wae
UltimaDork
2/18/25 2:09 p.m.
After the Challenge last year I was faced with a similar "what to do with it" decision about the Biturbo. It was a neat car that was pretty unique and would turn heads of car people, but normies wouldn't even know what it was. It had a list of things that I know it needed to be a car that I could reliably drive around and I'm sure there were things that I didn't know it needed. It was something that I always wanted, but I didn't know if it was something that I wanted always.
In the end I decided that it put me one car over the number of cars that I wanted to have in my life. So to keep it, I'd have to get rid of something else. The Neon is a ridiculous boost buggy that is pretty good at rallycross and I didn't want to give that up. The Miata is a classic that anyone can appreciate and driving it is just a wonderful experience. The Saab is good for having a kid drive around and there's no way the Biturbo would have served that purpose. So in the end, I decided that if I could only keep two cars, the Biturbo was the one that made the most sense to let go.
Not that I'm not still constantly searching Marketplace for Biturbos and getting the itch to drag another one home at some point... I didn't say it was a perfect system.
Slightly off topic here, but if you had chosen to go through an insurance company, I wonder if they would have had something to say about the massive, aftermarket bumper on his truck.
Woody (Forum Supportum) said:
Slightly off topic here, but if you had chosen to go through an insurance company, I wonder if they would have had something to say about the massive, aftermarket bumper on his truck.
Good question! Any insurance folks who can offer insight?
wae said:
After the Challenge last year I was faced with a similar "what to do with it" decision about the Biturbo. It was a neat car that was pretty unique and would turn heads of car people, but normies wouldn't even know what it was. It had a list of things that I know it needed to be a car that I could reliably drive around and I'm sure there were things that I didn't know it needed. It was something that I always wanted, but I didn't know if it was something that I wanted always.
In the end I decided that it put me one car over the number of cars that I wanted to have in my life. So to keep it, I'd have to get rid of something else. The Neon is a ridiculous boost buggy that is pretty good at rallycross and I didn't want to give that up. The Miata is a classic that anyone can appreciate and driving it is just a wonderful experience. The Saab is good for having a kid drive around and there's no way the Biturbo would have served that purpose. So in the end, I decided that if I could only keep two cars, the Biturbo was the one that made the most sense to let go.
Not that I'm not still constantly searching Marketplace for Biturbos and getting the itch to drag another one home at some point... I didn't say it was a perfect system.
I've been struggling with this for a while. I have a couple of projects that I don't really need to be in any hurry with, but don't quite want to let go. I'm bursting at the seams in terms of storage space... and it's a darn good thing I don't have more space! It's like fish that will grow to the size of their aquarium. Apparently I accumulate cars & motorcycles right up to my space limitations.
Anyway, I need to be better disciplined and consolidate the number of cars in my life. I've always wanted a Biturbo!
Tom1200 said:
Those two options are solid and the decision is easy.
Are there other cars that need attention that you love more?
If the answer is yes, dump the Vega.
If the answer is no; simply fix what's wrong with it. Read fix the oil leaks etc., then just drive and enjoy it.
The Vega and the crew-cab Chevelle are in a dead-heat for the bottom of the list. I like the Vega a little more but the Chevelle is a lot closer to being a driver.
What's the dump it now price?
In reply to AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) :
Couldn't bid high enough on the TR6 so now you want a Vega?
Motojunky said:
Tom1200 said:
Those two options are solid and the decision is easy.
Are there other cars that need attention that you love more?
If the answer is yes, dump the Vega.
If the answer is no; simply fix what's wrong with it. Read fix the oil leaks etc., then just drive and enjoy it.
The Vega and the crew-cab Chevelle are in a dead-heat for the bottom of the list. I like the Vega a little more but the Chevelle is a lot closer to being a driver.
Price for the crew cab Chevelle? You could knock the bottom two off the list.
Motojunky said:
Woody (Forum Supportum) said:
Slightly off topic here, but if you had chosen to go through an insurance company, I wonder if they would have had something to say about the massive, aftermarket bumper on his truck.
Good question! Any insurance folks who can offer insight?
Nope, wouldn't make a difference.
In reply to Motojunky : As the father of 2 boys I think your approach to the situation with the daughter's BF is a good one. As a former Vega owner I support ditching the 4dr Chevelle. My practical side says stay with the 262 or 350. My stupid side is 4.8/ 5.3 aluminum block and car intake. Suspension and brake upgrades either way. Sorry the this happened but you are making the best of it.
What's the dump it now price?
Price for the crew cab Chevelle? You could knock the bottom two off the list.
Good questions. I want to keep one simple SBC powered vehicle around but I really should part with one of them. Neither are super nice, but both are decent... well, the Vega was decent.
The Chevelle could go as a roller if that was more interesting to someone. In that case, I might part with both. Shoot me a message via the contact link here if you're interested.
madmrak351 said:
In reply to Motojunky : As the father of 2 boys I think your approach to the situation with the daughter's BF is a good one. As a former Vega owner I support ditching the 4dr Chevelle. My practical side says stay with the 262 or 350. My stupid side is 4.8/ 5.3 aluminum block and car intake. Suspension and brake upgrades either way. Sorry the this happened but you are making the best of it.
It's silly, but i haven't warmed up to the LS yet. It's just not visually appealing to me. I suspect that sooner or later I'll dip a toe in the water - I'm just not quite there yet.
The clear answer to this conundrum is to graft the Chevelle front end onto the Vega and create the CheVega.
Muscle car in the front, Wagon in the back.
I fail to see a downside here.
Motojunky said:
What's the dump it now price?
Price for the crew cab Chevelle? You could knock the bottom two off the list.
Good questions. I want to keep one simple SBC powered vehicle around but I really should part with one of them. Neither are super nice, but both are decent... well, the Vega was decent.
The Chevelle could go as a roller if that was more interesting to someone. In that case, I might part with both. Shoot me a message via the contact link here if you're interested.
Sent you a message about the Chevelle. I would actually prefer it as a roller.
Bummer of a situation, but I see it two ways looking at the glass half full:
Faster/handling/longer term project: Stick or 2 of 1" .083 wall tubing to fix (read: remake) the core support. Ecotec 4 cyl with turbo to take care of the weight/HP problem. A takeout engine/trans from a sky/solstice would be perfect.
Immediate results: Put the SBC you have in it, find a core support or fix that one, and enjoy it for minimal downtime and cost. Plus with the core support cut out of the way an engine swap is much easier.
If it were me I would cut/unbolt the damaged part of the core support right now. Getting twisted/damaged metal off and out of sight will really help your outlook on the project. It is depressing to walk by damage like that every day. How are your fab skills? I'd try to re-make that core support myself, the headlight buckets would be the hardest part but at least you could template off the passenger side.
mjlogan said:
Bummer of a situation, but I see it two ways looking at the glass half full:
Faster/handling/longer term project: Stick or 2 of 1" .083 wall tubing to fix (read: remake) the core support. Ecotec 4 cyl with turbo to take care of the weight/HP problem. A takeout engine/trans from a sky/solstice would be perfect.
Immediate results: Put the SBC you have in it, find a core support or fix that one, and enjoy it for minimal downtime and cost. Plus with the core support cut out of the way an engine swap is much easier.
If it were me I would cut/unbolt the damaged part of the core support right now. Getting twisted/damaged metal off and out of sight will really help your outlook on the project. It is depressing to walk by damage like that every day. How are your fab skills? I'd try to re-make that core support myself, the headlight buckets would be the hardest part but at least you could template off the passenger side.
I have considered DIYing the core support. The headlights are a concern as are the hood latches - the Vega hood opens forward. It shouldn't be impossible and would be a good skill building exercise for me. If a core support/parts car doesn't materialize, I will likely give this a shot. Unless, of course, I just dump it as-is.
It's under a cover - out of sight and out of mind. In another month or so the weather will start to be more favorable for picking away at it in the evenings after work.
