What car, ghetto cruiser edition....

Kenny_McCormic wrote:

DrBoost wrote: Yeah, a P71 will get slashed tires. Don't go Honda, redly stolen. Can she drive a stick?

How do you figure? Every fourth car in the ghetto is a beat up P71, that's before figuring in the taxi fleet. Source: Live in Detroit.

Funny, I said that very same thing from my experience living in Detroit for 25 years. But I don't live there now so I won't argue with you there. Now that I think about it, the cars that were messed with were the current DPD cars, so maybe they're safe now.

DPD is still mostly P-71s, with their original peeling paintjobs showing big splotches of primer, the former cop cars sport cheap paint jobs.

A Town Car is also a Panther.

mndsm wrote:

stuart in mn wrote:

Kenny_McCormic wrote: How do you figure? Every fourth car in the ghetto is a beat up P71, that's before figuring in the taxi fleet. Source: Live in Detroit.

They're fairly common in Minneapolis as well. I wouldn't worry about driving one in sketchy neighborhoods.

You have particular experience in the neck of the woods- think Broadway and Dowling.

I'm on the south side and that's north Mpls - I don't exactly hang out up there but pass through every now and then. I don't think a Crown Vic would raise any eyebrows in that neighborhood.

I say +1 on the P71. Even better if you can find a civvy Grand Marquis or CV Sport.

Damn, I was gonna say a Corolla...maybe a Cavalier?

In reply to SyntheticBlinkerFluid:

Wasn't there a Grand Marquis detective special type variant that had all the CVPI goodies except the cop interior? That would be good.

I roll around in the ghetto of glorious Detroit for similar reasons. I'd say if you don't want a P71, go W-Body. I picked up an old man 99 Buick Century w/66k miles for $2200. Spent $500 on new engine gaskets, coolant, tune-up, and tires.

Throughout the winter, the body rusted to hell. However, fresh tires and a little bit of skinny pedal got me through the winter and the wonderfully un-plowed roads of Southwest Detroit.

JamesMcD wrote:

EvanB wrote: Buick LeSabre with 3800. Bulletproof, decent mileage and comfortable.

THIS

this would be a good one... my mother in law has one... its getting low 20's mpg (by a person who will leave the car idling any time she is in it and as boring/grandma mobile as you can get

The 3800 if neglected is far from bulletproof, you've gotta stay on top of the intake gaskets and cracked upper plenums. Same goes for the 3100.

GameboyRMH wrote: Damn, I was gonna say a Corolla...maybe a Cavalier?

Corolla is at the very top of my list. I would buy one ahead of any other option if it presented itself, but Toyotas in particular fetch positively RETARDED amounts of money up here. No idea what it is. I think moving straight from the desert to the coldest berkeleying place on earth broke the Somalians or something.

Also, the thought of stealing the wifes whatever car I hate to take it autocrossing is swaying my decision slightly, mostly because the more hilariously bad, the better. SOMEHOW the Buick is moving up the ladder, as is the FWD E36 M3box Impala.

Anything Mike would have driven in Breaking Bad , that's what you want.

Why not a Saturn like was suggested before? Searching your local CL I see lots of examples. Here's one that stood out for me. http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/cto/4497323972.html

Kenny_McCormic wrote: In reply to SyntheticBlinkerFluid: Wasn't there a Grand Marquis detective special type variant that had all the CVPI goodies except the cop interior? That would be good.

Yes and honestly there is little to no data out on them. Most people say they don't exist and the "Detective" cars are just stock GMs. I know they exist because my dads friend used to get his son (who worked for Ford) to purchase him an new CVPI every few years (even ordered with the stock CV interiors!). When Ford stopped the purchasing of CVPI to employees in the late 90's, he started ordering GMs with the P71 equipment, you just had to check the right boxes.

mndsm wrote: Also, the thought of stealing the wifes whatever car I hate to take it autocrossing is swaying my decision slightly, mostly because the more hilariously bad, the better. SOMEHOW the Buick is moving up the ladder, as is the FWD E36 M3box Impala.

What about james' car, or would you care about it too much/it would stick out?

Edit: that's not really a ghetto car. I'd suggest an older chevy, impala/malibu etc...

1kris06 wrote:

mndsm wrote: Also, the thought of stealing the wifes whatever car I hate to take it autocrossing is swaying my decision slightly, mostly because the more hilariously bad, the better. SOMEHOW the Buick is moving up the ladder, as is the FWD E36 M3box Impala.

What about james' car, or would you care about it too much/it would stick out? Edit: that's not really a ghetto car. I'd suggest an older chevy, impala/malibu etc...

That deal is dead... His mom needed wheels.

Any GM sedan with the 3800 would be my vote too, but I'd specifically look for a '91-'96 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight, so she can play Public Enemy's "You're Gonna Get Yours" with authority.

Suckers to the side, I know ya hate my 98!

Jeep Wagoneer. Because urban areas have ZOMBY infestations.

TRoglodyte wrote: Jeep Wagoneer. Because urban areas have ZOMBY infestations.

GET OUTTA MY HEAD CHARLES! I've already been watching an unrealistic amount of post apocalyptic type shows and prepper stuff lately, as well as looking into alternative housing, subterrainian and the like- bunkers really intrigue me. I actually discussed moving to Oklahoma with the wife last night while watching Storm Chasers- with the explicit purpose of having an excuse to live in a bunker. Having a bigass diesel bugout rig would be amazing.

Any Jeep
Early Q45 with big chrome wheels
Beat up but mechanically sound LS400
P71
Bubble body 929

Swank Force One wrote: Any Jeep Early Q45 with big chrome wheels Beat up but mechanically sound LS400 P71 Bubble body 929

LS falls into that "Somalians want that cause it's a Toyota" category. Trust me, I've been looking. 929 as you well know is unobtanium as it is..... I haven't looked for an early Q car recently.

W-body Impala.

They're the fleet and government worker special. They're everywhere, get no looks, and are perfectly serviceable and reliable cars.

If in a snowy climate, I'd rather wife in a FWD over an old P71. Better gas mileage too.

Now my wife just wrinkled the whole thing. Came home and said " I'd really like to have a manual again." Back to the drawing board.

XJ Cherokee.