johnhammer
johnhammer New Reader
10/21/08 12:32 p.m.

As I continue to prove my wife's point that I'm an idiot...

I'm planning on building a car for the 24 Hours Of Lemons and I need your help to find my donor car.

Now, my obvious choice would be a Miata; seeing that I've been part of that hobby for 14 years and have owned 5 of them. Trouble is, even crapwagon Miatas tend to get good money. So, yes, I'm asking you to keep your eyes out for a car that I could purchase for $500 or less. Cosmetics really are unimportant, as long as the chassis is solid & the drivetrain is running strongly. I'd prefer something located in the Mid Atlantic or Southeast (I'm in Charlotte, NC).

If I can't find the right Miata, I'll go with these requirements: Rear Wheel Drive (preferred, but would go for a CRX, GTI, etc) Manual Transmission. Something unique.

Now, fire up your brains...who' s hiding a car out back that would work for this?!

John "Hammer" Palazzolo

Richard Petty Driving Experience Manufacturers Performance Driving Division John@BigMouthRacing.com

"To succeed, you must be able to concentrate, and to know what to concentrate on." -- Denise McCluggage, race car driver & journalist

rmarkc
rmarkc New Reader
10/21/08 12:39 p.m.

There was a $750 85 Tercel on Charlotte CL in Clover, SC yesterday, you might be able to talk them down.

Or

A $600 63 Buick that needs transmission work.

John Brown
John Brown GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
10/21/08 12:43 p.m.

Michigan misses you John

Mental
Mental SuperDork
10/21/08 1:11 p.m.

If someone Lemons that Buick they deserved to be kicked until they cry like Nancey Carrigan.

caffecapri
caffecapri New Reader
10/21/08 5:10 p.m.

Be careful with a miata - don't tend to see those under $500 and the one (and only) one at LeMons Texas this weekend got the people's curse award....

CarKid1989
CarKid1989 Reader
10/21/08 5:41 p.m.

1999 Ford Escort Zx2? I have one...would let it go. New oil cooler lines

racer33
racer33 New Reader
10/22/08 5:30 p.m.

Carkid, if you're within five hours of Atlanta GA, call me at 404-936-1191. I need your car for round track racing. Thanks.

 Mike
CarKid1989
CarKid1989 Reader
10/22/08 9:43 p.m.

does 11.5 hours count?

VanillaSky
VanillaSky New Reader
10/22/08 10:09 p.m.

I have an 88 Accord coupe (manual trans, fuel injected) for $100. I'm in FL.

SpeedTheory
SpeedTheory GRM+ Memberand New Reader
10/22/08 11:55 p.m.

Where in FL? Have a couple friends in need of a DD. I'm in Tallahassee.

Reliable at all?

VanillaSky
VanillaSky New Reader
10/23/08 1:14 a.m.

Reliable, sure. Needs too much work to be a DD, IMO, though. Needs a window reg, a coil, and some electrical tidying. I bought the car from a buddy a while back with the intent to challenge it. I've not had the time nor the money to consider it. I'll let it go for exactly what I payed for it. It does have a set of Tokico blues on the rear and it has a set of ebay coilovers. The head was also recently (mileage terms, not time) rebuilt.

I do have another Accord sedan that I need rid of shortly, but it's rusty and needs an automatic trans. Other than that, it's pretty reliable. The trans is good enough to make the trop to the panhandle, but I'm not sure I'd trust it beyond that. I've driven it in its current condition for 20,000 miles, though. I also pulled my aftermarket and rare goodies, but I can replace those parts with OE and regular equip rather easily. If the sedan doesn't get sold shortly, I'll be hauling it to the scrapper.

PM me if you are interested. I have the sedan listed further down in the classifieds here as an 89 Accord parts car.

stan
stan GRM+ Memberand Dork
10/23/08 7:21 a.m.

How about a Fiero? I know a team that used one in the Carolina LeMons and it was a decent (if heavily-penalized) car.

Carkid: I'm much closer (think Dayton) -what are you looking to get for your ZX2?

Stan

johnhammer
johnhammer New Reader
10/24/08 8:33 p.m.

I found a Fiero that has serious potential...I'm hoping to check it out next week. Some other unique prospects too...including one from Sweden, I'll let you guys know if I pick it up.

It's amazing the crap that's out there...and I'd own tons of it if I weren't married!

johnhammer
johnhammer New Reader
10/24/08 8:35 p.m.

John...there are days I miss Michigan.

Then, I look at your weather forecast & change my mind.

metalman
metalman New Reader
10/25/08 12:47 p.m.

I have an elcheapo Miata chassis tub...would need your parts added.

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