Ok gang. I am looking at ways to bring down the monthly bills, and have been considering selling my 2011 Fiesta (that I make payments on) and picking up a cheap DD.
I found a 1980 T-Bird with 25k on the clock for 2000, obo. I am not sure if it has the 4.2 or the 5.0, I would need to ask. It literally looks like a little-old-lady owned car. What say you, o Lords of Cheap-Yet-Awesome transportation?
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/4424391758.html
If you could get them to email you the VIN it will specify whether it has the 4.2 or 5.0. Honestly either way it's a turd of an engine, but a later 5.0 with a roller cam, one piece rear main and about 100 more horsepower stock will drop right in! But, if you're going to do that don't forget the newer AOD (even better a C4) and an 8.8, may as well snag an SN95 K-member, A-arms, brakes...or drop a 5-speed into it!
It's a slippery slope!!! 
Or just drive it the way it is and enjoy some vintage American iron!
Looks pretty clean.
Well, it's essentially a Fairmont with slightly different styling, and therefore one of the least desirable of all the T-birds. OTOH, it's a essentially a Fairmont, which means Fox chassis and all that aftermarket.
It looks amazing, and being in SD, I'm sure it's rust-free. It's worth $2k I'm sure, but you'd want to go through it pretty carefully before pressing it into DD duty. 25k miles is crazy low, but all the rubber and everything will still be dry-rotted. It's a neat survivor car, but I'm not sure it's the best choice for a budget daily.
The Fiesta is better in every conceivable way and will probably be cheaper in the long run too. The 80s were not a high point in automotive reliability, economy or design (just look at that picture). IMO pay off ( I know it sucks) the Fiesta and bask in the knowledge that you are driving one of the most economical and well built cars out there. That Tbird is a turd.
Why are the numbers on the mileage not even? They should line up but the 2&5 look out of place Notice the way the last 3 numbers are even. Just a thought
Datsun1500 wrote: If you put that into driver status, every belt and hose will fail soon. The car is not used to being driven on a regular basis at highway speeds, and you will suffer if you try to do it.
FTFY!
Don't get me wrong, I like the car. But not as a DD. It will literally get 1/3 of the mpg that the Fiesta gets and is very unlikely to be as reliable.
In comparison, I'd rock this kind of party eight days a week before that Tbird;
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/4439874040.html
Just as an example that I found within a couple minutes.
zeeguy wrote: Why are the numbers on the mileage not even? They should line up but the 2&5 look out of place Notice the way the last 3 numbers are even. Just a thought
Because component quality sucked in 1980.
South Dakota + no salt = no rust.
pres589 wrote: In comparison, I'd rock this kind of party eight days a week before that Tbird; http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/4439874040.html Just as an example that I found within a couple minutes.
Meh, rather have the T-bird.
Actually South Dakota does salt now, but for folks in PRC "SD" isn't a state, it's a town.
I dig that tbird. If it were closer I'd be all over it. Also, based on my experience with my low mileage 72 ltd, with under 60k original miles, I think it would make a decent dd. Would much rather have the bird than the Nissan that was linked.
^i agree. I'd enjoy the hell out of that for two grand.
If it were local to me I would buy it in a flash.
Thanks for the responses gang. I am torn. I had a Fox mustang, so I am at least familiar with the platform. My wife doesn't like it, she think it LOOKS like too much of a grandma car (which, it is). If it has the 5.0, I might be tempted. I'm waiting to hear back from them.
It'd make a hell of a sleeper. Add an EFI 5.0 plus all the typical Fox body suspension bits...
I would do it but I make a lot of bad decisions
Heck ya for 2K. Then go through the brakes and lines, belts, hoses, suspension, fluids etc. cause it's close to 35 years old. And drive it.
And like Will said, be tempting to go the EFI 5.0/ Fox suspension route.
The Nissan would be a much better DD, but no where near as cool as that T-bird. I saw an 86 Mustang GT with it's 5.0 and EFI intact in the pick n pull today.. Gave me evil thoughts, seems like with the harness it would practically drop in to this thing.
I'd show up with 15 crisp $100 bills and drive it home.. then I'd spend an afternoon checking it over- belts, hoses, brakes- and changing all the fluids and filters. then I'd drive that thing everywhere at any time..
If it's well tuned up and driven properly- with some of the more useless emissions devices thrown in the dumpster where they belong- it should be able to see mpg numbers in the mid 20's.
T-bird . . .
Wally wrote: I would do it but I make a lot of bad decisions
great "Say What" candidate
what are the stats on your current car? owe? mileage? shape?
Forget the 5.0 swap. In fact I think you're better off if it has the 4.2L. Then you won't feel as bad when you swap in a boosted Duratec for the ultimate in sleeperdom that also gets 30mpg.
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