since we have a few car fanatics here

[public_eyesore]

I'm starting to look at cars as I will be getting one in september and I figured since we had so many car fanatics here I would ask and see what you guys thought. Basically I want a car that is american, under 7500 and can haul ass. Does this car exist? The only cars I know I do not want is a 73-98 mustang I think they are ugly. I would not mind learning mechanics and upgrading after I got the car, but the 7500 is the price set by my parents. Idealy I would like a 1970 mustang hatchback, but I don't know if it is reliable enough especially a noob like me (on the asvab's I scored in the 24 percentile for car repair knowledge ).

[Luke122]

I"m a big fan of turbo dodges. Cheap, good on gas, go like stink.. plus most people dont even know they exist.

You can find a good turbo daytona for under 1000$... spend another $1000 on it, and have a car that will run a 12sec quarter, and still get 30+mpg

www.thedodgegarage.com for some good examples/tips/info

[public_eyesore]

is there anything similar without that 80's sports car look? That's what I really hate. But thanks for replying, I could end up getting one you never know.
Keep them coming

[public_eyesore]

I just looked up thoses daytonas, and not only does nobody know about them, but nobody has them for sale. Ther were a total of 7 on cars.com and none within 500 miles.
edit: there is one but the guy doesn't trust it to go too far and has over 200k

[AJ@PR]

Honestly, I think you need to really analyze your situation.

I think it's great that your parents are spotting you 7k to buy a car...
And it's even better if you can learn mechanics... that's what I did when I was 15.
I got a 1980 Volvo 242GT.
I still have that car.
I learned mechanics with that car.
Amazing that I didn't kill my self with my ShadeTree MechanicZ SkillZ.

Still, realize something:::
If you're buying a beat up car to make it look good, or just run good, be advised that you ARE going to spend $$$.
And after that, you're going to spend yet more $$$.

If you want to add to the mix the going fast sports car thing, $$$$$$$.
Horsepower costs $.

I don't know... you have loads of options.
This is just like, a comment.

But, by all means, please keep us updated!!!

[GT40_GearHead]

well for those money you could get an 84 vette with about 100k miles on it in good shape for a car like that

but like AJ@PR said old cars heat money, trough parts, gas, more parts, and so on
and another thing a powerful car will get you in trouble fast ! not just because of the speed limit, but if you are novice driver you will find yourself heading very fast for the pole on the side of the road

i say get a ford focus, its front wheel drive, 4cyl engine, dual over head cam, 1.6litres if remember correctly, very compact car and being front wheel it will stay on the road for longer when you screw up
drive for a few years, mod it a bit because parts are redly available and cheap , get your hands in it learn the basics and only after that look somewhere else

and remember reliability is the key word, its no use to have a car if you can't drive the darn thing

[AJ@PR]

its no use to have a car if you can't drive the darn thing

**AJ thinks about his Volvo... undrivable at the moment**

**sniff**

[Airbozo]

Good point on the _Cost Of Ownership_.

I got an older Rover 3500s for free, but it end up costing me almost $5000 to keep the thing running for 5 years. My cost of learning a lesson about free cars...

Still with your budget, you could get a nice running car. Just make sure you get a car that you can afford to insure. I have a spotless record, married, multiple car discount and other discounts and the insurance on my 2002 GT is killing me.

[.Maleficus.]

Sorry to ask this in your thread eyesore, but it seems like a good place.

Anyone ever deal with eBay Motors? Is it trustable, etc.? I'll be looking into a car in the near future, and I'm curious about where to buy, if I should do local or what.

[Mitternacht]

If you want a nice American car, look for a Camaro, 87-97. Nice import (if you stumble upon no really good American cars), 300ZX; 90-96.