This is a vague thread, and I'm in no rush.
I'm selling one from the herd and would like to have a backup vehicle. The Kandy Van is wonderful, but I find that it would be nice to drive something not behemothly floppy and gas-guzzling for commuting when it's not needed, so I wondered if I could kill a half-dozen birds with one stone.
- Something very reliable, as I will be splitting commuting duty between this new-to-me car and Kandy Van.
- Something cheap so I'm not spending all the money I'll be getting selling what I have. I figured $2000 is a nice round number, because....
- Something that would actually be competitive at the challenge. Not like "kick butt and take the best lap," but something squarely mid-pack that I can hone skills and drive home the next day. If challenge-worthy, maybe something under $2k so I have a little bit of room for horse-trading some go-fast parts.
- Not picky about FWD/AWD/RWD for this one
- manual trans (obvi)
- Fly and drive ok, but the amount of time I can get free might be sketchy for a few months. I'm in central PA, so local bargains are something I can pounce on. Fly and drive means I won't be able to pounce and it will be hard to get it before it vanishes.
- Unfortunately right now, I don't have time or space to take on a project, so something I can get in and drive. I don't mind dumb stuff... a wheel bearing, or tires, or a brake hose, but it's winter and my driveway is cold.
So, basically... the best $2000 NA I can find? Last gen Celica? SE-R? Dented Frisbee?
If the challenge budget doesn't work out (I know that's asking a lot) I can adjust budget for a reliable DD and just beg rides from someone else at the challenge, but I know there are gems out there that I haven't found.
Links. All the links. If you have something, post it. If you find something, link it. If you have a suggestion of something to look for, sell me on it.
Zx2?
Manual ones are hard to find recently though
I'm very interested in seeing where this goes, and what ya find... I seem to like the slightly off "norm" stuff you tend to like!
I would think, without the kindness of friends, that's gonna be a tough find. Looking at a asking prices these days, what was a $500 beater is around $1500 these days 
Hopefully, asking price not being selling price will still be true; I look fwd to following this one.
jh36
Dork
11/30/21 9:00 p.m.
I like a good hunt and I'm not too terribly far from you. Antenna up.
You should get the 2.4 neon and stuff in a fresh pt mill and run the berkeley out of it
If looking for both a driver and a Challenger, my main advice is when searching Infiniti, also search typo keyword Infinity for those not really familiar with the difference.
These, found immediately are not under $2k but this is GRM, I'm not expecting you'll pay asking price...
M30 Convertible has 300z, 3.0L running gear but always automatic.
Another M30 in budget but needs work. Might be worth it to get the rest of the story.
'03 Q45, high mile but they're stout. Both would give you baller status for things like "date nights" where you dont want to pick them up in a van.
The other Nissan SE-R, sadly, this one automatic
'90 Q45 and the strange add says used in a reality TV show??? Contact them telling them you're looking for a car for an international car magazine feature story... They might like the idea of more "automotive fame."
RedGT
Dork
12/1/21 8:19 a.m.
I've been shopping in your general area for a long time and hitting the $2k price point is a lot harder than it used to be. Worse when shopping for automatics as I was for a lazy winter beater. Ultimately i gave up and am just driving my Fiesta through winter.
NA's and dented frisbees are right out for sure. I've been eyeing that exact Cougar that John posted, seems like a LOT of fun for the price. Rust looks significant but also should be body only, and hastily patched it will get it through inspection for many years before anything actually falls off. Worth checking out in person.
The red Mazda3 looks like a solid deal too. Also my former Mazda3 may be for sale again soon for about $1k, will let you know if that happens. Dead reliable, track-reliable too, inspected, but with body rust.
The beige-tastic Altima has been floating around for a while and was apparently just relisted. Could probably haggle aggressively on that one, assuming it is real.
Generally speaking i saw a lot of decent deals on non-subaru 2000's Saabs. No one knows what they are anymore.
Hey, you said 'manual' and 'reliable': https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/362826512279996/
A saab: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/404273694685004
Forester with some naaaaasty seats: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/195254692802029 Also Hazleton area gets a TON of rust so keep an eye on that.
Dusterbd13-michael said:
You should get the 2.4 neon and stuff in a fresh pt mill and run the berkeley out of it
This - plus, with a little luck, I wouldn't be surprised if it can make it through winter on the current engine.
Also, it's too bad about the manual requirement. My neighbor across the street needs to start reducing his fleet, or I think his wife is going to kill him. Everything is auto, though.
I suppose auto isn't the end of the world. I just really dislike them for enthusiast-driving. They have their place... like tow pigs, big cushy malaise sedans.
So if I were to open up the requirements a bit... say, manual and challengeable OR auto and really cool? I mean, if someone dangled an 87 Cutlass in front of me, I might bite.
I'm willing to give up one of the requirements. You know what they say... fast, cheap, or good - pick two. Finding a challenge car isn't that difficult if I want to do that in the future.
Consider it a quest. See how many of the boxes you can check
In reply to RedGT :
the 2003+ 9-3 is a really good idea. Great blend of luxury, sporty, cheap, and turbo. FWD, but those motors are the beefy version of the ecotec and you can either turbo+e85 them to the moon or for challenge purposes you can probably just strap on a big bottle.
If I needed a daily right now I'd be looking for one.
RedGT
Dork
12/1/21 10:26 a.m.
Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to RedGT :
the 2003+ 9-3 is a really good idea. Great blend of luxury, sporty, cheap, and turbo. FWD, but those motors are the beefy version of the ecotec and you can either turbo+e85 them to the moon or for challenge purposes you can probably just strap on a big bottle.
If I needed a daily right now I'd be looking for one.
Generally I've been seeing autos cost more than manuals for truly same-same condition. After all most people still don't want a manual even in this market of expensive used cars. Saabs are one of the exceptions, enthusiasts seem to chase the manuals, and normal automatic-car-buyers don't look for Saabs.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1518759935177602
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/873396999977109
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/627503345371993
As for manual and The Challenge. I find the one thing that makes up for the lack of a manual is big hp/tq. So, for me, it's either small engine with manual but if big engine the auto can be fine. In 2014 my Q45 took 11th overall at The Challenge. The following year, my other Q45 took 10th. Both were automatic. In 2015, the year of the Aristocrats, a Lincoln Mark8 was the fastest Aristocrat drag racer...bone stock. Add those to your list too. There is very little demand for 2 door cars and that should drive the price down.
This Lincoln Mark 8 is asking $2,500 but it has already gotten rid of the problematic rear air bags for desirable springs. These cars gained a few hp every year an this on as a '98 is the last year so, most power. The listing says the ad is 13 weeks old. Anyone with a kid is not looking for a 2 dr car. No one is calling. Drive that price down!
I have no reason to think the beige Altima is a scam. It would be the last car I'd use as scam bait. It is generally an unsellable car. Non-sporty manual trans cars just have no one looking for one. Further more, this one, at shop rates, needs more in repair dollars than the car is worth. If you repair the car yourself, it could be a great value but don't expect to ever be able to sell the car. Just no one will ever call about it. It would possible get more attention if it was a racier color. But, with all that said, it could be a great driver/challenger. I'd offer $1k or less. The reason the seller still has this car is not that he's turning down offers. The reason he has it is absolutely no one is even inquiring.
2 comments:
first, that red Mazda3 looks like a winner.
second, we love our 2010 Saab 9-3, but that will no doubt change the first time i have to face an expensive issue.
Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to RedGT :
the 2003+ 9-3 is a really good idea. Great blend of luxury, sporty, cheap, and turbo. FWD, but those motors are the beefy version of the ecotec and you can either turbo+e85 them to the moon or for challenge purposes you can probably just strap on a big bottle.
If I needed a daily right now I'd be looking for one.
Is it related to something else? My only concern there is that Saab doesn't exist anymore. Where does one find body parts? Interior parts? I would imagine a 9-2x might be easy since it's an Impreza. I'm thinking if I'm buying a high-mileage orphaned car, parts availability would be high on the list.
Why just the other day I read about a GREAT option for you!
- Manual
- Model has been driven competitively (not this particular car tho)
- about 200 hp 2.5 V6, not fast but not slow
- IIRC it's LSD
- Is a Jag
- It's only $1,300, but I'd sell it to you for $2,000 if that would make you feel better
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/cars-sale/mmta-2003-5-spd-jaaag-x-type/187952/page1/
Full list of suspension repairs is $650 from rock auto, I've driven it a few times as-is. As stated in the thread I just don't care for the car, YMMV
These are some of the ones tripping my trigger. These aren't actual viable vehicles I'm considering, just things that I saw and said "ooo, neat."{
Fiero
Prelude turbo... project
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:
Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to RedGT :
the 2003+ 9-3 is a really good idea. Great blend of luxury, sporty, cheap, and turbo. FWD, but those motors are the beefy version of the ecotec and you can either turbo+e85 them to the moon or for challenge purposes you can probably just strap on a big bottle.
If I needed a daily right now I'd be looking for one.
Is it related to something else? My only concern there is that Saab doesn't exist anymore. Where does one find body parts? Interior parts? I would imagine a 9-2x might be easy since it's an Impreza. I'm thinking if I'm buying a high-mileage orphaned car, parts availability would be high on the list.
there are zillions of them so used parts is no big deal.
please note that approximately zero manufacturers are still supporting body and interior parts for 20 year old models. So parts support for a 2003 saab is pretty much exactly the same as a 2003 mazda/ford/chevy/nissan/etc.
I do like that prelude! Can't imagine that someone else's homebrew e85 turbo setup with pre-warped head will be reliable without considerable work though...
RedGT
Dork
12/1/21 12:06 p.m.
How do the ecotec 9-3 turbos do at high mileage? Still casually considering for one myself and wondering about that.
Mmmmmm, just look at how cool they are*...
*bears only passing resemblance to the one I'm selling
In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :
Now that automatics are allowed I'll mention that I still have the Buick. It did beat you this year at the Challenge so it's got a proven pedigree.
Just in case you wanted a big heavy automatic cruiser that is slightly out of your budget:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/cars-sale/2008-cadillac-sts-46-rwd-3250-rebuilt-title/187877/page1/#post3367652
I am flexible on price. But not challenge budget flexible.
