Looking for semi-interesting car for under $1k in VA

A buddy and I are doing a DC to LA road trip this spring and I'm looking for something with character to do it in. I figured someone here might have something that'd fit the bill. American cars or mainstream cars somewhat preferred so I can hopefully get parts at the local parts store when your POS breaks down on me in the middle of no where. Needs to be currently running/driving, ugly or rusty is fine, maybe even preferred.

Something from the 70s - Awesome

Something pre-90 - Great, Antique plates in VA so I don't have to make the stupid thing pass inspection

Anything else - judged on merits

Please NO CRAIGSLIST links. I've looked at 4 cars in the past week listed by idiots or liars (or both). You guys get me, the general public doesn't...

Just a side note, with VA antique plates you're technically not allowed to drive the car more than (200?) miles from its address of registration. Not that cops in another state are going to care, or that I've ever heard anyone get in trouble for doing so (I have three cars with said tags, btw).

Though, if you read the antique plate rules a certain way, it "could" indicate that the distance limit may not apply to "car club events" or something like that.

The way the laws are written have some loopholes depending on how you read it, but if you're just driving to LA for fun, that almost certainly isn't "legal" with vintage plates.

Other point: If I'm going to drive a car all the way across the country, I'm pretty certain that I WANT it to be able to pass the very basic Virginia safety inspection. All they really check is that all the lights work, that the wheel bearings and tie rods aren't shot, that the tire has some tread, and that the brake pads aren't worn out. I don't see any things there that I have a problem with.

Hell, just for fun I had an inspector check my (vintage-tagged) e30 rallycross car, and it passed easily. YOu don't get dinged for rust or bad paint or dents. This isn't a European inspection, lol.

My idea of character car examples would be:
Station Wagon
El Camino-esque
Dune Buggy

If you really want character, the answer can only be Maserati BiTurbo
-The ability to go 185
-What's better than 1 turbo? Two!
-RWD Coupe design

I have a 2001 Saab 95 wagon that needs a trans and a radiator. Drive works but not reverse. Trans can be had for 300. I can get 600 from the puck and pull but rather see it on the road.

JohnRW1621 wrote: My idea of character car examples would be: Station Wagon El Camino-esque Dune Buggy If you really want character, the answer can only be Maserati BiTurbo -The ability to go 185 -What's better than 1 turbo? Two! -RWD Coupe design

Other than THAT song, when's the last time (if ever) a Biturbo did 185?

Unfortunately "185" is what they might go for at the scrap yard :( Cool cars but plagued with bad reputation

On a more serious note...
How about a rental?

If you want a personal challenge, try the cross country drive in a city-car like a Chevy Spark.

With a rental going that far, it is possible that fuel economy savings could completely offset rental price. Also, assurance of no mid-trip repair expenses.

Is this a one way trip?

In reply to JohnRW1621:

Two posts for you in this thread and you have yet to propose the OP use an Infiniti. You're slipping.

manual Volvo 240 wagon. DIY pickup truck conversion optional.

DeadSkunk wrote: In reply to JohnRW1621: Two posts for you in this thread and you have yet to propose the OP use an Infiniti. You're slipping.

Would you be referring to the car that was sold in FL because it appeared that would not make it to Ohio?
But, even that aside if you do search Infiniti (and Infinity) in your local CL you will be surprised by the bargains that can be had.

I have a mustang. 2.3 4 speed for 500 $ if you can make it to my son at camp Pendleton northern San Diego county I will buy back for same or keep it if you want . Another plan is to see if someone on lemons forum is looking for a transporter from east coast to la you might even make money on deal or have them at least go in half on fuel. Will this mustang make it to la ? I have no idea but you can find out

We looked at the rental car route, and for most people it probably makes the most "sense", but for a week 1-way rental from DC to LA the cost is very near $1000, and I'm not most people.

Yep 1-way rental and fly home.

Probably will end up with a bubble Vic or something of that ilk, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

decafe, shoot me an email, it's just crazy enough to work!

I like the Mustang idea/adventure and encourage that idea, but...
I just ran a one-way Hertz rental from these locations with AAA discount and the weekly prices are:

Pickup Time Mon, Feb 16, 2015 at 12:00 PM
Return Time Mon, Feb 23, 2015 at 09:00 AM
Pickup Location Courtyard Springfield HLE
Return Location Los Angeles - Beverly Hills Body and Paint HLE

Ford Focus or similar

1 week at 229.50 USD  
229.50 USD

Vehicle Licensing Cost Recovery  
2.17 USD  
Energy Surcharge  
1.49 USD

Included

Unlimited Free Miles Included

Vehicle Subtotal  
233.16 USD

Taxes  
23.32 USD

Total  
256.48 USD

One of the secrets is that "HLE" stands for Hertz Local Edition.
These are the "suburban", non-airport locations. By not using the airport locations you will avoid a lot of additional taxes, fees and jacked rates.

Here is the same rental from Reagan National to LAX

Pickup Time Mon, Feb 16, 2015 at 12:00 PM
Return Time Mon, Feb 23, 2015 at 09:00 AM
Pickup Location Ronald Reagan National Airport
Return Location Los Angeles International Airport

Ford Focus or similar
Rate Details

1 week at 1274.99 USD  
1274.99 USD

Airport concession fee recovery  
142.06 USD  
VEH LIC COST RECVRY  
2.17 USD  
Customer Contract Fee  
17.50 USD
Energy Surcharge  
1.49 USD

Included

Unlimited Free Miles Included

Vehicle Subtotal  
1438.21 USD

Taxes  
143.83 USD

Total  
1582.04 USD

3,000 miles traveled in a Crown Vic getting 20mpg will require 150 gallons @ $2.30 each will be $345 in gas.
Move that to 40 mpg (doubled) in a Focus and the gas price will be half or $172.5

Said another way...
Spend $256.48 and you will save $172.5.
Renting a car will cost you $83.93
You can alter the mpg and gas prices but the moral of the exercise is that about $100 of expense will get you a rental for 7 days.

CLyn85,

I hear you about the local Craigslist scene. I just spent several months chasing a clean Ford 5.0 302/T5 transmission combo for an E36 track car I'm working up.

I don't know if this counts as interesting. But it turned out that the best way to get a really good motor and trans was to buy a whole car. I found one that was meticulously gone over for road-worthiness by a local Mustang fan, I believe to serve as his daughter's first daily driver. We're talking a '91 Foxbody with all new paint, brake components, tires, suspension bushings, front seats, door cards, door and trunk seals, new windshield . . . the list is impressive. I beleive the guy really wanted to please his daughter with a cool resto, but maybe she didn't think a Foxbody was cool. So he sold it to me to fund her interest in restoring an older pony car.

Regardless, it's soon to be on the market as a roller, if somebody wants to put a motor and trans back in it. It's the nicest "roller" I've seen in quite a bit.

irish44j wrote: Other point: If I'm going to drive a car all the way across the country, I'm pretty certain that I WANT it to be able to pass the very basic Virginia safety inspection. All they really check is that all the lights work, that the wheel bearings and tie rods aren't shot, that the tire has some tread, and that the brake pads aren't worn out. I don't see any things there that I have a problem with. Hell, just for fun I had an inspector check my (vintage-tagged) e30 rallycross car, and it passed easily. YOu don't get dinged for rust or bad paint or dents. This isn't a European inspection, lol.

Some parts of VA require emissions testing. Making a sub $1k beater pass emissions may be difficult. I assumed that was the PIA inspection CLyn85 was talking about.