Peter_Klim

78 Firebird was my first car back in 87 and I've always wanted one again to keep forever. Got the 02 SC430 2 or 3 years ago for about $22K. It now has about 55K miles.

I hardly every drive the SC. Lately it seems I've been jump starting the battery more than driving it. I think if I get the TA, I will hardly ever drive either one of them. My other car is a Toyota Rav4, and even though it's the V6 version, it's not a fun car to drive like the SC. So I'd like to have a nice weekend car.

I Like the SC for it's reliability, and it's a convertible. The TA for nostalgic reasons, and i love the way it looks (much more than the SC. Sometimes I think the SC looks hideous - a body kit will help it some). I'm sometimes afraid to drive the SC to certain places in fear that when I park it, I will get dings. With a much older car, that is not as in mint condition, I wouldn't worry to much. Plus having an old TA would be fun to tinker around (painting, body work, engine tuning...). I don't really care if it is not reliable since it will only be a local weekend drive.

Right now I want to ahve all 3 cars. But, one day I may need the cash and have to sell the TA or the SC. The TA is a classic and will keep going up in value. The question is, when will this happen to the SC?

It seems the depreciation of the SC is slowing down now (makes sense since the most is lost in the earlier life of a car). But how low do you think it (mine in particular) will go to and when will it get back up to my purchase price of $22K? Sometimes I feel like selling it...until I go for my weekend drive.

husker741

For the nostalgia reason, I would go TA. Plus you will just look badass. If you can keep both, than that would be fantastic. But like you said, if the SC is more of a problem with having to jump start it, then just get the TA. If it is for a weekend driver, and it would be fun to tune, I would pick the TA.

mdfd430

based upon your post, it does seem as of you are leaning more towards the TA. They are apples and oranges in terms of the type of car, but get whatever your heart desires!

Bubba

Wow, this post could have been written by me because I had a 1977 Trans Am in the early 80's and have a 2002 SC430 with about the same mileage now. I loved my TA (complete with the screaming chicken as some called it and shaker scoop) and had it for 9 years. It was extremely reliable and I even got through winters in Northern Wisconsin without any problems as long as I had weight in the trunk. Unfortunately those Wisconsin winters were hard on it with the area behind the wheelwells completely eaten through with rust to the point snow came in the trunk. Since I'm assuming you love cars as much as I do, go for it. I bet you will get more comments now than you do with the top down on the Lexus. If you have to, I bet you could sell the TA for at least what you but it for or even more down the road.

Yes

I would only go for the Trans Am if you meet one of two criteria:

1) You have a large, bushy mustache, wear cowboy hats/boots and your friends refer to you as "The Bandit."

2) You live in New Jersey, invest heavily in gold chains and consider motor oil to be a hair care product.

But to be fair, that was my favorite car when I was 7 or 8

MadHungari

My first car was an MGA which I purchased when it was 5 years old and that I drove for another 5 years. I thought it was the greatest sports car ever, and always said I would purchase another. I had the opportunity to do so a couple of years ago--it was in mint condition! I drove it around a bit. It was not what I remembered. I thought "OMG, what a horrible, under-powered, ill-handling bucket of bolts!" Have you driven a Trans Am lately?

scdroptop

iTrader: (1)

Very familiar with that car. My uncle (I was about 7-12 years old) had about four of them in the same model years. After learning more about them later in life, I grew very fond of the 6.6l beast that was in the 79's I think???

I often struggle with this kind of decision too...my favorite sports car that I've owned was a rx-7 and oftentimes I
would think about getting one again...then I drive one and sit in one and realize how much the auto industry has changed and what a "has been" I seem in it. Some would argue that our SC's are yesterdays news too, lol.

Honestly if you don't see yourself driving it and enjoying it, then get a lake house or a boat or something you can truly enjoy. Just my two cents.

Brian@Vossen

NIce Trans Am

Holy APples to Oranges batman!

gripau1

Just use a trickle charger - solves jump starting the car and keeps the battery in tip top condition.

The Trans Am looks great, reminds me of the Smokey and Bandit movies!!

KBALL

I once read nostalgia described as 'a mild form of depression'.
That quote has stuck with me for close to 20 years.
Count me among those nostalgic though.
My best friend in HS drove a firebird and we always loved cruising in that mother...way more then putting around in my celica.

Peter_Klim

Last week I purchased my 1978 TA! 20 years with out one and now I got it.

But still keeping the SC430...forever...

Autoplak

Congratulations on a dream come true.

SC4ME

amazing how both your dreams came true. all u needed was patience.

Peter_Klim

Thanks guys!

Yeah, patience is a virtue!

I had to wait till I could purchase a home with a garage for both cars (Rav4 in the driveway). I've been living in an apartment with a single car - private garage. It had no electric outlet. My 1st home (purchased last summer) on the other hand does, so I purchased a trickle charger (the good kind) and now the SC430 battery doesn't have to be replaced prematurely every 12 months or so

SC430 is black.
TA is gold.

When I paint it black (this winter), I'll post some nice side by side pair of bad *** pics!

Anyone else into older cars? Muscle cars, hot rods, classics?

hcstraub

I just sold a 1965 Mustang to buy my sc430.....old muscle cars are fun, but not nearly as much fun (or safe) to drive long distances. The rattles, softer suspension, exhaust fumes and constant work needed on 30+ year old cars got tiresome. I owned it for 15 years and put 100's of hours of work into it. You now have the best of both worlds, an SC AND great TA. If I had the room, I would have kept both.
That all being said, I got more thumbs up (as did my wife ) in the Mustang. Enjoy the TA, Very cool car.