by "MM54" (mm54mk2)
Published 04/18/2017 at 20:23
by "MM54" (mm54mk2)
Published 04/18/2017 at 20:23
Tags: SpringCar
STARS: 0
Hello, Oppo. It’s spring (in the northern hemisphere at least) - and that can mean only one thing - it’s time to find SpringCar! In case you forgot (or, more likely, didn’t read my old post about it) SpringCar is my long-planned... uh... plan to pick up a car this spring to use as a fun 3-season daily.
A while ago I asked for suggestions on what this car should be, and I had about three options in mind. There were some very good suggestions (some of which I’m certain to look further into in the future). So what’s the result?
Well, I’m remarkably indecisive so there are still two key options and a wildcard - we’ll focus on the two main options. Neither is preferred over the other - but rather which I find in acceptable condition/location/price before the other! Some day I’m sure I’ll have whichever I don’t get this time, anyway.
Without further delay, SpringCar will be one of the following: First generation Toyota MR2 (AW11; 84-89) or later first-gen Mazda RX-7 (FB; 81-85), particularly in this case the GSL trim for the rear discs and limited slip diff.
Now it’s your turn - using the collective searching power of Oppo, let’s find some of these
working outwards from NE Ohio (Cleveland area)
. Closer is better, but I will go a ways to get the right car. With my work schedule though, I can’t really pull off a fly-across-the-country-and-drive-back.
Am I nuts for planning to 3-season (that means no salty winter duty) daily one of these? Probably, but it’s more fun being crazy. I’ll still have the crown vic for sitting in the airport parking lot and winter-beater duty, as well as a backup should something go very wrong. I also have the Chevelle, which will be in and out of service as the summer goes along, though I try to keep it dry.
Some more details for what I’m looking for (in either car):
Minimal rust - especially body rot. Around here everything is rust, and I’m sick of working on and looking at rusty cars. Let’s make this one minimally rusty, okay? I know AW11s rust pretty badly (FBs probably do too) but 3-inch holes in the body are different than a few bubbles.
Manual Transmission (duh). Both of these were available with automatics and I have no interest in such things. I already have a project car being swapped auto-to-manual to don’t go suggesting an auto and including an ebay link to a manual trans.
Stock or lightly/tastefully modified - especially for FBs, some tweaks here and there are fine, but I’m not looking for fast & furious bodykits and other excessive mods (that includes RX7s without rotaries). Bonus points if the car comes with spare parts, though.
Acceptable mechanical condition. This is pretty important - no basket cases. While I’m capable and would normally be willing to overhaul something, I already have a project occupying a lot of time, money, and garage space so this car shouldn’t need much outside of normal maintenance and a good tuneup/detailing to take over most of my driving.
So, what are you waiting for? Most of you are probably already on craigslist for your area anyways - let’s see what you’ve got!
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
04/18/2017 at 20:28, STARS: 0
Oh boy...
Mazda RX7 which 110% will have rust ERREWHERE, plus a 30-year-old rotary engine that’s likely seen more apex seals than presidents.
"jasmits" (jasmits)
04/18/2017 at 20:30, STARS: 0
*rust free
*not too far from Ohio
*No results found*
"dogisbadob" (dogisbadob)
04/18/2017 at 20:31, STARS: 0
How far south can you go? I know you don’t want to cross country, but you’ll need to go south a few hours (or even a few states) to get one that hasn’t seen much salt. Like, if you could get to VA/NC/TN you’ll have batter luck.
Between the two cars you’re considering, my choice is the Mr2. Toyota makes the best cars.
"Racin'Jason001" (racinjason001)
04/18/2017 at 20:42, STARS: 0
How about this 1988 RX-7 with only 84,000 miles on it? https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?sourceContext=carGurusHomePage_false_0&formSourceTag=112&newSearchFromOverviewPage=true&inventorySearchWidgetType=AUTO&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=d226&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity2=&zip=44105&distance=100&searchChanged=true&modelChanged=true&filtersModified=true#listing=67771018
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/18/2017 at 20:56, STARS: 1
That’s a FC, I’m looking for an FB. Thanks, though!
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/18/2017 at 20:56, STARS: 1
I can do several hours, and due south (or east, I know people that direction) is ideal for the salt-reasons you mentioned.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/18/2017 at 20:58, STARS: 0
Yeah tell me about it. “Too far” though doesn’t exclude several-hour trips - that’ll at least get you into WV/KY no problem.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/18/2017 at 20:58, STARS: 0
Have you seen an AW11?
As for apex seals, I’m not afraid of rotaries.
"jasmits" (jasmits)
04/18/2017 at 21:15, STARS: 1
Fair, not as good as my home in Oregon but not terrible. I’m located outside of Philly for the next month or so, I’ll keep my eyes out for you but old Japanese cars are few and far between(my 2nd gen 4Runner from home in Oregon probably created a noticeable increase) but any excuse to test drive either of those for someone is worth the time
"jasmits" (jasmits)
04/18/2017 at 21:18, STARS: 0
Although. Doesn’t look terrible...
https://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/6061549717.html
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
04/18/2017 at 21:19, STARS: 0
i highly recommend the unnamed wildcard..........
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/18/2017 at 21:22, STARS: 0
I have a friend near Harrisburg too so cars out your way are fair game - means I have somewhere to spend the night haha
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/18/2017 at 21:24, STARS: 0
Man, there’s nothing left of those quarters (I can’t tell if they’ve been repaired or just bondo’ed) and I bet the rockers (which would be structural) aren’t far behind. Seeing an AW11 in the snow doesn’t inspire confidence in its structural integrity!
"jasmits" (jasmits)
04/18/2017 at 21:29, STARS: 1
I will keep my eyes out, I spend too much time worthlessly trawling craigslist anyway lol.
It’s sad out here, when I was buying my 4Runner in Oregon I was looking at mostly 60 and 80 series Land Cruisers and 1st/2nd/3rd gen 4Runners. Pages of each between Portland and Seattle CL. Out here even if I include Philly CL there’s like 10 total on sale between all five of those generations
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/18/2017 at 21:36, STARS: 1
If you don’t like these, you wouldn’t like that one!
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
04/18/2017 at 21:40, STARS: 0
i would now pick the UNNAMED wildcard 3-1........
"Racin'Jason001" (racinjason001)
04/18/2017 at 22:02, STARS: 0
Oh yeah, woops my bad. I couldn’t find anything else in your area really.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/18/2017 at 22:05, STARS: 1
I’ve been scouring the local stuff, nothing nearby (bummer but not surprising).
"Deal Killer - Powered by Focus" (dealkiller-ii)
04/18/2017 at 23:00, STARS: 1
https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/6073938085.html
Ya like Ferndale?
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/19/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 0
Looks nice, but 80 is a SA, FBs started in 81 and have a few differences, mainly the rear/taillights in terms of asthetics.
"Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!" (theduckduck)
04/20/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 0
This one is the one.RX7
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/6080804604.html
MR2
https://rmn.craigslist.org/cto/6053449105.html
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/6053502164.html
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/6042395406.html
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/6065814919.html
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/20/2017 at 18:34, STARS: 1
Wow! All the clean AW11s seem to be in minnesota! That’s also a very nice FB. Thanks for the leads!
"Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!" (theduckduck)
04/21/2017 at 11:12, STARS: 0
Yeah, I agree that is odd. Apparently they knew they would rust away if they weren’t taken care of.