Well, nothing has prepared me for the very recent change in my attitude towards domestics. I am a fan of cars period, whether they are domestic or foreign, but I usually would try to stay away from buying a domestic. Roughly a week ago I suddenly developed an EXTREME interest in F-bodies (specifically the 98 camaro SS and the 98 trans am ws6). I honestly cannot explain it, its like I just completely did a 180.

Dont get me wrong, I love my integra, but something is pulling me towards buying one of the cars listed above. In my heart I want Honda to release the RSX-R here, but if they wait as long as they did to bring out the R for the 3rd gen's, I honestly dont think I can wait that long, and there would still be no gurantee that it would be brought here.

My question is that I am trying to find as much information as possible about the cars listed above. I have gone to a number of websites looking for as much info as possible. I am the kind of person that likes to soak up a lot of information before making a decision like purchasing a vehicle. I can honestly say that I am rather disappointed in the boards they have available for the F-bodies. This is my worst fear. I have been on this board for some time and really like the way everyone comes together and is readily available to assist a fellow import owner. I DONT WANT TO LOSE THIS BOND WHEN/IF I BUY THE CAMARO/FIREBIRD.

Basically, any and all information you guys/gals can give me is GREATLY APPRECIATED. Thanks in advance.

PS
In no way is this decision final, i'm just in the perliminary stages of car shopping. If I really like what I see, I will most likely make the purchase and my car will go to the younger brother. My worst fear is their dependability, so if anyone can direct me to a site that describes their most frequent problems I would really appreciate it. My worst nightmare, on the other hand, is not being able to associate myself with great people like the ones on this board , and if I buy a camaro, I'm sure I will be, in a way, disowned by many of the members or for that matter, import owners in general. I'm a big fan of imports, but I'm a bigger fan of people that take great enthusiasm in driving their cars, so if you are a domestic or import owner, you're ok in my book...I just wish more people see it that way.

Thanks again

 

Have one of each. $$$ per The 4th gen F body will out run the Honda. But the opposite is true. The Honda/Acura will out handle the F-body.

I have a 3g F body AND 2 civics.

 

Yea Mista Bone, I knew I would have to take a hit in the handling department. I was thinking about just tightening up the suspension as much as possible using springs/shocks sway bars...etc. I'm hoping the money I dont have to spend on the engine can be used on handling and thi will at least make it closer to the handling of my gsr.


Anyone else have any input?

Thanks

 

http://www.ws6.com

 

You didn't tell us why you're suddently interested in an F-body.

Is it the style? Is it the power/torque? Is it the FR layout? What is it that you like about it?

I know for me, the next new car that I'll get is a FR layout sedan/coupe/convt (either Japanese or German engineering). Heck, I've even though about a beater Mustang in the $3k range.

 

ls1.com

 

Thanks for the info guys.

Cosworth: To be honest with you, the styling of the camaro doesnt really boil my water, although I'm a sucker for the TransAm with the ram air package. The only thing is that people are telling me not to buy the Pontiac. I honestly thought that all that differed between the two was the design of the car itself. What really got me about the F-bodies is their power/torque. As of recently, I just cant help having an ear-to-ear grin whenever I hear a V8 rumble by. I'm guessing maybe I should take my car to a couple of track events before I make this decision too quickly.

A question that I have though is can I make the SS/TransAm handle as well as my GS-R by adding some suspension components such as springs/shocks/sway bars...etc. I figure that the stock power output will be more than enough for me (yea right....THERES NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH HORSEPOWER! ), but i'm sure it will hold me off longer than my Integra did. I just plan on putting money that I would have had to spend on the engine (with my Integra) on the suspension instead.

PS
I appreciate the mods allowing me to post this here. The reason behind this post is because I know the R forum gives great responses and I really needed some advice regarding this situation. Thanks

 

Well, I could tell you my *story*, but it would take TOO damn long and you would get bored after reading the first 3 or 10 paragraphs.

Basically, I was born/raised knowing ONLY Chevy power. A lot has changed in my opinion over the last 20 yrs regarding domestic vs import styling, reliability, innovation, resale value, and overall BUILD QUALITY. I will still always love the old Chevy muscle cars and respect them...but IMO the modern domestics are POS cars. There is only one that I would consider if I had the $$ for it and that's the Z06. Other than that, the domestics have been slacking for many years and let the imports get over on them.

Another reason you might want to shy away from getting a modern F-body is the fact that the Camaro/Firebird will be ending production this year. That will KILL the resale value even worse than it is now. I guess if you plan on keeping this car for a LONG time like most of us ITR owners, you can deal with that aspect.

If I were you I'd definately wait. There are so many cars coming out that you should check out. The Japanese hp wars have returned to the US it seems... This time more affordable than the last time. Here are just two cars I would check out before you sign the dotted line on that F-body loan:

1. Mitsu Lancer EVO VII ~ AWD, turbo, anywhere from 250-280 hp, under $30k
2. Nissan 350Z ~ 3.5L V6, 260-280 hp, under $30k...true sportscar

-Todd

 

Yellow Dragon, your absolutely right. I failed to mention that in my previous posts. I know Mitsubishi is going to bring over their Evo VII (or probably VIII by the time it gets here) and possibly Subaru will think of bringing over a version of their WRX STi. On top of this there is still the very good possibility of Honda lugging the RSX-R over. There are so many choices that are going to be available its rather hard to narrow down on one until they all come out and have had some mileage put on them. Oh well, I wasnt sure how long my flame with the V8's would last, but if I can get my hands on a turbo AWD such as the EVO, that flame will quickly be extinguished and replaced with a new one.

Ok, heres another possibility, what are your opinions on the current WRX? Bottom line is that my brother is going off to college and I want to use that as an excuse to give him my car and purchase another. To be quite honest, I would not mind a Subaru now, but I dont want to go through life without every experiencing a muscle car. The situation I'm facing with cars now is not to far from what people face when buying a computer, I want to get something now but I'm not sure what will be coming out in the near future and would hate to spend all that money just in time to find the new models rolling out. Oh well, my brother starts college in September, so I still have some time.

 

If you're in need of a car very soon, the WRX would be a good choice. I *briefly* thought of getting one to replace my ITR, but I took my ITR out of storage for some cruising for a weekend and quickly reverted back to my old self.

Seriously though, the WRX would be a good choice. You will see more results with even simple modifications compared to the ITR, which is highly tuned already from Honda and takes a lot more mods to see the same potential (bang for the buck).

If you can wait...then hold off. Who knows, if the Lancer EVO is all it's supposed to be, then I may become an EVO owner. Then again...maybe by that time, I can have my ITR paid off, and still buy the Lancer EVO...plus keep my hybrid for daily driving.

 

Well I like all cars too. My best friend has a 95 z28 with just a chip, cai, and exaust. He has 17" chrome(nice wheels, never seen on another car, EVER). Lowered with eibachs(approx 2.5-3 inches). It hauls pretty nicely, but turns are a problem its a convertable...major panty dropper...its red btw. I say if you like cruisin and 1/4 mile go for it, otherwise, stay with what ya got