[baldrick]

You can usually find old Panteras for a song.  Most are in poor shape and need work, and the 5.0L Mustang running gear does nothing to add to the price.  I've seen ones for sale for less than $18K.  Restored ones around $40K.


Like many older Mustang 5.0's the engines in these old Panteras are ready for the rebuild shop or the scrapyard.  Good thing is that replacement parts are cheap, and most mechanics that know anything about Fords can fix them.  A vintage exotic that doesn't need a $250 per hour mechanic is very advantageous.

The original mufflers and that big Ford V8 together made some of the best exhaust sound around.

[doug s.]

can't haul much in a pantera except ass!     a ratty but running one will get ~$25k; even less, if they are rust-buckets.  the ones that have been hotted-up to the max, (or extremely low-mileage ones that look like they did when in the showroom), can get >$75k.  they are one of the bargains still left in the exotic used car market, imo...

doug s.

[baldrick]

http://www.pim.net/3262009WP.html
$42K.

[doug s.]

You can usually find old Panteras for a song.  Most are in poor shape and need work, and the 5.0L Mustang running gear does nothing to add to the price.  I've seen ones for sale for less than $18K.  Restored ones around $40K.


Like many older Mustang 5.0's the engines in these old Panteras are ready for the rebuild shop or the scrapyard.  Good thing is that replacement parts are cheap, and most mechanics that know anything about Fords can fix them.  A vintage exotic that doesn't need a $250 per hour mechanic is very advantageous.

The original mufflers and that big Ford V8 together made some of the best exhaust sound around.

you are quite incorrect that most panteras are in poor shape.  considering that only ~7k were made, most that are still on the road have already been refurb'd.  it's hard to find one needing a complete resto because so few are in that condition.  $40k is about right for a decent restored pantera that hasn't been taken over the top.  regarding the engines, you can get a nice rebuild on a 351 cleveland that will net you ~400hp, for the price of a tune-up on a v8 ferrari engine.     yes, those wintage clevelands have a nice rumble.  the only mods to mine are headers, electronic ignition, and a new carb.  in a parking garage, it sets off lot of car alarms.  (my alfa gtv6 only sets off a few.)     i have collected parts for a new cleveland build, including high-compression boss heads and new block.  computer build sheet w/the parts i have says 460-475hp.  some day, this will happen...

doug s.

[timind]

I'm on my second Focus wagon. 122K and going strong. I'm 6'2" and this is a very comfortable car to drive for hours.

[jackman]

I'm on my second Focus wagon. 122K and going strong. I'm 6'2" and this is a very comfortable car to drive for hours.

I have a friend who owns a bare bones Focus (non-wagon) and has over 150K.  He loves the car and is going to get the new one when it is available.  I went to the Auto show and really liked the looks of the new Focus. 

[doug s.]

I have a friend who owns a bare bones Focus (non-wagon) and has over 150K.  He loves the car and is going to get the new one when it is available.  I went to the Auto show and really liked the looks of the new Focus.

i like the ford focus.  but you like the looks of it?  and, you think the gen-1 scion xb is ugly?   

doug s.

[baldrick]

The new Focus is the European Focus.  It is worlds better (and better looking) than the American Focus.

 

It boggles the mind why Ford would design two completely different cars for different continents that are the same size and shape.  Then make one clearly inferior to the other.  At least now they're going to sell the same thing over here as they have over there.

[Lyndon]

And the price, baldrick????
A new vehicle like this is not going to touch the OP's $10K price.  Or are you suggesting he wait 3 years?
In the U.S., we keep hearing how Ford, or GM (Opel, now defunct), are going to bring over the European products, but it never seems to happen.  Or if it does, they might give the suspension, but not the engine.
It gets frustrating.
 

[baldrick]

No it won't, I was just making a general comment on the looks of the Focus to rebut dougs's comment.

Anyway, the only ones to blame are us for the inferiority of European transplants.

Saturn brought over the Astra largely unchanged and no one bought it.  We need to demand better from carmakers.  And stop buying sofas on wheels.

I hate to say it, but the best thing that happened to the US car business is $5.00 per gallon gasoline.  It got folks demanding better small cars.

In any case, I still recommend the Magnum SXT for the wagon of choice.  It fits all the requirements including the price tag.  Sure it's big, but it represents excellent value for money.  Plus the handling is pretty good, and the comfort level is very high.

[Lyndon]

baldrick,
Not pursuing an argument, just a conversation.
You said:
"Saturn brought over the Astra largely unchanged and no one bought it."
It was in the top three of my list last summer.  All sold out in Utah/Idaho, and Wyoming dealerships.  People did know about it and cashed in on the clunker program out here.
I know you like that Magnum, but I was not moved by Car and Driver's long term report:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/06q3/2005_dodge_magnum_rt-long-term_road_test
I know it is just one review, but...

[srb]

The Saturn Astra was not a big seller, selling only 12,000 units in 2008.  They have skipped the 2009 model, as there is a still a 139 day supply of 2008's left, and are going directly to a 2010 model.
 
Steve

[mfsoa]

Although not a wagon, I'm still crazy about my Honda Fit. I know it'll hold some things that my BMW323 wagon won't hold due the way the inside of the car is ten times bigger than the outside.    Very easy to get into and out of when my back is acting up, relative to the shoe-horning it takes to get into the Bimmer.

35 mpg is good too but comes at the expense of low-end torque (actually, at the expense of power at any RPM  ) typical of Hondas. Paddle-shift automatic works great.

I bet for <10K you could get a  fine used one, or stretch to 15K for a new one.



-Mike

[srb]

Although not a wagon, I'm still crazy about my Honda Fit. I know it'll hold some things that my BMW323 wagon won't hold due the way the inside of the car is ten times bigger than the outside.

Just the opposite of the Chevy Camaro, whose interior was ten times smaller than the exterior.
 
Steve

[drphoto]

Like I said, it's all good discussion, even if it doesn't apply to me directly. Yeah, I always wondered about say, Ford's Euro division being better than what's here. Supposedly they had a car there a decade ago called the Escort that was much better than the one here.

Glad VW finally decided to burn the clean burn TDI to the US. What about BWW and other's w/ euro spec diesels?

I also wonder if anyone will create a clean diesel/electric hybrid? Seems to make a lot of sense. Isn't that the way locomotives have worked for years?

[Lyndon]

Mike,
My friend test drove the Astra, and others, and decided on the Honda Fit last year.  I agree about the room,
but the engine response is sure anemic with that automatic.  He had to go that route for the wife.

Not a wagon, but a long hatchback that had interested me was the Hyundai Elantra Touring.  Couldn't find the model I was looking for last summer either.  Did find one listed in Phoenix, but like the Subaru, dealers had cranked up the MSRP last summer.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/review-2010-hyundai-elantra-touring/

[srb]

Like I said, it's all good discussion, even if it doesn't apply to me directly.

The problem is, we're running out of wagons.  America fell out of love with the station wagon (replaced by SUVs), where Europe is still heavily into them and there are many more wagon models.
 
I think Honda should have been selling a Civic wagon here for the last 20 years.
 
Steve

[Lyndon]

I think Honda should have been selling a Civic wagon here for the last 20 years.
 
Steve

+1, Steve

[Bob in St. Louis]

Come on Doc, just do it. 

[Lyndon]

Bob,
That last photo was great!