DeTomaso Mailing List: February 2001, Message #4

In a message dated 1/31/01 20:12:32, davedeto@localnet.com writes:

<< Do any of you with De Tomaso Panteras actually use their cars
for a daily driver?
All I read about are problems and more problems with  their cars. Is any
one satisfied with their
car?  Has  Uncle  Alejandro  designed  a mechanic's special?   >>

>>>It's not common due to the special nature of the car, but there's no 
inherent reason why it can't be done, and several people on this forum (Kirby 
Schrader, Jim Demick) have been doing it for years.

There are several Panteras in the So-Cal area whose owners have racked up 
well over 200K miles; those are daily driven (or were.)

We have had several daily driver Panteras in PCNC as well.  There is 
absolutely nothing inherent in the car that would prevent it being used as 
such.  Most people avoid it because of fear the car will become run-down 
(door dings at the Wal-Mart, etc.)  There are also fuel economy issues, fear 
of theft, lack of adequate insurance, etc.

In general, a well-sorted Pantera is no better or worse than any other 
25-year old car--they aren't filled with any more inherent flaws than most 
other cars of that era, with the advantage that the flaws that ARE present 
are extremely well-docmented, and the fixes are available at your fingertips.

If you have ambitions of daily-driving a Pantera, I'd urge you to purchase 
one that was mechanically sound, but perhaps a bit cosmetically challenged.  
If it's already got a door ding or two, you won't come unglued when an errant 
shopping cart tags your car and creates another one.

As one who has (sometimes) used a Shelby GT-350 replica as a daily driver, 
I'm here to tell you that it's FUN to have a fun car to get to work! :>)

Mike