it won't run forever without maintance and maybe a transmission replacement once in it's life.. but have you considered a Saab 900 Turbo or SPG. A good one will close to your $5000 cap (yes, their values are rising)
it won't run forever without maintance and maybe a transmission replacement once in it's life.. but have you considered a Saab 900 Turbo or SPG. A good one will close to your $5000 cap (yes, their values are rising)
92dxman wrote: Mk1 Rabbit GTI end thread/.
Thinking even more odd than this, which is why I liked the Alfa idea.
Mustang II? Pretty unusual and you don't see them any more. Or keeping in the Ford family, Pinto. Those would be fun. :P
Milanos are a reasonably good choice, I would actually avoid the Verde, because the interior held up very poorly compared to the other models, and a lot of people consider all the 2.5 to be parts cars, when in fact they aren't that much different. They are really easy to work on, and unless you need a new clutch kit or windshield the parts are pretty cheap. They do have absolutely terrible headlights, and the quality of some of the interior parts (like door panels, HVAC system, etc) is less than impressive, but the parts of the car that are important to actually drive it are pretty reliable. Pre 1992 Mercedes can be a good choice too, depending on how important good handling is. They are probably one of the best for being intended to last forever.
DrBoost wrote: They aren't everywhere, but they are out there. $5K will get you a 998 that's not perfect, but even my 998 on A008's was GREAT fun!
I've been looking for a while, and haven't found anything with an asking price under $12K. Where are you finding decent drivers for $5K? I'm not doubting you, just genuinely curious since I've looked and struck out on CL, Autotrader, and Ebay (my usual list).
I'd love a RHD mostly-running project to drive spring and fall. Could we start a "classic mini FS" thread, like Seth has for MX6's?
With the "drive it forever" constraint taking out most of the European options, I'd vote MR2, FC RX7, Z-car (S30 or Z32), maybe a GSR Integra (finding a non-riced one makes it odd!).
Nissan NX2000? Infiniti G20? Geo Storm? Isuzu Impulse RS? First gen DSM's are starting to get pretty rare/odd now days. Lots of great aftermarket options for those.
I like the Idea of an older Benz also, although not as tossable in an auto x.
LOL! Eagle Premier! I crack myself up.
I'm biased, but look into the Merc 190E 2.3-16. It's an E30 M3 rival and you can find one for $7k all day long. Here's mine...
If you're into FWD, consider the Pug 405 Mi16. You can find an excellent example for under $4k.
If you can even find one of these anymore...
LanEvo wrote: I'm biased, but look into the Merc 190E 2.3-16. It's an E30 M3 rival and you can find one for $7k all day long. Here's mine...
Sorry for the bit of a threadjack, LanEvo - do the 190E 2.3s have those stupid dogleg transmissions with first gear left and back instead of left and forward?
GTwannaB wrote: Sorry for the bit of a threadjack, LanEvo - do the 190E 2.3s have those stupid dogleg transmissions with first gear left and back instead of left and forward?
Yes, it's got the same close-ratio Getrag (with dogleg first) as the early Euro E30 M3. And there's nothing stupid about them.
LanEvo wrote:GTwannaB wrote: Sorry for the bit of a threadjack, LanEvo - do the 190E 2.3s have those stupid dogleg transmissions with first gear left and back instead of left and forward?Yes, it's got the same close-ratio Getrag (with dogleg first) as the early Euro E30 M3. And there's nothing stupid about them.
Let me rephrase my statement. Does it have that uncommon dogleg transmission that would make me look like a bigger moron than usual by backing into everything? Not stupid, but for me it would probably not be studip proof. I see these pop up once in a while but I don't think that transmission would work for me.
The problem with the MB getrag dogleg box is you can't get parts for it anymore, according to a friend with a very loose one.
First generation Eclipses are all gone in the rust belt.
Ford Fairmont Futura... my answer for everything
GTwannaB wrote:LanEvo wrote: I'm biased, but look into the Merc 190E 2.3-16. It's an E30 M3 rival and you can find one for $7k all day long. Here's mine...Sorry for the bit of a threadjack, LanEvo - do the 190E 2.3s have those stupid dogleg transmissions with first gear left and back instead of left and forward?
I like those transmissions. You only use 1st to get going.. and spend most of your time between 2nd, third, fourth and fifth.. so it makes sense to drop first out of the way
Flyin Mikey J wrote: Ford Fairmont Futura... my answer for everything
Kind of along the same lines as a Fairmont:
Bullet proof engine and rear end. The transmission... not so much. Rebuild the DOA with 4R70W internals, drop in some 4.10's with a trac lock and have a blast.
^ I prefer the 2300 I4 myself. Paired with a 4spd manny, and a few minor mods, and you have a RWD Hondakiller.
In reply to Flyin Mikey J:
2.3 parts are dirt cheap too, thanks to roundy-rounders.
I forget where I stumbled onto it but there was a guy who dropped a turbo 2.3 into a '59 Edsel then used it as a DD.
Frickin awesome!!!
Yep. Cheap HP is great, esp if they are bullet proof. And the little Pinto motor is both
GTwannaB wrote: Let me rephrase my statement. Does it have that uncommon dogleg transmission that would make me look like a bigger moron than usual by backing into everything? Not stupid, but for me it would probably not be studip proof. I see these pop up once in a while but I don't think that transmission would work for me.
You'd be surprised how quickly you get used to it.
As for backing into stuff, I know that got a lot of laughs on Top Gear but it doesn't happen in real life. Reverse is locked out (need to pull up on the lever and push hard against a stiff gate), so you can't really "accidentally" put it into reverse. If you're not paying attention and absentmindedly push the lever forward and to the left, you'll just end up in 2nd gear.
It's really not that big of a deal.
Kenny_McCormic wrote: The problem with the MB getrag dogleg box is you can't get parts for it anymore, according to a friend with a very loose one.
I haven't found that to be the case at all. Very few parts are NLA. The internals are virtually identical to the Euro E30 M3 box, which remains popular with club racers. Lots of knowledge in the BMW CCA community.
Besides, Mercedes sold huge numbers of 2.5-16 sedans in Europe. Used gearboxes are a dime a dozen over there. They're not exactly thin on the ground here either: check 190rev and you should find several for sale at reasonable prices. Thank god the E30/E36 guys haven't figured out how to fit them to their cars yet!
LanEvo wrote:GTwannaB wrote: Let me rephrase my statement. Does it have that uncommon dogleg transmission that would make me look like a bigger moron than usual by backing into everything? Not stupid, but for me it would probably not be studip proof. I see these pop up once in a while but I don't think that transmission would work for me.You'd be surprised how quickly you get used to it. As for backing into stuff, I know that got a lot of laughs on Top Gear but it doesn't happen in real life. Reverse is locked out (need to pull up on the lever and push hard against a stiff gate), so you can't really "accidentally" put it into reverse. If you're not paying attention and absentmindedly push the lever forward and to the left, you'll just end up in 2nd gear. It's really not that big of a deal.
the GMC/Isuzu trucks I drove had first in a dogleg position. very very hard to engage accidently
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