"Fun" car

[buck91]

While I'm not seriously considering selling my Mustang I am watching WAY too much "Road Kill" on Netflix. As well as remembering my old '94 Crown Vic and the abuse that took. Actually, the Mustang is no princess either, but never mind that.

Anyhow, if one was looking for a fun, cheap, go-fast weekend warrior car to tackle anything from cruising to track to dirt roads what would be some good choices? I'm thinking an LT1 Caprice or a Merc Marauder/CVPI would be at the top of the list but might be rivaled by any number of other vehicles. Definitely a fan of RWD, its just more rewarding for the driver. Also a fan or doing things in pony cars that shouldn't be done, but I always worry that the Mustang will break in half or something being a 'vert (even though I have [censored] SFC's).

Of course, this is mostly just talking, since I'm now solidly a 30-something family man! Its still fun to drive a little squirrely once in a while and even more fun to wrench on a car and "make it your own" to do that stuff with...


Edit: Anybody familiar with the 80s Monte Carlo's? Are they body on frame or unibody? I know they are under powered with the 305, but are they terribly overweight as well?

 

[L_Sludger]

The 9C1 Caprice and Ford Panther platforms are comfortable but not actually go-fast cars. They were competitive in the 90s when they ruled the highway shoulders but today in stock form they'd get smoked by a basic V6 family car built within the past 6 years.

Old Monte Carlos are sought-after by certain segments to be modified into big-wheel showoff cars.

Try broadening your horizons a little past that. Have you considered a WRX? They have all wheel drive.

 

[buck91]

Well, I guess "go fast" isn't the best descriptor. One day I would love to find a NICE LS1 f-body for that. Doubtful I'll ditch my SN95 before then but if I did... it would be for something I could make quick for affordable costs (diy engine work or bolt ons, gears, etc) and really beat on without too much guilt. I really enjoyed the fact my CV would take dirt 2-track at ridiculous speeds (symptom of youth) and other shenanigans. Of course, that car was horribly anemic in the power department.

Its not that I have anything AGAINST AWD but for my weekend/fun car its just not... well its not me. How would something like a Charge compare? Does it offer similar durability and toughness to go with the power? Another though would be the compact pickup market, though those seem to suffer from cramped cabs.

 

[L_Sludger]

If you really like your RWD V8 sedans you can also look at Lexus LS400s. They are cheap, tough and reliable. I can't speak to the Dodge because I haven't worked on them. The police agencies around here seem to like them but they are still kind of new and therefore $$$!

 

[555]

The problem with what you want is that those cars you desire are old and usually pretty beat. I think I understand what you're talking about. I grew up with access to dirt roads and drove LTDs, compact pickups, late 70s Subarus etc.
For what it's worth, a Subaru can be a lot of fun. The first years they put the 2.5 liter in the Impreza were pretty good and quicker than the other stuff you mentioned. Their AWD is simple and many had a limited slip diff in back(the RS which appeared in 98). Plus they have a large amount of suspension travel(7 inches plus)at all four corners which makes asphalt driving fun and dirt road driving even more fun.
Rear wheel drive Monte Carlos/Cutlasses/Grand Prices/Regals(I believe they were called A-bodies) are stoutly built but pretty old at this point and if you found a nice one would you want to beat on it?
A retired police car is probably your best bet but make sure it makes you happy before purchasing.

 

[skyactiv]

Originally Posted By: buck91
While I'm not seriously considering selling my Mustang I am watching WAY too much "Road Kill" on Netflix. As well as remembering my old '94 Crown Vic and the abuse that took. Actually, the Mustang is no princess either, but never mind that.

Anyhow, if one was looking for a fun, cheap, go-fast weekend warrior car to tackle anything from cruising to track to dirt roads what would be some good choices? I'm thinking an LT1 Caprice or a Merc Marauder/CVPI would be at the top of the list but might be rivaled by any number of other vehicles. Definitely a fan of RWD, its just more rewarding for the driver. Also a fan or doing things in pony cars that shouldn't be done, but I always worry that the Mustang will break in half or something being a 'vert (even though I have [censored] SFC's).

Of course, this is mostly just talking, since I'm now solidly a 30-something family man! Its still fun to drive a little squirrely once in a while and even more fun to wrench on a car and "make it your own" to do that stuff with...


Edit: Anybody familiar with the 80s Monte Carlo's? Are they body on frame or unibody? I know they are under powered with the 305, but are they terribly overweight as well?





Your a 30 something family man? You read more like a dumb 16 year old.

 

[Silverado12]

This is my current project. To do the minimum to get it on the road is going to be about $4,500 w/new paint, front end alignment, struts and a few other new parts. I'm doing a decent audio system, so I'll have 5K in this. I'm a huge fan of the SN95 and New Edge Mustangs because the drivetrain is very good, car is lightweight and you can get them cheap around here if you look for a while. You can have a really nice Mustang GT for about 5K.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

One of the reasons that Vics are so painfully slow is their awful gearing. 2.73:1 is like taking off in 3rd gear for a normal car. Sure, they idle down the road at 1000 RPM while great grandpa is putting to church at 45 in the passing lane with his left blinker on, but absolutely kills performance.

I think a Vic with a 3.55 rear would be a ton of fun!

 

[The_Jeff]

The 80's monte carlos are almost all dirt track race cars here, or mullet mobiles. They're quasi- body-on-frame in that the "frame" disappears at about the rear axle. This is also where they rust out, FWIW. They're going up in coolness/value such that you'd get more from your money with something like a 95 camaro.

You could also consider a V8 S10 blazer that someone else already converted, decided was stupid, and is selling for $1800.

The real answer is to keep your mustang but care less about it. Can you bolt in a roll cage that will add stiffness to the windscreen?

 

[odotb]

I have an 07 crown vic it is not a p71 but I have made some changes. 323 gearing with a locker and aluminum driveshaft, afe intake system, Diablo custom tune, dual ehaust with mustang H type cross over pipes. Not a fast car, but not slow either. Keep in mind that a police P71 is about 400lbs heavier than the standard model and they are usually worn out when sold. My wife has a 2017 accord v6 that is faster.

 

[FutureDoc]

Originally Posted By: buck91
Its not that I have anything AGAINST AWD but for my weekend/fun car its just not... well its not me. How would something like a Charge compare? Does it offer similar durability and toughness to go with the power? Another though would be the compact pickup market, though those seem to suffer from cramped cabs.


My question is this: what do you consider "fun"? Everyone is a bit different. That will push you towards different types of vehicles... my problem with your list is that some are mutually exclusionary right now. Cruiser. Track. Dirt. Fast. Takes abuse. (and I assume "cheap-ish"). You will have to nix or compromise on some areas to get something.

Is "fun" interacting with like-minded community members, is fun the the wrenching aspect, is fun long-range project, is fun cruising, is fun more of an "experience" aspect, is fun technical driving or tracking???

Fun for me is "isolation". I go up a winding mountain road in my handling-oriented car and have fun with momentum. Western NC is god's country for the light-and-agile sportscar. Keeping speed and some of the more technical elements are the fun. If I go for the "community" aspect, it is with AutoX folks, less C&C.

Now, from the sounds of it, you are kinda talking about a cruiser/rumbler. This is really the 'Stang. You are really edging on duplicating your existing car's purpose. So it sounds liek you want to remain in your comfort zone and are pushing towards what you already have and if anything looking at something to turn into a bit of a ratrod of sorts.

Quote:
fun, cheap, go-fast weekend warrior car to tackle anything from cruising to track to dirt roads

This is a WRX at the core... maybe not the best cruiser but from a reliable go-fast track to dirt, it is what it does. Also working on it is kinda like playing with legos... anyway, you nixed this so lets move on...

Dodge. They are glass-box cupcakes. About as robust as a wilted flower and often really problematic as a old "disposable" fun car. The good is that they are cheap but not prone to taking a lot of abuse. So if you are willing to walk away from the car when it breaks, then not a bad choice. If you want a cruiser/lot princess, then they ain't bad. Actually, if you want a cruiser, this would be my choice but one of the last for a "fast-car". More for the C&C crowd than the track/dirt car.


If you want cheap speed, look into turbo-ed Cobalt SS (not the weakly supercharged) if you can find it. It will likely walk away from most pre-2004 V8s with ease. Sure, it does not have the presence as the "V8" muscle, but for track-day and dirt (FWD can help if you can control the torque-steer). An under-appreciated car... but it has other cobalt issues too. Not sure if it would "check" the cruiser box.

Another option is to find a 350Z for cheap. Again, a different philosophy. More of a sportscar but it was never that "pure" of an execution (too heavy and more of a cruiser but not refined to be a GT car). However, it is fast, trackable, moddable, and fairly reliable. Decent low-speed crusier. Heck look at a G35 as well.

...


I kinda joke, but it really sounds like you want an performance Audi. Cruiser: check. Track/Dirt: check. Go-fast:check. Something like and S4 or S5 with the 4.2V8. That being side, these are absolute half-rolling money pits and doing the wrenching/bolt-on thing is not as easy for these vehicles.

Another option would be a V8 Mercedes. While they can be expensive as well, they tend to be slightly less catastrophic than Audis. (udis will break slightly less but in much bigger ways, the Mercs will break more but in smaller ways. You might be able to wrench on the merc slightly easier than the audi.

 

[buck91]

Fun little topic and it's enjoyable to see the different thoughts people have. The stang really is pretty close but I always feel bad beating on it too hard. Like I'm just waiting for the unibody to fail (despite sfc's)!

 

[FutureDoc]

Originally Posted By: buck91
Fun little topic and it's enjoyable to see the different thoughts people have. The stang really is pretty close but I always feel bad beating on it too hard. Like I'm just waiting for the unibody to fail (despite sfc's)!



Then lets have more fun with the stangs. If you willingness to repair/maintain the GT, then keep with it. If you like it, double your fun. Actually double bubble your fun. Ha, Mustang humor.

Start investing in preserving the current vehicle by hunting "parts cars". I know convertible can be rough on the interior so start looking for donors broken mechanical, but a good interior donors and strip the donor(s) down. Start hoarding those parts. Then, look at donor(s) pool and ID as a track/mud-rat. Maybe you can find a potential parts-car that is "fixable" to a track-rat status and use other bits elsewhere. I think you will need the hard-top there. Maybe find one with the major issue is something you would swap out anyways. It is not like the mustang has a restricted parts catalog.

I am almost thinking something like the "Project Ugly Horse" if you want to find that old fizzled-out build.

Just my quick search is that there are a few potential-donor-like 'Stangs in my area so I expect that you could find some in Mich (rust considered). Looks like as long as you are willing to swap a transmission, (common item on my CL listings) then you might be ok. Heck, there is even a SVT for not unreasonable money. Hummm...


Oh, and one last option. Lincoln LS (RWD with the 3.9L V8) if you can hunt one down. Interesting sleeper potential. Bonus if you can find the rare manual transmission. Might be scouting.

 

[aquariuscsm]

350Z with track package. Cheap and fun!!

 

[555]

Mustangs(Fox body or SN 95 flex alot) will never be rigid enough to take regular dirt road abuse and have very little suspension travel. The ragtops are even worse.
The Lincoln LS is a great idea but the V8 only came with an automatic transmission, but who cares? Drove a few as rentals and they were really nice. Good luck

 

[Shaman]

RWD Volvo?

Buy a V6 New Edge and install an M90 or M112 supercharger

 

[MCompact]

350Z, G35/37, E36 M3, C5 Z06...

 

[Silverado12]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
One of the reasons that Vics are so painfully slow is their awful gearing. 2.73:1 is like taking off in 3rd gear for a normal car. Sure, they idle down the road at 1000 RPM while great grandpa is putting to church at 45 in the passing lane with his left blinker on, but absolutely kills performance.

I think a Vic with a 3.55 rear would be a ton of fun!


I would do at least 3:73 on a Crown Vic.

 

[fdcg27]

To me a fun car is a ragtop.
That's why I found, bought and have kept one.
It's been my good weather daily driver for 60K.
Performance is a relative thing and as the old saying goes it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
To me, a fun car is one that's entertaining yet reliable enough to daily drive without much need to fix anything.