So I got the approval from the wife on doing the gambler 500 here in Portland this year. We set a cap Of about $500. I live in Central Oregon, so I can either buy a vehicle here and risk driving it to Portland for the event and then hope that piece of junk actually makes it through the event. Or I could drive my brand-new car up to Portland and try to buy some turd up there and hope that it makes it, buying it sight unseen. The requirements really are: Must be an automatic, must have some form of air conditioning (I can at least throw a can of hot shot charge into the system and make it work for the time being, I'm only planning on keeping this vehicle for the gambler), must be able to traverse rough roads, not necessarily 4 x 4 roads though. What do you think I could get for this amount of money with these requirements?
Oh I forgot, I left out that it must at least seat three people. my buddy,who is a car guy, is going along toO.
P71?
I was thinking an older civic or gen 1 or 2 VW rabbit, as they're all fairly capable in rough terrain, but a $500 one might not survive. Especially if rust is an issue in Oregon.
Maybe a beat up legacy? One of the early 90s fwd ones, that maybe found too many ditches or deer but still runs good.
The gambler looks like a blast from what I've seen, I think anything with a motor would be fun just to try it.
I've been trying with the idea of doing the Gambler too. There's an ok amount of cars close to $500 here. I'm pretty sure I saw an old box van around that price last time I looked. That's clearly my vote 
"Ran when parked over a year a go (not real good but ran )"
Also need suggestion on a waypoint system. iPad with downloaded maps? How far will AAA tow? What are some needed items for the trunk? I'm thinking toe strap, jumpers, puncture repair kit, good spare, duct tape, rope, bungy cords, fire extinguisher, anything else?
my buddy has a winch, come-a-long, tractor jack thingy, etc.
Are you an android or Apple person?
See if you can scrounge up a portable air pump. It's nice to be able to air down off-road. I think you'll need some booze too...
I've had three people (like all the time) in my '88 Ranger 4x2 and it took high-speed road travel like a champ.
I'd look for an older Ranger 4 cylinder.
What car would Kenny Rogers drive?
In reply to Appleseed:
Swmbo would NEVER let me do anything car related again...
In reply to ebonyandivory:
Danger ranger sounds fun. Same with a jimmy, exploder, BarcaLounger old people cars. I found a running automagic, v6 thunderchicken too. 500$. Anything to look for on that? I'm not an American car guy at all. Ever. But I'll beat the piss out of one.
In reply to thatsnowinnebago:
Booze after driving right? Oh, and for those that asked, I'm an apple guy.
Going to look at a '91 civic tomorrow. 230$, I'm fairly certain it needs a fuel pump relay. 53$ at Autozone.
Trackmouse wrote:
In reply to thatsnowinnebago:
Booze after driving right? Oh, and for those that asked, I'm an apple guy.
Haha of course. The night in the middle of the rally is supposed to be a big party.
I asked about your phone choice. I've used MotionX GPS to great success on Apple products. It does cost some money but it's worth it. It does support downloading base maps so you can use it outside of cell signal without any issues.
Trackmouse wrote:
In reply to Appleseed:
Swmbo would NEVER let me do anything car related again...
Well..
You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
I'd prefer the car Willie Nelson would drive...
Some picks from what I think is your local craigslist:
Town Car
Impreza
924
Outback
AllTrac
Cougar
Pathfinder
Cherokee
Cramit
Oooo, that cramit would score some major cool points.
Most of those cars are $900+ Though. People out here have a tendency to think there junk is worth more than it is. So I don't think I could low ball. But it's worth a try right? The civic I'm looking at is here. Broke ass civic
It hasn't been titled in at least three years, it has probably ancient snow tires mounted. God knows what else. But for 230$, I'll roll the dice.
In reply to Trackmouse:
Replace the main relay and drive it home?
In reply to Tyler H:
That's the plan since it's about a 99% sure problem with that car. I just worry about the old tires on it and for it sitting that long, it could've caused some problems with wiring, mice chewing on things, or even bad gas in the tank.
