If you lived in the midwest and were flying to Florida to buy a car and drive it back...

...what would you buy?

I'm going down to Florida in October or November with my girlfriend to visit her parents (Fort Myers, apparently) and figured I might as well try to pick up a less-rusty car when I'm down there. She's totally down with the idea of a return road trip, so we're planning to buy something and drive it back to Wisconsin. $7500 is like the max price here, though I'd be happy as a clam to spend $3k on something. I wouldn't rule out something vintage, but I really would prefer not to worry about mechanical stuff on the trip back, and need something that'll keep up with traffic (sorry, no zany Fiat 850 road trip this time).

Points of consideration:

A convertible/targa/t-top car of some sort is desirable for the trip, but not a total necessity. I'd love a Miata, but they're really common around here, and a bit tight for me - a Z3 would be more up my alley. Possibly an MR-2 or FC RX-7 turbo. Peugeot 405 Mi16? Alfa Spider? I'm just looking for an enjoyable drive back home, and would like something that isn't too common up here in the rust belt.

Also, I will try to make a trip out to GRM headquarters while motoring around the state.

Interesting twist! I've flown out and driven home in a few cases, but I always found the car first, and then used it as an excuse for the sightseeing trip. I haven't looked, can you really get a Z3 for $7500 these days?

hit up CL and other websites and see what's available down that way. maybe something will catch your eye.

Shameless commerce plug - buy my 911 targa - sitting in a garage 15 minutes from the Ft. Myers airport. It's done the trip from IL/WI border to Ft. Myers and back several times. I'm kidding a bit - but it is for sale and not that far from your price range.

Actually I've done it more friedgreencorrado's way several times - got my e-28 in Maryland, the p-car came from Texas. My first 911 came from Louisiana. Went to Arkansas for my old bronco. It's not a bad way to go - flights are cheap and it opens your market to the whole country. It is a little more risky if you can't see the car before you jump, but makes for some good adventures and road trips.

My dad's 63 corvette convertible...

C4 Corvette or an F-body.

oldtin wrote: Actually I've done it more friedgreencorrado's way several times - got my e-28 in Maryland, the p-car came from Texas. My first 911 came from Louisiana. Went to Arkansas for my old bronco. It's not a bad way to go - flights are cheap and it opens your market to the whole country. It is a little more risky if you can't see the car before you jump, but makes for some good adventures and road trips.

Yeah, it's fun. Gotta admit, if it's just one day away it's a little more hassle at the airport since 9/11 (no baggage + no return tix= alarm bells for the TSA!), but when you turn it into a longer trip, there's usually no problem (having the ad and a cashier's check on you helps.. ).

An aside to oldsaw..if I had $8K laying around, we'd talk about that 911.

friedgreencorrado wrote: Can you really get a Z3 for $7500 these days?

A 250 mile radius search of Gainesville FL with a price cap of $7500 comes up with a ton of z3's... lots of scary looking beaters and 4 cylinder cars but I'm sure there's a decent one out there.

Or you could buy this 1990 miata z3 turbo thing for only $3900!

http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/cto/1898263641.html

I've seen a few Dodge Dakota convertibles down in Florida for sale in the past...

If you want to make money on it look for some old near dead persons oldsmobuick with low miles. Drive that back and resell it. Florida is full of cheap mint old lady cars. Buddy of mine scored a cheap nearly new dealer demo Genesis with the V8 a month ago. It was on a dealer lot getting no play. Apparently black cars with black interiors don't sell well in Florida. Seriously, look for a cheap Caddy CTS.

Are you emphasizing fun or profit once you return back home? You may be able to get a Buick Grand National or T-Type at the top of your budget. It won't be a mint example, but you can probably get a good return on your TLC.

Or you could go in the other direction and get a rust-free, excellent condition CRX Si for a few thousand, or even an Integra Type R at the top of your budget. I know where two ITRs are in Gainesville, and both look to be bone stock (albeit parked outside).

Oldtin's Porsche!

plance1 wrote: My dad's 63 corvette convertible...

Your Dad's '63 Vette convertible is < $7500?

oldtin wrote:

... It is a little more risky if you can't see the car before you jump, but makes for some good adventures and road trips.

See, that alone makes it all worthwhile. Buying an older car takes you back to the 1930-50s, when you were never sure you'd get to where you were going or not. That in itself makes the adventure all the more interesting. If it breaks down in some small town, you'll get to meet all sorts of interesting people, and if you're not in a hurry, it's a chance to reconnect with middle America, taking a step off the fast-moving gotta-have-it-right-now mindset we're stuck in. The journey is the adventure.

The answer is: anything you don't normally see due to rust. When's the last time you've seen a Subaru BRAT? See?

Appleseed wrote: The answer is: anything you don't normally see due to rust. When's the last time you've seen a Subaru BRAT? See?

Today...but then again, I own one already

I'm mostly looking to maximize the fun factor of the trip back, and have a car to keep as opposed to a flipper. I'd consider a C4 'Vette, but manuals seem to be hard to find. T-Types and Grand Nationals are awesome, but not really what I'm looking for at this point. Heavy emphasis on European flavor here, if possible. Hell, would I be totally nuts to get a real nice Alfa or Fiat and try to drive it back?

Also, that 911 is really cool, but $7500 is like my MAX budget and I'm shooting for less. Less spent on the car = more upgrade funds.

On the vintage side, less than 7500 and you might come up with a good driver for a porsche 914. That's also a range for a really good mgb or decent triumph tr6. What's a good road trip without some memorable mechanical/electrical adventures. 7500 or less will get a decent bmw 2002, good fiat/pininfarina spyder or kamm tail alfa spyder - all adventure worthy - take a camera and document the trip - it will be fun or at least memorable

Datsun 240z? I think that's what I'd be looking for... I think. Or BMW 2002, or a superclean E30 or...

Hell, would I be totally nuts to get a real nice Alfa or Fiat and try to drive it back?

Depends on whether or not you love said girlfriend, or are looking for a fun, exciting way to dump her.

poopshovel wrote:

Hell, would I be totally nuts to get a real nice Alfa or Fiat and try to drive it back?

Depends on whether or not you love said girlfriend, or are looking for a fun, exciting way to dump her.

I'm thinking of it as a litmus test of sorts. I don't plan to stop this insanity anytime soon, she's already endured numerous road trips in the Brat, and she loves the sound of Alfas...

There's a '92 Z-28 35th Anniv. Edition for sale in the Ft. Myers Auto Shopper right now. No T-tops version too! 350 w/Auto. Black and white photo, but I'd guess it's red with black stripes.

does the magazine staff anything for sale? how about a very cool amc of sometype? totaly different and out in left field.... studebaker? something 1950's 1940's? i know i have seen cheap old stuff down there before.

how about less then $2010 bucks, attand the challange and biuld it in the parking lot the night before and then drive it home with the stickers all over it..... that might be a bit too much, but hey you never know....

Old Corolla.

I think the decision has been made...I am going to pursue an Alfa Spider

Here we go again...