Coolest classic, "practical" car with good MPG

[jhynesrockmtn]

The new bike is great. I'm a big VFR fan at this point. It does a lot of things well. I did a 400+ mile round trip through the mountains here a few weeks ago over 2 days for a work conference. Packed enough stuff on it for the trip and still was able to have fun in the twisties.

I Just sold the CB for $2,800. One of the few vehicles I've turned around and either broke even or made a few bucks.

That car was gorgeous. I actually sold it back to the guy I bought it from. He just won his class with it at the All British Field Meet in Peoples Choice in Portland over the labor day weekend. It was held at the track there I was racing at so I got to see the car again. Very cool.

I vote 2002 as well............

[beepbeep]

I bought SAAB 900S for 300 bucks, installed some leftovers I had on the shelf (intercooler, cams, E85 conversion) and had been driving it for 2 years without problems.

Moving a big sofa? No problem.


Fitting R-tires and driving it on the track (90 laps, original brakes, no fade), no problem:


It's best car i ever had and I drive it more than I drive my Audi S4. It's (believe it or not) quicker than S4 as well.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Glad to hear it all the way around Jerry!

Goran, I've had two Saabs and they've been incredible cars. 88 900Turbo and a 92 9000Turbo.

The 88 lasted to 245k miles when I was hit from behind. I was stopped taking a left into a store parking lot when a Mitsubishi somethingorother hit me doing 35. The entire front end of his car was literally gone, completely demolished. My car, at 10 feet, needed a new 1/2 inch bumper strip. it was amazing. In reality, the bumper was pushed in 2 inches and the engine jumped off the mounts and my seat broke backward. It was an awesome little car, fast and handled great with Bridgestone RE71s, one of my favorite tires to date.

9000T was even better, such a gorgeous car, head gasket went at 234K.

If I could find a 91/92 9000T in excellent shape for under $2K, with all the pricey stuff (TCS) done to it already, I'd go for that car. That's a dream though, and here's one: http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/844867650.html

Looking at a 2002 today though.

[herr_oberst]

How about a Norton Commando

or a Triumph Bonneville

[beepbeep]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Glad to hear it all the way around Jerry!

Goran, I've had two Saabs and they've been incredible cars. 88 900Turbo and a 92 9000Turbo.

The 88 lasted to 245k miles when I was hit from behind. I was stopped taking a left into a store parking lot when a Mitsubishi somethingorother hit me doing 35. The entire front end of his car was literally gone, completely demolished. My car, at 10 feet, needed a new 1/2 inch bumper strip. it was amazing. In reality, the bumper was pushed in 2 inches and the engine jumped off the mounts and my seat broke backward. It was an awesome little car, fast and handled great with Bridgestone RE71s, one of my favorite tires to date.

9000T was even better, such a gorgeous car, head gasket went at 234K.

If I could find a 91/92 9000T in excellent shape for under $2K, with all the pricey stuff (TCS) done to it already, I'd go for that car. That's a dream though, and here's one: http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/844867650.html

Looking at a 2002 today though.

Blown headgasket on a og900? No problem!

Above clip was taken just prior I've blown mine. I was fiddling with boost and ignition timing until 15 yr old head gasket just couldn't take it any more. Drove the car back to vacation house (running mostly w/o coolant), took a trip to nearest town an bought new gasket (40$) and torque wrench (20$). 6 hours later I've taken off the head and changed the head gasket Two days later I was on the track again, overtaking Boxter S!! By then, R-compound tires were worn to the cord and we drove home.



Acceleration 50-120mph is just amazing in this car. It's roughly the same as my old 930.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Except for the torque steer, both my NG900 and 9000 Aero were incredible cars. At highway speeds, both would absolutely fly. I think the OG900, NG900, and 9000 are about the best european car bargains that money can buy. Unique, reliable, cheap, and can be made scary fast.

Shawn, you should look for an SPG. I've seen a number of them for $2k or less.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

2002 turned out to be not as described.

I've got about 2 months to find a car.

[cantdrv55]

How's this?

http://www.davebarton.com/031806-002-med.jpg

[beepbeep]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

How's this?

http://www.davebarton.com/031806-002-med.jpg

'That is reliable car as well. Not very fun to drive though.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

How's this?

http://www.davebarton.com/031806-002-med.jpg

if they stuffed a Mustang 5.0 motor under the hood, it would be fun. Better though, it says "I want kids" to prospective dates.

I'm going to see what I can liquidate in early parts to seriously look at this thing:

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/844867650.html

Doesn't fit my original criteria, but I love these cars. back to bed, woke up sick.

[scottmandue]

FWIW in my experience seventy or eight percent of women don't give a flying fruit what kind of car you drive.

I think it is more of an excuse we guys use to justify buying cool cars.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

FWIW in my experience seventy or eight percent of women don't give a flying fruit what kind of car you drive.

Exactly.

And the 20-30% that are overly concerned about what you drive are not women an intelligent guy should want in his life anyway... they're just high maintenance gold diggers.

[Embraer]

The answer is simple. Early 60's Mercedes 190c. The gas versions have a tiny 4-cyl, and get great mileage. They call these cars the "heckflosses" (fin tails). i bought a superb version for $1500....baby blue with a dark blue MB Tex interior. They are insanely cheap.

Driving the 911's, my Triumph TR4, Jaguar, etc....no other car got the attention that the Mercedes did. It drove like a dream, felt like i was riding on a cloud, and had a cool 4 speed on the column.

It had a 5 body trunk, and a gigantic rear seat. Underpowered, but it was awesome.

Here's a picture of one (the pics of mine are on my other laptop...)

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by Embraer

The answer is simple. Early 60's Mercedes 190c.

Damn that is a cool looking car!

[Embraer]

Here's my old Mercedes parked next to the TR....

[Tishabet]

My parents had a heckfloss while I was growing up in Menlo Park, CA in the early 80's. I have many fond memories of that car.

[Brillo]

Love those MB Pontons.

[initial]

A classic with good MPG... I'm partial to the non-porsche occupant in the other garage bay. My '77 1300cc Fiat X1/9

[Shaun @ Tru6]

a heckfloss would indeed be way cool, and fit the bill perfectly.

Unfortunately some reality hit the loading dock today, so we'll see if Scott is right.

If you left your 69 Targa in a field in TX...

[Hawktel]

I agree 75% of women don't look at what you drive and make decisions based from that.

But they do look at your overall picture and make decisions, and if you show up with a well kept classic car, it does say something.

Kinda like that if you give a Chic flowers you always want it to be done at her work. Bringing them home for her are great, but a Lady does like to show it a bit. Gives them a Ego boost. A nice classic car is the same way.