if given the choice...Typhoon, Grand National, or New Camaro

[absintheisfun]

My wife and I went to the autorama this weekend, and my wife noticed me drooling over a Grand National...

This is how the conversation went:
"Man I wish I had one of those"
"How much are they?"
"They can be found for cheap, but if you wanted a good daily driver? A little less than a new Camaro."
"Well, just get one of those instead...just know that this IS YOUR DAILY DRIVER---IT IS NOT TO BE GUTTED AND REDONE. You already have 2 cars in that condition!"
"Honey, if you really wanted to bribe me with that, you would say get a Typhoon."

Okay, so here are your choices...New Camaro (SS), GMC Typhoon or Grand National

Here are the stipulations--
DAILY DRIVER, it must be reliable (GN or Typhoon means less than 50K Miles, GN would get a rebuilt tranny ASAP
Max spending money is the equivelant to the new Camaro +/-$35,000.
If repairs are to be done, they can not be done by you…your wife knows the “while I’m fixing this” excuse

So if given the choice, and approval from your wife or significant other...what would you do?

edit:
some additional info...

My wife is getting a Saturn Sky next week...(NO interior room).

Whatever I drive will at time transport 300 lbs of BIG hairy dogs.
(Shepherd mix, Lab and Border Collie)

It also means that if/when we have a little one...whatever I drive will become the "dad-mobile"

[WS6]

I wouldn't buy a 15-20 year old hot rod car and expect it to be daily driveable. It won't hold up to the abuse. Get the camaro.

But oh how I love Typhoons.

[lilhemi]

v6 camaro for sure as a daily.

[parsonsj]

I wouldn't buy a 15-20 year old hot rod car and expect it to be daily driveable.Seconded. 20 year old cars do not make good daily drivers. Too many things go wrong with older cars to put your job and whatnot in their hands.

jp

[shmoov69]

Well, camaro. $35k and a warranty.
GN with less than 50k miles for around $17k
Typhoon for about the same money.
You can do Alot of repairs for double the money!! And the depreciation hit has already happened for the most part.
I had a GN with around 50k on it and it was great as a driver. Chic drove it and it got about 24mpg. While I drove it and it got about 10mpg.......don't know why!?!?!
Buddy had a typhoon as his daily for about 5 years and it was good until he Yanked the engine for a built one with a big turbo. Then it sucked and had to work on it all the time.
I would say go old since the camaro would be worth 15k n a few short years!

Btw good point JP about the job tho!!

[gkring]

New camaro all the way. I know all those guys at the autorama and none of those GN's were daily drivers. If you could honestly not race or modify either of the cars you would be fine, but what fun is that? I took mine from bone stock to a 150 MPH quarter miler over the course of a few years. The driveability, comforts, and warranty of the new Camaro wins hands down for a daily driver.Sounds like you already have a couple project cars, so I wouldn't sacrifice a reliable cool car for a less reliable one. Even if they are collector cars and probably cooler than a new camaro once it's newness wears off.

[Damn True]

Wait 6mos and pick up a used Camaro that some other sucker has already eaten the depreciation on.

[Derek69SS]

I say GN if you have the willpower to keep it stock-ish, and the mechanical ability to keep it in good working order. In 6 months the novelty of the camaro will have worn off already.

[oestek]

Wait 6mos and pick up a used Camaro that some other sucker has already eaten the depreciation on.

My thoughts exactly.

[parsonsj]

I just gotta say that a GN tickles my fancy. A lot. If I ever sell II Much, I could really get into one of those.

jp

[Steve1968LS2]

A slighly used new Camaro.

Remember that the Typhoon And GNs were fast but the build quality in areas like the interior and such were not that great.

[paulk68]

My wife and I went to the autorama this weekend, and my wife noticed me drooling over a Grand National...

This is how the conversation went:
"Man I wish I had one of those"
"How much are they?"
"They can be found for cheap, but if you wanted a good daily driver? A little less than a new Camaro."
"Well, just get one of those instead...just know that this IS YOUR DAILY DRIVER---IT IS NOT TO BE GUTTED AND REDONE. You already have 2 cars in that condition!"
"Honey, if you really wanted to bribe me with that, you would say get a Typhoon."

Okay, so here are your choices...New Camaro (SS), GMC Typhoon or Grand National

Here are the stipulations--
DAILY DRIVER, it must be reliable (GN or Typhoon means less than 50K Miles, GN would get a rebuilt tranny ASAP
Max spending money is the equivelant to the new Camaro +/-$35,000.
If repairs are to be done, they can not be done by you…your wife knows the “while I’m fixing this” excuse

So if given the choice, and approval from your wife or significant other...what would you do?

Your other post says that you are going to have the dad/puppy mobile, i would not go with any of these if that is the case.

[trapin]

Wait 6mos and pick up a used Camaro that some other sucker has already eaten the depreciation on.
Co-signed. And I can guarantee they will be out there. I got to drive an SS back in December and after that experience I could not stop thinking about buying one for at least a few weeks. It made that much of an impression on me. However when I told my wife about it she threatened to cut my nuts off if one ended up in the driveway.


......yeah so I think I'll probably pass on it right now.

But I bet others won't and will pay kicking themselves a few months later for not looking at their budget more closely. If the wife is giving you the green light, go for it. You will NOT be disappointed.

[moreHP]

Camaro.

[tones2SS]

I wouldn't buy a 15-20 year old hot rod car and expect it to be daily driveable. It won't hold up to the abuse. Get the camaro.

But oh how I love Typhoons.

What he said. You need dependability.
BUT,... I really like those GN's!! Almost bought one back in '90. It was an '87 with low miles. That car was in EXCELLENT condition and chirped the tires twice without getting on it @ 45 mph!!! Man, I wish I bought that car!!!
GOOD LUCK!!!

[toofun]

Well I personally had the pleasure of owning a typhoon and gotta say I would go that route. I loved the fact that I could spool the turbo up in that sucka at a stop light next to a mustang and launch at 4 grand with NO TIRE SPIN. That truck would launch! I made a ton of money at the local track with that truck before people realized what the hell it was back when it was new. OH and living in NEW ENGLAND meant that I could also drive it in the snow, plenty of room to pack it up for a week trip and a roof rack to boot. Although the SYCLONE was even a sicker ride.

Mark
TOOFUN

[XLexusTech]

wait a year and get a new Z28.. Holla

[absintheisfun]

GN with less than 50k miles for around $17k
Typhoon for about the same money.
You can do Alot of repairs for double the money!! And the depreciation hit has already happened for the most part.


Okay, so I'm rationalizing...
-I am partial to the Typhoon (even though the Grand National is awesome)...I have owned 3 S10 Blazers in my life... 84, 86, 88. All used, and all were a hellofalotta fun.

-I have a friend with a reliable shop that could rebuild the entire driveline (rebuild, not replace--so the #'s stay matching) for a very little amount.
-The suspension, brakes and electrical could also be tended to if needed.
-All of this would still come in at a less total amount than a new SS.
-Insurance would probably be cheaper.
-Seat folds down to transport dogs.
-I have a "backup driver" for if/when it is broken down.
-three words- ALL WHEEL DRIVE!
-there will be plenty of new Camaros around for a while...but very few SyTy's (and the more I read about them, the more I see that several are parked for life, stripped and parted out, etc)

[83hurstguy]

I bought my H/O with the intention of using it as a daily driver... that never happened. It always had something not working quite right on it...

[jackfrost]

i'd spend $15k on an LS1 f-body for a DD and use the other $20k for a project car. either one you've got or a GN or SyTy.

[surlyjoe]

I think if you need a kid/dog hauler out of those 3 the typhoon is the choice. However if I was looking for a fast suv it would be slightly used trailblazer ss all the way. should fall into your budget too. lots of power can tow a trailer better interior than the typhoon. I love the syclones and typhoons but as a daily at their age not sure.

[Takid455]

For a DD that will carry big soggy dogs and kids, I'd go Typhoon. more room for the doggies in the rear plus it is all wheel drive for inclement weather like snow should you venture out of texas.

[JamesJ]

Typhoon...

[Derek69SS]

I don't know why you guys are so scared of daily-driving an older car??? Especially when he has back-up transportation if something does go wrong.

Hell, I put 70,000 miles on a $700 93 Caprice, and 50,000 miles on a $200 91 Bonneville as daily-drivers with no real problems. When it needed maintenance, I'd fix it... it's not that difficult. My current daily-driver has 170,000 miles on it.

[tjtucker]

Nice thread.
I owned a Syclone from 1992 to 2001. I purchased it used with several light mods was a nice 12.7 truck. A lot of LX & GT Mustangs did n't know what hit them.

But >>>>>..... I don't know if it could be a daily driver being almost 20 years old.

What about the Jeep SRT all wheel drive and 6.1 Hemi. I drove one about a year ago quite a beast 425 hp, already mid to low 13 second vehicle and now they are cheap on the used market add a supercharger and you have what you need for you & your dogs...

TJ

[absintheisfun]

slightly used trailblazer ss all the way

At least the Typhoon will get close to 20 MPG...I was giving heavy HEAVY consideration to the Trailblazer SS but the 12 MPG left a bad taste in my mouth. Gas may be low now, but we all know it isn't going to stay that way.:crying:

[Blown353]

Don't forget... SyTy's are miserably cramped to work on and you're saddled with the problematic 4L60E. They are fun. In stock form they leave hard and are pretty much spent by 60-65 or so. Turn them up and they stay fun past 65... but then tranny and front propshaft issues tend to crop up.

And did I mention they suck to work on? A small blazer/jimmy of that era with AWD and a standard 4.3 is still a bitch to work on, add all the turbo and intercooler complexity and you just made all the jobs that much harder. They're also rattletraps, the rear door, rear hatch, and inside spare tire rattle of those era blazers are annoying as hell!

A GN on the other hand is much less cramped and easier to work on, and the 2004R is much stouter than the 4L60E. Interior is more comfy and less cramped than the SyTy, and they're quieter and more rattle free. Find a solid roof car if you can to avoid t-top leaks and have a stiffer body.

A GN can be a big theft target though. The 3.8 is also notorious for recurring oil pan and rear main seal leaks. I had a 2000 mile 89 Turbo Trans Am about 4 years ago and got to experience all the usual joys. Fun car though!

Personally, I'd be searching for a white or blue Regal T-type... sleeper!

For a good reliable daily GN, I'd ditch the PowerDisaster brake booster (if it hasn't been replaced with a vacuum booster or hydroboost already as most GN guys do) and add a shiftkit, fuel pump upgrade & fuel pump "hotwire" relay kit, intake with open element filter, plenum divider plate, adjustable FPR, adjustable wastegate, downpipe + remove cat + exhaust, a scanmaster to watch for knock, and a 91 octane PROM (they're pretty safe and you can usually get away with ~17 psi with 91 octane and those mods.) That was enough to put my TTA into the 12.7 range, and with 100 octane and 21 psi I had it running low 12's at 112.5. You could also throw a TE44 turbo on there and gain more peak HP and better efficiency at higher boost levels without hurting spool times & low end too much.

There really isn't too much to go wrong with the cars although given the age I'd thoroughly inspect the underhood wiring condition for brittleness.

However, given your canine requirement, practicality leans towards a Typhoon. Just pray you never have to work on it!

[85_SS]

For a DD that will carry big soggy dogs and kids, I'd go Typhoon. more room for the doggies in the rear plus it is all wheel drive for inclement weather like snow should you venture out of texas.

I agree - the Typhoon is the only one that makes sense for your intended purpose(s). If you get one in good condition (which you will for that price and mileage), then having an older vehicle for a DD is not a big deal. My current DD is 16 years old (93 Saturn) and is the best car I've ever had. Heck, most people I know with new cars have them in the shop constantly for something (including Hondas, VW's, Mazda's, GM, Ford etc). Old(er) cars are simple - maintain them and they are actually better DD's IMHO.

The only advantage to a new car is the warranty, but with that comes a hefty premium compared to a used vehicle.

[vintageracer]

Grand National without T-Tops or high mile GNX.

[cmraman]

wait a year and get a new Z28.. Holla

Didn't you hear, there may not be a Z/28 with the recent news. The camaro is kinda ugly anyways, I'd get the typhoon or GN

[Never Enough]

IS YOUR DAILY DRIVER---IT IS NOT TO BE GUTTED AND REDONE.

"Honey, if you really wanted to bribe me with that, you would say get a Typhoon."

Here are the stipulations--
DAILY DRIVER, it must be reliable

Max spending money is the equivelant to the new Camaro +/-$35,000.

Whatever I drive will at time transport 300 lbs of BIG hairy dogs.
(Shepherd mix, Lab and Border Collie)

It also means that if/when we have a little one...whatever I drive will become the "dad-mobile"

With these notes, sounds like the new Camaro would be perfect. What a problem to have....:worship: