$3k of fun in a beater?

[peopleunderthe]

what do you think is the most fun you can have for $3k in a used car with about $1k in mods/repairs? I am thinking RWD, along the lines of a fox body mustang 5spd. Other possibilitys might be a miata or a 240. I was thinking bolt ons on a mustang will make it more fun than other stuff for the price. Also I am in the land of no rust out here, so cars as far back as the 60s are doable for me.

I already have a boosted FWD A4, and an AWD evo, so i was thinking RWD fun might not be a bad addition. Suggestions? I was thinking something along these lines but not an auto: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1085630319.html

[Project_A_Spec]

drifting a fox body or 240sx..

[TheLinkster]

Fox body with Ebay Twin Turbos?

[justin.thayer]

That stang is auto....

[Detroit Style Dragger]

You would hate the Mustang after a week of owning it. If you want, Ill list all the reasons why later.

[91AWDDSM]

Does it have to be a beater?

I saw a decent AMC Javelin in Feb for $1500
I bought my 280 for $500, you didn't see me spin on the straight at Grattan at 70mph, but that was fun...
I also saw a first couple years Opel Manta A for that general price.

For you (or me), I'd suggest something pre-smog

But on a $5k budget, spending 1500 on a ~72ish Javelin would be my vote for your inner hillbilly. Ironicly, the car was in Grass Valley - about 3000' up in the sierras and ~60 miles away from the nearest city...

[1x 97 turd]

mercedes 280SEL on air. thats what i'd drive if i lived somewhere warm with rust-free cars.

[Sully]

I bought my FB for $250 another $125 to get it running. YOu could have a badass FB for another $3k. But it'll still be ugly

[mattS2K]

Why would you want to insure 3 cars?

[Scoobyless effing Dan]

Jeep Wrangler.


It goes off road. It's a convertible. And the doors come off.

[weemanch]

for fox body buy a cheap as stick shift N/A 2.3 then swap out for a older 2.3 turbo coupe(thunderbird motor) and have some fun and shit.they are nice and good cars and you will have more money for upgrades then you thought you would. pm me for some cheap foxes.

[Delsoul]

Good luck finding a Miata for 3k that won't need work or doesn't have mileage to the moon and back.

I vote an N/A Rx7. Can be had for next to nothing, that looks half way decent and runs well.

[peopleunderthe]

Originally Posted by TheLinkster

Fox body with Ebay Twin Turbos?

not bad.

Originally Posted by justin.thayer

That stang is auto....

something along these lines but not an auto: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1085630319.html

yes i can read, yes i noticed that.

Originally Posted by Detroit Style Dragger

You would hate the Mustang after a week of owning it. If you want, Ill list all the reasons why later.

i am not stretching the tires if i get a stang. Ive had a 88 LX fox before too.

Originally Posted by 91AWDDSM

Does it have to be a beater?

I saw a decent AMC Javelin in Feb for $1500
I bought my 280 for $500, you didn't see me spin on the straight at Grattan at 70mph, but that was fun...
I also saw a first couple years Opel Manta A for that general price.

For you (or me), I'd suggest something pre-smog

But on a $5k budget, spending 1500 on a ~72ish Javelin would be my vote for your inner hillbilly. Ironicly, the car was in Grass Valley - about 3000' up in the sierras and ~60 miles away from the nearest city...

Good points, yeah I am definitely down with an old car. If i see the right thing, i would jump on it.

Originally Posted by 1x 97 turd

mercedes 280SEL on air. thats what i'd drive if i lived somewhere warm with rust-free cars.

I looked at a couple on CL, seems like not a bad option... Repairs might be rough though for parts availability.

Originally Posted by Sully

I bought my FB for $250 another $125 to get it running. YOu could have a badass FB for another $3k. But it'll still be ugly

I am down with ugly as long as its not beat to shit and a decent color. Ppl seem to keep cars in better condition out here as there is no weather to eff them up. "bad body" usually means faded paint and some dents

Originally Posted by mattS2K

Why would you want to insure 3 cars?

My current ins is only $110 a mo for an evo and PLPD on my A4 ($100 of it is the evo). Pretty affordable because I am 28 with nothing (knock on wood) on my record. and MI gets raped, CA for the most part doesnt.

Originally Posted by Scoobyless effing Dan

Jeep Wrangler.


It goes off road. It's a convertible. And the doors come off.

negative. no trucks.

Originally Posted by weemanch

for fox body buy a cheap as stick shift N/A 2.3 then swap out for a older 2.3 turbo coupe(thunderbird motor) and have some fun and shit.they are nice and good cars and you will have more money for upgrades then you thought you would. pm me for some cheap foxes.

not bad but i am looking for quick and dirty mods not anything super extensive (motor swaps). I would rather just spend $2k or whatever on a super charger and bolt it onto a V8 than swap a turbo 4 and deal with the headache.

Originally Posted by Delsoul

Good luck finding a Miata for 3k that won't need work or doesn't have mileage to the moon and back.

I vote an N/A Rx7. Can be had for next to nothing, that looks half way decent and runs well.

well, heres one pre-turboed for $5k http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1096759660.html

and another possibility http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1102429092.html

Other Options?

http://zilvia.net/f/cars-sale/244104...e-sr20det.html

old audi 100:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1107548404.html

lil work needed on old beamer:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1105531422.html

79 5 series:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1079669717.html

71 newport:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1110680611.html

I like this 66 impala a lot

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1093654033.html

67 dart needs paint but its a V8 with buckets:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1080779022.html


etc etc etc. anyone got some more ideas?

[Delsoul]

1972 Mercury Comet

[Stealthrtsc]

Originally Posted by Detroit Style Dragger

You would hate the Mustang after a week of owning it. If you want, Ill list all the reasons why later.

Do tell, Maybe you bought a Pile of shit? I'm Interested.

[Detroit Style Dragger]

Originally Posted by Stealthrtsc

Do tell, Maybe you bought a Pile of shit? I'm Interested.

Crappy interior design, horrible gaps all over inside and out, slow, gas guzzling, uncomfortable, etc. All the gaps match up to the other Foxes I have seen, in better shape than mine even. Basically, Mustangs are not worth the time to look at.

[Scoobyless effing Dan]

Oh snap Dodge Dart. Drive it as is paint wise.

[weemanch]

just so you know the n/a 2.3 to a turbo 4 isn't really that hard.(i have helped a friend do his) was done basically in a day.he hasn't had any real problems related to the swap it self.

[enslaved87]

mk3 Supra. You can have 350-400rwhp for less than $1K assuming its a turbo model.

[2FNSLO]

Originally Posted by peopleunderthe

I looked at a couple on CL, seems like not a bad option... Repairs might be rough though for parts availability.

MB stocks damn near every part on that car still, you kidding?


for used, try www.peachparts.com (formally mercedesshop.com)