"rockingthe2" (unpredictable-swerve)
12/13/2015 at 18:15 • Filed to: None
2
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"rockingthe2" (unpredictable-swerve)
12/13/2015 at 18:15 • Filed to: None | 2
| 21 |
Backstory: I’m moving back to VA, can only bring my MR2 with me, not selling it and looking for a daily. My wifes car will be taken care of first, she knows what she wants. Me on the other hand, I’ve too many ideas... So first, some offerings:
So I’m on a hot rod kick, sue me.
My requirements are automatic, awd/rwd. different/quirky without being a pain in the dick to find parts or work on, somewhat practical. Anything but the automatic can be dropped if it’s awesome enough. Budget is $6k, with a little stretch. My thoughts?
#1, Honda Element, I (probably) won’t have a desire to mod it, has lots of room, looks like a toaster, perfect thing to sit in traffic and not give a crap about anything. I could shove a motorcycle in it if I need to (And I’ll probably be buying a motorcycle in the next 2 years), gets ok gas mileage, probably isn’t terrible.
#2, Volvo turbo wagon, probably not an R design one, but something with an I5 turbo AWD would be neat I think, I would probably eventually mod it a bit, but if I could find something in my price range, why not, family sleeper wagon.
#3, Subaru Forester XT, my buddy has one, has a few quirks, but not too bad, I would end up modding it for sure, but it would take a lot as I still have a lot of mods I’m doing on the MR2. Decent, under the radar, can find in my price range, room for the kid, dogs, mountain bikes, etc...
#4, basically a lower Forester, same reasons apply, same thing about modding it, but they are pretty nice from what I hear,
#5 rare as hens teeth, but keeping it in the toyota family. Would be modded for sure, not as much room, parts are expensive due to rarity, basically would be an exception rather than the rule, but it’s cool!
Everything is either turbo, or could easily be turbocharged, everything has at least 4 doors, but obviously it depends on what is available at the time. I want a wagon, or wagonish vehicle, something I can strap bikes to the roof of or shove inside of. Something the kids carseat can fit in, the dogs can fit in, wouldn’t mind some style, a bit understated or not. I can’t get anything that’s a project or completely unreliable, and it has to take well to snow, cold weather, and heavy traffic. What do you think Oppo? Decent starting point? Anything I’m missing? On top of all of that, I might be buying my dad’s 300k mile 93 4Runner (My 6th one at this point, all the same body style) for cheap to do a 3.4l swap and chop the back end, decent little trail rig/welding project. Ugh... too many ideas.... Halp.
BringBackTheCommodore
> rockingthe2
12/13/2015 at 18:21 |
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Are you looking to buy the vehicle when you’re back in VA? If so, I can dig through the cl and autotrader listings in the area you’ll be at. If you’re moving near/moving to Hampton Roads, I can keep an eye out for vehicles in this area as well.
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BringBackTheCommodore
> BringBackTheCommodore
12/13/2015 at 18:24 |
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Also, would this interest you?
It’s here in Hampton Roads, MINIMAL RUST, going for $6k or best reasonable offer. I’ve got the guy’s number of you’re interested...
bob and john
> rockingthe2
12/13/2015 at 18:30 |
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1: maybe.
2: HAHAHA. for 5k, it will require a lot of work. ESP if you want a AWD
although, if your thinking swedish, why not a saab 95? later ones had a bunch of GM parts sharing, and if you know where to look, they really arent bad to find peices for
EDIT: just noticed AWD OR RWD. NVM on the saab
3+4: forester and outback are hard to find in good shape for that budget. Do-able...but ehh
5: why would parts be pricey? the only thing thats ‘rare’ about it is that its a wagon body. running gear is the same IS300.
dodge magnum? a older BMW wagon? A4 wagon? I think merc made the C-class in a wagon format a few years ago, might be able to find that
Frenchlicker
> rockingthe2
12/13/2015 at 18:38 |
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Myself Iwould go with a Subaru something. With that budget you could possibly get something good but you would have to be careful. Near me there was a sweet XT for$6500, but that's in Indiana.
John_Harbinson
> rockingthe2
12/13/2015 at 18:44 |
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http://oppositelock.kinja.com/npocp-17466213…
OR...
Combine the FOXT with the LGT and buy an Outback Xt, 2005. Closest to the STI those motors ever were, I believe, and a full STI swap is pretty feasible. 300hp+almost a foot of ground clearance=SWEET. Friend of mine had one with big injectors, the turbo turned up to eleven, and a 5 speed manual. It was a hoot to drive literally anywhere, and until I got some meaty tires on the Exploder (r.i.p.) he would run circles around my lumbering mall-crawler off road.
The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
> rockingthe2
12/13/2015 at 18:55 |
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If a XT, go for a Outback. It is better geared for the highway and gets better fuel consumption then the Forester.
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rockingthe2
> BringBackTheCommodore
12/13/2015 at 19:03 |
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Moving to Hampton roads, will.be a few months before I can really start the search, as getting settled and getting the wife a car come.first, looking at ideas. Also looking for newer, commuter as I have my project.
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rockingthe2
> BringBackTheCommodore
12/13/2015 at 19:03 |
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No, sweet, but no
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rockingthe2
> bob and john
12/13/2015 at 19:05 |
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I was thinking a saabaru and there is one for sale forna decent price. But I just won’t touch the element and that’s kind of the idea of a shitty commuter I don’t care about right?
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rockingthe2
> The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
12/13/2015 at 19:06 |
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Not really an outback fan, would do a legacy, just not a fan of the taller suspension on those...
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rockingthe2
> bob and john
12/13/2015 at 19:09 |
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I wouldn’t do a BMW, Audi, or Mercedes, trying to stick to what I know, but volvos on cl there are cheap for no reason, if I give up AWD I can get a 2001 Volvo turbo sedan for like 2k. Stupid cheap, I could live with that. My inner child is fighting practicality on this one...
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The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
> rockingthe2
12/13/2015 at 20:28 |
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Where I live the ground clearance is needed. A low car would drag too much snow.
thedevilinside
> rockingthe2
12/13/2015 at 20:52 |
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Vehicross. Yea a pain to get parts but fits perfectly.
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BringBackTheCommodore
> rockingthe2
12/14/2015 at 10:09 |
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Gotcha. Whenever you find yourself out this way, look for Cars and Coffee Virginia Beach, there’s some nice vehicles that show up there.
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BringBackTheCommodore
> rockingthe2
12/14/2015 at 10:25 |
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Here’s something for ya:
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/5349550991…
On the more interesting end of the project spectrum, but completely opposite of what you’re looking for in a project:
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/5358897118…
And back to the AWD/Toyota family:
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/5347627057…
Bland as can be, but it is auto/AWD:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…
A couple of wagons for you:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…
And here’s one I would seriously consider. When bike time comes, it’s capable of pulling a trailer no sweat, and I should have a buddy of mine attest to the durability of the engine:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…
It sounds absolutely crazy, but he drove his Jeep with the 4.0L from NYC to Groton, CT, on 5 cylinders since one of the cylinders blew a hole through the side of it (no idea how it happened, but the hole was hiding behind the airbox, and we very quickly figured out why it was running so rough).
And, as always, be cautious of the dealerships you may or may not deal with in Hampton Roads. Some of them have been run into the ground by the VA Dealer Board because of shady business practices (since we know that dealerships near any military base are so honest ...grumble grumble grumble).
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rockingthe2
> BringBackTheCommodore
12/15/2015 at 10:17 |
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I’ll have to see, normally my weekends are wrenching, racing, or camping haha.
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rockingthe2
> BringBackTheCommodore
12/15/2015 at 10:21 |
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I’m kinda looking for a bit of fuel efficiency, hence with the practicality I arrived at element. If I get a diesel truck, it will be newer quad cab, none of the auto trader ads showed up, but I’m probably getting a 4runner down the line for a crawler, not a big jeep fan. I drove a 91 4runner on 4 out of 6 cylinders for a few months before I got a steady job.
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BringBackTheCommodore
> rockingthe2
12/15/2015 at 13:06 |
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Part of my suggestion was tongue-in-cheek, but I can see what you’re looking for. If I find anything of interest I’ll pass along the info here.
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rockingthe2
> BringBackTheCommodore
12/15/2015 at 15:28 |
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Yeah man, I keep a pretty good eye on craigslist. If you ever see my MR2 (black 93 on NSX rims) make sure to say hi!
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BringBackTheCommodore
> rockingthe2
12/15/2015 at 15:33 |
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Will do! I’d extend the same offer, but there are quite a few maroon (Ford calls it Toreador Red) F-350 duallies in the area, although mine happens to be the only FX4 with the FX4 decals removed.
I’d still recommend Cars and Coffee, it runs 7-9 in the morning every first Saturday.
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rockingthe2
> BringBackTheCommodore
12/15/2015 at 15:46 |
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Between the move (my 4th one is 2 years... twice across the Atlantic), starting a new job, first time homeowner, actually buying and renovating the freakin house, moving in, and getting settled back in the states, I’ve got my hands full, so no promises. But I’ll do what I can!