Help me find my winter project car!

I'm having trouble finding a good winter project car, so I thought I'd enlist you all to be my enablers!  I like spinning wrenches, I don't like doing body and paint work.  So whatever it is, it's gotta be a clean, no rust car with passable paint, some patina is ok.

I prefer German cars, they're what I know and in my wheel house so to speak.  I'd love a 93-94 VW Corrado VR6 or a 91-92 VW GTI 2.0l 16v.  BMW's also speak to me, something like a 535is, 635csi, 325is, etc, a Mercedes 190e 2.3-16v would be awfully cool.  Lately I have been attracted by some JDM goodness like an MR2 Turbo or a supercharged MR2, celica alltrac, galant vr4.  I'm a sucker for "rally" cars!

Anyone?  Bueller, Bueller?

TIA!

Build a dirt track race car for the 4 banger FWD class to run?

Focus is good, cavilers are everywhere, civic also big, sentras of some type?

Weren't you briefly looking for a mini truck?  https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/798204630738567/

There are a surprisingly high number of MK1 Golfs, Rabbits, and Pickups on the marketplace right now, but they all have more patina than you're probably looking for.

In reply to newrider3 :

There are a couple of VW Caddy's local to me that I'm curious about but I'm turned off by their prices.  $5-7000 for them and they have significant needs. 

As a guy who averaged 40k a year on a diesel caddy, if you are 6' or have long legs drive one extensively before you buy one. I have knee problems still from making it work because I loved the truck. 

In reply to chandler :

I've heard that before and that means I basically won't fit in one...

newrider3 said:

Weren't you briefly looking for a mini truck?  https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/798204630738567/

 

I am in love

docwyte said:

In reply to chandler :

I've heard that before and that means I basically won't fit in one...

There is a rear window that allows more seat adjustment but it wasn't enough. 

Original 190Es are going up in value.

There was a project 944 on Jalopnik posted today, partway through an engine swap.  That might be another way to go (the subject in question had great paint and body).

In reply to LifeIsStout :

Already done an engine swap in a 944 and there's no way I'd ever do that again!

87 535ci that runs for $2200

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/pflugerville-535is-bmw-1987/7233286211.html

83 gti 

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/austin-vw-gti-mk-project/7233068275.html

In reply to docwyte :

Since you are in Denver with access to mountain roads, I think you shoul combine that german desire along with the want to only wrench but not paint into....

a lifted vehicle.  

Let the VW Country be your guide:  

But that could be just an inspiration to something other, such as...

or, more inspiration...

More:

and...

A 10 page GRM thread of more inspiration

My bad, thought you were in Oklahoma 

I know you already got rid of a dedicated race car, but I have a pretty terrible New Beetle that I think needs to go Lemons racing. I could supply with interior stripped and roll cage installed, ready for you to install a manual trans and ABA/VR6/whatever you please.

Everyone wants a super butch G-wagon. Is there a market for butched - up versions of those Forester sized Benz SUV's? 

Mercedes GLK

I can bring up what may be my challenge car and let you add the turbo to it while I'm working on the rest of the fleet. That'll keep you busy. 

It's not German, but you could be my brother from another mother

If you like German cars, do an early 944 or a 924S. They are totally German, but different from the usual BMW (frankly, if you've worked on one 80s BMW, you've worked on all of them!). Plus with some VW flavor (and cheap crossover VW parts).

944s and 924/924S's are starting to go up in value, so if you ever wanted one for a cheap project, now's the time to get it. I own a new GTI, an M50-swapped e30 and have had a number of other performance cars.....and my nearly-stock 924S is still, by far, my favorite car to go out and drive.

Aside from the hassle of doing clutch jobs, 924S/944s are are not particularly difficult to work on or get part for. They have their quirks like all 80s cars, but overall are great as project cars go!

It's funny, I just got a post on FB reminding me of what mine looked like 4 years ago when I bought it for $1000 vs what it looks like now.

oh, and if you like rally style, you don't have to pose. They make good actual rally cars...

German, rally-ish (Orlove'd)

Yes engine install is needed, but that's a different task with an air-cooled. Please just resist any urges to EJ swap it. 

I have a very needy 73 super beetle with no engine in Utah. Classic looks, available parts, cheap, german, simple. It does have a spot of cancer, but it's not structural. Also cheap. Prolly take $300 for a GRMer. 

Guess I should give some more direction.  While I appreciate the suggestions, I'm really just looking for the cars I listed and am hoping you guys can help me hound dog them out.  I'm not looking for a race car, or something to rally, I want an older car for banging around town and cars n coffee type things.

I've owned two 944 turbo's and they were definitely enough to make me not want to own any more, even tho I still have some 944 parts sitting in my basement!

I'd go for an Integra Type R if one could  be found for a decent price...