Okay, I'm moving out to california in a few weeks, and I want to get something a little better suited to the weather out there (Read: T-Tops, targa top or convertible), so I've been looking at cars, and I'm having trouble deciding, so I figured I'd post and see if anyone here has any recommendations... I'm looking to balance cost, fuel economy, cargo room, and power/fun factor.

#1: 1995 Ford Mustang Convertible, 5 speed 3.8l v6, rated 175 HP, Avg 21 MPG $4500 - 130k Mi
#2: 1991 Firebird Forumla (t-tops), Automatic 5.0l V8, rated 170 HP Avg 18 MPG $8900 - 40k Mi
#3: 1977 Firebird Trans Am, 4 Speed, built 400 cid V8, HP unknown, MPG unknown, 95k mi on body, 2k miles on engine $7995
#4: 1987 Monte Carlo SS, Automatic 5.0l V8, rated 170 HP, Avg 18 MPG (Body rusty but frame solid) 144k Mi - $2900
#5:1984 Corvette (Targa Top), 4 Speed 5.7l Cross-fire V8, rated 200 HP, Avg 14 MPG 60k mi $9900
#6: 1963 Impala, 4 speed, 327 cid V8, rated 300hp, MPG unknown, 33k mi, body rough, $8500

Input or suggestions welcome.

I was gunna suggest the Mustang.... b/c its fun and cheap... but its got 130k miles...

The Formula looks great too... only 40k miles... twice the price and comparable MPG... but is got some serious balz.

I vote for the Formula.

I'd vote for the Vette because I'd love to own one. But I'm not crazy about the mid-to-late 80s body style. If it was a 1981, or better yet, a 1982 Collector'* Edition, I'd get it!

The Formula sounds good to me too. V8 with 40K on the clock isn't bad!

Either #2, #3, or #6.

The crossfire FI Vettes suck total ***, along with the 4 speed in those. The mustang sucks, due to the POS 3.8 in it, the Monte is O-K, except the slow *** 305 in it.

I vote none of the above. Try a 3800 Camaro with T-Tops

Alright. I vote probably won't count because it'* based on peer vanity. I love corvettes. I agree that year isn't my favorite body style but I still vote for the vette.

You're gonna hate paying California gas prices for any of those...

That'* tough, since I'm not a huge fan of any of the above...

I'd say the '91 firebird, if I must pick from the list.

But I agree with another poster, that a 3800-powered f-body with a 5-speed and the required t-tops would be the best. Good fuel economy, reasonable performance, great handling.

I would avoid the Ford 3.8. A 3800 it is not!

I would definately be getting a 3800 5 speed f-body with t-tops if I could even find one around here... closest one in my price range with decent miles is over 150 miles away, though I can find plenty of the 3.4 (eww) 5 speeds...Though I found another jewel today.... 1989 Firebird T/A GTA with 60k miles for $6995, though the seats are a bit beat up in that one. After checking insurance prices, it'* gonna end up being either the 91 or 89 firebirds, as the next cheapest is (surprisingly) the corvette, for over $200 more every six months, either firebird is 333/half, corvette is 545/half, mustang is 600/half, the bonneville was 632/half, the monte was 580/half (no idea why), and the rest were over 800/half... so my question is whether I'd rather have the GTA with more miles for less price, or the formula with less miles, but about 2000 more...

GTA FTW

Stay away form ford 3.8 anything unless you want to get the head gasket replaced soon.