The F-Body Performance Paradox

[MustangEater8251]

Thing is its not about proving my manhood, having a nice, car. I honestly don't care what others think. (on my 3rd v6 f-body ;) ) I mess with and race cars because I enjoy them, not because I am using it to have me "stick out" and be better then the rest.

I like going out, improving my self nad see where I stand on stuff at my level, don't care about the big boys, don't care about the slow guys in terms of racing, just care about getting better in my car.

[fbirdgt01]

Well, for those of you who know me, know that I fit in with this crowd. My only concentration right now is to establish my career, so then i can move forward with purchasing a home, having a family, and living comfortably in the world. I may come off sometimes as immature, but right now i'm focused on the future, and what it holds for me. That's why when people ask me, "Why didn't you just buy a v8?" "Why haven't you mod'ed yet?" I simply tell them that a v8 is not in my budget because i'm 20 living on my own and trying to establish myself as a career oriented person. As to mod'ing i think eating and having a roof over my head is more important than going 12's. I love the fact the my car is in the upper percentile for quarter mile times for a bone stock fbody. It's fine just the way it is, and even a couple "cheap" or "free" mods may be in order.

Stefan, i definitely agree with you, knowing i'm young i have the same mindset as you, Steve, James and Infernal. My goal is... career, house, and exploring the options of finding someone to share those things with in the next 3-4 years. Some people think i'm crazy, and i just need to be young... but since i was 12 years old, i've always been way ahead. Helping raise my brother, and having some very adult like and life altering experiences as a young adult, i have come to realize what is important in life. Ego's are something god made for incentive, to motivate man to become a success, not to let it lead his life into failure.

Just my opinion take it as it is.

[CockyV6]

Just turned 31 :( soooooo......

I could get out of the "hole" if I wanted to ( bills, debt, yada, yada, yada ), and I should be by mid point next year [img]graemlins/rock.gif[/img] .

I know my car has been, is, and forever will be a money pit. AHHHHHH such is life. It makes me happy, I have a hobbie in it, and its FUN!

I dont care that "throw money away" on my car. Because of that car I have met alot of life long friends, learned soooo much that I wouldnt have before, and gained the tenationous to compleate anything no matter how tough it seems.

I get burned out from time to time, but I always come back to what I truly enjoy.

[DaRock]

I hate it how many of the F-body owners are so insecure of our cars. There are Berretta, and Corsica, and Yugo owners that are proud of their cars.

I love my car to death, and I tell my friends who drive STI's, and M3's that I wouldnt trade my car for anything, not even their cars. And I mean it.

As MTMike said its all young kids with this problem, not only F-body owners.

My friend with a WRX just blew the transmission, just spent 3500 on a new transmission. I also have had my problems, like headlight motor and power window problems.

I look at it this way, if you have a girlfriend you love, that isnt very hot, you would ignore the hot chicks. And stick it out with her, through the good times and bad.

Im 22

[imported_admin]

Good replies, everyone! Interesting to see what eveyone's thoughts are. To those of you who are under 25 and replied saying you'll never stop spending cash on your F-Body, I challenge that. Let's re-post this in five years. ;)

For the record, no, I am not burned out and I'm not selling the Virus anytime soon, I'm personally just concerned that the houses we're looking at buying next summer are in the $600,000+ price range (welcome to the Washington D.C. suburbs) and our budget is more along the lines of $320,000 - $380,000. Someone mentioned that I tend to dog the Corvette... this is partially true. I do think that the Corvette is an inferior supercar but it still blows the doors off any F-Body hands down.

I've been there, done that regarding the F-Body, I'm keeping it forever (it probably isn't even worth $2000 anyway) but I am no longer spending money on making it faster.

My main point was that if you look at age as a timeline going from left to right, interest in cars goes in the shape of a smile curve. Heavy between 16-25, then diminishing for years, then once again picking up later. For some people that "later" manifests itself as a midlife crisis when the 50-year old buys a Corvette or a Ferrari. For others it happens at age 33 where they buy an LS1. (I'd imagine that in five years, unless Jenn starts popping out little mini-Stefans to terrorize you all, I'll be behind the wheel of a Vette.) But for none does a $10,000 engine job on an F-Body ever take place. No one ever spends that kind of cash on a "poor man's sports car" like the F-Body.

Think upon this: who can afford a $10,000 engine buildup? Really no one under age 25... and by then the person has usually calmed down... I'm seeing several married guys with houses and families saying they like their LS1/would like an LS1 but that's not the same as getting an LS1 and putting a Lingenfelter twin turbo on it. If someone is going to spend that much money they'll just get a ZO6.

This is the same reason Chevrolet never actually produced the Camaro ZL1 for sale. No one will spend that kind of cash on a Camaro.

Eh... when I do get the house, though, I'll have to launch a Home Improvement forum as a subforum of the Lounge here. ;) "Plumbing Tech", "Home Electrical Tech", "Home Theater Tech", "Care and Maintenance"...

[ReodDai]

There is a reason why I haven't proceeded too far into modding my car. This isn't my dream car, any spare cash I get laying around I invest into the car just because I enjoy seeing it develop and become faster. Gives me something to do between studying my *** off.

[RallyRed 98]

my dad says similar things... by the time you're old enough to get a corvette, you can't enjoy it anymore.

i'm 23 and not sure how i got so heavy into the car thing, but i have also been thinking about dumping money into my V6 f-body; specifically, i've been thinking about where to stop. i think after i get the cam in, that'll be it and i will be looking to either make a fun project car like a turbo buick, or just get a truck. this little layover between graduating college and starting my job (while living at home) has made me realize how much i like having just a plain old automatic truck, and how pleasant they are to drive.

the turbo buick has always been a "gotta have for me." i just like them.

HOWEVER: to be able to have a place to really work on either of my cars i need to have a house with an honest-to-god garage and on my budget, all i will be able to afford for some time is a knocker-downer, even in ashland (which is fine because i dig home improvement), and in order to work on a knocker-downer i will be needing a full-size truck.

just the things i have been thinking about lately- but i am almost sure i am done putting money into my V6 F-body except for maintenance items. the interesting thing is that i really like this car, especially the drivetrain, having a proven motor, decent transmission, and okay differential that are in good supply. as i see it, i will probably keep this car until the body falls off.

[BLLDOGG]

i totally understand what your saying and i've have already limited myself with mods cause im plaining out the whole going to college with my fiancee. so im thinking about eco cars apartments and bills. but i dont think i will get out moding cars cause i want to drag race cars for a living and i'll always be building cars. mainly old ones. but your right, i have already stopped spending every penny i have and just saving the money instead of buying a new part. im only 17 too :(

[j_downey50]

Originally posted by BLLDOGG:
i totally understand what your saying and i've have already limited myself with mods cause im plaining out the whole going to college with my fiancee. so im thinking about eco cars apartments and bills. but i dont think i will get out moding cars cause i want to drag race cars for a living and i'll always be building cars. mainly old ones. but your right, i have already stopped spending every penny i have and just saving the money instead of buying a new part. im only 17 too :(

uh... engaged at 17?

[BLLDOGG]

Originally posted by j_downey50:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by BLLDOGG:
i totally understand what your saying and i've have already limited myself with mods cause im plaining out the whole going to college with my fiancee. so im thinking about eco cars apartments and bills. but i dont think i will get out moding cars cause i want to drag race cars for a living and i'll always be building cars. mainly old ones. but your right, i have already stopped spending every penny i have and just saving the money instead of buying a new part. im only 17 too :(

uh... engaged at 17? </font>[/QUOTE]i know, i know. im too young. im happy. she is perfect for me. so what if i found her so soon. im not the dating aroung kind of guy. im into relationships [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img]

[j_downey50]

Originally posted by BLLDOGG:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by j_downey50:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by BLLDOGG:
i totally understand what your saying and i've have already limited myself with mods cause im plaining out the whole going to college with my fiancee. so im thinking about eco cars apartments and bills. but i dont think i will get out moding cars cause i want to drag race cars for a living and i'll always be building cars. mainly old ones. but your right, i have already stopped spending every penny i have and just saving the money instead of buying a new part. im only 17 too :(

uh... engaged at 17? </font>[/QUOTE]i know, i know. im too young. im happy. she is perfect for me. so what if i found her so soon. im not the dating aroung kind of guy. im into relationships [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]well congrats and i hope everything works out good for you two. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[BLLDOGG]

thanks

[Dominic]

Well I still love my car but Im about to go $150,000 in debt due to optometry school - that's my reason for not. I still am passionate though and will work on it, once I have a daily driver to use when Im working on the camaro.

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

umm im not getting married for at least 4 years, the AF pays for 99% of my bills including housing and food. so y not get my car the way i want it now, it will be paid for buy time im married and then i wont take the big loss buy haveing to sell it when i have a family ? i dont see any thing wrong with that do you? i have 50 month going into retierment account.....

thats just me tho,

Btw what the hell is the point of having a Z06/viper at like 65? the world is backwords if you ask me lol i would rather have it young and get it out of my system...... maybe

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

Originally posted by Stefan:

But for none does a $10,000 engine job on an F-Body ever take place. No one ever spends that kind of cash on a "poor man's sports car" like the F-Body.

Think upon this: who can afford a $10,000 engine buildup? Really no one under age 25... and by then the person has usually calmed down...

ummm i find that funny i have ~$20,000 into my camaro i have at least 2-5K more to go.
Are you saying i'm not smart :(
It does not bother me one bit