwise go with the GTO, may be a collectors car someday! What about a G8?

Thanks, and I have considered a G8 but they're kind of expensive and 4 doors..

G8 is a great suggestion. That car is SWEET. I drove that car and was blown away with how great it is.

Thanks for the suggestion

Of the 3, I would choose the Vette all day. It's definitely a car worth modifying and racing also. Mustangs are flexy flyers, they are waaaayy to soft to go around corners, and it's almost scary how the front end almost hits the ground when you slam on the brakes. Don't know much about the GTO.

Hmm interesting tip on the mustang...thanks!

^lol, GTO's will be a collector, if any are left running!
I know I own a Mustang, and might sound a bit bias, but the new 5.0 GT is fast, then again they are a bit pricey. If your not going to mod the car, I would go the vette over cobra. A Mach 1 mustang would take some mods to be as fast (all aluminium version of cobra motor naturally aspirated)

Yes GTO's do have some problems. I love the new 5.0GT's but they're pretty expensive for my budget unless I get a stripped down low option one. I'm not really interested in the Mach1's seeing as they're not any faster than my stage 1 '09 Cobalt SS. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[cobalt9123]

Since I am of a different nature, I will go against the grain and say get the GTO. You see Vettes and Mustangs everywhere. Always nice to be different. Spent most of my life as a GM tech and didn't see many problems with the GTOs. Should be able to get an 06 with the 6.0 for around $20,000 or less in good shape with low miles. Good luck with your search.

Really? Everyone else I have heard of has had differing opinions on how the suspension is bad and will wear out the tires as well as sluggish and not allow you to go around corners/launch at the track. I have also heard horror stories about the radiators.