Puddy46 said:First gen Dodge Neon with a manual. Doesn't even need to be an R/T or an ACR (although I wouldn't turn that down).
This is one of those cars that seemed to be everywhere 10 years ago, but are almost a myth nowdays with how rare they are to find. I guess most have been crushed and repuropsed.
-Rob
I seem to have a thing for mundane cars; I find so many of them so awesome. I don't know what it is about them but when I see one I'm overcome with the urge to flog them like a Kentucky Derby hopeful.
I'm clearly a fan of Japanese cars; 70s & 80s are the ones I like most.
Obviously Datsun 1200 is top of the list; seeing as we've been beating on this one since 1984.
I also flogged the hell out of my B210 street car.
Toyota Corollas are also high on my list; one of my most memorable races was in an ITC Corolla. We also had a Geo Prizm (wife's car) and we both autocrossed it. They came with rock hard Firestones that allowed you to chuck the car sideways; loads of fun.
Toyota Starlets are also a favorite of mine; same as my 1200 they are light and have lots of tuning potential. A friend used on as a Rally car and they are so sturdy.
The only European car I've ever owned was a Volvo 140 (2 of them) and I loved flogging those as well............I presume their very Volvoness qualifies them as mundane.
If I had to pick a modern car to flog than a Honda Fit is top of the list; it just screams mistreat because I like it.
Hands down a 1999 Volvo V70 non turbo / auto. And spoiler alert; I own one.
My car is far from fast but at 174k miles young it starts, runs and drives better than it should. It isn't fast, but somehow it is both comfortable and feels "cool".
It doesn't hurt that I think its one of the best looking wagon designs of all time, or that I'm in it for very little money. In fact, those are big reasons WHY I think its so amazing!
2nd on the '89 S10 but in the Blazer flavor w/ 2.8 / 5 spd. I have had one since 2000 and I am slowly bringing back from the dead.
I also had a '72 142 that I should have kept and I wouldn't mind finding another one. It only needed the O/D trans instead of the 4 speed.
I've actually had these - slow but fun (you can park the second one beside your house to make passers-by think the house is larger, too)
Riley 1.5
Triumph Mayflower (psst - if you tossed out the small flat head engine and put a smoking TR4 engine in, the suspension bits are already pretty much TR4 spec except for brakes, which will bolt on). They looke like shrunken Bentleys.
Mustang II, Cobra II
Noddaz said:Mustang II, Cobra II
agree 100%
PT Cruiser: I know it's basically a Neon wagon without the light weight, low center of gravity, or stiff chassis (basically all the reasons to like a Neon) But I think they're cool. I'd rock one with a warmed up n/a 2.4 and a a 5 speed.
That supercharged one somebody posted in the for sale forum is pretty cool
Nissan Pulsar. Ok, it was gutless and slow, but its the only truly modular car I can think of: sports coupe, targa, liftback, wagon, hatchback, Ute...check. Had one as a rental many years ago and thought it was cool.
Ford may have had the idea, but no only Nisan made it. I think they used one to smuggle Ghosn somewhere.
Volvo PV444
What differs a 444 from a 544 other than windshield? I've hustled a PV544 around the Tail of the Dragon on high profile tires, and it was amazing.
rob_lewis said:Puddy46 said:First gen Dodge Neon with a manual. Doesn't even need to be an R/T or an ACR (although I wouldn't turn that down).
This is one of those cars that seemed to be everywhere 10 years ago, but are almost a myth nowdays with how rare they are to find. I guess most have been crushed and repuropsed.
-Rob
They were cheap in part because they had a 100k design life, and for the most part they hit the target.
They rusted horribly and disappeared quickly here, as did the 2nd gens, as did the Caliber/Compass cute ute that replaced it...
Cars I have owned that did not inspire others and I would own again:
Late 60s IH Scout
Early 70s Land Rover Series 3
Early 70s VW Thing
Late 70s Pinto station wagon/sedan
Early 80s Subaru station wagon with real 4x4 and hi/lo transfer case
Early 80s Malibu 9C1
Mid 80s Impala 9C1
Late 80s Mazda 323
Late 90s Escort/Tracer station wagon
Late 90s Geo Tracker
In reply to pinchvalve (Forum Supporter) :
We had a Pulsar NX-SE (CA18DE powered) and it was such a fun car. I remember the road test of them and that they pulled slightly more lateral Gs then the 911 of the time.
The PV444 had a 1.6L 4 cyl engine with a 3 speed manual transmission. The B16 had 3 main bearings and produced 76 HP. Small round Lucas tail lights. Split windshield. "Normal" round speedometer. Bulletproof.
The PV544 had a 1.8L 4 cyl engine with a 4 speed manual transmission. The B18 had 5 main bearings and produced 90 HP. Large oval tail lights. Single piece windshield. "Cool" ribbon speedometer. Also bulletproof.
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:G-body. Preferably the Cutlass or Regal variety, but I'd take a Monte or Malibu.
I want a K-Body but when they come up I also can't bring myself to actually buy one.
Probably a question best left unanswered.
Russian Warship, Go Berkeley Yourself said:Probably a question best left unanswered.
Yeah, but this is why we love you.
In reply to Russian Warship, Go Berkeley Yourself :
A million years ago when I was still in the car business, we took a Dodge Shadow sedan on trade with like 75k miles on it. White outside and gray in.
I think I paid around $1000 out the door for it, and my ex wife proceeded to put 25-30k absolutely trouble free miles on it. We sold it on for around what we paid for it, but it always stuck with me for being such a cromulent little car.
CJ said:The PV444 had a 1.6L 4 cyl engine with a 3 speed manual transmission. The B16 had 3 main bearings and produced 76 HP. Small round Lucas tail lights. Split windshield. "Normal" round speedometer. Bulletproof.
The PV544 had a 1.8L 4 cyl engine with a 4 speed manual transmission. The B18 had 5 main bearings and produced 90 HP. Large oval tail lights. Single piece windshield. "Cool" ribbon speedometer. Also bulletproof.
In the past I wanted one of these but where I grew up they came factory with rust. So they were not around for very long.
DeadSkunk (Warren) said:Chev Astro......the best appliance ever.
My Dad had an AWD Safari when I got my license and I LOVED that thing. Best road trip vehicle ever. I camped out of it, off roaded it, hauled a Sunfish sailboat around on the roof, mountain bikes, kayaks, had my first, um, encounter in the very spacious back seat. Had a great motor in it and looked better than any van ever. If I found a clean one I would buy it and turn it into a camper/adventure van. Basically relive my teenage years.
Rodan said:Corona wagon... on BAT right now!
Here is one that could be made to look like that
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/cars-sale/1972-datsun-510-wagon-auto-ac/222408/page1/
It is up to $3500.
Tom1200 said:In reply to pinchvalve (Forum Supporter) :
We had a Pulsar NX-SE (CA18DE powered). I remember the road test of them and that they pulled slightly more lateral Gs then the 911 of the time.
Another one of these.
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