15k: Tropical Infusion: 1993 GMC Typhoon
The GMC Typhoon was the SUV version of the GMC Syclone — both were turbo-V6 versions of a common compact truck/SUV platform with acceleration capabilities that would surprise anything on the street when new. Today, with the proliferation of high compression direct injection engines, the Typhoon won’t be the fastest thing on your block but it will certainly raise a few eyebrows. Find this 1993 GMC Typhoon offered for $18,500 in St Louis, MO via craigslist. Tip from Jeff G.
The GMC Typhoon was a high performance version of the GMC Jimmy compact
SUV, sold only from 1992-1993 as an experiment in fast but tippy autos.
With a turbo V6 mated to all four wheels via a 4-speed auto, it had straight line acceleration similar to a Ferrari 348, Chevy Corvette and Mistu 3000GT
VR-4.
but features a
Mitsubishi TD06 turbocharged 4.3 liter LB4 V6 that is rated at 280
horsepower and 360 ft-lbs of torque. However, rumor has it that stock
examples would dyno at above 300 horsepower to all four wheels. With
less than 5000 Typhoons built in the two years of production (’92-’93)
finding a clean one is tricky, but not impossible.
Tipper Jeff notes: Sure, looking at the design of the dashboard generates the same look
one might get if your sister asked you to go bikini shopping with her.
However, I still want one.
See another Typhoon or Syclone for sale? Send it here: tips@dailyturismo.com
I LOVE these things. They are all function: 0-60.
Crappy interior materials, lots of grip but minimalist suspension, not a lumpy-road vehicle. Good off the line whomp. Friend who had one suggested some of the drivetrain bits were on the fragile side.
That $18.5K will just about get you two early Merc ML55s (which, truth be told, in the early days of US MB manufacturing they seemed to be buying their interiors from the same outfits who did Dodge trucks, so there's lots wrong with the Benz interiors too), or two early BMW X5 4.4s (which are better-made, but not as quick stoplight to stoplight) so you've kinda got to WANT to preserve the old Typhoon…
@mrkwong—the early ML's were not the specialists that you imply, being crappy in the interior department. No, I'd argue that they were far more well-rounded, being crappy in nearly every way possible—interior materials, exterior materials (the ML55 was delayed for 4 months because the paint flaked so badly off the fender lip extensions), drivetrain quality, general build quality, and overall driving dynamics.
The difference here, is that there's no way the Typhoon could depreciate further, whereas I can see no situation where the ML would appreciate.
My biggest issue with the ML is when it came out you were paying $50k for a luxury car that came with unpainted bumpers. Woof.
[img] dfvv2uachi3f1.cloudfront.net/images/managed/car_images/Mercedes-Benz/1998-2003-Mercedes-Benz-ML320_size_large.jpg[/img]
The Typhoon is on my list of cars to own some day, so I've been watching what prices have been doing for many years. They hold value very well, much to my chagrin. In the back of my mind I've often compared these with the GNX, though I know that's a stretch.
As a previous owner of a Syclone I can attest… you brake-torque that thing and let her go it will genuinely trounce many of today's cars as their HAL 9000 traction control systems try and figure out what to do. I am an import guy at heart and yet it was amazing how well the Syclone could hustle backroads and even stop. Not really at all pickup truck like. The AWD system really neutralized much of the weight forward feeling you get with trucks. What did my Syclone is was loaning it to a client to run an errand. He was so enthusiastic the vehicle came back with a blown tranny…
"The difference here, is that there's no way the Typhoon could depreciate further, whereas I can see no situation where the ML would appreciate."
Bingo. Additionally, for a few extra bucks towards non-internal engine upgrades, these things can get much faster and are quite durable.
Bored? Some additional history…
chevyhardcore.com/features/car-features/bowtie-breakthroughs-gmcs-awd-turbo-syclone-and-typhoon/