'67 Tempest or '70 Vista

OK, I need some thoughts from you guys.... As I posted here a while back, I picked up a '58 Pontiac Safari wagon that I just love. Unfortunately that means I really need to get rid of one of my other wagons. I just don't have the room for it, I don't want it to sit outside, and I can't afford to insure all three. So, one of them has to go. But, I'm having a really hard time deciding which...

I think the '67 GTO was probably the best looking muscle car of the age and I really love the look of my 'GOAT' wagon...(now with a stripe) I'm a Pontiac die-hard and have loads of 'extra' stuff for this car. (Engines, parts, etc) I know it inside and out and really enjoy driving it.

On the other hand, the '70 Vista Cruiser is just that, a Vista Cruiser. It's got a newly rebuilt 455 and Th400 and is a blast to drive. I don't see those roof windows when I'm driving, but my kids will and I think they will love them. Plus it's a 3 seat wagon with storage. I think the dual action tailgate is way cool also.

Both cars have a good 'muscle' look to them, and are both very solid cars so I'm not judging based on the amount of work I'd have to do. Both of them would be relatively tough to re-create further down the road, but the Tempest would probably be harder to find. I've got more $ into the Tempest, but I got a great deal on the vista and would probably have put the same into it if I hadn't stumbled onto it as an abandoned project.

What do you guys think? I'd like to hear your thoughts and why... I'm too attached to both of them.

 

I'd sell one of the kids, and keep both wagons...

Seriously, that's pretty tough, but I would probably lean towards keeping the Pontiac. You just don't see these wagons around... I definitely like both though, and can understand where this would be hard...

 

I though t you had your mind made up to sell the pontiac. I saw it posted already.

 

Personally I like the Vista better. So, you must keep the Pontiac.

 

teej...market says...

Don't sell...Buy, Buy,Buy...!!!
Have you checked out the speciality ins companys???
We are getting 3 cars, 83 Bu, 79H/O, and a 89 Riv. for about $700. a year, but they don't have the value of your cars(about $8-10k each, right now).
They only ask that they be garaged...and NOT daily drivers !!!
I know what you mean about the 'regular' ins., we pay about $3500. a 6 mos. for the Durango, Lexus, Infiniti and '83 Reagl wagon....OUCH...
but, we all need something to get around with!!!
Even if 3 of them are 18 and male...OUCH,OUCH and OUCH !!!
Looks like PG is licking his chops right now.....
Good luck and ...
Later,
Bruce

 

When I found the '58, I decided to try to sell the Tempest to pay for it, thinking it would be an easy sell. My buddy actually said he wanted it, but when it came down to it, he couldn't follow through. So I did some creative financing so I wouldn't miss out on the '58.

Since then, I've had the opportunity to finish up some things I had been wanting to do, like get it painted, striped, replace the front bumper/grills, and I've got the rear air deflector for it about to go on.

So yes, my first reaction was to sell the Tempest, but I'm having second thoughts.... I was just trying to see if there was an angle I hadn't considered.

 

Specialty insurance doesn't work for me... They are my only cars so I drive them. (Not counting the wife's SUV, but I don't drive that.) And I've only got a 2 car garage.

Even if I had a place to store one, I'd feel bad. I want them to be out on the road and driven and enjoyed. Even if it's not me.

 

Oh...we drive them !!! Kinda like a rotation thing... But usually to go and look for parts or to have something done on them. I have room for 4 cars...and a few tools.
You ever go to the Old Towne Cruises???
We're thinking of going over in April or May, on a Friday nite.(ours arn't that old), for the Sat. Cruise.
Later,
Bruce

 

Well, I drive mine to and from work everyday, so the insurance companies don't like that... If I had a 4 car garage, it might be different. But as it is, with the wife's SUV in the driveway, I have to shuffle cars if I decide to drive the 'other' wagon. With my three, the shuffle becomes a much bigger PITA...

I've been to Old Town before, but my kids are still a little young for those late nights... Soon though. Plus I need to get enough seat belts installed!

 

If you can't keep all three, I'd sell the Vista Cruiser...

1. That means you'll have two Pontiacs
2. Vista Cruiser much more popular than the Tempest = easier to sell and worth more.

Only downside is you're selling a 3-seater with lots of room....if that's a big priority, then your decision's made for you.

 

Well, more room is always nice.. But that '58 is a 3 seater too, with loads of room. So do I need both to have all that room? Or one of each?

I like the idea of just having Pontiacs, but very little of the pre/post 63 interchanges, so it's not really a huge benefit. Other than I just like Pontiacs.

The Vista Cruiser is probably the only Oldsmobile I've really liked... I typically like the earlier years..like the 67 vista, but the big scooped hood is pretty sweet too!

 

Dang... Wish I could afford one. I like the Vista the best.

 

while I have never been a fan of the Vista treatment on any platform, and I am a pontiac guy i have to say i like the Vista a LOT. I think it comes down to a couple things.
1. which car do you enjoy driving more
2. how bad do you need the money

if both cars are equally dear to you and you are in need of money ("creative financing") sell the one you can get more for.

if everything is equal, put them both up for sale and keep the one that doesnt sell first.

I will say, i have let cars go that I really liked because of space considerations and I still kick myself. i can think of 3 in particular that i would buy back in a second, for more than i sold them for. Sorry I cant be more help. I understand your dilema. have you considered convincing a friend/neighbor to rent you some space in their garage? i have had to do that in the past before I was able to buy a house my cars would fit in.

 

Sell the one that is the most likely to be found when you want to replace it. One is unique in the fact that you created it, so to replace it in the future you have to do a bunch of work just to get one that is comparable. The other, the 70 is pretty much stock so replacing it means just finding the nicest one you can at that time for sale and some personalization.

That is the reasoning I'd use.

Sure glad I don't have to make that decision with my own cars.

 

Which do I enjoy driving more?... The Vista has a 455 and is just a torque monster. The Tempest feels low/dark/cool and takes corners at 65 like nothing. Both great cars.
And the money thing really isn't an issue. I figure I'll end up getting pretty close to the same for either one, give or take. Yes, I need the money, but it's not so much of a driving force as space is. And I absolutely LOVE my house and where I live, as does the rest of my family, so I'm not moving. The one thing I don't like about my place is that I have nowhere to expand my 2 car garage. Literally next to impossible unless I fill in the pool in the back yard. At which point my wife/kids would kill me, so I wouldn't benefit from it anyway.

Safari57, that's something to consider... I'm not sure on the production numbers of the Vista Cruisers, but I think it's 15-20,000 depending on the year. While my Tempest is probably closer to 7,000. And I know they are hard to find, since I was looking for one for a friend for a while... (same guy that backed out...)

Hmm...