Alright guys, here's the deal. I'm a newfound fan of F-bodys (used to hate them), and eventually wish to buy one. As per the the norm, I want a V8 eventually, preferably LS1. No way I'm getting one as my first car though. So I have two choices really:

1. Get a GTP as my first car, keep it for a year or two and lightly mod it. Then sell it and get a V8 F-body.

2. Get a 3.8L F-body as my first car, keep it for a year or two and lightly mod it. Then sell it and get a V8 F-body.

See it all comes down to which I want more I guess...RWD and the styling, or flat-out speed. I've driven both and loved the way both of them drive. (Although the F-body I drove was a lightly modded 3.4L) I think my parents would prefer me to get a FWD car merely for PA winters, but I've shown I can handle RWD in pretty bad conditions other than real deep snow. At the same time though, even though they know I can handle it, I think they're a little irky about me getting something with a supercharged V6 in it.

So what do you think? Either way in a year or two I'd like to get a V8 F-body. If I got a 3.8L, it would be the newer body style (98+). It would also most likely be a Camaro, not a Firebird. RWD and styling? Or a slight jump in power? I was leaning towards a GTP because I'd driven one and liked it and so did my dad for the most part, but since I'm only keeping it for a year or two that potential seems like it would almost be a waste...

Opinions, although probably biased, please.

 

get the 3.8L Fbody.

with the exception of the engine and some trans mods...all visual, suspension, interior part will swap to your V8 upgrade in a few years.

you can enjoy modding the v6, making it a serious corner carver or a real show winner...and you won't be starting over when you buy the new car.

just my $.02

 

Wow, I'd never even thought of that. Good point.

 

and you could even go as far as tranfer a catback system. a 3" catback would be BIG on a v6...but it wouldn't be too bad. and would then swap over to the v8.

if you are planning on the newer front end designe (ls1 style) i think the lid is the same from v6 to v8...not positive. but i'm sure you could at least have someting like the SSRA that would give nice gains for the sixer and would then swap right over to an ls1 if you get one.

 

I don't think I'd wanna sacrifice torque by going with a 3" exhaust. I know, I'd save money in the long run, but I'd rather not. I don't plan on doing a whole lot of performance mods to the V6...most of it will be interior and exterior stuff, hopefully a lot of it able to be transferred to another car.

 

why not get an LT1 car, with some looking, can't be much more money than a V6 car

 

I put the 3" borla on mine with NO complaints other then cost Didnt notice any loss in torque(still regrette spending that much!)

I was in your shoes almost 3 years ago I bought the V6 camaro with little regrette, my plan didnt work out for the V8 car and I'm still in it, but It's a blast on all but snowy and hard rainy days.

Maybe shoot for a 5 speed, thats the one thing I wish my car had at times

I drove the GT Grand Prix and it felt very big to me, I was more impressed with the Grand Am GT! so the camaro felt more sporty and I liked the RWD for the fun and T tops were a must have!

~Chris

 

Actually, an LT1 car is cheaper almost ALL the time. The thing I have to worry about is, will my parents like the idea? Will they be willing to pay the insurance on a V8 F-body?

Although I suppose that since I wouldn't need to spend a whole lot of money on a Z28 or something since it's already fast enough for a little while, I could help pay for insurance and gas and stuff and that might be enough to convince them.

Can anyone come up with any good arguements to help me convince my parents to let me buy an F-body? Not necessarily a V8 car, but if so, that helps too. Any help is appreciated

 

well unfortunately your other choice falls under the same categorie...

BUY AMERICAN

they are relatively easy to work on, engine bay is a bit crampped on the V8s but everything is for the most part accessible and you can learn ALOT from doing small maintenance yourself.

not to mention there are plenty of high quality upgrades for commonly worn parts.

and beleive it or not good gas milage. i know i can still knock down 30mpg with my 375hp LS1 V8, if i keep the speeds around 55-60 and no real traffic. and at 75-80 with a little traffic mixed in, say 25%, i can usually get 26-27mpg.
assuming you keep your foot out of it.

i'm sure the V6 will meet and beat that.

somepeople are more comfortable driving a rear wheel drive car in incliment weather...like me...i know what to do when i lose traction and the rear end steps out to the side.

 

Yeah, see, I used to be interested in 300ZX's, and that's what kind of pushed me over the edge into wanting something American. Cheaper parts, F-bodys seem easier to work on, etc.

Good arguements for me though The estimates you're giving me on gas mileage are better than a GTP from what I've been told by GTP owners (even your V8 mileage, and the V6 should be even better). As far as driving a RWD car in bad conditions, I've done it in rain and what not with no problems. Until I get used to it, I always have my friend with a Grand Cherokee that can drive me to school if it snows too bad I don't think I'll have that problem though, as in PA it rarely snows to the point where RWD is unusable and school isn't cancelled.

Either way, good arguements. I should say, "Wellllll...a V6 F-body DOES get better gas mileage." And if I offer to help pay for insurance...hmm...

 

realize that those numbers are for very easy driving..no hills (florida)

i've done several 800mile trips and checked milage up and back:

75mi @ 50-55mph in high gear light traffic, 200mi @ 75-80mph no traffic, then 50mi of BAD rush hour/stop and go traffic...
27mpg

once you start lead footing it around town though...i've dropped well below 20mpg...almost 15mpg

 

Well, there are hills here. But not enough of them to seriously affect mileage. Maybe 1 MPG at the most...but probably not even that. But thanks for the clarification

 

My dad wanted me to get a Honda Civic, but I told him if I got a Civic I wouldn't want to keep it looking nice, even though I would. With the Camaro I found everything I could to make my dad see it was a good car. Camaros are rated high in crash tests (Consumer Reports, I think), they are rated for 17 mpg in the city and 26 mpg freeway driving, although I think the V6 is 30 mpg freeway driving, so you're not losing much by going with a V8. In the end I got a 96 LT1 Camaro as my first car, under the conditions that I'll fix minor problems, in auto shop at my schoool, and help pay for gas and insurance, and pay for any mods .

 

Sweet. I still think I'll have an easier time convincing my parents to let me get a 98+ 3.8L though. Mostly because it's newer and with the V6 they figure I'll drive it differently I guess. I prefer the 98+ body style anyway, and since I'll only keep it maybe a year/year and a half it shouldn't be too bad

 

For justification to buy an F-body, tell your folks that this car is made of metal. I've owned American and imports and I can tell you that I feel much more secure in an American car. So, sell your folks on the "safety" issue....3700+ pounds may not be great for racing, but that's a lot of protection just in case you do (hopefully not) get into an accident.

And as TEKE184 says, the aftermarket support for F-Bodies...all generations...is quite strong and better priced than the German or Japanese aftermarket mods.

Lastly, you can tell them that if you get an F-body, you could keep it for a long time due to the mods and servicability...they won't have to buy you another car in a a few years. This will be cheaper in the long run.

As for gas mileage...I must be dying out here in the CA commuting. Yeah, I have an A4, so with commuting to work daily, I get around 16mpg. On long trips, I can get around 21mpg. That "6th" speed must be awesome to cruise on long trips. So you can mention gas mileage to your folks, but not sure if you could back it up once you get the car.

As for driving rear wheel cars, be careful....not all rwd cars are the same. I thought I "knew" how to drive in the rain as well, until I did a 450 turning left in the rain from a stoplight....off went those bald Firehawks...in went the GS-D3s. These F-bodies are notorious for being front heavy. I've never driven a V-6, but it is interested in a V-8. Which ever you get, you should look into suspension mods to keep traction in the rear. Most folks go straight for power, but that's wasted if you can't apply it to the pavement.

If your folks know anything about F-Bodies, I'd think it's hard for you to convince them for a V-8. I'd shoot for the V-6 to save money, if you're still in school and trying to chip in for gas and insurance.

Oh yeah..V6 to V8 is more than just a "slight bump in power".