The last couple of days I have been tossing around the idea of if and what I should do with my car situation. I am always tempted to be tinkering with one of my vehicles. My question for you is: What would be my better option, upgrading my 93 garaged winters, body almost perfect, 120,000mi GXE with
1. Eibach and Tokiko suspension setup
2. 5-speed swap
3. Decent wheel/ tire package
4. Rear disc conversion (possibly brembos all around)
or should I be considerig one of the 5th gen SEs, which I've always liked.

 

dude if you can afford a newer car, then go for it. If you know how to work on cars your 3rd gen will run forever.

 

Your margin of difference is very big. All that stuff you said for your GXE (eibachs/toks, 5-speed swap, rear disc) can be done within $1000 if you can do work yourself. A clean 5th gen 5spd will run more than $7k for sure

 

How do you figure? Suspension would run about 500, add another 500 for wheels and tires, tranny and necessary parts = 800 to 1000. and the cost of brakes would vary depending on the setup.
There is still a cost margin, but I see it as being smaller than 1000 vs. 7000

 

suspension 500, buy a junk 3rd gen SE, or one with a bad engine for >$500. get tranny and rear disc conversion out of there. And price for wheels depends on what kind you want, and size..Part out the rest of the junk SE or send to junkyard for $200.

 

$200? what junk yard are you going to? mine will only give me $50 for my 1984 Mint condition Lincoln Mark VII, just need a new radiator.

 

This is where eBay comes in handy.

 

how do you think they make money they buy it for 50 sell every part on it for 50 or more and bam you have what they call "profit"

 

If I had the money, I'd buy the 5th gen and then go from there. Starting out at 222 hp?? Seems to be a no brainer. Also where can you get good tires and wheels for 500 bucks?