Quick poke around Philly Craigslist shows lots of van options that are well worth looking at. For $3k you can easily get into a ls motor Express van or powestroke Ford. Several gas 3/4 ton of all three domestic makes newer than 95 for @$2k.
Quick poke around Philly Craigslist shows lots of van options that are well worth looking at. For $3k you can easily get into a ls motor Express van or powestroke Ford. Several gas 3/4 ton of all three domestic makes newer than 95 for @$2k.
For that long of a haul.. I'd want to tow regardless.
However, I'm curious; what exactly does it need to be legal?
Complete bumpers, rear hatch, passenger seat, entire airbag system, entire emissions system, other nickel and dime bits. My price for that includes the cost of the inspection and paperwork.
Yeah, I wouldn't bother legalizing it if it needs that much so you can then remove the bits again before you use it for its intended purpose.
I do like the convenience of a street legal track car as it makes it easier to ensure it's working properly - I don't get to do that many track days and I really don't like showing up and having to nurse the car back home half an hour later because something broke.
I was actually looking at a full-on race car on the weekend and my plan was to throw 3k at a tow rig (or maybe 4k, out here that buys me a leggy Diesel truck if it's 2WD) and rent a trailer a few times from U-Haul Race Services.
We drove the Miata to Laguna Seca last year and that was a bit of a PITA. Would've been much nicer to trailer it down.
NONACK wrote: Complete bumpers, rear hatch, passenger seat, entire airbag system, entire emissions system, other nickel and dime bits. My price for that includes the cost of the inspection and paperwork.
Seriously? Change states, that's nuts on an existing vehicle. What year is it, why does it need an airbag or passenger seat? Do you have relatives in another state where you can register it and get a plate on it?
In reply to Adrian_Thompson:
As I said, this isn't normal inspection- it would pass the standard inspection with flying colors, hence my original plan. This is for a "reconstructed" vehicle since PA has it branded as totaled for reasons they refuse to explain in further detail. The inspection for a reconstructed vehicle basically checks for everything it had when new.
where are the rallycrosses btw? I know that the WCDR events have yet to announce their 2014 location(s). Are they they Pittsburgh area ones?
WDCR. They haven't officially announced locations, but the ballpark estimates put everything further than Summit Point for me- and that was a nearly 4 hour drive. My friends got very sick of me calling to be towed home when my car broke.
Arizona has cheap temp tags available online and you needn't be a AZ resident. Just buy/print one off for race weekends. I'm sure there's a limit to how many you can buy, but it's worth looking into.
Edit You can buy the 3-day registration HERE for $1.00
I second the idea of borrowing a truck or suv and a trailer from a friend or neighbor. Depending on where you live, many people may have a vehicle to help you out and maybe $30 or so could coax them.
captdownshift wrote: where are the rallycrosses btw? I know that the WCDR events have yet to announce their 2014 location(s). Are they they Pittsburgh area ones?
Martinburg WV and Frostburg MD were two possibilities that were mentioned (Frostburg would be good for you Pittsburgh guys), but no official sites have been announced and there could be other locations as well.
I know there are multiple locations being considered by WDCR, which is awesome, no horses for courses (or surfaces). I wasn't sure where the OP was running and am always interested in locations within 6 hours
captdownshift wrote: I know there are multiple locations being considered by WDCR, which is awesome, no horses for courses (or surfaces). I wasn't sure where the OP was running and am always interested in locations within 6 hours
OP is the guy who beat me in my own car last year, lol....
Caprice wagon... class 3 hitch... tows regularly... in PA... seller wouldn't happen to have the initials C.B.?
In reply to irish44j:
So you're not letting him drive it again thus creating this conumdrum. For shame
(just kidding i know that isn't the case)
I'd tow with the wagon. With the right hitch etc. it should be good for 5k+. Also you get two rows of seats without paying the extra for a crew cab truck plus lots of weather tight lockable storage area. Full size van would be the next step up.
The F250 looks good on paper, too bad there are no pics...but I think both of those are severe overkill if the most they'll have to do is tow this trailer. It might be better to get a small pickup like a Ranger that won't guzzle gas so hard all the time.
In reply to GameboyRMH:
If I get something at the top end of my current price range, I want overkill- this is not going to be my DD, so loaded fuel economy is my main concern. I'd like it to tow a car trailer, and be capable of carrying a motorcycle or spare motor and trans while doing that. Also, it will probably end up pulling a horse trailer at some point if it's capable.
"Should pass PA inspection as is (is currently registered in WI)"
I don't get this... If it "should" then berking do it. I have to say, being a PA resident as well, I've been burned on this too many times, so this would be a big, BIG red flag for me.
In reply to Ian F:
Agreed, seller claims he registers everything with family in WI to avoid having to deal with inspections- I'll give it a really good once-over and offer WAY low if I see anything that won't pass.
Another thing. Check the GVWR for the trucks. My Dodge 2500 Cummins (8800 lb GVWR) cost $153/year to register. A 3500 would be more. Maybe it wont' matter to you, but considering how much I drove the truck (sort of like your plans) that was an annoying check to write every year. The wagon (and my '90 E150 conversion van) were registered as "station wagons" - cars - which is $36/year.
New fascinating issue- Ian, based on your post, I got insurance quotes. About a $300/yr increase for either the F250 or the Caprice- NO INCREASE for the GMC. What gives?
don't most rally cars need to be street legal anyway?
I also like the renting argument, especially if you can rent from a friend (have good insurance though). I recently rented a brand new harley for $150 for the day. I then talked with my wife about how I could rent a brand new harley 3-4 days a year (about how much I actually want to ride) for 25-30 years for the price of a brand new harley (cheaper $15k example). I would also always be riding a brand new harley, with no insurance, storage, maintenance, etc. But then again I don't ride that much.
I also wonder about the t5 in neutral, seems odd to me that it wouldn't be able to handle that. Though I am a little disappointed with my t5's 4 gear syncros - how do 4th gear syncros wear out before the 1-2 shift syncro? Oh, paper... that's how.
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