Patman
Staff member
Black interiors are very common on modern Corvettes. I wanted something very unique and wasn’t seeing it on the used car market so I factory ordered my 2018 new instead. It’s Torch Red with a light grey interior
Does such a thing as a bargain muscle/performance car still exist?
- Thread starter grampi
- Start date
Surprised no one has mentioned 1998-2002 LS1 Pontiac Firebirds and Camaro's.
Same engine as the Vettes.....can get 350-400 hp out of them without too much work. Even stock 325-345 hp.
I did this thing in 2012....buying the BEST BANG for the BUCK muscle/performance car. It had been 8 yrs since 2004 when I sold my '69 RR convertible 383 ci for $25K. And by 2012 they cost considerably more. No longer were the muscle Mopars are ripping deal. I bought my first 383 Roadrunner 4 speed in 1991 for $3000 with a fresh engine and mechanicals.....decent body. That was a much better deal than a 1993 Pontiac 6 speed at $25K-$28K new. During that 8 yr hiatus, the price of those 4th gen Pontiac/Camaro's plummeted in price.
Picked up a 1999 Camaro SS M6 in 2012 with 12K miles for $12K from the original owner.....while Roadrunners and GTX's were going for 2X and 3X that amount. And the new 2009 Camaro's were $35K or more as I recall. Still have my '99 SS today.....now with 20K miles.....probably worth around $15K to $18K I'd still recommend them if you can find a clean, low mileage one from the original owners....they still pop up. Though even a clean 45K mile car might still run $10K-$15K.
Same engine as the Vettes.....can get 350-400 hp out of them without too much work. Even stock 325-345 hp.
I did this thing in 2012....buying the BEST BANG for the BUCK muscle/performance car. It had been 8 yrs since 2004 when I sold my '69 RR convertible 383 ci for $25K. And by 2012 they cost considerably more. No longer were the muscle Mopars are ripping deal. I bought my first 383 Roadrunner 4 speed in 1991 for $3000 with a fresh engine and mechanicals.....decent body. That was a much better deal than a 1993 Pontiac 6 speed at $25K-$28K new. During that 8 yr hiatus, the price of those 4th gen Pontiac/Camaro's plummeted in price.
Picked up a 1999 Camaro SS M6 in 2012 with 12K miles for $12K from the original owner.....while Roadrunners and GTX's were going for 2X and 3X that amount. And the new 2009 Camaro's were $35K or more as I recall. Still have my '99 SS today.....now with 20K miles.....probably worth around $15K to $18K I'd still recommend them if you can find a clean, low mileage one from the original owners....they still pop up. Though even a clean 45K mile car might still run $10K-$15K.
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Patman
Staff member
I paid $31,000 (Canadian) for my brand new 1998 Firebird Formula and at that time a new Corvette was around $60,000. So I would often tell people that I was getting similar performance from my Formula at half the price. In 98 nobody really realized that they underrated the power of the f-body LS1. GM claimed 305 horsepower but those of us who owned or had driven one knew it was way more. Especially once we took them to a dyno. My 98 Formula put down 320 horsepower to the wheels. That’s closer to 360 at the crank.
It wasn’t quite the same as the real thing though, 6 years later in 2004, I ended up getting a used 98 Corvette for $33,000, it only had 30,000 miles on it so it was basically like a new one at that time. The Corvette had better handling and braking over the f-bodies, although the aftermarket could solve that issue (I know a lot of 4th gen f-body owners who take them to the track and they could run rings around the track against a stock Corvette from that same era)
I forgot about Katzkin, and I'm sure there are others.... Yeah it's an added cost, but then he can get whatever color seats he wants. For the rest of it he can swap it out, just gotta be willing to put some work into it.
I will eventually be putting a 2015+ front end and tail lights on our Challenger since my wife asked very nicely for me to do so (I'm so proud she's turning into an auto enthusiast
RIP my wallet cuz I won't say no!). Could we have bought a 15+? Yes, but our 14 was just too good of a deal to pass up, and she wants to learn how to work on it!I would love this color combo...only on a C5...
The Formula was the only F-Body I liked. I thought the TA was gaudy looking, and I didn't like the Camaro at all...I was looking a Forumlas around 2000, but never pulled the trigger...
the cheapest way to a muscle car these days is buuy a G body and ls swap it
To be fair, plenty of us can forget about an "Annual complaint" about bargain Muscle cars/Hot rods.
None of us is old enough, or senile enough, to forget about the "daily question" about oil recommendations.
At least he gave us 1 year, 5 months to dwell on it.
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I almost never make such comments, but that looks really sharp, I absolutely love how the colors worked out for you!
You're doing yourself a disservice by not at least driving a S550 Mustang. Way Nicer car than a C5.
If you want a manual transmission, the Chinese Getrag is a no-go for me. The fact that Shelby trashed the MT82 and went with the Tremec tells you everything you need to know.
Nice engine, though.
You've been talking about Corvette's for years...
Life is short, if you can't find the exact C5 you want, get one as close as possible, and then change the interior or exterior to what you desire. You can either talk about it endlessly, or get one (and possibly modify it) and then enjoy it.
MT82 issues WAY over blown on the internet. The MT82 is STRONGER than the Tremec 3160 used in the GT350, DH, and Mach 1. That 3160 was also used in the V6 Camaro. My 2017 has been happy to bang gears at 7700 rpm with BOOST for over 30,000 miles. 43,000 total miles on it. Was also banging gears before the boost. Sure some had issues. 18, and 19 were the worst years. The Tremec shifts better but its not stronger.
BTW Shelby didn't trash the MT82. Shelby has ZERO to do with the production of the GT350. That is a 100% in house Ford product. It only wears the Shelby name. The Super Snake is modified at Shelfy America. Those cost more than the GT350. Guess what manual transmissions those have? Not a Tremec. Actual Shelby products are a joke.
Yes.
Buy it before you’re way too old to enjoy it.
Go cruising to a restaurant far away just to enjoy the drive, heavy metal thunder and racing with the wind….
Patman
Staff member
Black leather on a sunny summer day equals a lot of pain when you get into the car wearing shorts. With grey leather it’s never too hot to cause pain
And what is the make of this basic car?
Mr. Bishi.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
There is also a word: “practical” - 4 Mustangs passed our driveway as my kids grew up - they now have vehicles with 4 doors and cargo space …
I am going to be a contrarian and suggest the supply for performance cars at a reasonable price is strong. Most of these can be had lightly used in the price range of 20k-30k and the performance and refinement puts the old muscle cars to shame. Some are not muscle cars per se but are performance cars:
1. Mustang eco boosts (available with almost no miles on carmax for 30k). The eco boost powertrain has the linearity of a hand grenade but it is entertaining.
2. Toyobaru twins - not muscle cars but very balanced performance
3. GTI - been a great formula for 40 years.
4. Used Corvettes - discussed above as nauseum.
5. Challenger / Charger - even the V6 has 300hp.
6. Last gen Camaros - same.
7. What does a used Supra or BMW Z4 bring? I haven’t seen those as frequently.
Electrics are fast true but I don’t associate them as a muscle car. That’s my psychological hang up. No offense intended.
Market is strong enough that Honda is brining back the Prelude. Before folks whine about the price, adjusted for inflation the price is pretty much what the 98 Prelude that I bought for my wife back in 98.
There are others I am likely forgetting. Point is that availability of these cars is pretty strong even if you are sticking to a rational budget.
1. Mustang eco boosts (available with almost no miles on carmax for 30k). The eco boost powertrain has the linearity of a hand grenade but it is entertaining.
2. Toyobaru twins - not muscle cars but very balanced performance
3. GTI - been a great formula for 40 years.
4. Used Corvettes - discussed above as nauseum.
5. Challenger / Charger - even the V6 has 300hp.
6. Last gen Camaros - same.
7. What does a used Supra or BMW Z4 bring? I haven’t seen those as frequently.
Electrics are fast true but I don’t associate them as a muscle car. That’s my psychological hang up. No offense intended.
Market is strong enough that Honda is brining back the Prelude. Before folks whine about the price, adjusted for inflation the price is pretty much what the 98 Prelude that I bought for my wife back in 98.
There are others I am likely forgetting. Point is that availability of these cars is pretty strong even if you are sticking to a rational budget.
