Standard, i agree that the turbo cars were very quick (a buddy had a turbo AWD car WOW!). however, he had to suffer through 2 turbo replacement jobs, which is consistant with everything that i have heard about those cars... no intercooler = expensive turbo problems.

the GS ones are very nice, and plenty swift for Lisa's mother.

quote A Cutlass? as a midlife crisis car?

The '92 International puts out 210 - 215hp(which I don't think is to be scoffed at considering the HO 2.8 in the Fiero only puts out 135-140hp and the 3.1 puts out 140-145hp). and has the Oldsmobile suspension, which I have found having driving Oldsmobile works rather well over many cars.

It would be a mid-life crisis car I would like with the roomy trunk, room for 4 and very roomy interior that could spank a few cars on the road.

Don't get it confused with the Gutlass that was introduced in the late 70s and early 80s because of the environmental crackdowns(They were running really bad numbers on the engines).

The early model Cutlass(4-4-2, Hurst-Olds) with the Rocket 400 to the 455 were putting out 350-600hp or more(this is from an Oldsmobile mailing list where the people take their cars to the track to run).

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-=-=-=[ p4n1c ]=-=-=-
"Each passing day, every passing face seems like such a blur"
- The Offspring(Million Miles Away)

[This message has been edited by p4n1c (edited 04-11-2001).]

William Thorn III wrote:

quote LZeitgeist, I hope you are kidding. You honestly would rather own a Grand Am than an Alfa GTV-6? Shall we compare them.

Let's not waste the time doing so. We're not talking about *MY* MLC car; Lisa's looking for suggestions, within *specific parameters*, for her Mom's MLC car.

There's no flipping way in Hell *my* MLC car is going to cost less than $35K, so there's truly no comparison. And putting a dog in any car I own just ain't gonna happen. And the only thing I need trunk space for is to carry a twelve-pack of beer on ice to (or from) the beach.

But to answer your question: no, I don't want an Alfa. I'd rather have an '88 Fiero with a quarter-million original miles on the odometer than an Alfa. But then again, I don't really want a Grand Am, either.

Now then, the new Bonneville is sweeter than cherry pie and hotter than August in Georgia, and for the first time, it's knocked the Firebird off its perch in my top five. Alfa? <snerk> Not when Pontiacs quite happily meet my desires. And when they don't, there's probably a Dodge Viper parked with my name on it somewhere.

For 5-8K, reliable, with room for work and a dog. That narrows it down a bit. As LZ suggested, the Grand Am would work, if the styling works for your mom. Other options are the Firebird/Camaro, possibly an early 90's convertible? Maybe a convertible Sunbird or Eclipse? What's your mom's dream car? That'll give us an idea of where to head. Try to get as close to that while still meeting her requirements.

quote Originally posted by Fiero5: Let's picture for a moment, Fierolisa and her mom in the driveway on a hot day. Both dressed in tank or tube tops and cut off jean shorts getting soapy wet as they wash down there sporty cars. >Whew< Is it warm in here or is it me?

<gasping desparately for air>

help

me

I

can't

breath

must

get

fresh

cool

air!

Some of you guys are talking about HP , I don't think Faith (lisa's mom) cares about having a lot of Hp , it's all about looks for most women (lisa likes power thou)

I would go after a good used 5.0ltr convert , there plentiful , cheap and reliable , great stereo's , good power , nice solid car , I would steer clear of a Camaro or firebird , they shake and rattle , they have more power , but Like I said I don't think she places that high on the list of desires

Jonathan M

I'm tellin' ya she needs a Z24 Convertible. They're nice lookin' cars and have some nice power. And it's a CONVERTIBLE!
Has a pretty decent trunk too.

sqoach- thats exactly what I was searching for tonight, as well as some early 90's BMW converts....

Lisa,

I'm not sure if your Mom should go the BMW direction on a budget of only 8 grand or so, I know a woman in our Fiero club who owns a 3-series convertable about the age you are looking for (it was her mid-life crisis car) and it has been not the most reliable thing in the world and they are NOT cheap to fix. So far she has had cylinder head troubles (and the car still has less than 80,000 miles on the 4 cylinder) and the brake rotor prices make an '88 Fiero's seem like a bargain from what I remember her telling me.

Go with with the Z24 if that is her other choice.

Ken S.
'87GT and '86 SC
www.westpennfiero.org

quote Originally posted by william_thorniii: Other cars that I would consider using your aformentioned stipulations, in no particular order, would be: 7) Maserati Bi-turbo 8) Mitsu Starion/Chrys Conquest 9) Dodge Omni GLH 10)Peoples Car GTI 11)Peoples Car Scirroco 12)Porsche 944 (non turbo) 13)Porsche 928 14)Mid 80's Corolla GTS 15)Mid 90's Ford Contour SE V6 (5-spd) William T. Thorn, III -Come on guys... think outside of the box

Omni GLH...Never thought I spot that mentioned in a conversation about a mid-life crisis car.

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Dillon
Black '87 SE V6

"Who wants somma Debo?"

William, you make a good case for the Alfa. I was watching "Octopussy" (the Bond movie, not the porno ) on DVD last week and enjoying the engine music as he was racing around in a charcoal gray GTV6, being chased by German cops in 5-series BMW's.

But don't Alfas cars break all the time? And aren't they expensive to fix when they do? Italian cars are beautiful and lots of fun, but when things go wrong, they REALLY go wrong...

quote Originally posted by Fiero5: Let's picture for a moment, Fierolisa and her mom in the driveway on a hot day. Both dressed in tank or tube tops and cut off jean shorts getting soapy wet as they wash down there sporty cars. >Whew< Is it warm in here or is it me?

Be careful when you read these suggestions, Lisa. You don't want to choke on the testosterone!

Definately go for a convertible. Z24, Sunfire, older Sunbird, etc. Maybe even a Firebird convertible from 90-95. I've heard some people complain about reliability problems with the 2.4DOHC in the Sunfire/Z24, but that's usually from mechanics and not owners, so it may be that they're just a pain to fix. Something you may want to check out, though, before buying. The Sunbird with a 3.1V6 or Firebird with V6 or V8 should be pretty solid and reliable. Those drivetrains have been around a while. Even the Firebird will have practical storage space with the hatchback and rear seats folded down, but watch out for insurance prices.

Good luck on your hunt!

No one else has mentioned this...how about a Dodge Shadow ES convertible...3.0 V6...it's a hatchback with folding rear seat...cavernous cargo area with the seat folded down.

I had a Shadow prior to my Fiero and it was a great car. Mine was a 2.5 5 speed.

These are probably right in your price range and you could even dress it up with wheels and such and probably not pass $5,000.

chadman,

Alfas, much like our Fiero's, have a bad wrap. They are extremely reliable cars once you learn their quirks. The timing belt must be replaced regularly, but other than that, they are rock solid. The only other problem they have is that their drive donuts (3 rubber torroidal objects in their drivline) need to be monitered. This is much like if you own a Porsche 944 with the rubber-centered flywheel. Through the use of a compliant material they achieve a driveline smoothness unheard of in regular cars.

I have owned an 89 Pontiac GP with the 2.8 and a 93 Cutlass Supreme Convertable with the 3.1L V6... I did not really enjoy either of them. Sure they are fine for a sedate sedan, but a midlife crisis car? My older sister has a 98 Cavalier Convt and I could not honestly recomend this car to anyone, for any reason.

William T. Thorn, III

Lisa, almost everyone is missing the point. while lots of these are nice, affordable, cute, roomy cars----none of them meet the definition of a 'Midlife Crisis Car'. Has to be expensive over $30,000, impractical only room for 2 no luggage only a purse, and a head turner that people in traffic stop to watch go by (people dont pull over or break their neck to watch an oldsmobile go by). Change your post to a nice, cute affordable car for mom. (LOL) Id go with the Z24 convert myself and like someone said if she dont like it, you get a free new motor.

Hey Lisa - you going to leave us hanging like that or are you going to tell us what car she got

She hasn't gotten anything yet- I won't be home till summer to help her look around. The nice thing is, I can easily "influence" her to get a car that I want (oh, she'll like it too, I'm sure)!! And I have my choices narrowed down so it should be a fun time looking around.

Lisa, youi have mail.

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: ...(people dont pull over or break their neck to watch an oldsmobile go by). Change your post to a nice, cute affordable car for mom. (LOL) Id go with the Z24 convert myself...

I don't think anyone would break their neck or would really want to watch a new Z24 convertable go by either. Unless it was on fire.

Go for a first gen. Plymouth Laser or any gen. Talon. They are cheap to buy, the only downside is they are expensive to fix. Especially the turbo models. But they are small, sporty and head turners(especially the late model Talon's).

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-=-=-=[ p4n1c ]=-=-=-
"Each passing day, every passing face seems like such a blur"
- The Offspring(Million Miles Away)

quote Originally posted by Slammed Fiero: Dudes , it's her mom , I know her , joking with lisa is one thing , but it's her MOM....you guys need help

I'd have to agree on this one...I'm a pretty perverted guy and can share laughs with some pretty nasty stuff, but this is way beyond me even. It's become far too nasty. You guys need to get a life. Either that or go get laid or something, maybe it'll calm you down.

JSocha - hope you're having fun with the new addition to your family.

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Cameron
http://Fiero.NetMARC.com

[This message has been edited by Cameron (edited 05-02-2001).]

quote Originally posted by Cameron: JSocha - hope you're having fun with the new addition to your family.

Yep. Little colt is doin well and just loves everyone to death. Independent as all heck as well. Eats hay (tries) and drinks out of the water bucket already and he is only a week old today! Should be another addition soon as our Mustang just dropped.

BTW Cameron, I get my share of booty! Just joking around when I see an opening.

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What she really needs is a
'72 Eldorado convertable. Gets attention, totally impractical, lots of room, loaded with tons (literally) of luxury, and the best part is the big frickin motor would go nicely in a Fiero when she's done with it.

Well, at least I diddn't go Thelma and Louise on ya and tell you to get an old T-bird.

JSocha
awww i really wish my mare was breedable...there is the sweetest little chestnut pinto filly out at the barn, I just want to hug it! This quarter at the school's barn, one of the mares is going to foal so we get to work with the baby in lab...

quote Originally posted by FieroLisa:

Did you get the photos of the newborn that I sent you Lisa?

Mustang is due any day now. Then one left to go. Have fun at lab with the foal!

quote Originally posted by JSocha: BTW Cameron, I get my share of booty! Just joking around when I see an opening.

Oh I would imagine, but there is a point when joking is cool and another when joking is just plain over the top...

------------------
Cameron
http://Fiero.NetMARC.com

how about a early 90s mitsubishi 3000GT non-turbo or dodge Stealth non-turbo. roomy, looks that kill, good gas mileage, plenty of trunk space, smooth ride, reliable, they are starting to get cheap now too!!!!

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quote Faith (lisa's mom)

Hmmm... FieroFaith. That's got a real nice sound to it. Does she have a website too?

WT3 beat me to it: Chrysler Conquest/Mitsu Starion

Also: Z34 Lumina or contemporary Grand Prix GTP/Cutlass
Triumph Stag
Acura Vigor
Early 90's BMW 325ix (or other 325/330 BMW)
Checker Marathon
Subaru SVX (230HP flat six, AWD)

You can pick up an early 50's Bentley for under 20K

I'd go with an older Camaro/Firebird or 5.0 Mustang. Just got a real nice 91 RS that is a honey of a car. Just stay away from t-tops for a daily driver. Love mine to death, but am very grateful that I don't have to drive it every day.

sully5- thats one of my top choices, a 92 (isnt that the last of the old body style) camaro convertible. Either that or a trans am convertible of the same year.

Yep, '92 was the last year of the 3rd gen. Camaro/Firebird. You looking for one in cherry red?

quote Originally posted by FieroLisa: sully5- thats one of my top choices, a 92 (isnt that the last of the old body style) camaro convertible. Either that or a trans am convertible of the same year.

Cameron: You got mail!

quote Originally posted by william_thorniii: 2) Lancia Scorpion

Wow, I didn't know anybody else knew what those were. Haven't seen one in, well a long time. Got any pics?

LarryB- I don't much care what color it is, long as it runs decent.

Hello everyone. I love automobiles and have a very eclectic taste when it comes to them. I have a good collection of them right now and one of my favorites is my Sunbeam Alpine.

Sunbeam Alpines (as well as the more expensive Sunbeam Tiger, which is a V8 version developed by Carrol Shelby) are still quite available. In case you don't know, these are British convertible cars that were made from the 50's to 60's. I'd post a pic or two but they are pretty easy to find on the internet. Go to www.sunbeamapline.org to get an idea of what they look like.

They are awesome to cruise in, especially when the weather is right (which is almost always in SoCal). I almost always get a compliment or two when I take her out. Plus she's just so much fun to drive!

Someone probley aleady said this, Grand Prix GTP it is fast, looks awsome, lays rubber for a good 40 foot with traction control off... lots of room in this car and it is just great in all

quote Originally posted by 87GT: I forgot about my pick for 5-8 grand.. Hmmm, let me think.. Ill say a early to mid 90s Prelude. I think they look pretty nice and sporty. My bro had a Eclipse and that thing was nothing but trouble. He must have gotten a hold of a lemon. Pretty zippy when there running though.

i have to agree. i work at a car dealership and my daily driver for a while was a 93 prelude. there nice solid cars, sporty, they have a back seat but i wouldn't want to sit back there, but good for carying stuff. and there trunk is descent size.. they defenatly look sporty. just look at my old car click the following link http://www.hondaprelude.com/setups/setupsdsply.asp?id=8615
if that works.

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For that kind of dough...how about a late sixties or early seventies Caddy Eldorado or DeVille convertible. Plenty of room for dogs and paperwork.....fun to drive...they had plenty of horsepower......and very available. Should be able to find a pretty minty one for that kind of cash !