Newbie, but I'm dead serious

[TheNeek]

Hey folks,
I'm a recent college grad (Mechancial Engineering). I've wanted a Typhoon since I was in highschool. I wrench on my own car 1981 BMW 320i with a motor swap, full coilover suspension, blah blah, which I autocross during the winter months (call me a vag if you want). I want something fun, daily driveable and that seats more than 2 people comfortably. I figured now was the time to buy a typhoon. I know that maintenance is a requirement, which doesn't scare me. I found a truck in Tucson Arizona (where I live) for 9500 bucks. Looks nice, still have to go in person. Truck is white up top with silver trim down low (white is good for the desert).

Three questions:
1. Insurance, I'm 25 so my rates went down a few months ago. Can I get a qoute from an insurance company witout having the VIN number and what not? What can I expect to spend? The BMW is almost free since it's so old... something like 450 bucks a year.

2. Is it possible to not tinker with these trucks? I know the speed bug all too well. Is it possible to have it be relatively stock and enjoy the crap out of it? Or do most people itch to squeeze as much as they can out of these things?

3. Having owned a foreign car I know how much parts can cost. Even though a Sy/Ty is an american truck I can't imagine that the parts are interchangable with other models. Am I way off base? Are parts cheaper than I would expect for these trucks?

Thanks for your help guys. I know you probably get half a dozen of these posts a week. God knows we see them on the BMW forums. I hope to pick up a truck before summer hits (my BMW has no AC).

Nic Foster
www.bimmerboys.com <--- Check out my buddies Solid Axle Swap Tacoma (My side of the site got deleted, and am working on revamping the whole shabang).

 

[Divergent Lightning]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

Expect to be paying a little more for insurance depending on your deductions and limits.

You almost have to tinker with these trucks as things will go wrong with them and you will have to figure it out on your own as most techs in a dealership will just make it worse. Though, many on here have had graet succes with just keeping their trucks stock and still having a lot of fun with them.

For the most part, we have a standard S truck, Except for the parts that seem to break the most often (i.e. Cladding, trannies, etc) which have been most likely discontinued by GM. If a SyTy specific part breaks expect to pay big time for it.

I hope that helps you in your thought process. Welcome to the forum

 

[MadPSI]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

1.) Pretty sure you need a VIN to get insurance quotes. Some insurance companies that I've checked put a Syclone in the same category as fullsize trucks and the insurance is pretty cheap. The only thing bad with this is that if you wreck your truck you're not getting very much money.

2.) Even if you don't want to tinker, the truck will make you tinker. Something will break on it on a regular basis and you will be given the option to replace it with a stock part or upgrade for the same (if not less) cost. You will want to go faster for sure.

3.) Parts are relatively inexpensive for the trucks. Most of the parts you're going to want are available via the forums most of the time. Once you want to go really fast it gets expensive, as it does with any car. Between myself and the 5-6 other SyTyers here in Phoenix, I know we've got enough spare parts to make a whole truck from scratch, so don't heasitate to ask if you need something.

..oh yeah, don't break your cladding, it's very expensive...

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

1- You mechanically inclined, keep on top of maintenance and how the truck is running with a scan tool usually equal a more reliable SyTy.

2- Insurance, my Sy is around what my 80's Corvette is for Insurance. My Ty was relatively expensive, 2 years ago it was as much as my Wife's brand new Toyota Highlander. Give you insurance agent the VIN and they will be able to get you estimated quote. I am not going to quote insurance rates because it worthless as it varies, by driving record, State and the town you live in.

3- Parts, Most maintenance parts aren't bad at all as most of the SyTy Specific parts aren't wear items. It get expensive it you have an accident, try to replace cosmetic SyTy part or have a mechanical failure (tranny/engine). Most Mechanical failure are from to many boost launch or out of tuned engines.

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

for what its worth, I LOVE driving my truck, I don't daily drive it, but when I do I am in heaven. It is about as stock as they come, except for reliability mods, which there are plenty of.

-Parts aren't that expensive, just specific parts are hard to find
-once you drive one, you'll fall in love
-good luck finding the right one, remember you don't always have to buy the first one you see

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

1. Insurance, I'm 25 so my rates went down a few months ago. Can I get a qoute from an insurance company witout having the VIN number and what not? What can I expect to spend? The BMW is almost free since it's so old... something like 450 bucks a year.

You should be able to do it, most insurance companies know what SyTys are now. If they say they need an example, go to eBay, find a VIN and just tell them its the truck youre looking to buy.

2. Is it possible to not tinker with these trucks? I know the speed bug all too well. Is it possible to have it be relatively stock and enjoy the crap out of it? Or do most people itch to squeeze as much as they can out of these things?

No, its inpossible, reguardless of keeping it stock or modifying it, shit WILL break, sometimes big, sometimes small, but you will be screwing with something from time to time.

3. Having owned a foreign car I know how much parts can cost. Even though a Sy/Ty is an american truck I can't imagine that the parts are interchangable with other models. Am I way off base? Are parts cheaper than I would expect for these trucks?

Depends on the parts. SyTys can be split into 2 groups, the S-Series Parts and the SyTy specific parts. Almost anything used on all S-Series (fenders, carpet, glass), you can find used, in a junkyard, reproduction, ect ect. Anything thats SyTy specific (center console, cladding, cladding supports) expect to have a somewhat hard time finding them, then paying out the ass when you do :tup:

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

got one for sale. its very reliable and runs great in stock form. pm me for details as maybe we can work out a deal.

 

[odium]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

This board isn't like all the others out there... Nobody is going to call you a name for autocrossing.

1) My insurance is for a GMC Typhoon, but I have the rates of a blazer. I would be paying twice as much for a camaro and almost four times as much for a GSX Eclipse.

2) It is possible to not tinker with these trucks, but be ready to shell out for an engine rebuild or transmission just in case. These trucks are expensive to make go fast, which turned me away from going that route. I am going to keep the motor I have until it sells or I give it away. My truck is fun to drive, and it is mostly stock (even though it only gets 16 MPG). If you are looking for a car you don't want to touch or pay somebody to work on, don't get this; you're an ME, I would hope you enjoy working on mechanical objects.

3) The parts that usually break are the parts that are expensive, so no, the parts will be expensive. These trucks share a few components with the s10s, such as interior pieces, exterior (for the most part), but it's rare that the generic fender blows off the truck while keeping the fairings ($$$) in tact, know what I mean?

What job did you get out of school, and out of what school did you come from?

 

[TheNeek]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

Thanks for the responses!

Clarification:
I was referring to myself as a "vag" for only autocrossing in the winter months. Tucson gets up to 115-125 on the tarmac at the army base where we autocross.

I'm not so much worried about maintenance. I know that things break (I went to school for it), I'm more concerned with weither I can resist the temptation to keep the thing stock. I mean sure lowering springs and fuel pressure regulators are bolt on modifications but these are all stepping stones into saying "Oh yeah, a 2 inch chop and 600hp wouldn't be that hard" From what I've heard the go fast parts are pretty exspencive, and since I'll have my hands full with the BMW I would imagine I can resist. It's more a personal thing I guess.

I'm also getting the vibe that insurance will be about double what I pay for the bimmer. Which is to be expected. Tucson has high rates due to our proximity to the border.

School:
I graduated in December with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arizona.

Current Project:
I have an extra block, head, polished rods, custom CP pistons at the machine shop to build a turbo mill for the BMW.

I'm always interested in a truck for sale. I am really only in the market for a Ty. I already have a 2 seater (I'm 6'4" and welded the seats to the floor where I like them... backseat people have maybe 5 inches of leg room in the BMW) and the Syclone wouldn't really wouldn't give me any more flexibility (passenger/comfort wise) as the BMW.

Soooo.... Now that I've written another novel, I'll ask one more question.

Since everyone here knows these trucks in an out. What should I look for? I know to look for leaking transfer cases, trannies, oilpans, etc. But anything out of the ordinary? Usuall rust spots?

also, WTF is cladding?

Thanks Doods,
Nick

 

[Divergent Lightning]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

Cladding is the plastic "body kit" that envelopes the bottom of all SyTy/SoGTs

 

[J_SULLIVAN]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

Cladding? :lol: Don't break them!

 

[TheNeek]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

Cladding is the plastic "body kit" that envelopes the bottom of all SyTy/SoGTs

So basically one of the only ways to distiguish between a stocker and the nastiest, most pissed off truck series of all time. Duely noted. Seems like there is a market for these. I've always wanted to play around with carbon fiber or fiberglass (painted of course).

 

[DynaGlide]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

One thing I might add:

Don't break your cladding. It's expensive.

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

So basically one of the only ways to distiguish between a stocker and the nastiest, most pissed off truck series of all time. Duely noted. Seems like there is a market for these. I've always wanted to play around with carbon fiber or fiberglass (painted of course).

been done before, it isn't cheap, and its a pain in the ass.

I fix cladding, and I am still very careful not to break my cladding.

 

[ThaJokr]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

It's very addicting man, but since you already have BMW to mod it shouldn't be too bad, and the trucks are already pretty quick in stock form. There's quite a few of us up here in Phoenix to lend a hand

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

Oh And I Work On Bimmers For A Living! And I Won't Let Anone Touch My Truck That I Don't Trust. My Father And I Are The Only Ones To Touch/fix The Truck Since I've Had It. Combined Between The Two Of Us We Have 40+ Years Of Automotive Exp. So You Know No Hacking Has Been Done Here. If Its Broke You Gotta Fix It And Move On To The Next Broke Thing.

Oh, And Insurance Is Around 1200/6months. I'm 22 And Out On My Own.

 

[TYRODD]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

Start a tranny fund now!

 

[turrrbo6]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

You might want to try collector car insurance. I have a older Mach1 and a Sy.I think the only reason they insured the Syclone was because of the Mustang since the truck didn't quite meet their age requirement. Anyhow, the Sy is insured for a lot more than my old insurance company would do and I have much cheaper rates without strict requirements.

 

[Divergent Lightning]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

Oh, And Insurance Is Around 1200/6months. I'm 22 And Out On My Own.

Dud that is expensive. I don't even pay that much a year and I am 21. Though I do have a 20% discount at Liberty Mutual for being a member of SAE.

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: Newbie, but I'm dead serious

Dud that is expensive. I don't even pay that much a year and I am 21. Though I do have a 20% discount at Liberty Mutual for being a member of SAE.

where did you get that insurance? why is mine so much, probably because i have full coverage.