Coolest classic, "practical" car with good MPG - Page 5

Jim Richards · 09-18-2008, 09:47 AM

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/796967490.html

Seahawk · 09-18-2008, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/796967490.html

Shaun...I've got a truck and a trailer.

scottmandue · 11:20 AM

I had a 60's vintage Rambler and everyone loved it, only car I ever had where complete strangers would wave at me. Built like a tank, parts are easy to find, easy car to work on.

Only downside is like most 60's American made cars the brakes and steering were somewhat vague.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Makes-FLAT-HEAD-1959-AMERICAN-RAMBLER-LOOKS-GREAT-RUNS-GREAT-56-57-58_W0QQitemZ110289163983QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item11 0289163983&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AMC-1959-Rambler-Classic-Cross-Country_W0QQitemZ270275345171QQcmdZViewItem?hash=i tem270275345171&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1964-AMC-AMERICAN-RAMBLER-4-DOOR-6-CYL-RUNS-3SPD-MANUAL_W0QQitemZ150292937634QQcmdZViewItem?hash=it em150292937634&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-18-2008, 11:52 AM

Scott, you've got the right idea! A little 62 Falcon would be a cool little car.

Jim, I would looooove the FJ40, and while it does have more character than my 4Runner, it's a tough sell as a restoration.

Paul: truck + trailer? Is it a 20 yard dump? think of the fun you could have with that!

I may be looking at another 73 2002 that's been stored for 5 years, ran fine when put away. $700. going to bring a can of Seafoam and a battery with me.

Jim Richards · 09-18-2008, 12:08 PM

http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/791862783.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/838388554.html

http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/831898487.html

http://richmond.craigslist.org/ctd/798304684.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/840267097.html

There's plenty more out there...you get the idea, right?

Jim Richards · 09-18-2008, 12:17 PM

This one's a bit ourside your price range, but who knows?

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/843995754.html

This one's been dropping in price from $1k:
http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/802984178.html

http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/807086669.html

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/783942338.html

http://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/839425798.html

Shaun @ Tru6 · 12:23 PM

Thanks Jim! that 405 in ME would be nice, and in Cambridge, I'm sure someone around here still works on these things. Are these cars reliable?

I'd love one of the Fiats, but worry about reliability.

BTW, in my travels I found an 84 Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas for next to nothing. beautiful car and well kept, but isn't this the exact vintage that is plagued with electrical faults?

Anyone know about early 80s Jags? My understanding is that the I-6 is bulletproof, but otherwise the car could be a nightmare.

Jim Richards · 09-18-2008, 12:23 PM

French...Italian...reliable? ROFLMAO!!!

Do you want cool, economical and reliable? If so, you're dreaming, Shaun! Pick any two.

onewhippedpuppy · 09-18-2008, 12:24 PM

Oooh, the Opel GT Jim posted is pretty nice!

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-18-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

French...Italian...reliable? ROFLMAO!!!

Do you want cool, economical and reliable? If so, you're dreaming, Shaun! Pick any two.

yes, yes, I do like to dream. I've been spoiled by years and years of relatively reliable cars, from Saabs to Toyotas, I've never had a major failure (and typically very few minor) until well after the car doubled my perceived value for price paid. and every 911 I've owned went way beyond reliable.

deanp · 09-18-2008, 12:28 PM

"I may be looking at another 73 2002 that's been stored for 5 years, ran fine when put away. $700. going to bring a can of Seafoam and a battery with me."

Is that one of the cars that I emailed to you?

Jim Richards · 09-18-2008, 12:30 PM

Shaun, I do hope you're successful...I'm just not going to count on it. Your parameters are pretty daunting.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-18-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deanp

"I may be looking at another 73 2002 that's been stored for 5 years, ran fine when put away. $700. going to bring a can of Seafoam and a battery with me."

Is that one of the cars that I emailed to you?

Yup. Supposed to be in CT at 4PM tomorrow, so I'll have the 4Runner at lunch.

Went to NH today to look at 2 junk early 911s in a field. nothing left of them, they've been there since 1997 and have been consistently vandalized since then. Owner said someone even stole the motors last summer. There was a note in one from the owner, must have been years old. it read: "Please stop stealing parts off these cars." if they had panned out, I could be looking at a real car.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-18-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Your parameters are pretty daunting.

this is pretty much how I go through life Jim.

Jim Richards · 09-18-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

this is pretty much how I go through life Jim.

Clearly.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-18-2008, 01:05 PM

All those look like fun. called on the 73 (with 74 sticker on windshield) 2002, no answer.

Heel n Toe · 09-18-2008, 01:13 PM

Shaun, have you thought about calling a few local dealers and asking them to keep their eyes peeled for any "interesting beaters" they get in on trade? Sometimes that can yield the results you're looking for... stuff they're not going to fix up and put on their lot... stuff they'll just wholesale to the low rent lots "on the other side of the tracks," so to speak.

Yikes... I didn't realize Penny Saver was nationwide... http://www.pennysaverusa.com/

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-18-2008, 01:20 PM

interesting idea John, thanks. Loved Penny Saver when I was in NY. forgot all about it.

jhynesrockmtn · 09-18-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

BTW, in my travels I found an 84 Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas for next to nothing. beautiful car and well kept, but isn't this the exact vintage that is plagued with electrical faults?

Anyone know about early 80s Jags? My understanding is that the I-6 is bulletproof, but otherwise the car could be a nightmare.

Stay away from a cheap XJ6 or any Jag for that matter. Terrible mileage. They are wonderful cars when well sorted. I've owned two 80's vintage cars and a beautiful 76 coupe. Rarest production Jag ever made. Everything is expensive on them. They can be an expensive siren (think O' brother where art thou). Problem is the nice ones are worth $5,000, the crap ones that need $10,000 worth of work are $2,000. In the 80's when Japanese cars needed little maintenance to keep going these things still needed a real tune and lube that took a few hours by a knowledgable tech and nobody did them, therefore things broke. Gas tanks rust, rear IRS and inboard brakes are expensive, trannies are hard to get repaired these days, the list goes on.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-18-2008, 02:35 PM

Thanks Jerry, yes, I went to a few Jaguar forums and was horrified. Nothing Italian, French or British for me. I think a 2002 is the best solution.

beautiful car! I saw one of those years ago and was transfixed.

how's the new bike?