Grand Am Probs again - Need Advice
- Thread starter Trixie
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14point6at97MPH
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RE: Grand Am Probs again - Need Advice
I'm not sure how old your kid is, or how much driving experience they have, but a 250hp-300hp rear wheel drive car probabaly isn't the greatest idea? I've always said that if I had my Mark, or a car with similar HP, in high school I'd be dead. I drove way too fast and didn't have the experience to do it...........and I had a very slow LeBaron convertible.
I'd recommend a slow front wheel drive or AWD vehicle over a Mark, Mustang, or Crown Vic.
If you give a high school kid a V8 Mustang they WILL race it on the street. Even if they don't race it, what happens when they floor it at the wrong time........around a corner when it is wet?
I'd stay away from the mark just because of the costs of repairs and maintenance. I've put so much money in my car it is ridiculous.
Get a 4 cylinder Honda Accord with ABS and you won't have to worry about anything..........safety/maintenance/repairs.
Don't forget there will be a lot of learning going on while driving this car, and I don't know if you'll want them doing that in a V8 Mustang?
............just my thoughts and opinions
Ken
I'm not sure how old your kid is, or how much driving experience they have, but a 250hp-300hp rear wheel drive car probabaly isn't the greatest idea? I've always said that if I had my Mark, or a car with similar HP, in high school I'd be dead. I drove way too fast and didn't have the experience to do it...........and I had a very slow LeBaron convertible.
I'd recommend a slow front wheel drive or AWD vehicle over a Mark, Mustang, or Crown Vic.
If you give a high school kid a V8 Mustang they WILL race it on the street. Even if they don't race it, what happens when they floor it at the wrong time........around a corner when it is wet?
I'd stay away from the mark just because of the costs of repairs and maintenance. I've put so much money in my car it is ridiculous.
Get a 4 cylinder Honda Accord with ABS and you won't have to worry about anything..........safety/maintenance/repairs.
Don't forget there will be a lot of learning going on while driving this car, and I don't know if you'll want them doing that in a V8 Mustang?
............just my thoughts and opinions
Ken
RE: Grand Am Probs again - Need Advice
4-wheel drive Subaru, like a 1998-2000. SAFE, Dependable, stylish. Outback Sedan/Wagon - Imprezza, Legacy, whatever.
Aslo, what I bought Matt, a Cherokee. They live 4-ever. 17,000 miles in 2 years & one small 15 minute fix "problem" The 'net is loaded with discount new parts, over 400 Jeep sites! I don't think he would want a big family sedan Crown Vic or Palm Beach Gr. Marq.
4-wheel drive Subaru, like a 1998-2000. SAFE, Dependable, stylish. Outback Sedan/Wagon - Imprezza, Legacy, whatever.
Aslo, what I bought Matt, a Cherokee. They live 4-ever. 17,000 miles in 2 years & one small 15 minute fix "problem" The 'net is loaded with discount new parts, over 400 Jeep sites! I don't think he would want a big family sedan Crown Vic or Palm Beach Gr. Marq.
RE: Grand Am Probs again - Need Advice
Well, he's 19 and IMO he's a very good driver, and I hope to get to send him to one of those high performance driving courses soon. What's safety anyway? My idea of safety is that when that accident does happen, that he's in a car that's gonna keep him safe.
As far as for driving in the snow, we've all done it here. Someone almost slid into me yesterday while I had the Blazer in 4WD, so IMO it's all a crap shoot anyway. ;-)
So I took the afternoon off, and we looked at a 2000 GT (kinda out of our price range, but rather fun, and boy did it sound nice), a 98 Regal GS with the supercharger thingie which is now way up high on our list, 2000 Crown Vic Police Interceptor (the kid wants it bad, but still a bit high priced), 98 Mark VIII LSC - a beauty, and various Continentals, Crown Vics & Grand Marquis.
We didn't look too closely at anything today, as our 1st job was to kind of narrow down the field here and get some ideas.
Well, he's 19 and IMO he's a very good driver, and I hope to get to send him to one of those high performance driving courses soon. What's safety anyway? My idea of safety is that when that accident does happen, that he's in a car that's gonna keep him safe.
As far as for driving in the snow, we've all done it here. Someone almost slid into me yesterday while I had the Blazer in 4WD, so IMO it's all a crap shoot anyway. ;-)
So I took the afternoon off, and we looked at a 2000 GT (kinda out of our price range, but rather fun, and boy did it sound nice), a 98 Regal GS with the supercharger thingie which is now way up high on our list, 2000 Crown Vic Police Interceptor (the kid wants it bad, but still a bit high priced), 98 Mark VIII LSC - a beauty, and various Continentals, Crown Vics & Grand Marquis.
We didn't look too closely at anything today, as our 1st job was to kind of narrow down the field here and get some ideas.
RE: Grand Am Probs again - Need Advice
From what I understand the 3800 in the Regal is bulletproof, and one of the most reliable engines GM has made. Getting a Crown Vic or Caprice would be good because its big and safe, and parts would be cheap and plentiful, especially if it were used parts you were going after.
From what I understand the 3800 in the Regal is bulletproof, and one of the most reliable engines GM has made. Getting a Crown Vic or Caprice would be good because its big and safe, and parts would be cheap and plentiful, especially if it were used parts you were going after.
J
joeychgo
Guest
RE: Grand Am Probs again - Need Advice
I had a crown vic police interceptor once. VERY strong car. SOLID. Very safe, and great handling for its size. I wasnt crazy about the styling, but a great car otherwise.
I had a crown vic police interceptor once. VERY strong car. SOLID. Very safe, and great handling for its size. I wasnt crazy about the styling, but a great car otherwise.
RE: Grand Am Probs again - Need Advice
Number one rule is to buy what the kid(and you) will like to drive. No need to buy driveway ornaments. 'Course, with a Mark VIII, that's a given.
Number two rule is the consideration of insurance, but suprisingly again, the Mark VIII is not too bad to insure(even w/ young drivers). Long after the car is paid for, the insurance continues. Good driving records are the key here.
BTW, a good late model Mark VII can be had relatively cheap and they are known to be reliable if cared for. My two cents. The kid may say he doesn't care for it, but wait 'till he drives it.
Number one rule is to buy what the kid(and you) will like to drive. No need to buy driveway ornaments. 'Course, with a Mark VIII, that's a given.
Number two rule is the consideration of insurance, but suprisingly again, the Mark VIII is not too bad to insure(even w/ young drivers). Long after the car is paid for, the insurance continues. Good driving records are the key here.
BTW, a good late model Mark VII can be had relatively cheap and they are known to be reliable if cared for. My two cents. The kid may say he doesn't care for it, but wait 'till he drives it.
RE: Grand Am Probs again - Need Advice
Well, the Regal was sold, and we haven't found any others. So now we're pretty sure we want a 4.6L. Gonna see if I can work something out with Ron (RRocket) as I think his Mark would be great.
He was happy with all the selections, and Hubby is too (me, I'd rather not have a Crown Vic, but whatever...) but now, he's getting rather particular, gotten an attitude, and I'm about ready to tell him to get a damn Focus. (just kidding - I'm not that mean)
So the search is still ongoing (hard to car shop in the winter), but I want it to come to an end very, very soon.
Well, the Regal was sold, and we haven't found any others. So now we're pretty sure we want a 4.6L. Gonna see if I can work something out with Ron (RRocket) as I think his Mark would be great.
He was happy with all the selections, and Hubby is too (me, I'd rather not have a Crown Vic, but whatever...) but now, he's getting rather particular, gotten an attitude, and I'm about ready to tell him to get a damn Focus. (just kidding - I'm not that mean)
So the search is still ongoing (hard to car shop in the winter), but I want it to come to an end very, very soon.
RE: Grand Am Probs again - Need Advice
Have you thought about a T-Bird? '94 - '97 can be had with the 4.6, (avoid the 3.8L V6), and they're a lot simpler to maintain than a Mark VIII - I still love mine as much as my Mark VIII.
John
[link:mark8.org/lodnca|NorCal Chapter Website]
http://mark8.org/users/johnaec/Mark_VIII_s.jpg
'97 Mark VIII LSC
'96 T-Bird 4.6L
Have you thought about a T-Bird? '94 - '97 can be had with the 4.6, (avoid the 3.8L V6), and they're a lot simpler to maintain than a Mark VIII - I still love mine as much as my Mark VIII.
John
[link:mark8.org/lodnca|NorCal Chapter Website]
http://mark8.org/users/johnaec/Mark_VIII_s.jpg
'97 Mark VIII LSC
'96 T-Bird 4.6L
RE: Grand Am Probs again - Need Advice
Thanks John, yeah we thought about a T-bird, but haven't seen any with the V8. An additional consideration we're going to have is that if we get a 97 or newer car, we'll be able to get lower interest rates. I'm truly hoping this search will be over by this weekend, as I'm getting really tired of this being dropped off and picked up from work stuff. :-(
But we have included our search to private sellers, so perhaps I should take another look for the T-birds too.
Thanks John, yeah we thought about a T-bird, but haven't seen any with the V8. An additional consideration we're going to have is that if we get a 97 or newer car, we'll be able to get lower interest rates. I'm truly hoping this search will be over by this weekend, as I'm getting really tired of this being dropped off and picked up from work stuff. :-(
But we have included our search to private sellers, so perhaps I should take another look for the T-birds too.
RE: Grand Am Probs again - Need Advice
Well, looks like it's gonna be the 2000 Mustang GT. Seems like a good price, the kid absolutely loves it (as do mom & dad), and the kid promised he'd get a job to help pay for it. I'll post for sure once we get it (hopefully tomorrow).
I really want to thank everyone for their input, it really helped us figure out what to do.
Well, looks like it's gonna be the 2000 Mustang GT. Seems like a good price, the kid absolutely loves it (as do mom & dad), and the kid promised he'd get a job to help pay for it. I'll post for sure once we get it (hopefully tomorrow).
I really want to thank everyone for their input, it really helped us figure out what to do.
J
joeychgo
Guest
RE: Grand Am Probs again - Need Advice
Nope
Nope