posted 08-25-2005 10:58 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by wuzzzer:
I'd say! Nice power to weight ratio!

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Thats what I always do, I can plan down to the last dollar for a quote but then move the decimal a little to the left or right when I type it out.

That should read 600hp and 1900lbs, which is way to fast. The car had a blown 454 in it before I bought it and it had even more power, A power to weight ratio of 1hp/2lbs was nuts with the 454 expecially with all the weight in the front.

posted 08-26-2005 09:13 AM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by Pantera:
Hi Gang,
Yes, I have a 1971 Pantera that I have had for 10 Years. It is a European model and was sold new in Italy. I love the car. I think it is the best bang for the buck out of any of the Italian exotics. My boss owns one and my father had one a few years ago. If you are thinking of buying one, Join the clubs. POCA (Pantera Owners Club of America) and PI (Pantera International). The information and support these clubs offer is vital. I would suggest buying the best Pantera you can afford and would stay away from project cars. The only thing that is cheap in a Pantera is the engine. The ZF Transaxle costs around $8000. I have seen front fenders for $1500 and rear quarter panels for $3000. So do not buy a rusty car, it will not be a bargain.
The good news is that just about every part is available and most parts have been further developed and upgraded over the years by the various Pantera parts shops. (Hall Pantera, Pantera Performance Center, Panteras by Wilkonson, ETC.)

I think the Pantera is very similiar to the Prowler. They both don't look like anything else on the road. The Clubs and aftermarket suppliers are top notch. Many owners love to modify both cars and the wilder the better. The engines in each car have been looked down upon by others. You know what I mean...The prowlers should of had a V8 and the Pantera should of had a V12. The Prolwer is not always accepted by the hot rod crowd and the Pantera is not always accepted by the Italian exotic crowd. I guess I like it that way.

Pantera

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Would you suggest I try to find one as close to original as possible? What are your thoughts on those that have had lots of motor work done? I've been looking at this one for about two weeks..
http://www.panteracars.com/twin22805.htm

I've seen others for sale online that are closer to original and cost a good deal less.

posted 08-26-2005 01:06 PM                  

I would rather have a Pantera with a built motor, suspension updates, cooling upgrades, and bigger brakes than a low mile original that has sat most of its life. The car you have been looking at looks like a great car. The price is fair. Pantera International sells their cars on commision and they are generally priced higher than other Panteras. But their cars are also high quality cars. I would think you could buy the same car from a private individual for 35K-40K. If I owned that car, I certainly would not sell it for anything less than 35K.
It is very tasteful and clean and just looks right. I'll bet you could talk them down a bit.

Pantera

posted 08-26-2005 01:18 PM                  

and here
http://members.aol.com/KidPantera/index.html

posted 08-26-2005 01:37 PM                  

I'm thinking a Pantera might be in my future.. its unique like the Prowler and that is appealing to me.

I could get one really nice Pantera.
Or a decent 928 and a Delorean.
Or a 356 Speedster and a Cobra.
Or half an Auburn.

posted 08-26-2005 01:40 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by Pantera:
More pics of my Pantera and Prowler here. http://members.aol.com/KidPantera/Web1.html

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GREAT looking car. I think that is the first picture I have seen of a Pantera that had the spare tire.

posted 08-26-2005 01:53 PM                  

The delorean will be a highly coveted colectible in the future. But, other than the cool doors it isn't that great looking. And, it is not fast.

posted 08-26-2005 02:27 PM                  

I like the Lotus Esprit after 1988. They are very reasonable right now. I would love to have one of the newer V8 models, but they are too expensive right now. Maybe in 5 years.

Maserati Merak fits right in with many of the cars you have mentioned. It is bargain priced because it has a V6, but it is a good looking car and I think the best looking 4 seat mid engined car ever made.

posted 08-26-2005 02:53 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by Pantera:
Although I think the 928 is a great car, it has never been accepted by most porsche enthusiasts and collectors. I loved them in the 80's, but they certainly don't stand out in a crowd the way a Prowler or Pantera does.

The delorean will be a highly coveted colectible in the future. But, other than the cool doors it isn't that great looking. And, it is not fast.

I assume you mean replicas when you talk about the 356 and the cobra. I love Cobras and I love the Beck 550 Spyder. They are always at the top of my list of potential cars. What stops me everytime is that they are kit cars and there are more of them on the road every year. 10 years ago I would never see a Cobra at cruise night, now there are quite a few. For me, my cars have to be an investment as well as a toy to enjoy. If you have a Cobra or other kit car, please don't take offense. I like all kinds of cars and I am just trying to explain my reasoning for the ones I own.

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928.. I agree that it has never been accepted by the Porsche crowd. I think that is why I like it. It looks like a big egg. If I got a 928 it wouldn't be because I wanted to draw attention. Its just looks like the kind of car that would be right at home on a road trip.

Delorean.. I had a neighbor that had one when they first came out. I was young and I remember standing in the driveway just looking at it. I have a friend in Fort Worth that loves them. He owned one for year until it got totaled at a stop light. When the insurance paid off he bought another one. He doesn't drive his current Delorean as often as he drove the last one. It would be a conversation piece.

Cobra and Speedster.. I was talking about replicas. I couldn't afford the real thing.

I can't buy a massively expensive car. I wouldn't be able to drive it. I would be afraid something would happen to it. I like the idea of owning cars that will likely retain their resell value though. Not that I would ever sell one. I buy stuff but never sell. I want to be one of those guys that when he dies people come into the house to get rid of everything and find a house full of toys. Cool cars, arcade machines, pinballs, skeeball, jukeboxes, etc.. I'm just a big kid.

posted 08-26-2005 02:57 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by Pantera:
Most people have never seen or heard of a Pantera. Some of the guesses I have heard are, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, Fiat, and Kit car.
One time I was at a cruise night and a guy in his 40's was walking around with an extremely elderly woman whom I assume was his mother. She could barely walk or see. They slowly shuffled all the way around my car. after quite a few minutes of this, the women whispered something to her son and he got in close to the car and read "Detomaso" on the badge. He told here it was a DeTomaso and she says "Oh, is it a Pantera or a Mangusta" I almost fell over.

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That sounds like one cool old lady! haha.. thats great!

posted 08-26-2005 03:04 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by InTheRed:
[B]
I want to be one of those guys that when he dies people come into the house to get rid of everything and find a house full of toys. Cool cars, arcade machines, pinballs, skeeball, jukeboxes, etc.. I'm just a big kid.

B]

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posted 08-26-2005 03:15 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by Pantera:
I still want to get an old coke machine and a bubbler juke box. I love toys!!

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My father inlaw has an old coke machine.. I owner a newer machine but I haven't had it moved to the house yet. I bought a Rockola Legend CD Juke last month.

posted 08-26-2005 03:29 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by Pantera:
Sounds cool!! Have you seen the movie "Overboard" from the 80's. It stars Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russel and in it they build their own mini golf based on the 7 wonders of the world.

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posted 08-26-2005 05:05 PM                  

They are both vastly different cars and many times I have thought about which one I would keep if I could only keep one. I have never really reached a conclusion.

Some thoughts....

The Delorean is unique with the gull wing doors and there where less than half as many made so it is definitely more rare than a Prowler.

The Delorean can only be worked on BY EXPERTS in about 6 locations and that, within itself, is not too good. That is not to say that others cannot work on the car but it is not as simple as having work done by a local Chrysler dealer. Parts availability is good and most parts are reasonable in price.

The Delorean seems to have about as many unusual problems as the Prowler and it is not a car that likes to sit around. If you are not driving it regularly you will be paying for maintenance.

The performance of a stock Delorean is akin to souped-up go kart with limited acceleration and no real ability to corner well. In short, neat to look at but not a performance automobile in any way.

The prices seem to have experienced a small increase after the death of JD but they are still modest and a good one can be found for under $25K. You will have to probably spend the difference if you find one for less so, all-in-all plan on spending around $25K.

The Delorean has no real creature comforts meaning cruise control, nice stereo, power steering and other standard amenities that are included with the Prowler.

In the end, I don't really plan on getting rid of either car but I suspect that if push came to shove the Prowler would go first, only because it is more common.

Having said that, I would opt for the Pantara is it is probably more suitable as a car that has something unique to offer. What that means is it is different, quick and relatively inexpensive.

I hope that I have helped you in your decision making process. If you need more information please don't hesitate to email me directly.

One last thought....if someone offered me a cheery Bricklin. at a very favorable price, I would run from that purchase. I have seen several and on close inspection that is a true rat with little or no redeeming qualities.

Final Recommendation: Keep the Prowler, buy a Delorean and enjoy a Pantera! Throw in a new vette for speed and luxury and you have it all. All together, less expensive than one Ferrari.

The Old Man

posted 08-26-2005 07:09 PM                  

I appreciate your taking the time to give me your thoughts. Reading your post I thought you where going to say you would keep the Prowler and then you said the Delorean. That caught me by surprise. I had not really given that much thought to how rare they are compared to the Prowler.

Your comments about the Bricklin made me laugh. You have obviously had more exposure to them than I have. I'll move that car down the list based on your comments. haha..

posted 08-27-2005 10:04 AM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by Scot Stern:

The Delorean is unique with the gull wing doors and there where less than half as many made so it is definitely more rare than a Prowler.

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Also...correct me if I'm wrong but the Prowler has NEVER made it...

"Back To The Future"

posted 08-27-2005 11:34 AM                  

I speak from experience.....

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...

posted 08-27-2005 09:55 PM                  

I know, I know, everyone is saying here we go again.

THINK PANTERA