Fun eco commuter for $4000

Nitroracer wrote: I like the engine swapped el camino idea. Even though I have absolutely no need for a truck I love the thing because it is old enough to be cheap, and has easily upgraded g-body architecture.

I love me some Elky, but you pay more for what you get. If you think about it, the G-body shares nearly all of its front suspension with the S-truck, but its slightly heavier. The S-truck frame is a bit stouter (but not by much).

Seems (to me) like you can get more zoom for your cash with a V8 swap in an S10, especially considering that most G bodies came with the 305 chev or the 307 olds. You'll spend a pretty penny making them purr.

that 5.3/T56 S10 could serve DD while you find the elky of your dreams, then donate a whole bunch of stuff to the cause.

Yeah... but am I missing something?

The way I see it, the 5.3 longblock is worth $750. The Edelbrock carb intake and 6LS MSD box is probably good for $600-800, and the T56 is probably good for $1500. Not to mention the new 600 Holley on it is probably worth $300.

Is it just me or is he offering about $3500 worth of parts along with a free truck and a ton of already completed labor for $2000?

For that price, I'll yank the drivetrain and drop it in one of my projects and throw the truck in the dumpster.

I'm going to go look at it tomorrow with a down payment in my pocket.

you're missing the MetroSVXual!

AngryCorvair wrote: you're missing the MetroSVXual!

Wow. I don't know what to say. I've certainly never been called THAT before!

I'm not sure a Metro fits his original definition of enjoyable.

Of course, Angry sort of expanded THOSE possibilities exponentially.

My $3800 honda insight would be very enjoyable if it had a turbo. Gets 50mpg too. Im working on that turbo thing..

In reply to curtis73:

I don't know why this didn't occur to me earlier. Suzuki Samurai possibly with VW diesel swap, preferably at stock height.

You wouldn't guess it, but the post-88 models with the improved suspension are quite fun on the road. You're going to be moving slowly anyhow, and at low speeds the reasonably quick non-power steering and short wheelbase let the truck change direction quickly. The 2wd model weighs about 1900lbs.

The engine compartment has tons of space, and I've never found anything easier to work on. I loved that truck.

It's the only vehicle I've hauled an engine in - a VW 1600 fit nicely in the back. I also had a trailer hitch, though I never used it.

The fuel injected gas engine returned 28MPG. Drive it gently, and it returns 28. Drive it hard, and it returns 28. Highway - 28. City - 28. Exactly what the window sticker said.

Never had any problems at all with it that I couldn't easily fix. It has a nice mechanical feel to it. Almost no insulation, and what is there doesn't do anything. The shifter has a satisfying spring detent that makes me happy. It's really, really great. If you've never been in a stock FI Samurai, you deserve to try it. Just remember, it's still a Samurai. So, while the fuelie gives you the power to pass a semi on the interstate, you have to plan it so you have a significant speed differential as you come even with the front bumper of the semi, or the air will stop you.

I wish I'd never sold it.

My turbobrick is for sale, and as is will run with most V8 Mustangs (at the dragstrip I embarrassed two and got beat by one - no butt dyno stuff here) and well under the 4k limit. Not necessarily trying to pawn mine off on you, but it's not a bad fun option, and the wagon is really roomy. The only issue is parts availability, but mine has almost new everything! You could LS1 it or diesel it too, and the body has nearly unmatched utility and the rest is super comfy and handles nicely stock unlike an elky.

My main concern there is getting to Greer, SC.

The car looks good, but does it smell like Tuna? I'm just hoping that its not the inspiration for your screen name.

mmosbey wrote: In reply to curtis73: I don't know why this didn't occur to me earlier. Suzuki Samurai possibly with VW diesel swap, preferably at stock height. I wish I'd never sold it.

After that recommendation I shall make it a point to drive one. Thanks!

curtis73 wrote: My main concern there is getting to Greer, SC. The car looks good, but does it smell like Tuna? I'm just hoping that its not the inspiration for your screen name.

If you're truly interested, we can work some meet-in-the-middle situation out. Tuna is my screen name due to my being one of the drivers for the Tunachuckers lemons team. We raced the Amazon, and I think are one of the most award-winning teams as a percentage of races. We win one at least every race, most of the time for something silly like 'best moonshine'.

It doesn't smell like Tuna.

The only downsides to this car are the local parts availability and the crowded nature of a forced induction engine compartment. PM me if you want more info.

tuna55 wrote: turbobrick ... handles nicely stock unlike an elky.

I don't really agree with this, and I've had both. Not to say a g-body is a stellar handling vehicle, stock. But I'd put it on par with a turbobrick, at least.

I haven't got any wheel time behind an E30 (but I have one)...but they're supposed to be the best back-seated-and-roofed alternative to a Miata.

I'm quite happy with how enjoyable to drive my 4 door '96 Escort is. You point it where you want it to go, mash the gas, and you go there. Not particularly fast, but it's entertaning enough (if you have a "Fun" project on the side).

Clem

ClemSparks wrote:

tuna55 wrote: turbobrick ... handles nicely stock unlike an elky.

I don't really agree with this, and I've had both. Not to say a g-body is a stellar handling vehicle, stock. But I'd put it on par with a turbobrick, at least. I haven't got any wheel time behind an E30 (but I have one)...but they're supposed to be the best back-seated-and-roofed alternative to a Miata. I'm quite happy with how enjoyable to drive my 4 door '96 Escort is. You point it where you want it to go, mash the gas, and you go there. Not particularly fast, but it's entertaning enough (if you have a "Fun" project on the side). Clem

I guess it depends on the elky. For some reason I always thing the Chevelle version.

Well, mine has upgraded swaybars and sticky summer tires and some added camber anyway, so it's not stock anymore.

How about a 20 year old Civic with only 75K miles?

http://wyoming.craigslist.org/ctd/2206301493.html

The freaky thing is in 2001 I bought a 91 Civic LX sedan with only 75K miles and it was about $4K.

coll9947 wrote: How about a 20 year old Civic with only 75K miles? http://wyoming.craigslist.org/ctd/2206301493.html The freaky thing is in 2001 I bought a 91 Civic LX sedan with only 75K miles and it was about $4K.

OK, aside from me trying to get rid of my car, he asked for a fun, fast commuter with a stick and utility and you give him a 20 year old Civic with an automatic!?

This is overbudget and a terrible idea...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230582215090+&viewitem=

I really don't understand why people doing these LSx swaps are pulling the EFI and going back to a carb and such.

pres589 wrote: I really don't understand why people doing these LSx swaps are pulling the EFI and going back to a carb and such.

BECAUSE IT'S REALLY CHEAP AND EASY!

In reply to tuna55:

Yeah, taking a running drivetrain tuned and supported for years by one of the largest OEM's.... I have to believe that really is the rationale but it doesn't make much sense to me, but what do I know.

curtis73 wrote: Just took a promotion that requires me to commute 45 minutes in nasty Austin Traffic instead of 15 minutes in no traffic. Good thing its a healthy promotion - 25-30 or more mpg - lots 'o' fun - diesel would be neat, but only cuz I like diesel - dead nuts reliable, or easy/cheap to fix - manual trans preferred - some sort of utility - may need to haul transmissions or parts from time to time. All of that screams Holden Ute, but unfortunately I do live in the states I'm also thinking 4-pot S-10 truck or blazer, but that lacks some of the "fun" part. Small wagons maybe? The $4000 number is a max. I don't mind a $2000 car as long as its not a money pit. As long as it can be described as "enjoyable to drive" and not "sporty"; Miatas and E30s are enjoyable. Focuses and Scions are sporty, which is a euphemism for boring econobox. P.S. why is it so much fun to post "what car" threads on this forum?

For $2000, you could get a bicycle too nice to commute on. For less than $1000 you could get a nice, brand new commuter bike and enough gear to get you started.

Austin is pretty bike-friendly (ranked #11 in the US by Bicycling Magazine, and certified as a "Bicycle Friendly Community (Silver)" by the League of American Bicyclists).

If traffic congestion is the main cause of your "45 minute" commute, you might find the bike ride to be faster.

Meanwhile, the money you save on commuting (and healthcare or gym memberships) could go toward a really fun, motorized weekend toy.

Caravan turbo 5-speed

1.8t or 16vt rabbit pickup

Chevette

318ti

Focus Zx3 (yes, I realize you think it's sporty)

Miata + utility trailer

The caravan turbo and 318ti push my buttons.

I never drove my 5spd van long enough after the swap to get mpg numbers, but before i turbod it it avg'd 27mpg..

and you can fit crazy amounts of stuff in it.

rogerbvonceg wrote: For $2000, you could get a bicycle too nice to commute on. For less than $1000 you could get a nice, brand new commuter bike and enough gear to get you started. Austin is pretty bike-friendly (ranked #11 in the US by Bicycling Magazine, and certified as a "Bicycle Friendly Community (Silver)" by the League of American Bicyclists). If traffic congestion is the main cause of your "45 minute" commute, you might find the bike ride to be faster. Meanwhile, the money you save on commuting (and healthcare or gym memberships) could go toward a really fun, motorized weekend toy.

while that is a stellar idea, a few things prevent that plan.

• I'm 37, overweight, have bad knees, and I smoke a pack a day.
• The 45 minute commute is 25 miles.
• I'm not too keen on showing up at work with either hypothermia in the 15 degree weather we're having right now, or heavily dehydrated and smelling like butt-funk in the 115 degree summers
• I agree that Austin is VERY bike friendly, that applies mostly to the 30-40 blocks of downtown. My whole commute is freeway.

I truly wish I were 20 again and could ride like that.

So, a lot has happened in the last hour.

As if I needed more projects... I think I'm going to get that 5.3/T56 S10. Then my neighbor is going to buy my F150 and give me an 85 S10 blazer with no title for $100.

So... I can take the 5.3/T56 out of the S10 to go in my 67 Lemans. The 326/PG from the Lemans can go in my 66 Bonneville. The 2.8/5sp in his blazer can go in the S10, then I can sell the S10 for $500 as a beater truck and ditch the blazer for scrap.

Three vehicles will get motors/transmissions for a total investment of $1500 and a crap load of labor.

Good lord what am I getting myself into?