Help put me in a cheap convertible...

M030 wrote: 90-94 Chrysler Lebaron convertible. They run good, are cheap to fix, easy to get used parts for and are practically free. I had a 93 Lebaron convertible that I paid $178 for at a sealed-bid auction. I drove it for three years and it never, ever left me stranded. Sure was ugly, though... Replaced by: "The Bitch Basket" (my newly-learned favorite way to refer to my A1 VW Cabriolet) that cost a whopping $290.

Yeah I found a 'bitch basket' cheap, it's on par with a lebaron, maybe a little better, but they're just soooo ugly...

Just saw this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ALFA-ROMEO-1982-SPIDER-L-JET-PARTS-ALFA_W0QQitemZ170399019128QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSalvage_Parts_Cars?hash=item27ac92b078

How about an e30 convertible? They're plentiful, cheap and reliable. Body's a little flexy, but so are most other convertibles of that era.

Have you driven a Miata yet? It took me a long time to "get it." Too many of them on the road so they don't look unique. But you owe yourself a long, spirited drive in a nice example before ruling it out.

If your gonna do a Lebaron, 'ya gotta do it in style!

TC by Maserati (or how to make a car crappier than a BiTurbo) $1800

^^^Is it bad that I clicked on that ad twice before seeing it here on this thread?

My Lebaron was so flexible, that if I went over railroad tracks too fast, it would pop the passenger's door open to the safety catch!

I agree the 'bitch basket' is very ugly. Mine's brown, too. I think it will be better with rectangular headlights (grille from a 1980-model Rabbit, so no corner marker lights), an 84 GTI front air dam/spoiler and European bumpers.

JohnW wrote: How about an e30 convertible? They're plentiful, cheap and reliable. Body's a little flexy, but so are most other convertibles of that era. Have you driven a Miata yet? It took me a long time to "get it." Too many of them on the road so they don't look unique. But you owe yourself a long, spirited drive in a nice example before ruling it out.

Sure have, both 1st and 2nd gens, love the ride quality, the handling, the tossability, just can't get past the 'appliance-ness' of it. It's just too good at too many things. I know this probably doesn't make sense to alot of folk, but I just want a car I can have long meaningful discussions with...

mtn wrote: ^^^Is it bad that I clicked on that ad twice before seeing it here on this thread?

That's sick...

M030 wrote: My Lebaron was so flexible, that if I went over railroad tracks too fast, it would pop the passenger's door open to the safety catch! I agree the 'bitch basket' is very ugly. Mine's brown, too. I think it will be better with rectangular headlights (grille from a 1980-model Rabbit, so no corner marker lights), an 84 GTI front air dam/spoiler and European bumpers.

That's a good idea, the one here on CL is an 83 so it's got the square lights...

jwdmotorsports wrote: Just saw this. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ALFA-ROMEO-1982-SPIDER-L-JET-PARTS-ALFA_W0QQitemZ170399019128QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSalvage_Parts_Cars?hash=item27ac92b078

Emailed, waiting for response, also waiting on a 1980 Fiat 2000, dude thinks he wants $1200, I think he wants half, he's only had it 2 months...

Alfa's are interesting beasts. I've got two GTV's that are basically the same as the Spider chassis- the post '82 engines have a nice Bosch injection system- where the most common problems are (all together now) grounds. And a few relays.

Both the Fiat and the Alfa are good character alternatives to a Miata. Just know that it takes considerable work to make them handle as good as a Miata, but they are cool cars none the less.

The difficult part is the seating position. You either fit or you don't. So I'd recommend looking at one locally that's in great condition to make sure you fit. These are cars originally designed in the 60's, and the interiors have been updated for safety rules not actual ergonomic studies.

Both the Fiat and the Alfa are pretty simple to work on, especially when you learn a handful of tricks. Don't worry about them until you get the car- the tricks are different.

Have fun looking. And don't look past a decent B. There are a lot of good choices from the 70's that can be "restored" back to the glory 60's. Be afraid of nothing.

Eric

(oh, and remember, our challenge car was a '78 Alfa Spider- bought it in pieces for $800)

I have a VW Golf cabriolet sitting in my shop, belongs to a friend who is a mechanic, lots of new bits, it is white and auto he wants $700.

Steve

alfadriver wrote: Alfa's are interesting beasts. I've got two GTV's that are basically the same as the Spider chassis- the post '82 engines have a nice Bosch injection system- where the most common problems are (all together now) grounds. And a few relays. Both the Fiat and the Alfa are good character alternatives to a Miata. Just know that it takes considerable work to make them handle as good as a Miata, but they are cool cars none the less. The difficult part is the seating position. You either fit or you don't. So I'd recommend looking at one locally that's in great condition to make sure you fit. These are cars originally designed in the 60's, and the interiors have been updated for safety rules not actual ergonomic studies. Both the Fiat and the Alfa are pretty simple to work on, especially when you learn a handful of tricks. Don't worry about them until you get the car- the tricks are different. Have fun looking. And don't look past a decent B. There are a lot of good choices from the 70's that can be "restored" back to the glory 60's. Be afraid of nothing. Eric (oh, and remember, our challenge car was a '78 Alfa Spider- bought it in pieces for $800)

Thanks Eric, and you're on the mark, I'm no longer afraid of anything after rebuilding our XR4Ti from scratch, MegaSquirt, more repair and upgrades than challenge budget allowed, but alas, it was the most incredible learning experience and it's thanks to this magazine, now I just want to take my own crack at it in my own way, I don't expect to be competitive, I just want to be able to run BABE, THE Challenge (most likely offer my services in the parking lot), and tool around on the weekends :)

I don't know where in the south you are, but in Texas I have found many $500 range convertibles. I even have a few that may tempt you... 91 Xr2....93 Miata....91 Mustang. Pm me if tempted!!

Fiats from my area always seem to have horrible rust.

Bruce

For an even weirder Fiat... Ebay Fiat/Crosley 1947

"Sure have, both 1st and 2nd gens, love the ride quality, the handling, the tossability, just can't get past the 'appliance-ness' of it. It's just too good at too many things. I know this probably doesn't make sense to alot of folk, but I just want a car I can have long meaningful discussions with..."

I hear what you're saying now. So I'll change my vote to a chrome bumper, unrestored MGB.

For really cheap, a sunbird/caviler, a k-car, or a capri would work. I was offered a pretty nice (ran fine, decent top, faded original paint, but had been sitting a long time) 1975 fiat spider for $500, with no rust, the only bad thing was body damage on one fender. Thats on the cheap side of things, someone had bought it then found a better one, so they wanted it gone. They dont cost much though. I didnt buy it becasue as many people say, you either fit in an alfa spider, or a fiat spider, but not both, and im of the alfa type. A cheap alfa spider would be pretty nice, but id avoid the ones with the spica fuel injection at that price point. L-jet is a bit more reliable, and less likely to need expensive work. A rebuilt injector pump for the spica is about $800 I think. MGBs are ok if you are short, but i cant stand them cause the windshield is too tiny.

In reply to Travis_K:

I'm looking at an 82 L-Jet Alfa on Friday, I'm going to see if I fit the Alfa mostly, if I do, and it's in as good a running form as the fella says, I may just be driving it home. I really want to take a drive/look at a fiat too, but I haven't seen any super cheap in the area yet, but i'm not in an incredible hurry...