"Nedus" (nedus)
05/11/2014 at 18:35 • Filed to: None
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"Nedus" (nedus)
05/11/2014 at 18:35 • Filed to: None | 1
| 25 |
Daily driving a prehistoric V8 is not going to be a viable option soon, which may come as a surprise. I'd prefer some sort of 90s Honda or Toyota, something I can keep on the road myself, as I have some experience with a wrench. I can handle most things that don't involve pulling the engine. I'd like to stay under the $3000 mark. I'm not picky about looks really, just want something that runs reliably and returns decent MPG (GTFO with your Geo Metro suggestions though).
I don't know much about these kinds of cars, so I don't know what makes certain models attractive or which ones to stay away from. I just know that Japanese cars from that era seem to be pretty damned reliable. GIVE SUGGESTIONS. <3
sm70- why not Duesenberg?
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 18:38 |
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Honestly, most of the stuff that came out of Japan in the 90's was beyond-bulletproof reliable. In my opinion, it would be hard to go wrong in that category from a reliability standpoint.
Arben72
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 18:38 |
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I bought a 92x aero for 2,000. Look for one of those or a wrx, it'll probably need a few repairs here and there though. Also pulling the engine is extremely easy on them, so you could learn how to do that too.
PheeNoIVI
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 18:41 |
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Im a fan of the old Acura integras and Toyota celicas.
f86sabre
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 18:46 |
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We built our Lemons race car from a 1991 Escort. I now have huge respect for those second gen cars. Easy to work on, robust and plenty at the Pull A Part.
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Nedus
> PheeNoIVI
05/11/2014 at 18:47 |
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I like the idea of an Integra! I hadn't thought of that. Might be hard to find one that isn't covered in douche, but I'll keep that one in mind. Thanks!
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Nedus
> f86sabre
05/11/2014 at 18:49 |
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Those had a Mazda engine didn't they? I remember a friend had one ages ago and mentioned something about that. It's an interesting choice to be sure.
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PheeNoIVI
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 18:49 |
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Haha! Glad I could help.
Agrajag
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 18:51 |
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cough w123 cough
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f86sabre
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 18:52 |
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the GTs did. The 1.9 was a ford motor if I recall correctly. There are some mildly entertaining things you can do on a budget. We grabbed the rear suspension off a GT to get all wheel disks and the front uprights off the same car to be able to use larger Mazda rotors.
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Nedus
> f86sabre
05/11/2014 at 18:56 |
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Would a standard Escort be a solid, reliable driver? I'm not particularly interested in upgrading it; all my upgrade money is going to my Mustang. Just need something that doesn't eat head gaskets or any crazy nonsense like that. Strictly a cheap daily driver.
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Nedus
> Agrajag
05/11/2014 at 18:58 |
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I recall one of my old coworkers had a turbo diesel with 400k+ on the clock. I don't know if it was a W123 though; I can't look at a Merc and know what body it is like a BMW. German makes me wary though.
BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 19:00 |
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How great of mpg are you looking for? A 96-97 Mercury Grand Marquis can get you 27mpg highway while keeping the big V8, road comfort, and under $3k mark.
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 19:04 |
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Hmm...I'm going against the grain and am going to say Honda Civic.
Wait, hear me out.
It gets better mileage than a Ford 289 (Definately better than my Ford 351W), simple to work on, decent examples can be easily found.
But wait, a 1987 300D Turbo and W123 300Ds also fit the bill, why not one of those?
Simple. Do you want to get intimately familiar with a MityVac just to make your HVAC system work? My guess is no. Especially if you live in a place where you need A/C, in the Sun Belt.
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Nedus
> BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
05/11/2014 at 19:05 |
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27mpg is probably a threefold increase over what I get now, but I've got a big V8 already. Having two would be nice, but since I'm not particularly dying to have another, I can't justify it over a gas-sipping 4 banger.
I might end up driving 40+ miles one way for a work commute, so that would be costly. I would love to drive a sofa to work every day though, they're damned comfortable.
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Nedus
> KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
05/11/2014 at 19:08 |
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I'm in southern California, so it's still summer in December. A/C would be great, but not mandatory. I'm wary of anything German in this particular scenario; even if the engine itself is bulletproof, the smaller things that can wear out are expensive aren't they?
I have nothing against a Honda Civic, that would be a great choice. Any particular year(s) that you would recommend?
Also, tell me more of your 351. I'm having one built to replace the 289.
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KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 19:17 |
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I have one of the last 351s. A 1995 F-150, so it already went through a few changes, like sane fuel injection (TBI is for chumps, and so are variable venturi carbs). It's still got the truck heads on, so it makes torque; enough to have silliness in the wet. And it also tows my BMW to the track. I'm thinking as it goes off emissions in a few years (and gets an antique license plate), it will likely get some better heads.
I'm partial to the 5th Gen Civics, model years 1991-1995. A roommate had one (with a stick), and it was quite good for a runabout.
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Nedus
> KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
05/11/2014 at 19:25 |
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Ahh nice, I scored a 351W out of my friend's '70 Mach 1. I've had it decked and slightly bored to 357, putting forged pistons and rods in it, some aluminum AFR 185 heads, and a mild-medium hot cam in it. Bolting it up to a rebuilt C4 for now until I can get myself a decent 5-speed. This one is meant to be a comfortable cruiser that can humiliate someone at a light or stop sign.
A quick search of craigslist brings up quite a few Civics, although seeing "rebuilt engine" makes me nervous.
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f86sabre
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 19:28 |
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I would think so. Especially true if you are willing to put a little work into it. Change the belts, hoses and filters maybe preemptively do the head gasket and off you go.
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Nedus
> f86sabre
05/11/2014 at 19:30 |
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Great, that's something to consider. Thanks!
promoted by the color red
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 21:02 |
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You'll have better luck if you look for a LS or GS. They take regular, have a taller 5th gear for better highway driving, and more of them were sold to "regular" people.
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promoted by the color red
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 21:10 |
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I'm going to give a plus one to the Honda camp. The Civic and Accord are cheap and reasonably fun to drive without driving you broke.Best of all, Honda gave us the good stuff - read: DOHC VTEC engines - so you can swap engines to your heart's content without pissing off CARB. Lots of cheap go-fast bits.
There's probably a million or so floating around SoCal so don't hesitate to be choosy. They run interference engines so watch out for timing belt services and title history - just get a good alarm and kill switch.
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Nedus
> promoted by the color red
05/11/2014 at 21:17 |
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Great advice; are there set intervals for timing belt services? My old coworker had an NSX and mentioned that it should have been done around 100k. I realize that's a much different engine, but is that the sort of thing I should be looking at?
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promoted by the color red
> Nedus
05/11/2014 at 21:24 |
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Pretty much. The service manuals are floating around on the internet, but it's every few years or 80,000 miles.
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Nedus
> promoted by the color red
05/11/2014 at 22:17 |
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Thanks, I think my choices are down to Civic, Integra, Corolla, or Camry. I've got some research and searching to do!
handsoff
> Nedus
05/12/2014 at 00:48 |
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On the Escorts, I think you can use the early (1.9) GT head and exhaust manifold to make any other car have the power of the GT. I had an '89 EGT beater and it was fantastic. We gave my old beater Corolla to my inlaws last year, and I was in your shoes, not being able to afford the fuel in my big thirsty V8s. I scoured all the local craigslists and finally came home with a Saturn wagon for $1000. Heater, a/c, and cruise work, and it's been getting me a solid 33-35mpg after a tuneup. It's the DOHC (SC2/SL2/SW2), I'd be getting better mileage with the single cam but I like being able to pass on occasion. The interior is very cheap and plasticky, but hey its a great beater!