Daily driver/winter beater search

"Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
10/10/2014 at 09:39 • Filed to: None

I'm getting a little bit tired of my 97 Jetta, so I think I'm going to sell it and jump into something else. Pretty sure I know what I want but any input is appreciated and will be considered. Criteria are as follows

1. 4 doors - fiancee puts up with my car addiction as long as we have at least one car with 4 doors (this criteria is a must)

2. Comfortable, Oregon roads leave a lot to be desired

2. Reasonably inexpensive, let's say a loose budget of around $3k

3. Reliable, though I am pretty good at wrenching

4. Manual preferred (but not required)

5. RWD

6. Interesting is a plus

Currently my front runners (without actually giving any direct links) are as follows.

On the cheap end of the scale is an older Volvo, a 200 or 700 series. These are pretty common around the <$1k mark and can be had with a manual. Plus wagon...

Then there is the police interceptor. Upsides here include a much newer car and the "moses effect" on highways. Panther platform cars are known to be nearly bulletproof and able to stand up to years of abuse. Downside is that you know the car has lead a hard life and it's auto only

And finally the stretch goal, a x300/x308 Jaguar. These pop up from time to time in the price range thanks to British car depreciation and look to be a screaming deal. My dad had an x300 vdp when I was growing up and I still consider its interior to be my comfort benchmark. The chassis is relatively lively (for the weight) and maintenance isn't terrible if you do it yourself. Plus it's a fucking jag!

So how about it, anybody have any other ideas for cars I should look at?

DISCUSSION (16)

bob and john > Decay buys too many beaters
10/10/2014 at 03:49

loose budget of $

yea, i rememebr when I bough my saab for $. it was a pretty good deal

Decay buys too many beaters > bob and john
10/10/2014 at 03:52

haha, kinja mobile got me. Thanks!

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Decay buys too many beaters
10/10/2014 at 04:04

You should look at E36s as well, you'd be surprised at what some are going for. Random Subaru's might also be a good choice. 4 door E30s are considered less desirable so you might be able to find one in the right price range as well.
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/470444…
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/468845…

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/ctd/469194…

http://portland.craigslist.org/grg/cto/469326…

Steve in Manhattan > Decay buys too many beaters
10/10/2014 at 09:41

You've answered your own question - 240 wagon. If Jag, make sure you get one where Ford built the wiring harness. Because fire.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Decay buys too many beaters
10/10/2014 at 09:45

Four door Chevy Blazer.

Can be easily had at 3k

4.3 engine is unkillable (and sometimes hooked up to a manual, uncommon though)

All the ones Ive rode in have been pretty comfy.

RWD or 4wd.

Not really interesting unless you opt for its sister the Oldsmobile Bravada.

Im mostly thinking about winter driving here, but good year round IMO.

Twism > Decay buys too many beaters
10/10/2014 at 09:49

240 wagon for the win, Diesel or not.

I dd'ed one last winter, best winter beater I ever had. reliable, frugal, roomy, solid...
I only sold it because the autotragic tranny was on its way out...

...

... Well, now thanks to you, I'm off to craigslist to find another one.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/10/2014 at 09:50

always my recommendation for that budget + winter

Love the 4.3L.

I don't always like the stuff hooked up to it....but that's a different story

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/10/2014 at 09:54

Pretty much my go to as well. I just need to follow my own advice and buy one myself.

It's the only thing that makes my Safari bearable to drive.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Decay buys too many beaters
10/10/2014 at 10:00

I love my panther. Swap in a front bench seat from a lincoln or Mercury and add some exhaust cutouts .

Sweet Trav > Decay buys too many beaters
10/10/2014 at 10:15

why not some old mid 70's caprice?

BJ > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/10/2014 at 10:38

Not a bad suggestion, but you know what I never like about the 4.3? The sound. It's noisy as all hell, a sort of dull but insistent roar, at all speeds.

When I was a kid we had both a Safari and a Jimmy with this engine. I could hear my parents coming home from miles away.

Decay buys too many beaters > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/10/2014 at 10:49

I'll look in to it, thanks!

I feels like I should clarify though, "winter" around me means the sky is just pissing rain with maybe one "snow event" every 2-3 years.

Decay buys too many beaters > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
10/10/2014 at 10:52

Holy crap... that SHO

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > BJ
10/10/2014 at 11:26

I kinda like the sound of the 4.3 in my Safari, it has a nice mechanical noise to it. And sounds very V8-ish at higher RPMS.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/10/2014 at 11:27

oh definitely need to go S10 blazer or pickup.

the 4.3 is wasted in the safari!

I've had 2 blazers with the 4.3, great motor. I just need some new tires for the Milan and I'm set for another winter

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Decay buys too many beaters
10/10/2014 at 11:28

Then you can use it to go mudding in the mud pits the rain makes!