This is topic What're your opinions on this?? in forum General Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by S281 #314.... AKA SydeWayzSix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Well, i've been considering selling or trading my 96 Saleen to get a better handling car. I'm pretty hooked on the whole AutoX thing and I plan to do some open track events but the Mustang just doesn't handle all that well compared to German sportscars, ie: porsche, bmw, etc.

I know there are a lot of suspension mods that I can do to the Saleen to make it handle better, but will spending $4000 on mods make it handle as well as a German car? The Saleen definitely has more power than the Porsche 3.0l engine, but I'm not into straight line racing...I just want to go fast on turns!

I was offered to trade for a 1978 Porsche 911sc Targa and have been considering it. I havent seen it in person yet, but I've been reading up on them a bit and they seem to be really good cars if they've been maintained. The car that I'm looking at has a few suspension mods already, but there are a few other things that I have to check out before jumping the gun, ie: rust, engine condition, etc.

I want to know your guys' opinions on this trade offer. As of right now, there's not really a market for the Saleen, and the average price of this model porsche is about $12-13k.

Would modding my Saleen make it rail as well as one of these german cars?






 

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Posted by svfreerider87 (Member # 5748) on :
 
IMO I would trade that 4.sux for that thing in a heartbeat! for what you want to do your gonna love that a lot more than the stang. I really like those cars, my uncle has one identical to that and it's held up great for him so far.
 

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Posted by N8 (Member # 6048) on :
 
I just chatted with a dude here I work with that is all into porsche's. He said that is a good trade especially for Auto-X. He did say that among prosche enthusiasts the Targas are less desireable due to body flex. Similar to the t-top mustang. He also gave me this link to give to you.
http://www.rennlist.com/index.htm

Its a site/forum for porsches. Also has a buyer guide.

good luck
 

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Posted by S281 #314.... AKA SydeWayzSix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Thanks for the advice guys!

N8, thanks for the link...I'll check it out soon. Yes, I heard that the Targas aren't as desireable as coupes, but its a PORSCHE Can't be that bad. Personally, I like how the Targa looks.
 

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Posted by EPIK (Member # 7481) on :
 
I would do it if the car checks out & is as clean as your Saleen....

You will love it for what you are trying to do....

[ September 30, 2008, 05:32 PM: Message edited by: EPIK ]
 

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Posted by essasin (Member # 4741) on :
 
What's insurance like on something like? If something breaks how much will it cost?
 

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Posted by Wolfie351 (Member # 651) on :
 
Are you in competition or is it just for fun? If it's just for fun, who cares what is faster?

A faster car doesn't make a driver better. But, a better driver will make a car faster.
 

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Posted by DA ONLY STANG WID HRE'Z (Member # 8511) on :
 
Go for it, if the car checks out good. We only live once! Good luck
 

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Posted by DA ONLY STANG WID HRE'Z (Member # 8511) on :
 
Go for it, if the car checks out good. We only live once! Good luck
 

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Posted by asskickn88 (Member # 4957) on :
 
I've driven a few mid 70's 911's and they handle great. As long as its been mechanically maintained as well as cosmetically then it should be solid. I'd go for it.
 

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Posted by venomous99 (Member # 1917) on :
 
looks to be a nice car. also keep in mind that if you do not plan on working on it consider the cost it would take to repair or modify it. it being a porsche would most likely mean spending $120/hr+ shop rate at a specialist and parts im sure arent what we're used to paying on our stangs. of course this all depends on where u plan on going with this car. we love our stangs cuz theyre so easy to work on and if you dont do it urself you can find a shade tree mechanic to work on it for cheap.
 

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Posted by 50 Deep (Member # 6216) on :
 
Man id trade my stang for a clean porsche any day. I love my fords but id rather pull up in a porsche
 

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Posted by 9cobra7 (Member # 2812) on :
 
I wouldn't do it. You can make your car handle like the Porsche and better. Your not competing (yet) and you can buy used parts like the torque arm etc etc to make the car hug corners. I'm going to a track soon, like 2-3 weeks and I'll give you a ride in my car. We'll pass many Porches....I promise.
 

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Posted by Hozr (Member # 6196) on :
 
Trade it and swap the bumpers to the 993 style.
 

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Posted by S281 #314.... AKA SydeWayzSix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Thanks for all the input guys I havent checked out the car yet, but I do understand the cost of repair and maintenance on something like this.

No, I'm not competing in AutoX (yet) and I basically do it for shits and giggles, but I'm the type of person that likes to try new things. Although I love my Saleen, I do want to try out a "real" sportscar. I know its a lot slower, but if I do get it, I know it should be fun on the track and in the twisties.

I'll let you all know how it turns out after I check it out
 

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Posted by 9cobra7 (Member # 2812) on :
 
If you do go the Porsche route I would go with a 944 and probably the turbo route. There in the same price range and you won't have the power problem your concerned about. The 968 was a pretty nice car along the same platform as the 944 but I don't know much about the reliability or anything but it had like 240 horse from a big 3.0 inline 4. Check into that as well but I still think it's more fun to pass a Porsche in a stang. Porsche owners HATE that! Gl dude.
 

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Posted by wilit (Member # 3367) on :
 
If you've never owned a German car before, be aware they are not $$$ friendly on maintenance. Shops are not cheap, nor are the special tools you'd need to buy if you plan on doing it yourself. 911s are also not fun to work on due to the cramped quarters to access the engine. Also, the mid-70's cam chain tensioners are kinda sketchy if I remember correctly. A popular upgrade is a newer tensioner setup from a post-'84 Carrera. Those kits are in the $900 range.

[ October 01, 2008, 12:55 AM: Message edited by: wilit ]
 

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Posted by S281 #314.... AKA SydeWayzSix (Member # 3596) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by wilit:
If you've never owned a German car before, be aware they are not $$$ friendly on maintenance. Shops are not cheap, nor are the special tools you'd need to buy if you plan on doing it yourself. 911s are also not fun to work on due to the cramped quarters to access the engine. Also, the mid-70's cam chain tensioners are kinda sketchy if I remember correctly. A popular upgrade is a newer tensioner setup from a post-'84 Carrera. Those kits are in the $900 range.

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quote:

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Originally posted by EPIK:
Not hating on the Saleen at all bro, its a very nice example of a clean & badass SN95, but can a late 70's Porsche really be that much slower than a non PI 4.6??? Im only asking because everyone keeps talking about how the car is gonna be a shitload slower than your Stang??? I used to own a 96 GT, so i know how they move....

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Well, yes the Saleen is pretty slow for being a v8 but the Porsche is rated at about 180 hp...so we're looking at around 150 rwhp. The non-PI 4.6 is rated at 215hp but has a good a lot more torque than the porsche, which will make the car feel slower...but then again, I'm not looking for straight-line speed. i just want to be able to keep up the speed, if not increase speed, while taking turns
 

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Posted by Luke87GT (Member # 21) on :
 
That porsche is WAY more car than your saleen. I'd go for it!
 

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Posted by lambonotch (Member # 5758) on :
 
i wouldnt to it, only because when something goes wrong in the porche it will be 4x more than the same job on a mustang. also its not an "if" when some thing breaks down its a "when".

yes that porche is wayyy slower. due to computer and stuff that saleen is wayyyy faster. than a reg 96 gt. in fact its just as fast as a 99-04 gt i raced several of them while i had it and it always came down to the driver. even aginst gt's with similar basic bolt on's

but go with your gut bro, between you and me that car has came along way since it was sitting in a garage for years collecting dust. but your in the same boat as i was in, market sucks and no one wants to pay you what you want for it. at this point the car has in my opion to manny miles for it to be a collectible so if you have the money id just modd the hell out of it and enjoy the car like it was ment to me. either way that car will be modded to hell or wrecked/parted out. only time will tell. but please dont sell/trade it to a 16 year old kid who is going to wrap it around a pole.
 

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Posted by Mach916 (Member # 8264) on :
 
why not a E36 M3?? it will smoke your saleen straight line and curves.. alot newer then a 78, cheaper to maintain. i used to have one, solid car just needs some bushings and your set to go.
 

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Posted by lambonotch (Member # 5758) on :
 
saleen is faster than an e36 m3. tho being a bmw fan i agree that an e36 is an all around great car for what he wants.
 

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Posted by S281 #314.... AKA SydeWayzSix (Member # 3596) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Mach916:
why not a E36 M3?? it will smoke your saleen straight line and curves.. alot newer then a 78, cheaper to maintain. i used to have one, solid car just needs some bushings and your set to go.

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Yea, I love E36's. I had an E36 318is as a beater car that I just sold less than a year ago. I kind of regret it because I could of used it as a beater autox car, but I didnt really know about autox at the time.

The M3's are definitely fast and good handling, but no one is willing to take my trade offer for one. The reason why I'm considering this porsche is because he's willing to trade straight across with me. I can't sell the saleen, so my best bet is to trade it for something...
 

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Posted by N8 (Member # 6048) on :
 
Just curious if you made the trade?
 

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Posted by cummins (Member # 5931) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by svfreerider87:
IMO I would trade that 4.sux for that thing in a heartbeat!

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quote:

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Originally posted by N8:
Just curious if you made the trade?

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Well I couldn't make it out to meet up with him yesterday, so I'm hoping we can set something up for today or this weekend.
 

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Posted by N8 (Member # 6048) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by S281 #314.... AKA SydeWayzSix:

quote:

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Originally posted by N8:
Just curious if you made the trade?

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Well I couldn't make it out to meet up with him yesterday, so I'm hoping we can set something up for today or this weekend.

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quote:

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Originally posted by N8:

quote:

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Originally posted by S281 #314.... AKA SydeWayzSix:

quote:

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Originally posted by N8:
Just curious if you made the trade?

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Well I couldn't make it out to meet up with him yesterday, so I'm hoping we can set something up for today or this weekend.

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Well funny thing is, the dude I told you I mentioned to about your trade. Well he got all gung ho and gave me some Auto-X books to give to you. I told him I dont know you, but he gave me the books anyway. So if you want some books on Auto-x I got some for you...lol.

One good title is :
Secrets of Solo Racing (Henry A. Watts)

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Oh really?? Yea, definitely. Where you located? I'll meet up with you and pick up those books Tell your buddy THANK YOU!
 

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Posted by N8 (Member # 6048) on :
 
Unfortunately I am in stockton. If it isn't too expensive I can mail them. Or if you are by, Discovery Bay, I can meet up. I am supposed to meet up with Dan this weekend....lmk
 

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Posted by S281 #314.... AKA SydeWayzSix (Member # 3596) on :
 
I dont live anywhere near Disco Bay...if you can ship them, I'll pay for the shipping cost. Let me know
 

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Posted by S281 #314.... AKA SydeWayzSix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Well, the guy ended up callimng me back after not getting a response from him for 2 days. I finally checked out the car on Saturday and am not as pleased with it as I would have liked.

The car isn't registered because it won't smog (has no cats) so I couldn't take it out for a real test drive. The body had a little rust on the body, which wasn't too bad, but I'm concerned about having rust in hidden places. There are many small things that would need to be done to bring it "back to life" as I did with my Saleen, so I know I'd end up spending a pretty penny cleaning it up.

The motor seemed to run ok but it had a sound that I'm just not used to. I was told it could be that it needs a valve adjustment and a thorough tune up, but who knows, it could be worse and force me to spend a lot more money.

All in all, its a decent car for its age but would definitely need some work both mechanically and cosmetically. I'm supposed to go check it out after he smogs it so I can actually drive the thing, but I'm not as enthused about the trade as I was before. I took my Saleen out today for an AutoX event and it performed pretty well, so I'm still loving my pony
 

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Posted by 9cobra7 (Member # 2812) on :
 
Glad to hear it.....keep the stang!!!
 

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Posted by SmokinLX (Member # 1684) on :
 
I am sure it is tough trading a car that You know is in great shape "must be to make through track event's" for something that sound's like it need's a minimum of $2000 buck's to get back up to speed and probably more to handle the rigor's of those event's. Probably more rust hiding in it too! Put that money in the stang and it will do what You want it to do .
 

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Posted by iron281 (Member # 80) on :
 
You're much better off looking into a 993. 1993–1997-98. Last of the air-cooled. 3.6 liters, 280 HP. A quantum leap over the old "SC". Or, just forget the Porsche thing, and buy the newest Corvette you can afford.

To be honest, the old 911SC are too old, too problematic if the right modifications were not done to bring them up to date. Even so, a real nice, low mile SC will fetch a big premium and will still be slow. They're just too long in the tooth. Collectors only, ime. I know first hand, as a good friend had an '82 911SC, sold it, and finally got into a '97 Carrera. Oh my, what a difference.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/864063188.html

[ October 06, 2008, 08:42 AM: Message edited by: iron281 ]
 

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Posted by S281 #314.... AKA SydeWayzSix (Member # 3596) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by SmokinLX:
I am sure it is tough trading a car that You know is in great shape "must be to make through track event's" for something that sound's like it need's a minimum of $2000 buck's to get back up to speed and probably more to handle the rigor's of those event's. Probably more rust hiding in it too! Put that money in the stang and it will do what You want it to do .

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Yea, that exactly what my feelings are right now. Although the Saleen doesn't rail as well as a porsche, I think if I put about $3000-4000 into the stang, it will rail pretty damn good. That same $3000-400 probably won't get me very far with the porsche
 

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Posted by 89bluenotch (Member # 7454) on :
 
my buddy has a fox and a sn95 both with full suspension from griggs and maximum, and they have to be the best handling cars i have ever drove or ridden in, so with some money i know you could make your car what you want. he also does auto x and is apart of nasa and they can keep up or dominate those expensive foreign cars! good luck
 

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Posted by 9cobra7 (Member # 2812) on :
 
Just keep lookin' out for a torque arm and panhard bar which are popping up here and there used. I can tell your on a budget so that's why I mention that. Do that first (assuming the car is already dropped a little) and you'll see how bad the front of the car is. Then do the K member and A arms and you'll have a car that "rails" like you say. IMO.
 

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