[sinc]

Trying to decide whether I should put my GT up for sale next year. I love the bike but would like to get an old muscle car. Ideally it would be nice to own both but it's a question of $.

I had a 69 GTO which I sold in '99. Many times I've thought I never should have sold that car. It was a hoot to drive and I never got tired of bsing with people about it, going to car shows etc. It was equipped with a RAIV engine and 4 speed. One of 549 (out of 72,000 GTOs built in 69) produced with that combo.

On the other hand I'd miss the bike and the things you can do with it like take off on a 3000 km journey to places afar. Wouldn't have done that with the GTO.

I could probably keep the bike and get a car if I waited a few years (but it's tough to wait). I might get away with selling the bike, buying the car then buying an older bike down the road.

 

[Lucky88]

Been there and done that before. By experience, the car may or may not turn out what you'd expect. Rarity, and head turners yes. Being a car that old and however many owners its gone through, you're sure to find lotsa surprises later. Really nice cars are hard to find. Experience tells me to go look at this car more than 3 times before you buy. Each time, you'll find something.

I'd hang on to the bike to see if thats the car it turned out to be. Then decide which one to sell. Hate to see you sell the bike. IMHO

 

[jay_hansen]

Muscle Car or Bike?

You really must want a muscle car in order to go through what's required these days before a purchase. I read lots of ads that said this car is ready for paint, or, has no rust, or, only needs a little TLC. The cars I saw were like reading a personal ad, the cars didn't live up to what was printed about them.

The one that said ready for paint needed, at a minimum, two front fenders, a new roof, and one door skin. The drivetrain was flawless and even had subframe connectors.

The one that said no rust didn't have rust but it had a colony of mice/rats/whatever living inside the car and they had eaten almost all the insides of the upholstery. Scratch the interior in this car. The only saving grace on this one was a flawlessly prepared stainless steel box for the trunk mounted battery.

The one marked needs a little TLC was only slightly better than no car at all. Original 6 cylinder, '67 Camaro, three on the tree and it ran. The radio didn't work and neither did the heater. Way to much work required for this one.

I looked at one beautiful (from a distance) '56 Chevy but when I got close I could see it had been painted by an amateur, wired by a novice and driven by a guy that just wanted to get rid of the car. Scratch one '56.

I finally found a partially restored '68 Camaro (body & interior) and it was priced correctly with the other cars on the market so I picked it up. It still needs lots of work, like a/c, front and rear suspension upgrades & disc brakes all around but at least it's got a good drive train with new engine, transmission and rear axle. It'll be delivered the first week of November.

The nice thing about all of this is I get to keep my '02 K1200RS because there's always room in the garage for a bike.

 

[Rerider03GT]

Gotta be both

I had a 69 GTO back in the 70's and still miss the car today. Mine had the 400 ci engine with a 4 speed and factory air - a combo of fun to drive with a modern convenience. If I ever come across it or another one like it I may find it impossible to resist. However, I'd never let the bike go to get it. The game for most old car owners I know is minimizing the miles on the old cars - especially at 10 mpg. The fun of owning a bike is riding just for the fun of it and putting as many miles on as time allows. To me its gotta be both. A warning - I also have a boat I used only twice this year so my opinion around keeping toys versus using them might be somewhat extreme.

MARK

 

[bob5150]

You sold that Goat? What a shame, I would've had to keep it due to the rarity factor. Mind if I ask what you got for it?

Tough call, I love GTOs and my K bike.

 

[todd]

Either way you're keeping your motorsport hobby, but I see one major difference between them.
Do you want to stay local and spend a lot of time in the garage, or do you want to get out of town and get away from things?

Personally, if I had a muscle car (which would be really nice... $$$$) I know I wouldn't be driving it 20,000 miles a year because that would be killing something who's real worth and value depend on keeping it in pristine condition.

I have a motorcycle passion because it affords me the opportunity to enjoy motorsports and get the hell out of town and away from the daily pains and stresses of life.

 

[sinc]

Yes, I should have kept it but at the time I just wanted to get out of the hobby completely. It's a long story. You can PM me about it if you're interested.

I sold the car for $20K US or $30K Cdn which wasn't bad at the time. A bit less then what it was worth, but I was pricing it aggressively to attract a long-distance buyer (not a big market here for a car like that). Also it needed some engine work (nothing extensive).

Of course the car would be worth much more now. It changed hands nearly 3 years ago for $35K US (It's in the States now). I suspect now it'd be worth $50K+ US. The car only had 44,000 miles on it when I sold it and was in beautiful condition. Original dealer invoice and order form. 370 HP (under-rated) RAIV . 4.33 rear-end, 4-speed, Ralley gauges, front discs. Ran a best of 12.2 thru the quarter (back in '70) stock, except for 6 inch slicks and headers.

One of the coolest things about that car was the exhaust note, at idle, accelerating or de-accelerating, very race-car like, and much nicer sounding then the competition (Ford, Chevy, Mopar) IMHO.

Not much chance I'd get another car like that now, it's priced out of my league. But I could get something decent but don't want to chuck the Motorcycling thing. Might just have to wait a few years to buy another car or sell the GT, buy the car, then a cheaper bike in a few years after the dust has settled.

Life would be simpler if I was *only* interested in bikes...

 

[Pathogen7]

makes you smile...

It sounds like you have already made your decision. Get another goat and fix her up. I'm sure you can find one lying around somewhere. I don't think you will be able to get a decent working goat for a low price. From the jist of the situation you will be investing lots of wrenching time into a muscle car, which is still lots of fun.

If you don't want to give up the motorrad, then I suggest you get a nice R90 to cruise around town to keep your ego in check. Or get a jap bike to hit the twisties if you like that sort of riding.

What ever your choice. I don't think you will have any regrets, both are fun sports! Do what ever makes you smile at the end of the day.

ONON-
mark

 

[Lucky88]

Did you check in with your significant other? What's keeping you from owning both?

 

[tmh]

You guys are just spending too much for your muscle cars. I bought my 1968 Mustang GT/CS (California Special), black on black, 390 motor and auto tranny, and it was in generally very good shape with only about 65k miles on it. It set me back all of $1,100!



















(But I guess that I should say that this was the first car I ever bought, back in high school in... 1975. Still have the bugger too. Just finishing up an engine rebuild on it, then I can get started on the exterior).

Tom

 

[sinc]

Did you check in with your significant other? What's keeping you from owning both?

Yeah, that would be the ideal situation. If I was single I could probably swing it! But it would be tough to get the car past the wife and still keep the GT. Probably be tough even selling the GT, buying a much cheaper bike, say around $5K, and then getting a car for say $20K. Even tho I'd have the same $ invested as just the GT now, she'd be quick to point out it costs more to insure 2 vehicles and the car would require $ be spent on it. And she'd be right!

I was thinking about a 70 Mach I or 69 Camaro RS around the same time I bought the GT (last April). In the end tho I decided to go with the bike thinking I'd get more use out of the bike then a car. Also it's a heck of alot easier to visit the local BMW dealer and buy a bike then find a car. Nice cars are few and far between and require alot of time and energy to go and look at them. In reality I do use the bike more than I'd use the car. I commute on it most days to work. But, I don't have much time to take trips given I've only got a few weeks holidays each year.

I guess the bike makes more sense and I agree with Todd, it's the kind of vehicle you don't worry about putting the miles on and you can use it to get outta town! But...I'd still like a car! Haven't decided which route I'm going to go yet, just posted the original note because I was wondering whether anyone else had faced or was facing the same kind of dilemma. How to choose?

One thing I do like about a nice old muscle car...they've finished depreciating and often appreciate unlike your average motorcycle.

 

[trey55]

just do both

Two years ago in January much to my wifes dismay I bought a 68' firebird conv. Not perfect condition but all original and runs great. Then I decided to buy a motorcycle that spring I bought a Suzuki Marauder. I rode it awhile and knew I should have bought something other than a cruiser so one day I rode to the BMW shop (March of this year). I test rode a '03 GT. To make a long story short my garage is full (two bikes and a car) and I never run out of things to work on. Just be patient in shopping for the muscle car and one will come along at the right price. And don't worry wifes always get over it sooner or later.

 

[mshea]

'69 Olds 442 Convertible - 455, turbo 400, posi 12- bolt 4:11...bench seat - bought it with 45k miles on it in '76 for $300. Needed a fender and paint. Pulled tree stumps out of the ground just for grins! Man, I loved that stealth rocket. Got laid more than I can count.
The xhaust note was worth every dollar, even as I literally watched the gas guage and fuel level guage move in unison.

next.....

'72 442 Convertible - W-30 pkg., 455, etc. etc. CUSTOM 3x black w/white painted ram air intake scoops. One of a kind, all factory. Classy as hell.

Over time, sold them both. Would I trade my K12GT to get one back today (ok, + another 30-40k or so.)?

In a heart beat - especially the '72.

 

[sinc]

Two years ago in January much to my wifes dismay I bought a 68' firebird conv. Not perfect condition but all original and runs great. Then I decided to buy a motorcycle that spring I bought a Suzuki Marauder. I rode it awhile and knew I should have bought something other than a cruiser so one day I rode to the BMW shop (March of this year). I test rode a '03 GT. To make a long story short my garage is full (two bikes and a car) and I never run out of things to work on. Just be patient in shopping for the muscle car and one will come along at the right price. And don't worry wifes always get over it sooner or later.

68 'bird ragtop...one of my favourite cars!

Yeah, I think you're right, a car will come along at some point...and the wife will get over it. She's gotten over the GT and she got over the GTO. Now were renoing the bathrooms and kitchen. I figure that's got to be worth a few brownie points.

 

[sinc]

'69 Olds 442 Convertible - 455, turbo 400, posi 12- bolt 4:11...bench seat - bought it with 45k miles on it in '76 for $300. Needed a fender and paint. Pulled tree stumps out of the ground just for grins! Man, I loved that stealth rocket. Got laid more than I can count.
The xhaust note was worth every dollar, even as I literally watched the gas guage and fuel level guage move in unison.

next.....

'72 442 Convertible - W-30 pkg., 455, etc. etc. CUSTOM 3x black w/white painted ram air intake scoops. One of a kind, all factory. Classy as hell.

Over time, sold them both. Would I trade my K12GT to get one back today (ok, + another 30-40k or so.)?

In a heart beat - especially the '72.

Sounds like you've owned some nice iron! I've got a picture of an early 70's 442 ragtop on my wall.

 

[SouthernSon]

Well, they are still making the bikes. The muscle car era of the 60's has gone, ......no more there. If you find a good example of a 60's car, get it! The bike can be replaced later. Just think how many bikes you have had in the past, or most of us anyway. I only had a couple of good 60's cars.

 

[RedHawK12GT]

Trying to decide whether I should put my GT up for sale next year. I love the bike but would like to get an old muscle car. Ideally it would be nice to own both but it's a question of $.


I love my bike so much I am gonna keep it. But, I was going to buy this until the guy said "Do you have $150,000 ?.

 

[Billy_B57]

Muscle Car

I have a few cars but I need the bike to get to 0 - 120 in 4 gears .
I own a 88 Corvette 35th anniversary # 611 of 2050 produced, 1969 El Camino , and I just bought a pristine 1971 Nova ( no muscle ) 6 Cyl and it is in a mint condition 151,000 original miles . I have yet to get it in my garage. I ride the bike ( 03 GT ) and the cars sit . You can't beat the exposure and the thrill of banging through the gears with the elements at your face.

keep the bike .....

 

[rivi777]

retro

While it's not of the 60's or early 70's vintage, this new retro looks pretty tasty:
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/concept-cars/first-full-shots-of-dodge-challenger-concept-144475.php

 

[RedHawK12GT]

Challenger.....

While it's not of the 60's or early 70's vintage, this new retro looks pretty tasty:
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/concept-cars/first-full-shots-of-dodge-challenger-concept-144475.php

Yup, that's pretty sharp looking. The only thing, being a MOPAR man, I remember Dodge
(Chrysler/Benz) coming out with a Dodge Charger R/T "concept" car. The new Charger looks nothing like the concept, in fact, it's downright ugly. It looks exactly like a Dodge
"Magnum" , but a four door coupe. That pic of the Challenger is nice. If they keep it like that it would be great ! . Too bad these guys at Chrysler can't get their heads out of their ass, and design something that looks as sharp as the new Mustang. Then, we'd have a run for the money!.