which "nice" beater/ DD ?

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I guess it does makes sense, what you guys are saying...
I have a bunch of stuff planned for the Tbird, mostly external, look-enhancing stuff, but some also mechanical (suspension wise)...and I am assuming it might set me back somewhere betw. $ 2-3k to get all of that done...and I am afraid that when all of that is done and the Tbird looks nice and all, that it will make it hard for me to use it as a DD, but I guess like you said, i can drive it, and still enjoy it...

Am I crazy to put that much $ into a car that has 150k? but i am attached to it, and it just "fits" me and I feel so comfortable in it, and of course used to it, too...
 
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If you are going to drive it and enjoy it, it is worth it.

Why would someone put $30k into a 50 year old car? Same reason, because they love them.
 
Originally Posted By: 97tbird


Am I crazy to put that much $ into a car that has 150k? but i am attached to it, and it just "fits" me and I feel so comfortable in it, and of course used to it, too...

You would only be crazy for doing that if your only unit of measurement was the $
 
Originally Posted By: 97tbird

Am I crazy to put that much $ into a car that has 150k?


Since this car has been very well maintained I would say no...I asked this same question to myself when I had 200K miles on my 88 Town Car...I was very glad I kept it longer.
 
I am going with the majority vote here and WILL make my Tbird a nice(r) looking/feeling Tbird...

List of things:

- Black paint job (optional - not the most immediate mod - might have to be Maaco 2nd level; current paint is showing "whitish" spots on roof - clear coat gone, I think...)
-18" wheels (Saleen Speedstar or Mustang Cobra or other simple 5-spoke wheel in matte silver finish - i hate chrome)
-New (1.5" lowering)springs - and perh. new shocks, and whatever worn suspension parts.
-Clear corners (which make Tbirds look 10 yrs younger somehow)
-New tint to replace the old, purple, bubbling tint
 
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If you are concerned about it being too nice to be a daily drive, just keep reminding yourself it was someone's daily driver when it was new.

Think real hard about your paint before going to black. It really makes any body work or paint flaws stand out. Also shows scratches, spider webbing etc show worse than other colors.
 
Originally Posted By: XS650


Think real hard about your paint before going to black. It really makes any body work or paint flaws stand out. Also shows scratches, spider webbing etc show worse than other colors.


So true! Not a day goes by that I don't curse the fact that my daily driven Corvette is black! It's so hard to keep it looking clean, no matter what I do, at the end of the day it's covered in dust and you can see even the most minor of flaws in the finish. It never looks 100% perfect when the sun is shining.
 
Having owned 2 black cars in my life, I totally agree with the guys above. Black looks great in magazine and from a large distance, but up-close it's a torture - you will always find imperfections in it and it just never stays clean for more than a few minutes.
 
Originally Posted By: 97tbird


Am I crazy to put that much $ into a car that has 150k? but i am attached to it, and it just "fits" me and I feel so comfortable in it, and of course used to it, too...


Not at all, it seems quite sensible to me. Better to drive the car you like than let it sit in the driveway. The only downside is insurance - after your upgrades you might want to have it appraised and insured for "stated value" so you don't get underreimbursed in case of a mishap.
 
If I have that long of a commute i would go with a Civic or Accord. I wouldn't get WRX since I have to pay a lot more for gas. I'm a big Honda fan so that's why I picked the Civic ro Accrod.
 
Thanks; I think I am rather anti-Honda and Toyota and Nissan (to a much lesser amount), though...

From Japanese car makers, i like Mazda and Subaru best.
 
I always find that aftermarket paint-jobs always don't look quite as good as the factory one.

Detailing centers can do amazing things with even badly worn factory finishes - I'd look at having the existing paint 'reshined' and resealed.
 
I'll try to take a few pics of what it looks like on the front area of the roof (it's raining right now)
...perhaps that will give a better idea of how bad/not so bad it is..
 
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Ultimate Sleeper/Commuter:

2003 Subaru Forester XT Turbo with Manual 5-Speed. Add a Take-off suspension from a stock WRX (lots available). With more gear and more torque than a WRX and about the same weight it runs high 13's stock and has plenty of room. With the WRX suspension it will sit lower and handle much better than stock.
 
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