Car with personality < $2k?

[widebody911]

A buddy of mine's son is looking for a car, sub-$2k, but with 'personality' ie not an Accord. He was about to pull the trigger on a 928 that 'just needs a head gasket' on CraigsList for $1000 - hopefully I've convinced him otherwise. The kid is 19 or so, and of course isn't loaded with cubic dollars.

Any ideas? I suggested a late ghia.

[Tim Hancock]

Maybe a 944 or 924S? Of course that would mean buying one with issues and then doing some work on it.

[Hawktel]

Old bug.

[VaSteve]

Any car < $2K is going to have "personality". Just like old cranky men and sickly people do.

Things are different for rust free cars out there, but if they guy isn't loaded with cubic dollars, I would stay away from real old cars like that.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Fiero or MR2. I've considered both for a "beat-the-snot-out-of" track toy.

[id10t]

ghia, bug, maybe a vw bus.

For $2k or less, be happy if it runs reliably.

[Tobra]

If he does not need A/C, a bug.

Cheap, easy to work on and reliable. It is amazing how many people used to have and dearly miss their old beetles. If he could get into a decent ghia for under $2K it would surprise me. Bugs are lighter and don't carry the price premium you will see on a K ghia. Old squareback or notch would be cool too, but parts can be tough to find on them.

There is a nice yellow ghia wit h a black top that lives on El Camino across the street from the high school, just a bit toward Walnut that I have not seen move for a long time. Maybe it is needing reviving, never know until you ask. Probably over his budget though.

[wludavid]

Something with cheap parts. An integra, civic, or CRX could be fun. Miata is an obvious option, if he can find one kind of ratty and clean it up. With the right option packages, I've heard Neons can be fun cars.

[HardDrive]

An old MR2 would be cool.

But nothing says personality like a Ford Granada.

[kslizzy]

I just picked up a 16v Jetta GLI for a winter beater. I love it! Decent power, great handling and a lot of character. It was hard to come by though, about 6 weeks of thourough searching.

[Tishabet]

Another vote for an aircooled VW. I drove a 73 standard Beetle from '96 (when I got my driver's license) to '02 (when I upgraded to the 944 after graduating). It was a great college car (central NY winters and all), and chicks dig em.
Plus, as I'm sure you know Thom, if you spin a bearing or whatever you can get a good used engine for cheap, install it in your driveway and be back on the road in no time.

[lendaddy]

VW Corrado.

[the]

There are a ton, many of which are mentioned above.

Fortunately for him, just about all used cars in the sub-$2K price range are loaded with "personality."

[Don Plumley]

E30 - parts are inexpensive, easy to work on, nice ride. Only problem is it's tempting to take a $2K car, add $2K in parts, to have $2.5K car...

[wludavid]

Originally posted by Don Plumley
E30 - parts are inexpensive, easy to work on, nice ride. Only problem is it's tempting to take a $2K car, add $2K in parts, to have $2.5K car...

+1. I'm in just that situation now. You can buy a $2k e30 that's in *okay* shape, but it won't be the nicer 325i, it'll be the eta or the single-cam 318i. Or you can spend $2k on a 325i and work on every other weekend for the next 12 months.

[thamlin000]

Beater Datsun Zs fall around the $2k mark. These are simple, reliable, easy to work on, and cheap parts. And a great car on top of that.

[rammstein]

I will be in this situation soon myself- but I will share my wife's car until she kills me first.

I cannot even begin to fathom what a $1000 928 gets you.

I would consider a mid-80s crown vic, from my experience. Durable as all hell, parts can be found on medians everywhere for free, you can hang out the back on dirt, snow, or water, and when you are finished you can sell it for the same.

As for character, put a brush guard and a winch on it. That would be sweet.

[wludavid]

Originally posted by rammstein
As for character, put a brush guard and a winch on it. That would be sweet.

And a roof rack, and watch everyone slow down in front of you.

[rick-l]

1st gen rx-7?

[deathpunk dan]

Originally posted by lendaddy
VW Corrado.

NO! Bad idea.

I say CRX, old Civic SI, E30 325 or 318is, VW Rabbit GTI or mk2 Golf GTi.