hey guys, ive been thinking about buying a classic as a fun car for the weekends.
any opinions? i got about 3-4 grand. (needs to be running! not a huge restoration project)

Years 1970-1988


i was thinking 80-88 Monte Carlo SS, 87 Buick Grand National or Regal, 70 Impala, 79-80 Firebird, 76-82 Camaro, ect!

i really want t-tops !

thanks!

 

Maybe an early 70's Nova? I've always liked the look of them.

 

As a fellow FLA resident, I would vote CJ Jeep for some serious getting down and dirty. It'll give you all the open top you want. Then it can pull a boat.

 

i think im leanin more towards an 86 monte carlo ss or like an 79/80 el camino

 

For the amount of money you want to spend and wanting T-Tops you could get a decent mid 80's Monte Carlo, Olds Cutlass, Pontiac Grand Prix, or Buick Regal. I don't think that money will get you a Gran National. It would also buy a decent Camaro IROC or a Pontiac Trans Am. For T-Top cars you could also look at 80's Mustangs and Dodge Daytonas. Any one of them will make a nice classic ride that in addition to being fun to drive should also appreciate in value the longer you have it. Better than money in the bank.

 

Keep in mind the Camaro body style changed for the 82 model year. I'm guessing based off what you're looking for that as far as Camaros you're looking at the late 2nd gens. The 74-77 are hard as hell to find but the 78-81 and are still relatively cheap to get your hands on. Good luck getting a late 70s firebird for that price though. The late 2nd gen firebirds are the most valuable IIRC. You can get a first gen firebird for pretty cheap though. I saw a couple for sale and about crapped myself when I saw how cheap they are even compared to Camaros like mine.

If you do go for a 2nd gen Camaro let me know and I'll help in any way I can. My first classic car was a 79 Z28. Sold it to make room for the 73 before I could get it back on the road though.

 

I like the firebird or cutlass .....I used to own a firebird with tees loved it. Dad owned a Cutlass was a great car.

 

I'd go with a trans am personally, I had a 86 Iroc Z it was nice but I drove a 78 Trans Am and would have traded the guy right then and there had I had the Iroc with me and he wasn't from out of state

 

Just be careful not to get over your head.

Honestly, I see your budget being a little low to take on a toy like that.

 

I would like to advise you to shy away from t-tops. I know they sound cool, but back in the years you were talking about, they were notoriously leaky. And if you use them a lot, like it sounds like you will, the more likely to leak they are. They were leaky then, and they are even more likely to be leaky now. I'm not even fond of having a sun roof on the Monte, I bet I coudl count on my hands how many times I've ever opened it in nearly 5 years of ownership.


And for that price, you'll find something running, but it would be a "restore as you go" project. Nothing wrong with them, per se, but you can't expect perfection. I've got $15k in the white car and it's not even perfect.