Classic for $5k or less?

[NeedSpace]

oh, one more
Chrysler Conquest...was really a mitsubishi starion

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by klaus

This is just wrong. With a PPI a car at just about any price point can be reliable. Here is a quick list of cars I have purchased for less than 5k and have been dead reliable:

BMW 535is (e28)
BMW 325is (e30)
Volvo 850R
Porsche 944 Turbo
VW GTI VR6 (MK3)
Datsun 280Z

So that spans car from 1975 to 1997, all of which only needed standard maintenance items to keep them up and running, sure all of those are not classics, but the BMWs, Porsche, and Datsun qualify.

Amen to that. I've owned a lot of sub-$5k cars, and while they may have had misc needs I can't recall any of them leaving me stranded. Except for my 318ti which was a mistake from the beginning.

[Shuie]

For $5k I would look for someones pan based Speedster replica project that probably needs another $5k worth of work. Or, maybe the best bug I could find.

[redstrosekNic]

Originally Posted by Christien

In my experience, ANY car under $5000 is full of problems. It's one thing if you're looking for a project and don't mind investing another $5k and several hours of your time, but I don't think you can buy anything for 5 and expect it to be even halfway reliable as it is. Classic or not.

Must depend where one is from... I've never had a daily driver cost more than $3K. My civic has been nothing but reliable. I've done NOTHING but normal maint (oil change, filters, etc... and a Tbelt & water pump when it was due). My friends with expensive cars as DDs spend way more time broken down than I do (which is never).

[Shuie]

I was going to say '01 Honda civic EX, but I didn't want anyone to think I was being insensitive, unfiltered, making inappropriate jokes, or tell me I dont deserve to post here.

[VincentVega]

Same here, just keep your expectation realistic.

Miata is common but a great car if you fit. Just about everything I remember (fondly) about my MGB w/o the electric gremlins.

[rouxroux]

'65-69 Corvair (65 or 66 Corvair Corsa if you can find one). Air cooled, flat 6, parts easy to find and quite inexpensive.

[pbs911]

It's pretty pitiful what many consider to be a "classic" car here. Really, a Honda Civic? A Honda Civic or any similar car will never be a classic. A 200z series or 5.0 mustang will qualify.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by pbs911

It's pretty pitiful what many consider to be a "classic" car here. Really, a Honda Civic? A Honda Civic or any similar car will never be a classic. A 200z series or 5.0 mustang will qualify.

Those posts mentioning Civics didn't indicate they considered Civics to be a classic. They were discussing reliability as mentioned in Christien's "classic or not" comment in post #2.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by AFC-911

1973 Datsun (Nissan) 240Z

Exactly my point.

[nota]

88 fiero GT last year with the upgraded brakes and suspension

throw away the little v6 and replace with .....
anything GM all the newer FWD motors bolt in
eco-tec 4 or the older quad4 with turbo or SS [requires a trans swap too]
3800s3 with the blower or turbo 300hp eazy as a pulley swap
good old chevy mouse motor or new ls v8 [need a kit for adapters]
old caddy 4.9 or north star 4.6 v8

my car has a north star 4v 4 cam alloy v8 mid engine 300hp stock swapped in
13'' vett brakes+ 18'' wheels
aftermarket tube A-arms bigger ARB polly bushings ect

what else is out there under 2500lbs mid-eng 300hp for 5k [if you do it your self]

[Zeke]

I guess folks here have not seen 914 prices lately. Nor many of the other cars listed. Sure, a pile of junk sells for what the part value is. Jaguars can be had for cheap. I don't know how far back a car has to go to be a classic.

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I guess folks here have not seen 914 prices lately. Nor many of the other cars listed. Sure, a pile of junk sells for what the part value is. Jaguars can be had for cheap. I don't know how far back a car has to go to be a classic.

I think the definition is 20 years. I could be wrong though.

[foxpaws]

Originally Posted by pbs911

It's pretty pitiful what many consider to be a "classic" car here. Really, a Honda Civic? A Honda Civic or any similar car will never be a classic. A 200z series or 5.0 mustang will qualify.

wrong - just like guys who grew up with Bad Boys and a great looking black 911 get money, want to relive their youth, the same thing happens with guys who grew up with Fast and Furious... they are going to want to relive their youth...

Buy a decent CRX Si - second generation - if you can - for under $5k - it will go up in value.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

I think the definition is 20 years. I could be wrong though.

35 years old to be classified as an "antique" in KS, which saves you from having to renew your tag every year. By the 20 year old standard, some first generation Miatas are already classics. Damn I'm getting old......

Originally Posted by foxpaws

wrong - just like guys who grew up with Bad Boys and a great looking black 911 get money, want to relive their youth, the same thing happens with guys who grew up with Fast and Furious... they are going to want to relive their youth...

Buy a decent CRX Si - second generation - if you can - for under $5k - it will go up in value.

ABSOLUTELY! Take whatever generation is now in their 50s & 60s (have plenty of money, mid life crisis, getting the car that they've always wanted). Then look at the cars that were hot when they were kids and teens. Today it's the muscle cars of the 1960s and early 1970s, but the '80s stuff is already starting to creep upwards.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Damn I'm getting old......

Yeah, we've been meaning to tell you, Matt.

[EMJ]

Originally Posted by NeedSpace

oh, one more
Chrysler Conquest...was really a mitsubishi starion

Badass. Always wanted one.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Merkur XR4Ti

[BReif61]

Originally Posted by foxpaws

wrong - just like guys who grew up with Bad Boys and a great looking black 911 get money, want to relive their youth, the same thing happens with guys who grew up with Fast and Furious... they are going to want to relive their youth...

Buy a decent CRX Si - second generation - if you can - for under $5k - it will go up in value.

I have to agree with you. I've wanted a Integra Type R since my 16th birthday. And I still get tempting thoughts when I see even GS-R's for sale.

[BeyGon]

for under $5k, you should be able to buy two 944s, and the 80s-early 90 Corvetttes, late 80 early 90 5.0 Mustangs would be a good bet.