Beater Time (again)

[blee]

Alright guys, name some old cars that would be:

-cheap, as in $1000 for a well-negotiated deal on a solid car that is NOT an infected bird's nest
-reliable
-not too big, as in E30-ish in length
-fun

The E30 is already on the list. A friend of mine recently went in person to see a 325 offered on eBay. The starting bid was $1 because the car would not shift out of 5th. My friend offered $200, then crept under the car and reattached the linkage, drove it onto his trailer, then took it home and did doughnuts on his driveway.

Any other suggestions? Nicer E28s, cheaper E34s, 190Es.... :dunno:

[ZBB]

An FJ40 Landcruiser? Probably not for one that's drivable for $1000 though...

[rumatt]

I wouldn't vote for an E30 for a beater, if your goal is to save money.

If you get a shitty one, it will break and you will spend thousands. Even with a decent one, you will still be spending $100 here and there every time a part needs replacing.

If you get a great one, it will cost well more than $1000. Even if you found one cheap, if it's in great shape you might feel bad using it for what you intended... beating it.

I think they're great "enthusiast" cars, but not great "cheap" cars.

[ff]

Something from the 80's with a simple GM V8 in it.

[blee]

I wouldn't vote for an E30 for a beater, if your goal is to save money.

If you get a shitty one, it will break and you will spend thousands. Even with a decent one, you will still be spending $100 here and there every time a part needs replacing.

If you get a great one, it will cost well more than $1000. Even if you found one cheap, if it's in great shape you might feel bad using it for what you intended... beating it.

I think they're great "enthusiast" cars, but not great "cheap" cars.
Actually, I've been eyewitness to a large number of E30s bought cheap that have run without problems. I'm not talking about "problems" such as sloppy shifting or peeling clearcoat; for the most part, the M20 and M10 are sturdy engines that will last just about forever with a little forethought in maintenance (eg timing belt). The bodies hold up well, too, and even the paint will do a respectable job of putting up with the elements.

There's a local police auction coming up this Saturday. Perhaps I'll find something worth buying. (Probably not.)

[IndyMike]

There's a local police auction coming up this Saturday. Perhaps I'll find something worth buying. (Probably not.)
1974 Dodge Monaco police cruiser

"It's got a cop motor, a four hundred and forty cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks, it was a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas,"


http://i.pbase.com/o4/97/320097/1/59222491.bluesmobile.jpg

:D

[blee]

1974 Dodge Monaco police cruiser

"It's got a cop motor, a four hundred and forty cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks, it was a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas,"


http://i.pbase.com/o4/97/320097/1/59222491.bluesmobile.jpg

:D
Well, I am, after all, on a mission from God.

Seriously, though, that thing would make the garage space I've rented look like OJ's glove.

[bren]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=567435

[blee]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=567435
Not bad, if it's only fender damage. otherwise not so great, especially because the M10 in those '84-'85 318s was...um, sad.

[lupinsea]

Um . . . Suzuki Samurai. They offer:

- cheapness
- manual trannies
- top down convertible fun
- 4WD
- smallness
- ok fuel economy

And with slight modifications to the door hinges the doors can be slipped on and off.

http://homepage.mac.com/jgreening/.cv/jgreening/Sites/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2004-06-21%2000.51.15%20-0700/Image-10A2B850C35711D8.jpg-thumb_140_105.jpg (http://homepage.mac.com/jgreening/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2004-06-21%2000.51.15%20-0700/Image-10A2B850C35711D8.jpg) . http://homepage.mac.com/jgreening/.cv/jgreening/Sites/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2004-06-21%2000.51.15%20-0700/Image-10A2E55FC35711D8.jpg-thumb_140_105.jpg (http://homepage.mac.com/jgreening/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2004-06-21%2000.51.15%20-0700/Image-10A2E55FC35711D8.jpg)


Beyond that maybe some older Miatas, manual Toyota P/U trucks?

[stuka]

I wouldn't vote for an E30 for a beater, if your goal is to save money.

If you get a shitty one, it will break and you will spend thousands. Even with a decent one, you will still be spending $100 here and there every time a part needs replacing.

If you get a great one, it will cost well more than $1000. Even if you found one cheap, if it's in great shape you might feel bad using it for what you intended... beating it.

I think they're great "enthusiast" cars, but not great "cheap" cars.

An amazing shape E30, read, enthusiast shape, will run you more than 5K.

I got mine for 2.6K, and had to spend quit a bit, totalling about 10K including the purchase price of the car. I am not really complaining, because since I got it in 2003, I have put close to 70K miles on it.

10000/70000 = 14 cents a mile.

How do you beat 14 cents a mile?

[stuka]

Actually, I've been eyewitness to a large number of E30s bought cheap that have run without problems. I'm not talking about "problems" such as sloppy shifting or peeling clearcoat; for the most part, the M20 and M10 are sturdy engines that will last just about forever with a little forethought in maintenance (eg timing belt). The bodies hold up well, too, and even the paint will do a respectable job of putting up with the elements.

There's a local police auction coming up this Saturday. Perhaps I'll find something worth buying. (Probably not.)

Yeah, mine eats oil, but other than that, and changing belts regularly, it has put up with me for over 70k miles. Mostly very hard working miles with AC running trying to pass people (because the car is so hamster powered).

[BahnBaum]

An amazing shape E30, read, enthusiast shape, will run you more than 5K.

I got mine for 2.6K, and had to spend quit a bit, totalling about 10K including the purchase price of the car. I am not really complaining, because since I got it in 2003, I have put close to 70K miles on it.

10000/70000 = 14 cents a mile.

How do you beat 14 cents a mile?

How do you put $7500 into an e30? Did it include major engine work?

Alex

[stuka]

How do you put $7500 into an e30? Did it include major engine work?

Alex

Damn AC took a big chunk

Three sets of ES100's front and rear

Steering rack

Two sets of timing belts

All bushings polyurthane

I broke the drive shaft

I broke the half shaft

All hoses

Front control arms

Water pump

Power steering pump

Both window regulators

Driver side window motor

spark plug wires

Way too many sets of plugs

Way too many quarts of oil

Many sets of pads and rotors

Many alignments

Muffler

Entire front sunroof panel

Damn weather stripping

Slave cylinder

These are just ones that I can recall. The receipts are quite thick. But yeah, some times I feel like I am being nicked and dimed to death in this car, but the per mile cost is still way down from any car that I can put 70k miles on. And some are track miles even.

[blee]

I've tracked down an E34 that looks promising. Not for under $1000, obviously, but potentially a good buy. Only problem is that it's green. :p Any pointers on E34 longevity?

I'm still on the lookout for an E30, of course. But this 5er might be a good deal.

[kognito]

1974 Dodge Monaco police cruiser

"It's got a cop motor, a four hundred and forty cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks, it was a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas,"


http://i.pbase.com/o4/97/320097/1/59222491.bluesmobile.jpg

:D

but it needs a new cigarette lighter:D