yet another another what car thread. and it isnt going to be miata.....-Page 2: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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June 18, 2010 1:26 p.m. oldtin HalfDork

I've seen plenty of 535i's for less than 2k. Found mine for 750. Had a couple of corroded electrical connections and the pedal bracket cracked. Fixed the electrics for free. Paint sux, dash is cracked and the pedal bracket is cracked (pita to fix, but cheap). I'm averaging about 23-24 mpg, but I use the rev range. I would suspect an e28 with the m20 engine would get a little better mileage or find a 524td.

edited - btw it's done corporate duty and it's mother-in-law approved - the rest of the fleet - not so much
June 20, 2010 9:45 a.m. itsarebuild Reader

so far this confirms the e28 idea. but it is always helpful to open it up!

btw, oldtin. i love the old bronco!
June 20, 2010 1:17 p.m. M030 HalfDork

benzbaron wrote:

Mercedes 300sd or 350sdl. Big w126 sedan, looks better than the BMW's of the era. I don't think you'd be getting much over 20mpg running diesel though. If you look past the guy wrenching on the 528 you'll see a gold 300sd or sel. If gas price wasn't an issue I'd say get either a big 560sel or a w123 280e.

I hate to say it but a crown vic might also take the cake. Big 4 door, RWD, decent MPG, domestic, and plentifully made so parts should be easy to find.

But he's still dating. Single, 30-something women are brutal judges. The Crown Vic will ensure that he never gets laid. Ask me how I know...

The Mercedes is a nice idea, but they really aren't very much fun to drive. Well built and good looking, yes, but not a fun car to drive. I've owned seven of them.

I say +1 to the Corvair, or any 1960's era car. They are even less fun to drive than the Mercedes, but what they lack in driver involvement, they make for in 'cool'...and cool both impresses clients and gets you laid.
June 20, 2010 1:24 p.m. 96DXCivic Dork

Jaguar XJ6 or a bit older the Jaguar MK2. What women can say no to a Jag (imagine Clarkson saying that)?
June 20, 2010 2:12 p.m. benzbaron HalfDork

Driving a mercedes on the freeway is fun, when people see a mercedes closing at a high rate of speed they instinctively move over. If you drove a blacked out 500/560sel w126 you could be a terror on wheels. A properly maintaned mercedes will run forever. Pushing that type of weight around town kind of sucks though. Turning isn't a mercedes strong suit and most of them will need a suspension rebuild if it hasn't been done. A mercedes has minimal performance parts also.

I've seen 6 series bmw for sale with over 250k miles so there is something to be said about thems old bmw.
June 20, 2010 7:44 p.m. itsarebuild Reader

i got my first speeding ticket in an 80's 300 TD mercedes, but i think they are a little too heavy and "mature" for me i think. i am not looking for something that is trackable. but i dont want to look like i am too straight laced either.

since the problem seems to be primarily an issue of milage and rear wheel drive, what are some swap combos that might be interesting? something pre 86 with a nice interior and 4 doors. not too heavy so a newer 6 couldnt push it reasonably well,. parts availability would be a plus. something with 4 doors and some edge. corvair has already been called!