I want one

[Joshdude]

Hi everyone, very new to the site and SyTys in general. However I am very interested and want to know what you guys think.
Right now I have an old 2-door ford exploder and I love the thing. It's zippy but nothing to write home about. The thing is I have fallen in love with the idea of a fast 2-door SUV and the Typhoon seems like my dream car. I've done some homework and I understand that it's an investment of both time and money. Problem is, I'm not too mechanically inclined myself and I know that it's hard to find a mechanic who can work on these things. Also I wouldn't have the time to work on it much anyway. Sure I could put in a few hours a week but nothing like what I see some of you guys doing. If it matters, I'd probably want to keep it as stock as possible anyway.
So what do you think? Should I take the plunge, or am I not ready for this? I'm in Long Beach, CA and have seen a couple of good looking Typhoons for sale around here. I want one like crazy but I just don't know if I'm ready for such a high-maintenece car yet. Input?

 

[epix]

Re: I want one

I was about your age when I bought mine and when I kept it stock it was pretty reliable, just simple things needed to be tuned up and replaced.

If you like wrenching on cars then go ahead and modify. Theres quite a few Sy/Ty'ers around socal so I'm sure if you really needed help you could get your questions answered

 

[Baythan]

Re: I want one

You'll also hear the other end...that these trucks can be absolute money pits that spend more time on jackstands than on the road. My advice would be don't buy one until you have a SyTyer check it out with/for you. There are some key tests that can be run and specific things that need to be checked, and a knowledgable SyTyer is more valuable than any run-of-the-mill mechanic.

So when you find one, post on the forum asking for help to check it out BEFORE you buy it. We love seeing other trucks, so it will be no problem finding someone.

 

[odium]

Re: I want one

Run away.

 

[Joshdude]

Re: I want one

Ok so here's the deal. Today I got a sign from the gods and saw a white Typhoon on my way home. I pulled up and chatted with the driver at the stoplight. He said as long as you get a good one and keep it stock, and not race it too much, you shouldn't have too many problems.
So my question is, I'm looking at a few of the Tys for sale in my area, and would anyone local want to help me out? As in, take a look at the car and make sure I'm not setting my self for disaster. It's something I would consider paying for. If I feel like I'm getting a car that will hold up reasonably well (I still expect a few repairs to be needed later) I almost definitely want to buy one.
Any Ty experts in long Beach?

 

[MRKING]

Re: I want one

Say the worst happens and you #1. blow a tranny , or #2. blow your motor . Would you honestly have the time and money to replace either of them in a reasonable amount of time while needing something else to drive while its down ? I know when I was 18 , going light on the throttle was hard to do . Paying someone for common problems like ignition gremlins , and chasing false or real knock can add up quick .

I love my sy , but I wouldnt wish what I go through for it on anybody ..

 

[gjp]

Re: I want one

If you are going to be easy on it and not race it, why get a syty. they are great trucks and a boost launch in one feels like nothing else. You either must have lots of cash or be mechanically inclined to own one. I am a little of each. They are not to hard to work on. I have done just about everything a owner can do to one without help from a shop. I was clueless when I got mine. I dont think they make good DD. But for a weekend/fun car they are fun.
IMO if you have to think about getting one, you should not.

 

[SY2455]

Re: I want one

If you really want, one go for it (but reread everything already posted above 1st) Then if you still feel the same. Welcome to the group. One of the nicest Typhoons I have seen is this one.

http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=45630&page=1

But always remember this. If you screw around alot getting crazy,etc with it. YOU WILL MOST LIKELY TOTAL IT WITHIN THE 1st YEAR OF OWNERSHIP.

 

[Joshdude]

Re: I want one

Well it's not like I would never be able to work on it. I mean it seems like I would be able to get some help at least from you guys if I had a problem, and I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty if I have to, as long as I have some idea what I'm doing. Like I said I'm fixated on the idea of a quick 2-door SUV, and my Ex does the trick to a certain extent but I'd like something really quick. Btw I said I wouldn't be racing much but that isn't to say I wouldn't use the speed, just that I would be sensible about it. I have enough experience in a fast-launching car so I know how to drive one. I think mostly it boils down to that if I can find one that's stock and in good condition, I shouldn't have too much more trouble with it than I'm already having with my Ex (just replaced both mufflers today-$450), right?

 

[autoaddictions]

Re: I want one

Expect to pay around 15,000 to 18,000 for a sorted out typhoon that up to date. If you not good with the tools than stay away from the cheaper trucks.

 

[91blazins10]

Re: I want one

Let me say this before I bought my typhoon I knew very basic things about cars, didnt have very many tools either, biggest thing I ever did was install a new radio in my blazer, now I have alot of tools :lol: and have never taken my ty to a mechanic, did alot of work myself and with the help of friends, and learned alot of things along the way, now I have friends that ask me to help them work on there cars :2cents:

 

[Joshdude]

Re: I want one

Hmm well these are all things to think about. I'm still interested but this might be something I do a bit later down the line. I'll have to consider. Anyway I appreciate the input and it's good to know there's a place to go for this kind of thing.

 

[wantingasy]

Re: I want one

Stay interested in getting one. I read all this stuff too before I got mine (now it's sold though). The TY I bought was less then 8K and it had 128K miles on it. It was pretty much stock except for a few things (intake, exhaust, AFPR) Even with that mileage it was veryyyy reliable. I did a few boost launches, smoked some people in races. The only thing I had a problem with was the "purple" wire which made it CLICK when I went to start it. After that, everything was OK. I sold it because I'm having a kid and wanted a newer/4 door vehicle. I say find a nice clean stock Typhoon and just maintain it well and not beat on it. Should be fine, but in the mean time save for a cheap DD because I know you're going to want to modify and put more performance parts on it!! I started to when I had mine :tup:

 

[MAITAI1993]

Re: I want one

Expect to pay around 15,000 to 18,000 for a sorted out typhoon that up to date. If you not good with the tools than stay away from the cheaper trucks.

yea i agree. if i sold mine i would want atleast 18,000 maybe more my truck is bug free.. :tup: for now :rotf:

 

[AutoVation]

Re: I want one

I shouldn't have too much more trouble with it than I'm already having with my Ex (just replaced both mufflers today-$450), right?

Paying $450 for 2 mufflers on an Explorer is pretty expensive and makes me think you are getting taken. Also, most on here will think "Ex" means "ex wife". :lol:

One of the best things I have found is that parts for these trucks are CHEAP (unless you are replacing an engine or tranny). The $$$ is for labor costs. As an example, for a Ty, you can get a performance exhaust for under $400 (entire cat back) and another $50 or so to have it installed. To do a tune up, it's $50 in parts but a couple hundred in labor.

 

[Jimmy]

Re: I want one

Here's my advice.
Buy a $1500 Toyota,drive it for awhile,then save up around 11-15k so you can buy a nice Typhoon for cash.

 

[turbodig]

Re: I want one

Here's my advice.
Buy a $1500 Toyota,drive it for awhile,then save up around 11-15k so you can buy a nice Typhoon for cash.

Especially with the coming specter of $3/gal gas. The lucky ones among us get 16-17 MPG in town.

If you really want to learn about fixing things, and have little or no free time, a Sy/Ty is perfect. No other vehicle in the history of the automotive world has created more trans experts, motor experts, and tuners out of computer geeks and beach bums.

 

[turbodig]

Re: I want one

Paying $450 for 2 mufflers on an Explorer is pretty expensive and makes me think you are getting taken. Also, most on here will think "Ex" means "ex wife". :lol:

And they'd happily pay $450 for a muffler for their Ex....

 

[gkrcr882]

Re: I want one

As long as you can find a clean, well maintained truck, you should be fine. Right now the Sy is sitting in the garage with a fried tranny, by s****y luck, the tv cable fell off the throttle. Be mindful of your trans temp, boost, and knock, and you should be fine. Start screwing with the w/g or let the trans get too hot, and bad things will happen. Good luck!