I'm getting a hankering for an 80's head turner

[dasherHampton]

One of my roommates had a 89 Mustang GT convertible. He let me drive it whenever I wanted so I kind of feel like I owned one already.

 

[pauldun170]

80's Merc SL's aren't head turners outside of the "I was born in the 1930's" age bracket.
The only heads you will turn will be old men and some elderly women. This is FACT.

Fox bodies are not head turners outside of the Foxbody enthusiast community
Lots of dudes with a collection of Metallica t-shirts will give you thumbs up.

Grand Nationals are similar to Foxbodies except the thumbs up will come from dudes whoi listen to Led Zep and Rush all day. If that's what you are into, just get a Buick T-Type and paint it black. You will fool 90% of target demographic for a fraction of the price. (also...they all kinda suck)


I'm going to vote this. I think this will get a some decent head turns from a wide demographic while still being an ok driver at s reasonable price

 

[dasherHampton]

That's a beaut right there.

One of our family friends had one and he was the envy of everyone back in the 80s. As a matter of fact: He looked like his car.

He slicked his hair back, always wore expensive suits, had a pretty big pointy nose (Greek, not jewish), and always seemed to be leaning forward a bit.

Unfortunately he passed a long time ago. He was a cool guy. Funny as hell.

 

[ultimatebob]

I'm going with the group... A 1989 Fox body Ford Mustang GT convertible would be pretty damn cool. You know that you're a 80's style baller when you're rolling with a 5.0

 

[tweakmonkey]

I saw a white foxbody 5.0 GT convertible driving down our main street last night, cruising. He had the stereo on. The car sounded good, like they always do. Pretty sweet cruiser. My first car was a 5.0 convertible. I wouldn't get one unless I had like 12 cars now, but a hardtop 86 notch or hatch would be pretty amazing. Or t-tops.

I took my 86 MR2 to a car show this morning where there are a lot of 70s-90s cars. I'd vote MR2 if you want something sort of exotic feeling in terms of driving experience but that's also cheap and reliable. However, most are pretty beat up these days, parts are expensive, and they're a bit of work for some things due to the engine placement. The suspension is easy and good though.

How about a 944 or E30?

 

[_Rick_]

Hmm, actually, that reminds me: Steven's Lotus Esprit came out in the late eighties, as the X180. As a bit of a Lotus fan, I'd recommend one of those.
Or take a look at an 80's Volvo with the turbo engines.

 

[Meghan54]

Hmm, actually, that reminds me: Steven's Lotus Esprit came out in the late eighties, as the X180. As a bit of a Lotus fan, I'd recommend one of those.
Or take a look at an 80's Volvo with the turbo engines.

The only thing I'd caution against with 80's or even early 90's Euro vehicles is parts availability, esp. electrical components. I had an early 90's Volvo 940 turbo and had a hell of a time finding a couple of relays that died (esp. one that controlled the brake lamp system). Eventually had to go junk yarding to locate them. Luckily, did find them, but the "weirder" or more exclusive the car, the harder it'll be to find strange not-so-commonly needed parts. Just sayin'......

 

[zinfamous]

What, no Delorean?

 

[ultimatebob]

What, no Delorean?

That car looks cool, but was too underpowered to be considered to be a real sports car.

I bet that it wouldn't be half bad if you did a Chevy LS swap on it, or slapped a Mr. Fusion and some Tesla Model S 100D motors on it

 

[zinfamous]

That car looks cool, but was too underpowered to be considered to be a real sports car.

I bet that it wouldn't be half bad if you did a Chevy LS swap on it, or slapped a Mr. Fusion and some Tesla Model S 100D motors on it

I was just going for the "80s head turner," and there probably isn't any other 80s car, other than a 308 or a Countache that, for my money, is going to turn any and all heads.

Deloreans were terrible cars in most any way, but I bet he could find one at $20k or less. I think they still made them into the early 80s, right?

And they had to be heavy and under-powered--otherwise, you lose the efficiency with cocaine storage. Hey, another bonus for OP: he might stumble onto a few undiscovered bricks with a used Delorean. Damn project pays for itself!

Oh hey, complete package right here!
https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1981/delorean/dmc_12/100943198

 

[JeepinEd]

If you want a car that will turn heads, you need to get one of these: https://www.carscoops.com/2010/07/found-for-sale-1987-yugo-gv-sport-with/

 

[Thebobo]

If you want a car that will turn heads, you need to get one of these: https://www.carscoops.com/2010/07/found-for-sale-1987-yugo-gv-sport-
with/

Borat drive car

 

[Insomniator]

Foxbody mustang is an embarrassing car... a shame this forum suggested that in the same thread as a shark nose.

I vote an 80's 6 series or giant Benz or Jaguar Convertible. Good luck keeping any of the 3 running, but toys aren't meant for reliability.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-jaguar-xjs-19/

LOL again at the mustang.

 

[ultimatebob]

Foxbody mustang is an embarrassing car... a shame this forum suggested that in the same thread as a shark nose.

I vote an 80's 6 series or giant Benz or Jaguar Convertible. Good luck keeping any of the 3 running, but toys aren't meant for reliability.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-jaguar-xjs-19/

LOL again at the mustang.

Yeah... at least the Mustang wouldn't bankrupt the person trying to keep it running like that POS Jaguar would.

 

[repoman0]

I can't believe that 5.3l V12 only makes 263 hp and has such ridiculously small exhaust piping. Engines sure have come a long way.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Isuzu Impulse. Handling by Lotus without the embarrassing headache of all that Lotus style and goodness. Mmmmm drool worthy.

 

[sdifox]

DeLorean? strike that, definitely out of your price range
Countach is probably out of your price range.
GTI MK2?

just ignore me not a petrolhead.

 

[zinfamous]

DeLorean? strike that, definitely out of your price range
Countach is probably out of your price range.
GTI MK2?

just ignore me not a petrolhead.

I saw THREE Deloreans that could be purchased for 20k, 21k and 30k. Living the dream, man.

 

[ultimatebob]

I saw THREE Deloreans that could be purchased for 20k, 21k and 30k. Living the dream, man.

Yeah... getting a used DeLorean isn't that expensive. I've heard that the stainless steel body panels are pretty much impossible to get fixed correctly if they get dented or scratched, though, and the car is a gutless wonder without an engine swap.

It's got some pretty awesome restomod potential, though. That said, you could say the same thing about that 89' Fox Body Mustang GT I mentioned earlier

 

[dasherHampton]

I've seen DeLoreans for sale at fairly reasonable prices but I've never really considered buying one. I think my limit on Flux capacitor jokes would be reached fairly quickly.

Countachs have exploded in value. I've never been fortunate enough to ride in one but from everything I hear they're collectibles only. Not a satisfying actual driving experience in the slightest.

 

[sdifox]

I've seen DeLoreans for sale at fairly reasonable prices but I've never really considered buying one. I think my limit on Flux capacitor jokes would be reached fairly quickly.

Countachs have exploded in value. I've never been fortunate enough to ride in one but from everything I hear they're collectibles only. Not a satisfying actual driving experience in the slightest.

I had a neighbour that had a Countach. It's hilarious how he backed it up.

you wanted a head turner, not a neck snapper.

Maybe a Morgan plus 8?

 

[Yuriman]

How about the very handsome Ferrari Mondial? It screams its way to 60 faster than a Prius, and has horse badges on the wheels. What's not to love?

I can't imagine they're very expensive. Perhaps not the sort of attention you're looking to attract though?

 

[dasherHampton]

lol

Those Mondials are really.....something.

Just for fun I checked, and holy shit: On average Countachs are TWICE as expensive as Diablos now.

 

[bradly1101]

 

[zinfamous]

I had a neighbour that had a Countach. It's hilarious how he backed it up.

you wanted a head turner, not a neck snapper.

Maybe a Morgan plus 8?

Yeah, I've heard countaches are one of the worst driving experiences ever. And you pretty much have to sit half-out of the car and look backwards as you steer, if you want to back up.