I really want a classic American sedan, but don't know what to get.

"MikeMeade" (MikeMeade) 09/19/2013 at 14:30 • Filed to: V8 sedan

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For the last nine or ten years, I have been driving my 2004 Chevy Colorado. I bought it new, and it has been a great truck, totally reliable and useful whenever I need it. I bought it originally when I was driving a lot for work, but that has tapered off. Now I drive closer to 3000 miles a year. The truck has less than 50,000 miles.

It has been a while since I had a car that required regular maintenance, like most classics do. I've had a few classic cars over the years before the truck, but I got out of the game. At the time, I needed reliability, and I needed all the time I could gather for the family and work.

Life has settled down some, I've been married for eleven years, my son is now five, I have a much different job. I commute by bike, so I don't need a car more than once a week or so. I'm looking to get back into a classic car, on a reasonable budget. In the past I've had an old Honda, a Nissan, a Datsun, some Toyotas, a couple MGs, and a Triumph. (All very little cars and trucks). I'm ready for something different. I want a big American sedan with a V8.

In British cars, the entry level car seems to be the midget. Once you have mastered the midget, you understand the way that many British cars work. There are tons of them, so prices are relatively low and parts availability is high. They never really cost all that much to begin with, and still remain pretty cheap and easy to run. There are parts catalogs like Victoria British and Moss motors that carry everything you need.

My question is, what is the entry level American sedan? I’d like something with a V8, as I’ve never had one. I would prefer something pre 1975, just so I don't have to deal with emissions testing. I like the styling of 50s and 60s cars. It needs to have a back seat for the kid (and a passenger seat for my wife). Two doors or four, hardtop or convertible, I could really go either way. I’m assuming that four door sedan is my cheapest entry point, and I’m okay with that. Honestly, I was raised around small cars, and I have next to no knowledge about these big old cars. I want to get into something that I can work on, but won’t be ridiculous to find parts for.

Any thoughts on where to start?

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 14:36

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I would suggest Oldsmobile. you can still get them at good prices. Some of them have HUGE engines. My old Delta 88 had a 455 Rocket engine and a few go-fat parts me and my dad put on it, and got about 4 gallons to the mile! (It's an exaggeration, but not my much) Mine was a convertible, and to this day had the smoothest ride of any car I've ever owned. I don't even want to know what it would cost to fill that beast up these days!

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 14:37

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Option for a 2 door:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/407757…

A cheap 4 door:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4075355470…

Another option:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4070906194…

Polara:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/406386…

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 14:37

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Possibly any of several old GM A-bodies (Chevelle, Special, Tempest, etc.) Still common enough that the less in-demand won't ream you to own, muscle-carish, and parts are available. Failing that, maybe a Fairlane or later Fury.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 14:39

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If you can handle not having a V8, consider a Corvair:

http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/4054881544…

505Turbeaux > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 14:44

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Obligatory pre 74 base like sedan w v8 - Dodge Monaco

Because Blues Brothers

For Sweden > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 14:45

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If you don't buy a Crown Victoria, I will find you and I will slap you.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 14:48

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Just as a tip:

Chevelle, Camaro, Mustang, Impala, GTO, Nova.

Avoid those.

Not because they're bad, but because EVERYONE wants one so the prices are through the roof insane. Bonnevilles, Firebirds, Comets, Lemans, and Venturas are about the same but a small fraction of the price. A '32 Ford restored is a $100k car, a '32 Plymouth restored is a $30k car. You can actually find very good condition '40s Buicks very reasonably.

Here's a cheap 40's Chrysler in pretty good condition

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4037064695…

GhostZ > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 14:51

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Here's my two cents:

Ignore "entry level" sedans. It won't cost you any more than that years "range topping" sedan nowadays, because the name, prestige, and rust counts a lot more to the price than the actual size and shape of the vehicle or its position in the fleet when it was new.

I would keep an eye out for any sedans that shared platforms with badass muscle cars, because that means the parts should be a lot cheaper to get.

OH ALSO, by "sedan" do you mean just 4 doors? Or can it be a coupe with a back seat? Because most of these "coupes" had huge interior space and bench seats anyway, and most were available in a 4 door trim.

I'll try to think of and post a few good cars that are cheap to get into and repair.

Any Pre-1972 Ford Torino Sedan. Also available as coupe, sedan, or station wagon.

Non-SS 60s Chevelle, in 2 door, 4 door, or station wagon trim.

Early 60s Dodge Dart (unloved, still good) coupes are probably more expensive than sedans.

Other thoughts: A Dodge Coronet, the prices are wildly variable (a few thousand to hundreds of thousands) depending on year, options, etc.

I can tell you that the difference between 1959 and 1963 could mean double or triple the price between models, so a relatively unloved early-60s model might be way easier and cheaper than a 50s one.

MikeMeade > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 09/19/2013 at 14:59

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That is a sweet car!

I can't believe it is only $4900.

Definitely worth thinking about.

Who needs sway bars anyway > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 14:59

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I am doing the same thing and as a Ford guy I am looking at mostly early 60's stuff. I would love to get a 63 Galaxie Country squire They are probably the best looking station wagon ever made. The only thing keeping me from getting one is they are slightly just out of my price range ( 8k-15k) and I can't afford V-8 gas mileage right now. If you want to go slightly smaller You can go for a Ford Falcon. That's what I am probably going to end up in. They can be had for anything from 1k-5k, Incredibly reliable, Can be had with a l6 or a V8 and there are a plentiful amount of parts availability. if you want to go slightly newer the Torino is a great full size option with a number of size options and motor options. The 72' Torino's are especially sexy. From the same Time period you could get the maverick, which was the replacement for the Falcon. Most of the other Makes had great alternatives to the same cars from Ford. There was the Plymouth valiant and Dodge dart which were good alternatives to the falcon or the maverick. AMC had some great options my favorite of which was the AMC Rebel which was a good mid size option. The Wagon and sedan version was especially interesting in 67 and 68 and could be found with the SST package.

Country Squire

Torino Wagon

66 Dodge dart

MikeMeade > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 09/19/2013 at 15:08

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I love the 66 imperial and the 64 dodge. That is the kind of car I am thinking of. It looks like I need to get down to California! I'm up in Oregon, but I travel to San Jose every couple weeks.

MikeMeade > 505Turbeaux 09/19/2013 at 15:09

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Cool Car, but somehow I just love the pre '70 stuff more. It would be cool to strap a giant speaker on top of this though.

MikeMeade > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 09/19/2013 at 15:10

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I'm looking at a '66 Fairlane on Saturday afternoon if it is still available. I'll look into the A bodies too.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 15:11

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Here's a Polara in Oregon:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4071455444…

MikeMeade > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 09/19/2013 at 15:12

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I've definitely thought about it. Corvairs are cool cars! I think that they may be a car I will have down the road. Right now I have this vision of long and strong cruising down the road.

505Turbeaux > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 15:13

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haha yeah they are hideous really. If you dont care about the mileage the late '60's caddys were something to behold

Sn210 > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 15:14

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Have you given a 60's Lincoln Continental any thought? It's the classic American sedan that I want.

MikeMeade > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 09/19/2013 at 15:15

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That is a sweet find! That definitely fits the bill. I will check into that one.

MikeMeade > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 15:18

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I agree, I don't want a car that can be crazy valuable. I want a car that can be fun for not too much cash. I'll spend my lunch hour googling some of the things you mentioned above.

MikeMeade > Sn210 09/19/2013 at 15:20

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I've definitely looked. They have the style that I love, but the price tag that I don't.

MikeMeade > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 09/19/2013 at 15:21

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Sounds like fun. I have a thing for dead brands too, so the Olds would fit in well. I will look into these.

MikeMeade > GhostZ 09/19/2013 at 15:23

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By sedan, I mean seats four comfortably. Yes, I imagine that the big coupes would do the job. I want to be able to take the family out and not have it be a sacrifice like it is in my current truck.

I dig the chevelle below. I wonder if I could find one cheap.

GhostZ > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 15:28

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That widens your search considerably. There's a lot of off-year sedans, 4-door muscle cars, and unwanted engine options.

I say go for the body style and basic mechanical configuration you want, and then try to do research and narrow it down to more obscure models and trims, edging yourself away from "Restoration" or "muscle car" territory.

The 60s Chevelle is a great car, prices are going up right now though, but you may be able to find one. Funny enough, it was considered small when I came out I believe. Old Impala's are pretty badass too.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 15:35

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The engines are more or less the same as their GM badge mates. Buick in particular. Have fun!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 15:45

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I always recommend a Mercury!

In all seriousness though, you can normally find the non "name" brand for cheaper. For example when I was looking for Ford Torino's I ended up in a Mercury Montego, no one new to search for it, Ford shared it's engines straight across their lineup making it easier. If you're looking at GM products, be careful those Chevy parts won't bolt right on to a Pontiac or an Oldsmobile. But you can find some really cool Buicks that people forget about.

I've always found the "forgotten cars" are the ones you can get a deal on because no one is searching for them and the seller keeps dropping the price to move them.

do you have a preference between GM, Chrysler/MOPAR, or FoMoCo? I can give more recommendations from there but I think you'll find Ford is the cheapest easiest entry point.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 09/19/2013 at 15:56

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As a follow up to my own post, I got this in running/driving condition (which included burn outs on the ride home) for $2500. It seats 6 comfortably. 1968 Mercury Montego (sister car of the Ford Torino) And all parts underneath are interchangeable with the Torino, and some with the Mustang, as you can imagine parts are EVERYWHERE for it.

nataku83 > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 09/19/2013 at 15:58

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That's what I wanted to suggest, as well. I've never really liked 'garden variety' V8s, and the Corvair is pretty high on my list of vintage American cars (along with, for some reason, the V6 Mercury Capri we got in the early '70s). Lots of neat engine options too, although the turbos get a little more pricey.

SpeedSix > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 17:13

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Have you considered the AMC Javelin?

MikeMeade > SpeedSix 09/19/2013 at 17:16

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I hadn't. They are cool though. Here is once close to me in tan.

If only it weren't tan. These cars look great in most colors, but I don't think tan is one of them.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/405327…

MikeMeade > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 09/19/2013 at 17:17

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That is a great car! I definitely think you got the nice price on that one!

MikeMeade > 505Turbeaux 09/19/2013 at 17:29

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I thought that they would be out of my price range, but this seems to be right in there. This would be great with some fresh paint and a little lowering.

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/407399…

505Turbeaux > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 18:35

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Meh just buff it out and throw your 5 best friends in there, thatll take care of the height

bobkustofawitshz > MikeMeade 09/19/2013 at 19:00

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It's a long-term goal for me too. I'm a fan of all of the following:

Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75

Cadillac Eldorado Brougham

My favorite, the iconic Lincoln Continental Convertible

And it's sedan counterpart

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > MikeMeade 09/20/2013 at 09:46

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Thank you!

I think it's easier than you think to find a more obscure car. If you go out shopping Chevelles and GTO's you find crazy high price tags. Look for something a little different, it's more fun anyhow.