- Oct 22, 2000
- 24,514
- 44
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Have cars as described in sig. Getting tired of the Lincoln and want to get something more fun to replace it. Fun is the only criterion aside from the car being in good condition and I'm not cross-shopping cars in the same categories. I am not considering new or nearly new cars. Help me decide among the top two, or if I should just keep the Mark VIII for now.
Car 1: 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo (951).
Pro: Modified Turbo S engine. 270 HP / 290 Ft-Lbs at the rear wheels. 0-60 in ~5 seconds. New head, new rod bearings, new seals and new turbo. Mechanically flawless and records to prove it. "Only" $7,500.
Con: Insurance ++ (extra $200/year over the Lincoln). Expected fuel mileage gain is 1mpg. Back seat is only suitable for legless midgets. 144,000 miles on the body/suspension/interior and starting to look it (beige leather shows wear like nothing else). Needs tires. Maintenance ++. Already have a 944 so this isn't something "new". Speed bumps would be individual acts of faith.
Car 2: 1968 Mustang 390 GT Coupe.
Pro: 100% restored except for non-functional (but correct) AM radio. Easy and cheap to maintain. Much less "1980's rich boy" look than the 951. Never had one before. $700/year cheaper insurance. Has that wonderful big-block sound. Looks like a brand new 1968 Mustang. Much more interior room than the 951, can fit actual humans in the back seat. Can go over speed bumps without worrying about taking off the nose.
Con: $20,000. Mileage estimates of 12 city / 16 highway and the 390 needs premium. Needs to have a working radio installed, probably $300 (don't need anything fancy, just 2 decent speakers and a head unit hidden under the dash). Restored yes, but worries about using a 1968 vehicle as a daily driver (anyone know how well these things sealed in the rain when new?)
Of course, I could always keep the current Lincoln.
Pro: $0 to purchase. Comfy if not fun. Have to love the DOHC 4.6 litre V8.
Con: Maintenance costs creeping up. $1,000 air suspension only has about another 15,000 to 20,000 miles left in it judging by the average failure mileage. Starting to do the occasional "weird" thing (holding first gear too long, hesitating). Royal pain in the ass to work on. Even the 951 would be easier. Wasn't a car I would have chosen for myself, was inherited. If I want to get any money out of it, I need to sell it soon.
That's about it. Thoughts and opinions (hell, even flames) welcome.
ZV
Car 1: 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo (951).
Pro: Modified Turbo S engine. 270 HP / 290 Ft-Lbs at the rear wheels. 0-60 in ~5 seconds. New head, new rod bearings, new seals and new turbo. Mechanically flawless and records to prove it. "Only" $7,500.
Con: Insurance ++ (extra $200/year over the Lincoln). Expected fuel mileage gain is 1mpg. Back seat is only suitable for legless midgets. 144,000 miles on the body/suspension/interior and starting to look it (beige leather shows wear like nothing else). Needs tires. Maintenance ++. Already have a 944 so this isn't something "new". Speed bumps would be individual acts of faith.
Car 2: 1968 Mustang 390 GT Coupe.
Pro: 100% restored except for non-functional (but correct) AM radio. Easy and cheap to maintain. Much less "1980's rich boy" look than the 951. Never had one before. $700/year cheaper insurance. Has that wonderful big-block sound. Looks like a brand new 1968 Mustang. Much more interior room than the 951, can fit actual humans in the back seat. Can go over speed bumps without worrying about taking off the nose.
Con: $20,000. Mileage estimates of 12 city / 16 highway and the 390 needs premium. Needs to have a working radio installed, probably $300 (don't need anything fancy, just 2 decent speakers and a head unit hidden under the dash). Restored yes, but worries about using a 1968 vehicle as a daily driver (anyone know how well these things sealed in the rain when new?)
Of course, I could always keep the current Lincoln.
Pro: $0 to purchase. Comfy if not fun. Have to love the DOHC 4.6 litre V8.
Con: Maintenance costs creeping up. $1,000 air suspension only has about another 15,000 to 20,000 miles left in it judging by the average failure mileage. Starting to do the occasional "weird" thing (holding first gear too long, hesitating). Royal pain in the ass to work on. Even the 951 would be easier. Wasn't a car I would have chosen for myself, was inherited. If I want to get any money out of it, I need to sell it soon.
That's about it. Thoughts and opinions (hell, even flames) welcome.
ZV
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