Give me some advice oppo

"Matthew Phillips" (flatsidewaysfl) 09/06/2014 at 12:54 • Filed to: advice, purchase, money

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I'm not dumb, I think. Recently I've been mulling over the fact that starting late october I would be putting money aside for a $1400 engine when I could put that money aside for a another car. I've had Baja fever for awhile and that recent post about these didn't help.

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I don't feel like practically rebuilding another car if I can't help it. I almost bought an 83 RX7 and a Mazda B4000 earlier this year, but old Apex seals and a slow seller thwarted my plans and I ended up fixing the Taurus with the money I've saved.

My wish list includes

Mazda B4000 (I know it's a ranger but I like the lines on this better)

Baja Beetle

Fox Body hatchstang

Classic beetle (possibly upgrade the engine)

Volvo 240

at this rate I should have $1300 by march and $2800 by May.......

What should I do oppo. I'm open to $2k suggestions that are RWD.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Matthew Phillips 09/06/2014 at 13:03

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Get a new car. Its easier than dealing with replacing an engine or something. IMO

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Matthew Phillips 09/06/2014 at 13:11

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Well, it sounds like you really want the Baja. I say go for it if the car is practical enough to be your DD and you don't mind the occasional roadside fix, but my udersanding is that old bugs are usually pretty easy to fix if you know what you are doing. (I don't, that's why I don't have one)

Matthew Phillips > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 09/06/2014 at 13:23

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Which is why I want one, I don't mind occasional pull over and patch it up. Plus they're rugged, awesome as hell and perfect for what I need for right now.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Matthew Phillips 09/06/2014 at 14:20

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Get the beetle. Late model beetles are starting to rise in price. In my opinion, parts for these old cars are not bad in pricing and are dead simple to repair.

evil2win > Matthew Phillips 09/06/2014 at 14:45

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if you want the baja get it. One question if this is going to be your DD is do you live someplace where it gets really cold? Back in the 70s I owned several bugs and a microbus in the Colorado Rockies. In the winters I had to keep an ice scraper handy to scrape the ice off the inside of the windshield as I drove. Comfort wasn't a big wintertime selling feature of these cars. On the other hand I could have the engine out in a half hour, and I didn't need any help to carry it to a work bench to wrench on.

Matthew Phillips > evil2win 09/06/2014 at 14:46

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I live in Northern VA

evil2win > Matthew Phillips 09/06/2014 at 14:55

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My current DD is a 73 Fiat 124spider. Probably the least expensive Italian sports car in the market. Twin cam engine, four wheel disc brakes, 5 speed manual, and they can easily be found for $2000. I paid $2000 for mine. It needed suspension bushings replaced and the throttle linkage reworked, but after about another $1200 in repairs it's been a reliable fun little ride for the past three years.

HooninMyVolvo > Matthew Phillips 09/06/2014 at 15:52

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I bought a 1984 242 last year for $400, and spent about 2k swapping the wiring harness, replacing most of the fuel system, and other stage zero goodness. It's definitely worth the time cause they're a joy to drive and turbo swap parts are cheap ;-D