"cabarne4" (cabarne4)
04/12/2014 at 08:22 • Filed to: None
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"cabarne4" (cabarne4)
04/12/2014 at 08:22 • Filed to: None | 3
| 22 |
Finally got oppo privileges, what better way to start than to ask the advice of strangers?
So I just got surgery to my wrist, meaning I won't be able to row my own (shift gears in my car, you sickos) for a month or so. My current car is a 2007 Mazdaspeed6. It's a decent car, but I'm kind of bored of it and want something different. More specifically, cheaper to own, maintain, and run.
To make things more interesting, I'm moving to a small mountain town in July. Living at 7,000 feet in the snow, you'd probably assume the Speed6 is the car for me, but I'm a bit wrong in the head. Everything I need is within walking or bus distance, so I don't see a reason in owning a practical car. (My friends / family think I'm insane, but I don't see an issue with low or RWD when I don't actually need to be driving).
A Miata is definitely on the list (between my roommates and myself, we've got about 16 of them around the house. No, I'm not even joking), but I'd like to hear what Oppo can come up with. I'm fine with older / classic cars (especially when the engine is in the wrong end), but want to keep the budget under $6,000 or so.
sm70- why not Duesenberg?
> cabarne4
04/12/2014 at 08:35 |
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If you wan't a fun another fun Mazda, but want something less common then the Miata, why not take a look at a first-gen RX-7. This one is actually for sale at a dealer I will be visiting on Tuesday.
You could also go for an Alfa Spider , a Jaguar XK8 , etc, etc.
KnowsAboutCars
> cabarne4
04/12/2014 at 08:36 |
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Just off the top of my head: C4 Corvette or high mileage Mercury Marauder.
yamahog
> cabarne4
04/12/2014 at 08:51 |
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XJ all the way for the snowy mountain town! RWD/4WD fun in all seasons!
jkm7680
> cabarne4
04/12/2014 at 09:11 |
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Something Quattro. TT possibly.
Or an S2000 or something along those lines
Makoyouidiot
> cabarne4
04/12/2014 at 09:32 |
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If you don't need it to reliably run for work or whatever, then no car is better than an old Alfa. I'm partial to the 164, owned a Sport and it was glorious.
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cabarne4
> sm70- why not Duesenberg?
04/12/2014 at 13:13 |
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I actually have a project turbo 2 FC (2nd gen, I know) — but I'm selling it to a friend. Not a bad option, though.
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cabarne4
> yamahog
04/12/2014 at 13:15 |
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Seriously considering an XJ, but I want a unicorn. 97-01 (I like the facelift / updated interior better), 6 cylinder, 4WD with the 5-speed manual, in decent condition. No real preference on 2 door vs 4 door, but that combination alone is near impossible to find.
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cabarne4
> Makoyouidiot
04/12/2014 at 13:17 |
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Richard, is that you?
Seriously, I've had 2 close personal friends recommend a 164S. Beautiful cars, but having never owned an Alfa, I honestly have no clue where to start... What to look for / look out for, what's a good price, where to even begin looking for a decent one...
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cabarne4
> jkm7680
04/12/2014 at 13:22 |
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God I'd love an S2k, but they're way too expensive for no good reason. Seriously, there's one around here selling for $9,000 — the cheapest on the market. The ad says it's clean title, perfect daily, clean interior / exterior, etc, etc... the pictures show a car that someone has definitely hooned, crashed into walls, etc. Maybe a Z3 or another Miata, but the S2k is too damn expensive for now.
I like the idea of Quattro. A friend of mine has a B5 A4 ('98). Good car, that. I'd love a B6, and the first years are getting cheap. As much as I love VAG products, owners seem a bit confused on which ones to avoid. People say to avoid 1.8T's while others praise the glorious 1.8T. Some say to avoid the 2.0T, as it was riddled with gremlins when released, while others state that it's one of the most reliable engines. And all V6's have sludge issues (apparently). The TT would be a good choice, I think. First gens are cheap, it's VW's unbeatable 1.8T (depending on who you ask), and quattros can be had....
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cabarne4
> KnowsAboutCars
04/12/2014 at 13:23 |
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Being originally from Kentucky, I just can't bring myself to Corvette ownership. I know the kind of drunk hicks who build them. Gotta love that engine, though. Marauder? God, who doesn't love some Panther-sex? American V8 isn't necessarily my "thing", though, but I won't knock it till I try it!
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jkm7680
> cabarne4
04/12/2014 at 13:28 |
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Yeah, I'm a big fan of Vagina . Crap, Vag products also.
My first car was a 97 Jetta Gt. My current is an 08 A4 S-Line B7. It's a 2.0T and it really isn't that horrible. The main issues have been with it consuming ungodly amounts of oil. The 1.8T was a piece of shit. Hands down, so many issues, problems a little of everything.
It would be cheaper to buy a new base model Vw Golf in the end than trying to maintain a 1.8T. With the B5 you can't go wrong with the 2.8. Great engines those. The 3.2 on the B7 wasn't half bad either.
I'd say either a 2.0, 3.2 or 2.8 would be your best bet. Avoid the 1.8, salvage titles and 100K+ mileage examples that haven't been maintained properly. Those little gremlins will come back to bite you in the ass later on.
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Makoyouidiot
> cabarne4
04/12/2014 at 13:56 |
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Nope, name's Macon. Anyway, I owned a '91 164S, and the number one thing to look for is rust. Floorpans and engine/tranny mounts especially. Also the S (not sure about the L or LS) came with a sport suspension option that fails quite often, although the bright side is it locks into sport mode when it fails. The 164 in general was better than most old Alfas in terms of reliability, the 3.0 V6 having been a staple for many years, but when something does break finding parts will be a challenge, unless you get on the AlfaBB and get the hook up from one of the duders there. I'd literally murder someone to get my 164 back tho, I loved that car. Had to be forced to seperate from it. And now the mechanic that I sold it to lets his wife drive it around with pink zebra seatcovers. Goddamn blasphemy.
And on a more poetic tack...nothing really stirs the soul like an Alfa Romeo, it just is impossible to explain the feeling. When I had the car, my wife didn't know or care about cars, but even she knew there was something about it...it just makes you happy. It's so...perfect. Till it breaks. Then you fix it for another hit of perfection. And repeat.
catkam623 misses his 944
> cabarne4
04/12/2014 at 15:00 |
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Definitely get a miata or you could follow in my footsteps and get a 944 which is fun as hell.
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cabarne4
> Makoyouidiot
04/12/2014 at 15:03 |
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So, what you're saying is Alfa ownership is akin to hard drug abuse / addiction? Sounds wonderful!
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cabarne4
> catkam623 misses his 944
04/12/2014 at 15:05 |
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928 or 944 has crossed my mind before. I'm kind of burnt out on Miatas for now, if I'm honest. Yes, it checks all the boxes. Reliable, easy to work on / keep running, decently fuel efficient, a tad selfish (2 seater, limited trunk space), and a top that goes up AND down... but it's also very predictable.
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catkam623 misses his 944
> cabarne4
04/12/2014 at 15:12 |
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true it is a great albeit predictable car. if you have any questions about 944 ownership I'd be happy to answer them.
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Makoyouidiot
> cabarne4
04/12/2014 at 15:22 |
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Yes! Man it doesn't sound as good when you put it that way as it did in my head, but it is that way.
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yamahog
> cabarne4
04/12/2014 at 16:25 |
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I have almost exactly that combo... Except automatic :/ the only manual I saw in my search was a total rust bucket, and I'd just totaled my dd so I couldn't wait around for another 5spd to pop up.
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cabarne4
> yamahog
04/12/2014 at 16:31 |
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I'm almost willing to accept a 2WD if it means finding a manual... unfortunately all the XJ's here have either been ruined ("cut the fenders out to fit bigger tires, bro!") or they want too much for them ("Uncut, clean fenders! $10,000!")
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yamahog
> cabarne4
04/12/2014 at 17:11 |
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Hey bro, my 31s fit fine for highway driving! But it's also my mudder so I'm cutting and rolling the fenders because clearance, and it's warm enough to dd the motorcycle. The flares are already falling off anyway, so might as well!
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cabarne4
> yamahog
04/12/2014 at 23:30 |
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The problem is when people have at it with the hack saw in the garage, and don't re-weld... Then they go mudding, then you've got an XJ rusting from the inside-out. :(
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yamahog
> cabarne4
04/13/2014 at 08:27 |
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Ahhhhh! Leave the poor spot welds alone, people!