I really like to drive CRAP (SE-R content, misc ramblings)

I'm not really sure why, and I'm sure it speaks to some sort of personality defect on my part, but I honestly prefer to drive a beat up, worn out car. I don't have to do this - I do earn a pretty fair living. But my preference runs to older, worn sports coupes from the early 80's to mid 90's. Not just any car will do: it must be an INTERESTING pile of garbage. For example, I've just picked up a ratty old 1992 Sentra SE-R for the whopping sum of $500. This is about dead average in price for the 50-some cars I've owned in my 19 years of driving. And let me tell you, this thing is terrible, at least in the looks. My last SE-R was also purchased for $500, but it was much nicer. In fact, my that particular car wound up in Per Schroder's hands, and became GRM's Project SE-R. But I digress. When I went to pick this thing up today - THANKS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - I drove it back with a grin from ear to ear. As sweat dripped off of both of them since there is no A/C. I also currently have a 2002 SE-R, which in fact is a very nice car and has no business being in my hands. But, it would seem that I am far more comfortable in the car that is faded, broken, dented, scratched, scarred, and generally in a state of failure then I am in the newer and glossier one. Why? I dunno. And I really don't care. I'll just keep on driving fun junk for as long as I can find it.

 Mike

PS. This one will eventually become the new circle track car. It may also make an appearance in LeMons or Chumpcar. Despite the fact that it looks like hell, it also GOES like hell! MUAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have always been an outspoken proponent of the joys of driving junk. Owning a newer car can be so inhibiting. Sadly, my wife and the obligations of safely transporting a family have altered my habits of late.

I get that. (OTOH, I drive E36 M3boxes because I can't yet afford otherwise.) But still, it is quite liberating punting around a $1K '80s BMW that's depreciated as much as it ever will, (I see myself as being on the very bottom rung of the luxury sedan-buyer ladder - the guy who picks up the car 30 years after its release )

Cars you don't worry about are the perfect city/dd car

I love it as well. I have had more fun in my sub $1500 cars than I have in my WRX. Sure it is fast, comfortable, and reliable, but it just isn't the same.

$1500 to me is about right to spend on a DD. Yet, I never seem to spend that much. Mostly I get stuff in the $500-600 range, just because I can. I've found if you shop and negotiate hard enough, you can buy a $1500 car for $600-700. Usually. Mostly these are $1500 cars that need a serious cleanup, and I'm more then happy to spend a few days scrubbing, replacing carpet, pressure washing seats, buffing paint.............. One car I actually had to de-mold and replace two doors that were dented. I did that AT the local pull-a-part when I found two doors in the exact color. But that was a $2000 car for $215, so I'm not complaining

 Mike

i'm sick of driving junk.

i've had $200 luminas, $500 luminas, $300 vans, a $150 truck, and the latest $1800 crown vic. all for the most part ended up (or started out) rusted out crap that ran well. current $350 astro is a rusty POS that is mechanically worn out. for some reason i just picked up another $500 van. i'm a cheap crap addict.

i need help.

I love driving junk. I have a 2005 GTO sitting in the garage that I am going to sell because I never drive it, and I could buy a car a month by saving the payment.

I love my $500 Miata, my $500 Swift GT, my $700 850 T5, my $750 745t, and my (GASP!) $1,000 Roadmaster. And I just picked up another 850 (wagon, N/A, 5 speed) for $450. Any of my sub-$1k cars are vastly more entertaining than the 400hp new car (is it still new? I bought it new in 2005, and I haven't sold it to anyone, but maybe it isn't anymore).

PS - My wife says you sound exactly like me, racer33.

I have more fun in the cheaper cars because I am not afraid to push them to their limit. Granted, I do put a couple dollars into them to make them reliable first. My probe, miata, and nx2000 were all run hard and provided tons of fun. My focus svt and camaro are better machines with more stuff but I never push them as hard as the crap boxes. I am ready for another one actually.

i have to say after reading the magazine and doing the challange i find myself doing the say thing and not going to spend more then 2000 on the car...i might end up spending that over the lenght i own it fixing crap to keep it on the road though.....i have become a cheap car type person...besides, its cheap to replace though if you blow it up...... sigh.......

nitroracer said: I am not afraid to push them to their limit

I think this is the number 1 reason! I know I really take it easy with my truck (because I still owe for it) but when I had my $500 escort gt I wasnt afraid to take it to redline or really have fun with it!

I also purchase cheap crap, all the time.

1993 Escort GT - $700
1990 MX6 GT Turbo - $900
1992 Celica GT - $600
1994 MX3 GS - $650

That's not to say i haven't dumped money into some of them, but the nice thing about starting with cheap cars is that if you wad one up into a little ball, buy another one and transfer parts over.

I absolutely LOVE b13s. I had an NX2000 that was heavily modded and that car was a ton of fun on the back roads! I miss it to this day!