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  • Maroon92

    Jan. 25, 2011 8:46 p.m. Maroon92 SuperDork

    Junkyard_Dog wrote:

    914.

    Can't believe nobody (including me) figured this out yet.

    The "bad doctor" would hate you for bastardizing another one. All the more reason to do it!

  • Junkyard_Dog

    Jan. 25, 2011 8:48 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

    Maroon92 wrote:

    Junkyard_Dog wrote:

    914.

    Can't believe nobody (including me) figured this out yet.

    The "bad doctor" would hate you for bastardizing another one. All the more reason to do it!

    Bastardizing? They're perfectly fine stock....but a Subie or 911 engine isn't a bad idea either

  • tuna55

    Jan. 25, 2011 8:56 p.m. tuna55 Dork

    I'll go back again and vote for the car I commented on initially, the Volvo Amazon. Even the 1800 would work. Get either in an estate version. Awesome rides, and stupid easy to fix. You wrecked it? They make excellent Lemons cars.

  • Capt Slow

    Jan. 26, 2011 1:46 p.m. Capt Slow Dork

    Junkyard_Dog wrote:

    914.

    Can't believe nobody (including me) figured this out yet.

    hey look at my second post!

  • GTwannaB

    Jan. 26, 2011 4:01 p.m. GTwannaB Reader

    Four door BWW CSI

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/2181627807.html

    Midget

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2179965662.html

    Volvo 1800

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2181129413.html

    Old School Japanese

    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2180708516.html

  • DWNSHFT

    Jan. 26, 2011 4:44 p.m. DWNSHFT Reader

    1974 was the beginning of the dark ages for automotive enthusiasts. Which cars were ahead of their time back then?

    Posche 911 and 914 BMW 2002 Datsun 240Z and 510 Alfa Spider and GT

    David

  • stroker

    Feb. 19, 2011 9:40 a.m. stroker Reader

    Maroon92 wrote:

    I want a 70 mustang with a new BOSS Hurricane 302. You should too!

    This.

  • Conquest351

    Feb. 19, 2011 9:51 a.m. Conquest351 New Reader

    stroker wrote:

    Maroon92 wrote:

    I want a 70 mustang with a new BOSS Hurricane 302. You should too!

    This.

    +1

  • aussiesmg

    Feb. 19, 2011 9:55 a.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

    Alfa GTV
    Mazda RX3
    Early 911
    Ferarri

    Not sure of your price limit

  • mad_machine

    Feb. 19, 2011 11:37 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

    DWNSHFT wrote:

    1974 was the beginning of the dark ages for automotive enthusiasts. Which cars were ahead of their time back then?

    Posche 911 and 914 BMW 2002 Datsun 240Z and 510 Alfa Spider and GT

    David

    I would add the Fiat 124 (as somebody already mentioned

    The Volvo p1800.. in any form.. would be fun. If you do not mind FWD.. How about a tiny Saab Sonett?

  • mmosbey

    Feb. 19, 2011 7:45 p.m. mmosbey New Reader

    Want to second the P1800 that's a hella stylin car. Same thing on the 914. I'm amazed that I haven't owned a 914 yet. I've driven a 914-6 and a 914, and loved them both, but failed to pull the trigger each time out of rust related fear.

    On the topic of rust related fear, how about an E9?

  • ww

    Feb. 20, 2011 2:05 a.m. ww SuperDork

    What is the going rate for a 914-4 in Northern CA right now?

    You said you were on a budget, but you didn't tell us how much. Some people are on a $25,000 budget and some are on a $2500 budget. A little guidance here would help.

    Anyway, I have to vote for an early Datsun. A well tuned and good running original example 240z/260z with round top SU's and factory gearing or a 5-speed swap (stupid easy) can make 30mpg's relatively easy. Adding some useful aero mods can improve this as well. Specifically a decent air dam to move the air around the car rather than letting it go under.

    If you are in CA you can get a '75 or older model and be exempt from the bi-annual smog test. This opens the door for the Fuel Injected 280Z which can be upgraded nicely with MS&S and the elimination of the AFM and about 100 miles of vacuum hoses.

    Bear in mind, you are exempt from the test, not from COMPLIANCE! If you get pulled over and have something "unnatural" under your hood, you can be sent to the referee and get a hefty fine. This doesn't stop most people, but you should be aware.

    Out of everything mentioned so far, I haven't seen anything that meets your criteria better than a classic Datsun. But hey, I could be wrong... ;)

  • sanman

    Feb. 20, 2011 4:19 a.m. sanman New Reader

    If it were my choice, A first gen celica with a 4age or 2zz-ge engine.

    This much style and 30+ mpg

  • ww

    Feb. 20, 2011 11:13 a.m. ww SuperDork

    That is damn sexy especially with the low profile wing mirrors on the fenders. Unfortunately, the Celica's of that vintage don't have a fraction of the aftermarket the Datsun's have...

    +1 for rareness, +1 for coolness, -5 for supportability and use as a daily driver.

  • sanman

    Feb. 20, 2011 12:02 p.m. sanman New Reader

    ww wrote:

    That is damn sexy especially with the low profile wing mirrors on the fenders. Unfortunately, the Celica's of that vintage don't have a fraction of the aftermarket the Datsun's have...

    +1 for rareness, +1 for coolness, -5 for supportability and use as a daily driver.

    Well, if parts availability is what you're after, just step up to its larger American cousin:

    Though it isn't what I would necessarily consider cheap or economical

  • friedgreencorrado

    Feb. 20, 2011 9:38 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

    As much as I wanna agree with GTwannaB on the E3 (I miss mine like I miss being 25yrs old), the E3 rusts almost as badly as the E9.

    Sanman, that Celica is sweet, but ww's right about parts. How about Mazda's little effort in that market segment..the RX-3?

    Almost as hard to find a clean one as it is to find a clean Celica, but doesn't Mazda support their older models more than Toyota does?

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