The Accord is out due to reliability issues. So the hunt continues.

[JCE]

After thinking about this vigorously for the past week today I've come to the following conclusion...

If I save up and spend $2,500-3,000 on an engine rebuild for my Camaro that still leaves me with no Aircon, no radio, no interior, no heater, original transmission, brakes, fuel filter, radiator, muffler, catalytic converter, bodywork, and paint to save up for. That my friends is that. My first original plan was to buy a reasonable car that can be a daily driver for 3-5 years while I save up bits and pieces for the Camaro--I've since changed it (my plan) twice since, but now I'm wanting to get back to my original long-term plan.

I still have two places searching for me. One of which is visiting auctions all week so he should have quite a list for me to look at. Damn, I really liked that Accord coupe.

I've given the following list to two of the car lots in question...

1993-2003 Ford Mustang that isn't 4cyl
1998-200? Ford Contour (Ford Mondeo for you Euros)
1993-1997? Ford Thunderbird V8
1993-1997? Mercury Cougar
1999-2001 Lincoln Town Car
1999-2003 Ford Crown Victoria
Anything Nissan passenger car or coupe
Any Honda Civic 1997+
Any Honda Accord 1998+ with less than 90k miles (and now without the automatic)
Mazda MX3
Mazda MX5 hardtop (yes you read that right)
Mazda MX6
Mazda Millenia
Mazda 929
Mazda Protege 3 or 5
Any Chevy Camaro
Any Pontiac Firebird/Trans-Am
1999-2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP with less than 90k miles
2000-2001 Lincoln LS
Any Toyota MR2
1994-2000 Toyota Celica
1994-1999 Toyota Camry V6
1997-2003 Ford F150
1997-2003 Ford Ranger V6 automatic (and the Mazda equivalent)
2000-2004 Ford Taurus SE/SES
Any Taurus SHO
1999+ Nissan Pathfinder
1997-200? Ford Expedition
1996-2000 Cadillac STS/SLS
1996-2000 Cadilac Deville
1995-2000 Dodge Avenger ES V6 with less than 90k miles

And probably a few others. Feel free to post general issues and or reliablity problems for any of these listed. And don't give me a statement lik "that isn't cool" or "I think its ugly". This is about reliability and comfort.

Overall cost cannot exceed $8,000 USD. Insurance shouldn't be that big of an issue.

==============================================

I'll leave the original post as referrence for the symbol ratings.

==============================================

Now that I have an even better job than before making more money--oh and its a corporate company so no stealing my hours--I'm again back in the market for a second car so I can quit driving the Camaro. The Prelude is gone--and from what I heard from the owner it is completely dead (after he drove it for a couple weeks). I have a new insurance company--which is saving me a crapload of money. Anyway here was the list of vehicles I had my agent quote me and their symbol rating numbers, and I'm also including my 6mo. premium for full coverage as a baseline for comparison. These are without my Camaro being on the policy so no multi-car discount, and this also includes the extra rental coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. (about $20 extra for the 6mo.)

Year - Make - Model - (symbol) - 6 month premium cost

2001 Chevy Camaro Z28 (22) $379
2001 Pontiac Trans-Am (21) $364
1999 Ford Crown Victoria P71 (08) $267 [P71=Police Cruiser]
2000 Ford Crown Victoria P71 (08) $272
2001 Ford Crown Victoria P71 (08) $275
2002 Ford Crown Victoria P71 (08) $280
2003 Ford Crown Victoria P71 (08) $284
2004 Ford Crown Victoria P71 (10) $295

2002 Acura RSX (20) $359
1999 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro Sedan (18) $318
2001 Audi A6 2.7 Turbo Quattro Sedan AWD (21) $364
2001 Audi A6 2.8 Quattro Sedan AWD (20) $352
2001 BMW 325i (18) $330
1997 BMW 540i (23) $361
1998 BMW 528i (21) $342
1998 BMW 740iL (23) $369
1999 Cadillac Catera (14) $293
2002 Chevy Camaro Z28 ...you don't wanna know <-- my agent's statement not mine
2000 Ford Mustang GT (21) $357
1999 Honda Prelude (20) $339
2002 Infiniti I35 (16) $320
2000 Jaguar S-Type V6 (19) $335
2000 Jaguar S-Type V8 (19) $335
1999 Jaguar XJ8 L (23) $378
2000 Lincoln LS V8 (19) $335
2003 Lincoln LS V8 (23) $378
1997 Mercedes C230 (17) $296
1999 Mercedes E320 (20) $339
2000 Mercedes E430 (20) $339
1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL (19) $293
1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL (21) $350
1994 Nissan 300ZX (23) $333
2001 Nissan Maxima (16) $314
2004 Nissan Maxima (19) $361
1999 Pontiac Trans-Am (21) $350
2003 Saab 9-5 (14) $314
2002 Subaru Impreza WRX (19) $348
2004 Volvo S40 2.4i (16) $332
2002 Volvo S60 2.4T (16) $320
2000 Volvo S80 T6 (19) $335

Oh, and I asked about the '02 Z28 and he said over $400.

 

[Keef]

What the heck does the "symbol" mean?

 

[McLaren]

Some nice quotes there, imo. Might have to see what I can get after March.

 

[Thirdeye]

Go for the 300ZX!

 

[Diablomonkey]

Go for the 300ZX!

+1

 

[TopHat]

What about an 03 G35? But out of that list, I'd take the Z28, the Trans Am, or the 300ZX. But if you want to be sensible, find a nice 330i.

 

[Gashlycrumb]

Go for the Crown Vic and get yourself a pair of these

Grow one of these

And speeding tickets will be a thing of the past 👍

 

[JCE]

What the heck does the "symbol" mean?

Its the number rating that car insurance companies (at least in Texas) give for vehicles And the insurance premium is almost exclusely tied to that value. The scale goes from 1 - 27.

http://www.intellichoice.com/carBuying101/Insurance

Car Insurance Symbols

Insurers use a car rating system to determine the premium price for collision and comprehensive coverage.

In many systems, every car is given a rating symbol between 1 and 27; the higher the rating number, the more costly the premium. All things being equal, two identically priced cars will have the same car insurance rating.

However, insurance companies often loathe the cars most of us love - luxury and exciting high-performance cars - and these cars may be subject to surcharges. In addition, some cars are more expensive to repair or are more likely to incur extensive damage in a collision. And some cars are more - or less - likely to be stolen; the Highway Data Loss Institute says cars with especially low theft claims are larger four-door family sedans as well as station wagons, while cars with especially high theft claims include high-performance convertibles. So ratings are adjusted for these risk factors.

Car Insurance rating figures used in this book are based on "Insurance Symbols," with the rating for a particular vehicle adjusted for any special risk factors.

Some nice quotes there, imo. Might have to see what I can get after March.

I can give you my agent's info if you want to get a quote for yourself.

Go for the 300ZX!

As much as I love them, I'm strongly leaning towards the Audi A6 2.7T quattro. I found out that BMW's are not recommended to insure--and that I should expect a "surcharge". Same goes with the Mercedes, Lincoln LS, and every sports car on that list. Too bad because I wanted to check for the 350Z.

What about an 03 G35? But out of that list, I'd take the Z28, the Trans Am, or the 300ZX. But if you want to be sensible, find a nice 330i.

The G35 is out of my immediate price range. The cheapest one I could find with the mileage where I want it was $16k. I'm trying to stay around $8k-12k.

Go for the Crown Vic and get yourself a pair of these

Grow one of these

And speeding tickets will be a thing of the past 👍

Heh, it is a distinct possibility I will. Great sense of humor. 👍

====================================

If anyone wants to locate me something in the $8k-12k price range my zipcode is 75067 and search within 100 miles. And avoid BMW's.

 

[YSSMAN]

I'm willing to bet that the insurance quote on the Z/28 was somewhere in the neighborhood of $1000-1300, correct? I'd love to get one, but thats always what stops me...

 

[JCE]

Nah, he said "over $400"--so I would guess $450-ish range. Its not insane--but it is the most expensive thing I asked for to quote. Even more than a damn Mercedes or BMW!

 

[Boz Mon]

theres several low mileage Preludes in your area within your price range 👍

 

[ND4SPD]

You'll know what I'll suggest. It'll be big, white and everyone will be afraid to pass you.

 

[YSSMAN]

???

 

[Jim Prower]

YSSMAN, that made my day.

If I could get a P71, I might look for the black and white ones. the white ones, I feel, are too much like a staff car, like the former Campus Safety Caprice my department had while I worked at a local college. The local department in my town also has some absolutely awesome-looking charcoal gray unmarked cruisers, as well. That paint, with the blackout grille and black-and-chrome steelies, makes Grandpa Car look like that big bad musclecar...

 

[JCE]

theres several low mileage Preludes in your area within your price range 👍

But the insurance isn't cheap, and I'll probably have to pay an additional surcharge ontop of what's posted for those sports cars...and Mercs/BMW's.

You'll know what I'll suggest. It'll be big, white and everyone will be afraid to pass you.

???

Brilliant YSS. That made me chuckle.

If I could get a P71, I might look for the black and white ones. the white ones, I feel, are too much like a staff car, like the former Campus Safety Caprice my department had while I worked at a local college. The local department in my town also has some absolutely awesome-looking charcoal gray unmarked cruisers, as well. That paint, with the blackout grille and black-and-chrome steelies, makes Grandpa Car look like that big bad musclecar...

I"m glad to see much love for the P71 in here--as that is 65% of what I'm probably going to end up with due to the overall price. Cheap insurance and cheap car monthly payment means more money in my pocket for...*cough*mods*cough*. Think '03 SVT Cobra engine bits bolted on (supercharger, heads, manifolds) + the sportiest suspension physically possible + aftermarket Mustang GT exhaust (Borla) + Mercury Maurader rims and tail lights = fun fun fun

Whats even more awsome is since the insurance is really cheap on these I might even get an '05 or '06 for not that much more money. And those even come with traction control and probably less mileage. Sounds like a win-win to me.

 

[xXSilencerXx]

Why would the 02 Z be more expensive than the 01? They are the same exact car, same motor same everything.

 

[ND4SPD]

Why would the 02 Z be more expensive than the 01? They are the same exact car, same motor same everything.

The newer the more expensive. There was a jump between my Dad's 2002 Mazda Tribute and his newer 2006 Tribute.

I"m glad to see much love for the P71 in here--as that is 65% of what I'm probably going to end up with due to the overall price. Cheap insurance and cheap car monthly payment means more money in my pocket for...*cough*mods*cough*. Think '03 SVT Cobra engine bits bolted on (supercharger, heads, manifolds) + the sportiest suspension physically possible + aftermarket Mustang GT exhaust (Borla) + Mercury Maurader rims and tail lights = fun fun fun

Whats even more awsome is since the insurance is really cheap on these I might even get an '05 or '06 for not that much more money. And those even come with traction control and probably less mileage. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Nice, although If I owned one I'd keep the steelies. For the more intimidating look. Everything else you got in plan sounds great. If I remember correctly, someone on cardomain has a stock on the outside P71, but with a transplanted Ford Excursion V10 diesel. Never knew it was possible to shoe horn in such a huge engine, but if someone has the money then I guess it's possible.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/248160/1

There it is, last time I checked the car wasn't even finished or on the road yet. Now it's actually being driven around. He isn't even done yet, he's planning on supercharging it.

 

[JCE]

The V10 is actually a petrol engine based off the 5.4L V8 Triton block. I'd love to put it in the P71--but it weighs almost 200lbs more than the V8 that sits in there currently.

I might forgo the steel wheels in favor of some good black 5-star rims...maybe with the center cap chromed.

Oh, and for grins my '90 Camaro is listed as a "1990 Chev Hatch" and has a symbol rating of 15.

 

[ND4SPD]

The V10 is actually a petrol engine based off the 5.4L V8 Triton block. I'd love to put it in the P71--but it weighs almost 200lbs more than the V8 that sits in there currently.

I might forgo the steel wheels in favor of some good black 5-star rims...maybe with the center cap chromed.

Oh, and for grins my '90 Camaro is listed as a "1990 Chev Hatch" and has a symbol rating of 15.

Ah ok, thought it was a diesel all along.

Man I wish my RX-7 was listed as a 1988 Mazda Hatch...Would probably lower the rates by a bit haha.

 

[JCE]

Here's some info regarding the 6.8L V10. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Triton#6.8.C2.A0L_V10

The torque ratings are...immense.

 

[300zxfairman]

I pay almost $250 /m with my 96 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS.

 

[Thirdeye]

I think we're paying about $35-50 a month for my Integra. Can't remember exactly.

 

[JCE]

I think I might go the cheap route and get like a 2000 or 20001 P71 Crown Vic, those are less than $3,000 with 120-130k miles. Once its paid off I can finally start work on the Camaro.

I'm thinking about trying to find one that's all black or one that looks like this minus the decals:

 

[300zxfairman]

I think I might go the cheap route and get like a 2000 or 20001 P71 Crown Vic, those are less than $3,000 with 120-130k miles. Once its paid off I can finally start work on the Camaro.

I'm thinking about trying to find one that's all black or one that looks like this minus the decals:

Yeah that paint job is really hot .I love that two tone. Or one thats gold and black like the highway troopers here in Florida.

 

[300zxfairman]

I think we're paying about $35-50 a month for my Integra. Can't remember exactly.

Mine falls under the ''sports car '' group plus its red so yeah its expencive for me .

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

I'm paying 188 a month on my WRX, WITH the "Good Driver Discount" and a clean record with no claims.

I hate California.

 

[YSSMAN]

How old are you? That seems really, really high for some reason... I've had Honda S2000s quoted for me at $140 a month with full-coverage...

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

How old are you? That seems really, really high for some reason... I've had Honda S2000s quoted for me at $140 a month with full-coverage...

21

 

[YSSMAN]

Same age as me, thats odd... My guess is that the quote for me would be in the $160 range, but like you said, it probably is the vast differences in the areas in which we live.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

I actually still have my car listed at my Santa Barbara old address, despite living in LA again... The other cars are all listed where I'm living now, but the WRX would be at least $350 a month at my current location...