What car? Vintage sedan/coupe

Ok so requirements
Mid sized (aka 5-series size)
Pre-1980
Sub-10 sec 0-60
Drivers available for under $3k
Reliable enough to do road trips
European or maybe Japanese

I have thought of W114 280, BMW E12 or E3 (no idea how much an E3 is worth) and Volvo 164 (which I know nothing about). The Jaguar XJ6 Series 1 matches most of that minus the reliable thing...

Might find an ok automatic e3 driver, but they're getting scarce - more like $4-5k for scruffy 4 spd. E12s and E28s should still be in range for a good driver/5spd with a big six.

I am thinking that harks back to the day s when Mercedes Benz used to build dependable cars.

I was going to say something old Mercedes, though expect some rust/restoration work, but it's doable...

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/3469554560.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/3477646937.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/3479800509.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/3429156565.html

BMW E3s are returning to the Earth. I can't even recall the last time I saw a good driver for sale locally for less than $3K. Think of how badly E9s rust, and then recall the E3 had four doors. Mine actually died of tinworm more than 20yrs ago. Unlike BMWs, the rivals from Mercedes survive because Merc was already considered a "premium" brand back then (before the "yuppie" thing in the 80s..I actually had neighbors who thought BMWs were British cars) and usually had better owners.

I don't know if the W114 was galvanized, or whether Merc just made more of them..but I sure see a lot more of them than I do E3s or even E12s. If you want to go BMW, E28 seems to be the thing to do.

I don't know anything about Volvos of the same age, but I know we've got enough Volvo guys here that can check in once they see the thread.

well.. you say midsize.. you mean todays 5 series size.. or the equivilant to back then?

The only thing that throws a lot of european cars out the window (and japanese) is the sub 10second to 60 thing. I think even quite a few domestics of that era would have trouble with that. You have to remember the 70s were the time of smog and the car makers were combating it and the rules with less displacement, less compression, really timid cams, and restrictive pelletized cats and thermal reactors.

I've never heard anything good about the Volvo 164 except from brand loyalists who are in denial.

Under $3k is going to be tough.

Fiat 131/Brava

Toyota Cressida (not old enough)

The BMW is probably your best bet assuming you can find one that isn't returning to the earth.

The M-B's of that period were generally not powerful cars and may not meet your acceleration requirements.

You may find a Saab 99 for that money but avoid the ones with the Triumph engine. The subsequent model had a Saab engine with the world's dumbest water pump design, but it's far more dependable.

I cringe at the thought of a $3000 Jaguar.

mad_machine wrote: well.. you say midsize.. you mean todays 5 series size.. or the equivilant to back then?

Equivalent back then.

ddavidv wrote: I've never heard anything good about the Volvo 164 except from brand loyalists who are in denial. Under $3k is going to be tough. Fiat 131/Brava Toyota Cressida (not old enough) The BMW is probably your best bet assuming you can find one that isn't returning to the earth. The M-B's of that period were generally not powerful cars and may not meet your acceleration requirements. You may find a Saab 99 for that money but avoid the ones with the Triumph engine. The subsequent model had a Saab engine with the world's dumbest water pump design, but it's far more dependable.

The 131 and 99 are smaller then what I will be looking for. The W114 280 from what I have seen could just do 0-60 in under 10 barely which is why I was looking for that in particular.

What about the Crown or Corona MKII? How slow were they?

I've been wanting a Volvo 142 for some time now, but it might be too small for you.

I would love me some Fiat 131.. especailly in 2 door form. In the past 20 years I have seen ONE and it was at a car show in philly for FLU

rare on the ground, but would be a cool ride - alfetta sedan

oh a 220 or 250C mercedes should also do you (ish)

oldtin wrote: rare on the ground, but would be a cool ride - alfetta sedan

Not just rare, but almost impossible to find under $3k, not saying it's not possible, it all depends how much work and money beyond the $3k budget you're willing to spend to get it running/driving...

oldtin wrote: rare on the ground, but would be a cool ride - alfetta sedan

I will second the cool quotant there.. I have only ever seen one running.. and by the way it looked and ran, I doubt it was long for the world

ddavidv wrote: Toyota Cressida (not old enough)

^Not true. 1st gen Cressida is from 76-80. Not sure you can find one, let alone for your price, but they are definitely cool!

CRESSIDA YES!!!!!

sethmeister4 wrote:

ddavidv wrote: Toyota Cressida (not old enough)

^Not true. 1st gen Cressida is from 76-80. Not sure you can find one, let alone for your price, but they are definitely cool!

can't say I ever saw one of those in the flesh

Yeah, I've only seen them at car shows...Japanese Classic Car Show to be more specific. But I'm sure they are out there somewhere! Maybe in ATL?

Prior to that they were called the Corona MK II

Like mine

aussiesmg wrote: Prior to that they were called the Corona MK II Like mine

Nice!

Alfetta sedans can be found that cheap, there aren't a lot of good ones left, but finding one is certainly possible. Mercedes 280se 4.5s have a decent amount of power and are cheap too.

In reply to Travis_K:

The Mercedes is only going to be cheap until it needs a repair, though. I'd still love to have one nonetheless.

Oh geeeez............I am loving those old MBs. Great, thanks. Something else to look for now.

81-84 Cressida--Gen II

I think with the saab 99.. the later 900 engine will fit for more reliability and power