"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
12/24/2015 at 11:30 • Filed to: fairlane
2
8|
"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
12/24/2015 at 11:30 • Filed to: fairlane | 2
| 8 |
Much as I’ve enjoyed my Fairlane, the previous owner would really like it back, and because I understand attachment to cars, I’m going to let him have it for what I have in it. I’ve enjoyed my time with it, and it’s fostered my growing !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! of old American iron. All you can really ask of an old car is that it brings you a smile and that you break even on it, so I’m happy to have had the experience.
However... that brings up the fun question of what I should daily next. I’d also like to sell my old beater Outback once I get the heads back on it. I’ll likely drive that for a bit, but it’s sort of unnecessary now that I’ve got a truck for trailwork and family camping. So I’d like something interesting and reasonably reliable and economical to run for perhaps $4000, and I have time to think about it.
So far my fanciful searches have included Volvo 122s, Baja Bugs, BMW 320i’s, Bavarias, 944s, Mk1 GTIs, Dodge GLHs, Scion XBs, Saab 900s (real ones, not GM Saab 900s), ‘68 Fairlane 500 fastbacks, 190Es, Fox-body Mustangs, Peugeots, VW Squarebacks, E36s, E28s, E24s, Alfa Romeo Milanos (75s), Audi 4000/5000/100/200 Quattros, VW Quantum Syncros, Vanagons, and others. What am I missing? Give me some ideas, what does the estimable and knowledgeable Oppo commentariat think I should look at?
Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled chassis yearning to run free, The wretched shitboxes of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, Craigslist-tossed to me, I lift my wrench beside the golden beer!
Pixel
> RallyWrench
12/24/2015 at 11:46 |
|
I vote you at least test drive an xB. They are surprisingly tight handlers and with the 5-speed have a lot of enthusiasm(if not much actual power). But then, I have a known bias.
Spridget
> RallyWrench
12/24/2015 at 11:50 |
|
Yo, I’ve got this:
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/5361122965…
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/534194…
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/532772…
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/536033…
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/536905…
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5296123232…
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/536905…
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/535602…
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5334745373…
|
RallyWrench
> Pixel
12/24/2015 at 12:13 |
|
I have driven and really enjoy them, that’s why they’re on the list!
egomaster
> RallyWrench
12/24/2015 at 12:20 |
|
I second the Xb. I had one for 11 years original owner. Great handling and the only compact car I did not need to use chains for 3-5 feet of snow and ice.
|
RallyWrench
> Spridget
12/24/2015 at 12:32 |
|
Nice work!
Too bad the 2002 is a ‘76, that’s a pain to smog. And why does the Milano have to be an automatic?!? Whyyyy!!!?? Dig that 320, and DAT SPG!!! That one’s worth a look, that’s exactly the 900 I want. I saw that Sonett yesterday actually, it looks great but seems suspiciously cheap. They’re fun, I’ve worked on one. That red 900 sedan looks identical to our old shop car, the car that made me love 900s! The 505 wagons are super tempting too, although “Fuel Ejection” on the gray one is a bit concerning ;). Thanks for the leads!
|
Spridget
> RallyWrench
12/24/2015 at 19:18 |
|
$3000 actually isn’t that low for a Sonett III. That one definitely needs a few things, like seats and the grill, and the original bumpers have been replaced with custom ones. Cosmetically it isn’t perfect, and I suspect it was a survivor car that was left in a garage, then brought out and made to run. If the car has no rust, particularly in the floor pans, and it runs well and it all there mechanically, then that is a good price.
I suspect both 505s are “fuel ejected”, which means that they are probably less reliable than the earlier pugs with carbs. 505s aren’t known for their reliability; enginewise, they are usually fine, but important things, like AC, auto transmission, and power steering often break, resulting in expensive repairs. Many people have had good experiences with them, but I’d be cautious, especially at that price.
|
Spridget
> RallyWrench
12/24/2015 at 19:25 |
|
A few more:
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5341683550…
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5374035784…
http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/5356981745…
CaptDale - is secretly British
> RallyWrench
12/28/2015 at 17:07 |
|
I will make you a deal on a 928....