Car Talk!

**RobRich** · March 8th, 2006, 12:54 AM

I wanted out of the house for a few hours today, so I dropped by a few car lots this afternoon. I have the wagon placed if I want, so I decided to step up the price range. Been awhile since seriously looking at late model cars. I can forget driving the current and last generations of the Mustang, as I do not fit. Same goes for the Audi TT.

Thought about a Cobalt or Tiberon, until I closely examined them. Neither appeared much (if any) larger or more comfortable than my Talon. Didn't even try fitting into them.

This is beyond belief. I can fit into a 1990 Eagle Talon and actually be decently comfortable, but it appears I can forget about an modern sports car under $25k. The sad part is my weight is not really the issue. My height is the big problem. While I can lose weight, there is not much I can do about my height.

At this rate, I am about to go look for a low mileage Lincoln Mark VIII.

The Real Bingo · March 8th, 2006, 01:04 AM

You can't fit into a new Mustang? I find that hard to believe. Legroom-wise I'm not even at the limit of the seat. I have plenty of shoulder and hip room, too. I know you're a big guy, but I'm no midget. The new ones are 100 times roomier than the Fox bodies.

Hey, go hunt for that Mark VIII, and put a Vortech supercharger on it.

I've been looking at superchargers just for fun (and for when I get a steady income, have sufficient miles, and when the warranty has worn off the Mustang), and it seems like the best bet would be a Saleen Series VI. The others make more power, but driveability is the key. I'd definitely consider a charger for the car, but that's many miles and a few years away.

**RobRich** · March 8th, 2006, 01:26 AM

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You can't fit into a new Mustang? I find that hard to believe.

Believe it. Want to talk to the person that went with me today? Seriously, I tried fitting into a 2005 Mustang. I can barely slide into the car, less long ever hope to actually drive it.

Perhaps you have short legs.

I have no major problems with my Talon because its seats are nearly on the floor. I wouldn't want to drive it for hours on end, but it is fine for around town and short trips around central and south FL. Can't say the same for the Mustang.

Even the Audi TT had more room for my build than the 2005 Mustang, and I probably would have considered test driving it if the seat could have reclined a few more inches. Too bad Audi did not factor any room behind the seats into the design. Still, Even then the leg room would have been severely limited, so that might not have worked either due to the clutch.

I have a line on a 1998 Mark VII LSC Collector's Edition. Not sure I am ready to go that route though. I also have a line on a Sebring GTC Convertible, which I know will fit my build. The GTC has a five-speed, which is a plus for me, but it also has a rather boring 2.7L DOHC engine. :/

BTW, if I want forced air induction, then I could just spend the cash to build my Talon. Drop it off at one of the Orlando import shops, write a check, and pick it up a few weeks later. My concern about going that route is that I will still be stuck with a front wheel drive DSM no matter how much HP the engine can deliver. The AWD modification will probably require some trunk modification, as I believe the angle of the spare tire needs changed to accomodate the rear gear and axles. Not fun. Might as well buy and build a turbo DSM AWD or Evo instead.

I am not too picky concerning year and even price, assuming the mileage and condition are right. For example, why can't I find a low mileage Subaru SVX around Florida? Surely there are still a few floating around somewhere out there.

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I know you're a big guy, but I'm no midget.

The Real Bingo · March 8th, 2006, 12:13 PM

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Originally Posted by RobRich

I need to post a pic one of these days.

Yeah you do.

My legs are plenty long...probably longer than they should be. Oh well, I guess people your size are relegated to driving Crown Victorias and pickup trucks. If you really like a car, you could always re-place the seat a little farther back.

**RobRich** · March 8th, 2006, 12:29 PM

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If you really like a car, you could always re-place the seat a little farther back.

Except when the floorpans do not make a seat move easy, or when there is no more room to move backwards.

I am not driving a truck, and I probably will not be driving a Crown Vic anytime soon. I would go buy a late model Eldorado or CTS first.

SoloCamo · March 8th, 2006, 12:59 PM

Go for a CTS!!

I love the way they look

**Whir** · March 8th, 2006, 01:06 PM

I'd dig a mid 90s Elderado. Those cars were hot!

**Whir** · March 8th, 2006, 01:09 PM

I thought the GTC cars were turbo fours. Or did they stop doing that back in the Lebaron days?

SoloCamo · March 8th, 2006, 01:29 PM

Rob, did you ever consider trying to find a decent priced GNX?!? You should be able to fit comfortably in it. Besides, it's a torque monster that run's good numbers while not eating your gas like a 8 cylinder will.

**RobRich** · March 8th, 2006, 04:36 PM

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I thought the GTC cars were turbo fours. Or did they stop doing that back in the Lebaron days?

Some Lebarons did have the turbo four. Decent engine, though the turbo was rather small.

About the Sebring GTC, it has a 2.7L DOHC V6 with five speed manual trans.

I went and looked at a local 1994 Corvette Convertible with 49k miles this afternoon. Wanted $16k, which is not too bad, but I am not entirely sure the mileage is correct. There were some small paint and fine detail issues that made me think otherwise. Left without even test driving it.

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Rob, did you ever consider trying to find a decent priced GNX?