Best bang for the buck car?

[John4cam]

So what does everyone think is the best overall bang for the price car? Things seem to be changing in the car world with pricing of mustangs, Camaros, vettes, Gn's, ect. So what do you think is the best for the money? All around. If there is something else not listed please post it up!

[95V6]

I think best bang for buck would have to be a C6 (or even earlier) and up Vette. Power, handling and style.

[John4cam]

I think best bang for buck would have to be a C6 (or even earlier) and up Vette. Power, handling and style.

I agree. Just sent out a check for a guy to hold a C5 for me. Been wanting one for quite a while. The bottom fell out of those cars and you can get them dirt cheap.

[went9s]

Depends on what you want to do with it. 4k fox vs 26k c6 vette? The prices are to far off to compare.

[went9s]

under 5k fox hands down.
about 16k 03-04 cobra
around 26k c6 corvette. anything over that you might as well get a gt500

[John4cam]

Depends on what you want to do with it.

Everything.

[95V6]

John, throw out a price range or budget you have.

[Darren]

An 03/04 Cobra with low miles can be one of the best, plus they respond to mods very well putting them into high horsepower numbers with a relative low cost. Plus they look sweet.

[John4cam]

John, throw out a price range or budget you have.

It's not for me, I've already decided. Just wondering what others think and why..

[NateSVT]

For drag and street racing, Terminator. Can run 10s with under $2k in mods.

[Wolfpack Speed]

For drag and street racing, Terminator. Can run 10s with under $2k in mods.

[Wolfpack Speed]

While I like all domestic muscle, Mustangs are all that I am really interested in or will comment on. Out of the available Mustangs choices regardless of use, the Terminator hands down. What should be included but isn't are the 11+ GT Mustangs. They might not come with built motors and blowers but are hands down the nicest Mustangs made to date and bolt on for bolt on will run with or beat any Terminator. My car is NA with a few bolt on parts and has been 11.7 on a radial @ 3900lb race weight. Definitely more in it with some tweaks and seat time. Car runs and drives like a stock car and with nothing more than a set of Eibach lowering springs it's road manners and performance are nicer than any of the 3 Terminators I have owned. My 2 cents!

Mike

[sutyak]

Best/fastest car for the money is something somebody already built, as long as you're willing to go with "bought not built". There are some seriously powerful Terminators out there for sale for 1/2 of what the person invested.
Personally I'll never buy a Fox body because I'll never be willing to pay what people think they are worth.
2003-2004 Mach 1's are also easily overlooked. They didn't hold their value like people expected, and will run 12's with sticky tires and a bit of weight reduction. There are also some reasonably priced force-fed Machs out there.

[SK360]

C5/C6 depending on price range. Not even fair.

[White5.0]

terminator hands down. Comes with a fully built bottom end ready to go. No need to build a shortblock

[travj31]

Everything.

With this in mind here are the factors I would consider

Price, 1/4 times, handling, stock performance, bolt-on performance, comfort, top speed, maintenance, amenities, cargo/space, and least important to me - "cool factor".

To me anything over 20k is not really a bargain so that in itself would eliminate some of the previously mentioned options. Considering the criteria above and a 20k budget, I would start and be happy with any of the following... I think all of the cars could and would be great cars if modded correctly and "bought right". Below is how I would personally rank them.

1. 98-02 Camaro/Trans Am - Can be had for well under 10k and will run high 12's with a set of stickies and some minor bolt-ons. Throw some cash at it and you have a serious contender, but have a love it or hate body style.
2. 03/04 Cobra - Great car, but tough to find a really nice clean example for under 20k
3. C5Z - Great car off the showroom floor, but once again doesnt leave much wiggle room for mods off of initial purchase price.
4. Fox Body - Because of the low initial purchase price, you could have one badass fox for well under 20k
5. O3/04 Mach1 - Pick up a low mileage example for a reasonable price (12-14k) and throw some spray at. Fairly quick and unique car with money left in the bank
6. C5 - Great entry level Vette with probably the best all around performance for the money. Expensive to maintain, Potentially 15 years old if you got an early one and lacks interior space and room for friends/family.
7. 99-04 Mustang GT - The bottom has really fallen out on these and can be had for practically nothing with lots of $$$ to mod. Just really wouldn't have something that stands out in a crowd.
8. 04-06 GTO - Pretty nice interior for being 10 years old and has LS potential under the hood but lacks great styling.

[SK360]

C5 expensive to maintain? Where did you hear that from? lol

Can replace all 4 rotors and pads for under $300.

[travj31]

corvettes and caddys in general are known to be a more expensive to fix than other domestic vehicles... its not a secret. ive never priced brakes for one but that seems very reasonable.

[went9s]

Everything.

Haul two passengers and yourself?

[John4cam]

Lol, good point..