So, I am at a crossroads.

[1trickpony]

Been looking at getting a different DD, and currently have my truck on the wonderful CL.
I have had 2 people "seem" interested and they both are going to come look at it. IF and that is a big if one of them decide to buy the truck I will need to get something else.
SO... Here I am, torn between a couple cars.
The first one is a cheap 79 mustang with a I6 auto. I have yet to look at the car but it looks fairly solid.
The second car(actually second and third) are SVO mustangs and they seem reasonable, but I would be buying either of them sight unseen and have to ship them.

I REALLY REALLY REALLY want a SVO someday, but I just don't know if now is the time. Also whatever I buy will see a couple winters of minimal driving. My thought was to baby whatever I get for a couple years and when we get another car for my wife I will just take the trailblazer over.

Either way I have decided to get another mustang. And maybe start playing with a turbo. The I6 would be "different" and kind of cool, but the SVO is way up on my list of wants.

What would you do?

[Stich496]

after you sell the truck, it's the good weather season, there is NO RUSH TO FIND A NED DD AS YOU HAVE ANOTHER CAR..
that said.. as much as the svo or i6 mustang would be kool.. it'll be a p.i.y.a. every winter.. if you do get a mustang for a year round car. get one you're not gonna get attached to.. (like the svo) why because come winter you'll find yourself rushing to find yet another car to drive on the salted roads..
if it has to be a mustang go with the i6.. if it was me, I'd find a 4cyl ranger or s-10 , a parts hauler is a nice thing to have..

[BBR]

I wouldn't get either.

My personal philosophy is the DD is not/shall not become a project car. That way my 'project focus' stays on the project car. I'd look for a small truck or car for a DD. Something that is easy on gas and insurance, serves it's purpose and does not require a lot of time for maintenance.

[STINEY]

I'm with BBR. Drive a utility car into the ground, enjoy your playtoys. Never confuse the two. Live happy!

[Thumpin455]

Make that 3 or 4, whatever this one is. A DD beater you dont care about, that you can keep running dirt cheap, and you dont care if it rusts in half is better than using something valuable for that. I used $200 Intrepids for a while, now I have moved up to a $500 Gran Prix. They are good on gas, easy to work on (for the most part) and parts are cheap. The salt is worse up here than in Iowa, but still Mustangs SUCK in snow, and you know it as well as I do. Besides its nice to have something reliable to run for parts. I too have been thinking Ranger or S10 parts chaser, but I already have two S10 Blazers for winter beaters, they are spares for the Gran Prix and both are 4x4.

So sure, pick up the SVO if you can swing that and a beater, they arent hard to find on CL or small lots on trade in. Usually people just want them gone, and its a simple fix for us gear heads.

[DanStokes]

My curiousity is peaked. An I6 '79 Mustang? I don't think so. Best as I know, they came with a 302, an I4, or a Turbo I4 (I had a Capri version). I'm heard of but never seen a Fox 'Stang with an inline six.

As far as the DD - I give my standard advice, and it sounds like a lot of others. Don't confuse your DD with a project car - separate and distinct. Like I told Russell, take a hard look at a Focus (Focus on a Focus?).

Dan

[Bob Holmes]

And let's be clear, an SVO will ALWAYS be a project car.

[Teddyzee]

Those early Fox's definitely came with an inline six ;) Some V6 models, too, closer to '86.

[BBR]

Those early Fox's definitely came with an inline six ;) Some V6 models, too, closer to '86.

Quoted for truth. And you are screwdago'd of you want to put a v8 in one because the K member is different.

[1trickpony]

Geez, you guys been talking to my wife? Well the I6 is sold, and SVO A is sold and SVO B is a little north of what I have saved.

You guys make valid points on a beater truck. I just miss driving something fun everyday(rain or snow included).
Maybe get a ranger or s-10 and throw a cheap lowering kit on it to satisfy my wants ^.
I guess If I bought another mustang I would just be upgrading 2 mustangs at once. I don't think my wallet would like that.

[Gary 351C]

If I ever get tired of the Vic and need another DD that gets good mpg I'm going to look for a granny owned Fairmont/Zephyr with an I6. They come up on CL and ebay fairly often. Of course if you find a 2 door you may get the urge to back-half it and drop in a big block.

[SuperBuickGuy]

so you're going to buy a reliable car to drive daily - need I say this outloud?!!! that's what your wife's car is for....

As for budgetary concerns - you need a car that convinces your wife you are the most put-upon guy on the planet, that you are willing to suffer the indignities of driving an unreliable POS so that she can live in luxury (in her trailblazer). You do have to work on your hopeless sighs, and when you're out working on the craphola you have to have that "hurt-puppy-dog look", but I promise you - 6 months of a working on craphola (and all the attendant crap of owning a pos like always breaking dow) and your wife will be dragging you down to look at new Mustangs. Remember to say "thank you Stone" when you get your new car

btw - do not buy a project car or a car that you would ever use the words "but I can fix it and sell it" because then she will not feel sorry for you as you're feeding your hobby.

[Bob Holmes]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

brillant!!!!!!!!!!!

[1trickpony]

Buickguy or is it Stoneshrink?
I have been drivng POS'S for the last 3 or 4 years. I usually catch them right before the junkyard and suck the last couple thousand miles out of them. And can usually get my money back out of them. This truck on the other hand I dont think I will, but I did put 6500 miles on a $600 truck.

And I'm not as dumb as I look. My last 85 GT I sold, went to help fund the wedding of her dreams. And roughly a year later I got this 84 GT. I know the game. I would like to think I play it well. When I find out I don't, I will be consulting you for legal advise

But in all seriousness, I think if I bought another 89 2.3 5 spd mustang (like I had in high school), I would be doing ok. Decent on fuel, cheap insurance, and I know their quirks.
Time will tell.

[SuperBuickGuy]

you do it right, you'll be giving marriage seminars

you're close enough to high school that you shouldn't need reminding of this - now repeat after me "the older I get, the better I was." Same goes with cars.... doubly so HS cars. Mostly because physics, the law, and common sense demand you refrain from that stuff