Help me choose my DD - I got 17 candidates

[Bigrus]

real men are only vaguely aware of a cars interior or comforts.

for instance, my el camino has no power brankes or steering, no heat or ac, a 10 dollar stereo, crank windows.

and I like it that way. rock solid reliable.

That or guys who think riding in a tin can is more manly than a guy who rides comfortable to work.

Maybe it is just me, but those kind of cars i save for the weekend on my workdays i like to be able to relax and know when i press the brakes the car is not going to delay, or have heat or a/c. If i pay money for something i want to enjoy the whole thing not just bits and pieces to look or feel cool. Im sure you would not buy a new car if it was in the same condition as your camino?

However to each their own.

[Firehawk1120]

I can't speak for a lot of the cars, but my 1997 mercury sable / ford taurus had 125k miles on it and if it wasn't for the fact that I drive it like I stole it no matter what it is and f'd up the tranny a bit I'd still have the damn car. It was great and never gave me a single frigging issue.

[Hot Black Trans-Am]

#2 or 14. I think they would be fun.

[jad628]

#6 '97 T-bird. I had a '94 T-bird and it was my daily driver for years. With a '97 you're getting a PI 4.6L and it is easily tweaked for good power. The tranny is a 4r70W and pretty standard for Fords. It is the same tranny that goes in Crown Vics, etc. The only difference is the rear housing extension between models. The engine is a breeze to maintain. The plugs are up top and all eight are easy to replace. The oil filter is a little tight, but not too bad. A K&N FIPK helps it to breathe. Remove the resonator. Basically, most all Mustang performance parts work (not headers and a few others), and are pretty economical. The big advantage of the T-bird is the ride. It has IRS and is much, MUCH better than the "stang in that regard. NO surprises. The interior is very quiet and the Stereo is easy to upgrade. I had a Sony head unit and Polk Audio speakers in mine and it rocked. It will be speed limited to 105mph, but that's easy to fix (if you want to). My T-bird had Katera 17" wheels with Michelin Hydro-edge 225-55-17's. It handled great....better than my '99 Z28, but it did not have the same power. Decent power, but not an up to a stock LS1 or even LT1. Acceleration is good though, it just wasn't a drag car. But for a daily driver, it was great. With a little effort, it can be impressively improved. As is, it can out-accelerate most cars when needed.

If you buy it and get a rattle in the front end, it will likely be the sway-end connector between the sway bar and lower A-arm. A pair are about $60 or so, and you just need to take off the nuts then heat the threaded shaft at the lower A-arm with a torch to free it up (they "stick").

Great mileage on even 87 octane. I used to get 18mpg city and up to 30mpg on a trip. The bigger tires dropped those figures a tad, but I loved that car until it got totalled. Ended up selling it to a friend who repaired it, and it is still going strong. Over 130,000 miles and it still doesn't smoke, knock, etc. Water pump replaced (easy), alternator (easy), T-stat (easy), and that is IT for parts replaced. The tranny is the weakest part, but even those are not bad if you maintain it.

The El Caminos sound interesting, but although the Ford-haters may object, I still like the T-bird as the best choice.

I love my Z28, but Fords don't have the "GM rattle". The T-bird - if well maintained - will prove that.

The pic attached was my old one.

[pecha]

Here's a pic of a Tbird #6, I'm leaning towards getting it as it has such a low mileage. I'm gonna go see it today or tomorrow. I was looking at 98 Lincoln Mark VIII a week ago and I loved that car but after asking around on Mark VIII forum I decided that it would not be a cheap, reliable transportation.

[snaggeltooth]

You will be surprised how easy those cars are to drive ..The reason I got my Mark was because I wanted the DOHC.. But for all the 'bell and whistles' That go bad all the time ...TBird much better choice

[StangKiller615]

Here's a pic of a Tbird #6, I'm leaning towards getting it as it has such a low mileage. I'm gonna go see it today or tomorrow. I was looking at 98 Lincoln Mark VIII a week ago and I loved that car but after asking around on Mark VIII forum I decided that it would not be a cheap, reliable transportation.

I chose #1, #6, #7, and #13. I agree that you should buy a low mileage car. You don't want to buy someone elses problems. BTW that is a damn good looking T-bird you have posted. IMO I would exclude any car on the list with 100,000 miles or more on the clock.

[snaggeltooth]

Hey let me know if you want me to carfax one or two for you ... I have until the 15th .....

[Spaz]

what about a gremlin!!! or pinto!!!

[pecha]

Hey let me know if you want me to carfax one or two for you ... I have until the 15th .....

oh man, that would be so helpful!
Tbird:
VIN: 1FALP62W2VH146671

1996 Cougar with 77K miles:
VIN: 1MELM62W2TH600562

[snaggeltooth]

oh man, that would be so helpful!
Tbird:
VIN: 1FALP62W2VH146671

1996 Cougar with 77K miles:
VIN: 1MELM62W2TH600562

PM sent

[jad628]

Make sure to check the overdrive button on the shifter. Make sure it will defeat the OD. A careless person taking the shifter off will easily break it internally. If you ever NEED to take it off, the shifter is retained by a horseshoe like clip near where the shaft meets the leather knob. Once you pull that out, the assembly lifts up, but the OD button has two small wires that feed down the shaft and if you pull too hard you will break the plastic at the top and the button is useless. They are a little hard to come by (you have to buy the whole shaft), so easy does it. The stereo and climate control take a little "specialty tool" to depress detents on each side, but with a little ingenuity you can figure it out.

Go to TCCoA.com for a lot of useful info on Thunderbirds. It also has time slips/info for some pretty quick cars. Some 11 second ones on there. The 32V 4.6L is stronger, but the regular 2V per in the T-birds is pretty solid and reliable.

I can't remember if you are a LEO, but it is basically a Crown Vic minus about 500 pounds and a little more lively. Last year of the real T-bird too. I don't think the new ones count!!!

[pecha]

snaggeltooth - thanks for the info on those VIN #s!
jad628 - I think the 2V version will do, after all I just need it to drive me for 20 miles a day. I'm gonna check that forum you gave me the link to, thanks.

[pecha]

So I did get it. White Tbird. #6 from the list.

[jad628]

So I did get it. White Tbird. #6 from the list.

Congrats.

It's a good car. Like I said, it ain't a LSx, but for a daily driver it's no slouch.

Let us know how it does.