Need an OPPinion

"this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata" (fantastic-mr-foxbody) 11/22/2014 at 14:32 • Filed to: because rally car

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So my Subaru has been nothing but slow, heavy, bad-gas-mileage getting, always breaking down a pain in my ass. It's now completely dead. It's gotta go. So I need something that will work for commuting a few city miles 5 days a week, and getting to the ski slopes 2 or 3 days a week.

I also have a maximum budget of like $3500 for car, tires, parts (I can do my own labor) and everything else to get it road worthy and reliable for the winter.

My current idea is faux rally Civic. I've always liked the hatchbacks, but I don't want to be just another guy in a stance mobile. I also need some ground clearance, for both snow and the giant holes in Seattle roads.

So here's the recipe: VTEC equipped hatch, with steelies or cheap alloys painted a bright color, fat-sidewall snow tires, mudflaps, couple extra fog lights, and a snowboard rack.

Performance mods as time goes on.

Kinda like this:

Though in my head it's more like this:

Talk me out of it, or into it if you agree haha. Here's some more rally and/or steelie equipped Civics.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 14:39

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Isn't this a CR-Z?

Arben72 > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 14:47

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Why not a civic wagon? Awd and some exclusivity. Just another idea...

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 11/22/2014 at 14:54

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It is indeed, and the one at the top and is a fit/jazz. I included it because martini livery crz rally car is just awesome.

dogisbadob > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 14:55

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Even stock Civics look like rally cars compared to that stance shit on most of them haha

There is an AWD version of the Matrix/Vibe, which in turn is a Corolla hatchback wagon thing. Of course, if you don't need AWD that open up a lot more opportunities.

The Volvo V40 would also be a great car for you. Another good option is the Focus wagon or ZX5.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > Arben72 11/22/2014 at 14:57

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I have always like those, they have a certain charm for sure. Ive just done the awd wagon thing and it turns out I rarely use the awd or the wagon haha, except for the poor fuel economy, I definetly use the poor AWD fuel economy.

Idk I just want something small and tossable for a change.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 14:58

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It's a Fit...not a Jazz, to be specific.

Racescort666 > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 14:58

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I've got a buddy who rallies a civic. The things a tank. While some around here may scoff at the idea of FWD, a lightweight sport compact with a good setup is a ton of fun to drive in spite of (or maybe because of) the lack of power.

I've never owned a Civic of the vintage you're interested in, but I can vouch for the lightweight, low power, good setup, FWD smile generator it can be. Make sure your hand brake is in good working order and snow tires are a must.

Steve in Manhattan > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 15:00

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Matrix/Vibe? No doubt reliable - I think you can get 5-speed only w/ FWD, also comes AWD.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > dogisbadob 11/22/2014 at 15:01

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I thought I needed awd when I bought the subie, and then it kept breaking and I spent most of the ski season in my friend's 94 Camry haha. I figure what I save on gas I can spend on nice snow tires. I should look at volvos though, I grew up in a long string of 240s. I wonder how much a v40 goes for now...

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 15:04

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That is a good reason. I like your idea, but I think you should get a Civic wagon instead of the hatch.

dogisbadob > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 15:06

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I have a 96 ES300. The 92-96 Camry is the best car ever made :)

V40's shouldn't be too expensive at all, and you can definitely afford one in your budget. Easily under $3000

bob and john > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 15:12

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first gen volvo V40
room
comfy
decent milage
my family got 350K miles out of ours with no non-consumable parts replacent

but aim for 2001+ the earlyer cars had a nasty 4 speed, 2001+ had a 5 speed

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 11/22/2014 at 15:19

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Ahaha believe me, you don't have to convince me on the wagon front. For context, I grew up in a long string of 240 wagons, I learned to drive in a 740 wagon, this was my first car and is my current project car...

And this is my current (broken) daily...

I just really don't need more than 2 seats 98% of the time (single, no kids, etc.) and I thought it would be interesting to buy something OTHER than a wagon for a change hahaha. Just to see what it's like for the vast un-wagon-enlightened masses.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > bob and john 11/22/2014 at 15:21

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Grew up in Volvo wagons, and yet didn't even consider that. TO THE CRAIGSLISTS!

Though really, I'm looking to switch it up from wagons (own two at the moment, never owned anything but haha).

bob and john > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 15:22

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well, ours was the sedan, and it always did us just fine.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > bob and john 11/22/2014 at 15:30

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A SEDAN!? What is this madness of which you speak. Unless it's a miata, the only acceptable number of doors is an odd number.

Regardless, this is a fun rabbit hole you've sent me down...

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/476589…

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/476686…

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 15:39

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In that case, get the hatch then.

promoted by the color red > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 15:41

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Civic hatchbacks are pretty expensive. You can step up to an Integra hatchback for about the same money and get standard A/C and an extra 40 hp.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 15:47

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whats wrong with your subie?

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > promoted by the color red 11/22/2014 at 15:57

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Good point, I'll keep an eye out. I haven't seen any integra's under 4 or 5k around here, but you never know right?

bob and john > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 16:03

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this is the madness I speak of .

you said you wanted to change it up a bit :P

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 11/22/2014 at 16:05

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Well it's a long story haha, I think I'll be writing up as a several part post a'la the Orlovebug.

Currently though it's not starting, which I had though I had traced to a bad fuel pump, except when I tried to confirm that was the only problem with starting fluid, there was no sign of life... and it started sounded really low compression on cranking. So I'm thinking busted or slipped timing belt.......... Interference engine, so that would mean a lunched valve train unless I got really lucky.

Gotta pull the timing cover and check/replace the belt if it's busted, and it might be fine having never run under power like that.

Basically the car just hates me.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > bob and john 11/22/2014 at 16:10

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I'm officially a fan of vicky.

The tuuuurrrrbo is calling to me...

bob and john > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 16:12

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if you want a driver, and not a project, id say just something this side of 2000. its quicker to repair that way, and if its bland enoguh, you arent tempted to put in too much moeny into it.

THAT SAID:

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 16:13

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oh gotcha. Yea hopefully its nothing serious

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 16:16

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If you're looking for my OPP inion..

But in all seriousness, I'm a fan of your Rally Civic idea.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > bob and john 11/22/2014 at 16:16

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If I can find something in my microscopic price range ahaha.... was out of work for medical reasons for like 8 months, and now I'm just working part time... so I'm not exactly flush. Goddamn it I need to stop being a jalop, if I was a regular person I would have no idea what automotive excellence I was missing out on.

bob and john > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 16:18

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In toronto (well known for its cheap used car prices...wait no, the exact opposite of that), the 2001 S40 goes for ~3000 for 150K km. you should have too much trouble finding one

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 11/22/2014 at 16:32

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one can only hope haha

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 11/22/2014 at 16:34

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Whoa is that a real thing? Because 100 jalopoints to whatever police chief bought something other than a crown vic haha.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > bob and john 11/22/2014 at 16:35

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I shall continue my search, in that case, good sir!

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 16:40

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I saw it/or another identical car cruising around years ago. there is also a Maserati they use for fundraising.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > Racescort666 11/22/2014 at 16:41

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I have yet to experience it, but I totally see the fun of a tossable little featherweight with nice tires and nice handbrake pads haha. Glad to hear someone who's tried it out can corroborate this.

I also think a one Mr. John Cooper might agree with me...

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 11/22/2014 at 16:44

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Haha is there a perp cage in the back of the Maser? It needs more steelies, cop tires and push bar. That would look hard as shit.

Until that happens, Si is still cooler.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 16:46

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Another shot of the Maser.

bob and john > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 16:51

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http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/474836…

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/476796…

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/475567…

there were a couple of real basket cases in there too,

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 11/22/2014 at 16:59

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haha that's hilarious.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > bob and john 11/22/2014 at 17:01

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Hmm, that last one in particular is pretty nice looking. Idk though, I'm not sure I could live with an auto...

promoted by the color red > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 17:03

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Go for the LS or the SE. Bigger supply, takes 87 octane, and less high strung.

bob and john > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 17:05

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honestly? its fine. everything else is just so nice (and playful) that you forgive it. the Cruise control is a mechanicle one (meaning the pulls the pedal. VERY funny feeling!) the steering is nice and light, the motor is a gem. its go a real hand brake...

'sides, you said your on a budget. Being a jalop doesnt mean you must always have a manual, RWD, brwn diesel wagon. It also means buying the best you can afford. This is more or less the perfect car for that budget.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > dogisbadob 11/22/2014 at 18:34

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That thing is a beast. It's unstoppable. It's also baby blue, so it's called the BBC (interpret that acronym however you like, all of the possible meanings are correct).

dogisbadob > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 11/22/2014 at 18:41

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Cool! Mine is black