Some more modern muscle for the less mechanically inclined......

I had a guy email me who said he'd love to have a V8 musclecar but he couldn't afford 30 or 40K for a new Challenger, Mustang or Camaro. That meant-obviously that he didn't have the same amount of money for a restored GTO, Road Runner, or whatever.  He also said he's not a mechanic or bodyman and didn't have the ability to restore something that needed a lot of work. He asked if i could recommend some cars that he could buy for say less than $10-12,000 dollars that he could just drive and not put too much money into right off. There's a few diamonds like this out there that a lot of people don't think of. Here they are, in no particular order. # 1. 1985-96 Chevrolet Corvette. The '85-91 models have the L98 TPI 350 backed by either a 4+3 overdrive 4-speed, a 4-speed automatic, or a six-speed manual. I saw a nice '89 model on a used car lot the other day for $4999. The '92-96 models will have the LT1 which has 300 hp compared to the L98s 250. These will be in the upper areas of the price range, but no one will argue that a C4 'Vette offers a lot of bang for the buck.  # 2. 1987-92 Firebird Formula 350 / Trans Am GTA / IROC-Z. Most '82-92 Camaros and Firebirds have 305 motivation. But there are quite a few out there with the vaunted L98 350 'Vette motor stuffed in them. For some reason Pontiac offered the big motor in the Formula as well as the T/A; Chevrolet only offered it in the Z/28 / IROC-it wasn't available in an RS Camaro. These are dynamite performers stock, and there is a ton of aftermarket speed equipment out there. # 3. 1987-2004 Ford Mustang GT. The '87-93 models are the last and best of the bodystyle that debuted in 1979. They have the fuel-injected bullet-proof 302, the "World-class" T5 5-speed stick or a 4-speed automatic, and the bulletproof 8.8 inch rear axle. Their is probably more speed equipment available for this car than anything else on the planet. If you want the best of both worlds-the 1994 and 95 models have the newer body used from '94-2004, with the "Old-school" 302 under the hood. 1996 and later models use the 4.6 liter mod motor V8. They have just as much power as the old "5.0" , just higher in the powerband, with less bottom-end torque and speed parts are pricier for the "4.6". However, from a bang for the buck perspective, their still a great bargain.  # 4. 1985-92 Lincoln MKVIILSC. Car and Driver said it best-"A 5.0 Mustang in a tuxedo." These "Hot Rod Lincolns" featured the vaunted "5.0" Mustang GT engine, Recaro Seats, 16" wheels with fat 225 / 55ZR16 Goodyear Gatorbacks, and a cool monochromatic paint job. # 5. 1994-97 Chevrolet Impala SS. Chevy engineers took the Cop-car Caprice with an LT1 'Vette motor in it, gave it a sinsiter black paint job, some fat tires, gussied up the interior and had an instant rock-star. The buff magazines raved and the public bought them, but when GM went front-drive with the Impala in 1998, cops and enthusiasts everywhere howled and went into mourning. # 5. 1993-2002 Z/28 Camaro / Pontiac Trans-Am. 1993-97 models will have the LT1, '98-02 models will have the LS1. Both are great performers stock, and there is a ton of speed equipment out there. # 6. 2003-2004 Mercury Marauder. Take a cop-car Crown Vic, swap in the snarling 300+hp 4-cam V8 out of the Mustang Cobra, add a 4-speed automatic with a high-stall conveter, upgraded suspension, fat 18" tires and wheels, a trick interior with Auto Meter guages and a monochromatic paint job and you have the baddest Ford sedan since Burt Reynolds 429 / 4-speed 1972 LTD whiskey runner in "White Lightning". For some insane reason, Ford never promoted this car-( I never even saw a magazine road test of one ) and then wondered why they didn't sell a lot of them. Dynamite if you can find one. # 7. 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO. Car and Driver said it-"It runs like a Corvette, handles like BMW and looks like a rental car." The Grand-Am on steroids styling is what killed it. If GM had done like they did with the Camaro and Ford did with the Mustang and Dodge did with the Challenger-went retro and made it look like a '60's or '70's model they'd have had people lined around the block. 2004 models have the 350 hp 5.7 liter LS1, 2005-06 models have the 400 hp 6.0 liter LS2. Both offer blistering performance, and the subdued styling make keep the men in blue off your back. # 8. 2005-07 Dodge Charger / Chrysler 300. This will be at the top of the $12,000 price limit, but you get the best of both worlds-a last-generation E55 Mercedes chassis with a Chrysler Hemi V8 stuffed in it. I'd also check auctions for later-model, but higher-mileage Charger cop cars. A lot of bang for the buck. So if you don't have a ton of cash and a ton of mechanical ability, you can still have a tire-smoking, American Muscle Machine. Mastermind