I haven't made a what-car thread in six months and there's not one on the front page... ;)

Okay, everyone knows the drill.

Here're the limitations: No convertibles. No 2-seaters. No truck/SUVs. Must be able to fit a car seat in the back. Must be able to transport a 100 lb Labrador in somewhat comfort (read be able to put a window down that he can stick his gigantic head out of), plus two more dogs (45 and 35 lbs). Must be able to cruise on the freeway GRM-comfortably at 80-85mph, but still somewhat entertaining on back-roads and surface streets. Oh, and the kicker: findable for challenge money in the California bay area.

Prefer as small, light, rear-wheel-drive, non-4-door, non-European and stickshifty as possible, but am willing to compromise on all of those.

I'm thinking Crown Vic, but I'm just not sure how entertaining one can be for a trip to the grocery store and back. E36 3XXis's are also on the radar, but I'm pretty sure running ones are outside the budget (and coupes have non-dog friendly rear windows).

This?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2479685834.html

I was about to say Protege 5 until i saw the "Challenge money" part.

How's about a Cressida wagon?

That sounds like a lot of dog for a two-door, but what do I know...

What's the dog arrangement? Does the Lab get the front seat? I can't think of a two-door with back windows that open (off the top of my head)...

Datsun 510? Kinda thrashy at 85, I'd think... Fox-body Mustang or third-gen Camaro/Firebird depending on your Ford/GM leanings? My '75 Nova was actually pretty happy cruising at those speeds, and is only as hopeless as a second-gen Camaro in terms of suspension, right?

2-door Pinto wagon! Pinto Squire!

I don't think a Z31s have back seats, and even if they do, they're not particularly dog friendly.

I thought about a Cressie, but I wasn't sure how well the 5M would cruise at 80+.

And it doesn't have to be a 2-door. I just have a preference against sedans. Wagons are awesome :D

ReverendDexter wrote: I don't think a Z31s have back seats, and even if they do, they're not particularly dog friendly. I thought about a Cressie, but I wasn't sure how well the 5M would cruise at 80+. And it doesn't have to be a 2-door. I just have a preference against sedans. Wagons are awesome :D

5m will have enough grunt to cruise that high, no problems. It might not get there in a flash, but it'll do it.

If you get real bored with it, 7m drops in anyways.

ReverendDexter wrote: I'm thinking Crown Vic, but I'm just not sure how entertaining one can be for a trip to the grocery store and back. E36 3XXis's are also on the radar, but I'm pretty sure running ones are outside the budget (and coupes have non-dog friendly rear windows).

Looks like they pop up on occasion:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2478756712.html

Finding a Touring may be a royal pain, though.

Other things that came to mind:

• Volvo 240 / 740 / 940 wagon. European but hits all the other must haves.
• I don't think the back windows on a Mustang or Camaro roll down, but how about a Fairmont wagon?
• I wonder if you can still get '60s era "compact" domestic cars in that price range? Darts, Corvairs, Novas, Comets, or Falcons... OK, so the handling may not be that much better than a Crown Vic in stock trim.

G8

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I was about to say Protege 5 until i saw the "Challenge money" part.

Saturn wagon... the only other lightweight wagon like it, and easily found for "challenge money". Hell, mine with all new bushings, lowered, 225s, etc. totals under $2k.

Ferrari 246 Dino

Wait, scratch that, Ford Capri.

In reply to ReverendDexter:

easy....

E7 Corolla liftback. The liftback allows the dog to stick its head out the rear side window (the front one), and should allow enough space for kids and dogs...

its rwd, light, built correctly can easily do 80-100mph, if you buy a 1983 model you can slip a 4AG inthere with few changes. Also 82 and 83 model can use much of the AE86 stuff available

^There's a pretty complete E7 liftback in the local junkyard. I sat in it... it's all so.... RIGHT.

I REALLY want an E7 rolla, but i'd prefer mine in sedan/coupe form.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: i'd prefer mine in sedan/coupe form.

IF you are talking the actual coupe version, and not a 2 door sedan... I couldn't agree with you more

This is more like what i had in mind. (Just not so.... drifty)

I'm a sucker for double rounds.

That Corolla looks great. Does it have side windows though? And are they reasonably easy to find?

At the risk of sounding like a fanboy, I'd recommend a Ford Escort or Focus station wagon. Escorts especially sell for, like, zero dollars, which means all the remaining funds to make it fast(ish) and more fun. The wagons have really beefy rear sway bars, so they're pretty entertaining for a front-driver. Should fit all your pets without hassle. Rear seats fold down, so cargo room is plentiful. Easy and cheap to repair, 100% abusable.

It's a poor man's Protege5.

You have too many rules but I got a 95% cover with this if you can talk him down a little.

(stolen from other thread:) AMC Hornet V8

1975 AMC Hornet, 2 DR Hatchback - $2500 (Keshena WI)

This car has been in the garage for the past 7 years and its time to for it to get a new home. 1975 AMC Hornet, 2 Dr, Hatchback, Rebuilt 304 V8 w/ less than 1000 miles, 4 BBL Eldebrock manifold and carb, aftermarket headers and automatic trans. Some rust on the rocker panels, rear bumper needs to be replaced or re-worked. Previous owner scuffed/dented the passager side pulling into a garage but overall the car is in good shape, More pics are available on request. The car is located in Keshena WI (Legend Lake)

-1 to the Corolla... While I'd love to pick up another hachi, it doesn't fit the bill here. They might go 80, but they don't cruise at 80 happily.

A little clarification on the budget; I'll have whatever I can get out of selling my '96 Bronco. I figure with current fuel prices and busted A/C, best I'll get out of it is $2k, but I could get more, and I might "find" some additional money.

I did have a thought towards the SHO, but my understanding is finding engine parts for those things is nigh-impossible. Along the same lines, I've been thinking SVT Contour, and I'm curious if the SVT Focus suspension fits the wagon (or would be appropriate there, though I don't know that I've ever seen a ZXW with a stick).

Contour is roughly doable in that price range, but good luck finding an SVT Focus (or SVTF parts plus regular Focus) in that budget. A Focus ZX5 might be your best bet if you can't find a ZTW with a 5-speed. I don't know for sure about the SVT-to-wagon suspension, but I suspect they're interchangeable.

Escort wagons are definitely found in stickshifts with relative ease (at least back in the Chicago area), and they'll accept a Zetec engine swap with ease. Pulling one from an Escort ZX2 is the most direct exchange.

...and I'll shut up about Escorts now.

I have horrid luck with motorswaps (currently 0/3). Plus, being in California adds an extra layer of bureaucracy that I'd rather not deal with.

And Snorkelwacker, of course there's "too many" rules... it wouldn't be a challenge for y'all if it was easy, hahaha.

Any of those old corrollas and things like that aren't going to be much fun in California because all the emissions stuff has to stay 100% stock and functioning.

SVT Focus suspension will fit on the front of the wagon, but the wagon rear is unique. There are options on BAT for wagon rear suspensions that are reasonably priced. You can find ZTW 5 speeds, but they're rare. Rare and awesome.

I'd just vote for a ZX3 or a ZX5, especially in the challenge budget.

Plymouth Cricket.