I kinda want to go back to DDing a classic car.

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
12/28/2016 at 10:09 • Filed to: None

It was so much fun. This would also involve a cheap Subaru for the winter, (2001ish h6 outback sedan) which I also have had great experiences with.

DISCUSSION (31)

WilliamsSW > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 10:17

Oppo has me dreaming about this regularly, too. Not realistic with a 4 month old though.

What did you DD before, and what’s your ideal (and realistic) DD now?

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 10:20

I would love to DD my FIAT 126 when I import one during the Spring and Summer months...problem is speed...100kph highways with inclines and a FIAT 126 don’t mix well!

Tripper > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 10:21

I kick the same idea around often. If I ever find a BMW 2002 or Alfa GTV that is close by and is within my budget, I just might do it.

Party-vi > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 10:25

DDing my CJ3A wasn’t as fun as I though it would be. Lots of little things that need fixed before I would consider it DD material.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Party-vi
12/28/2016 at 10:34

haha yeah I would go a little more “practical” than that (younger. with actual doors. doors are good). My old E24 was amazing, started every time and was in great condition. Shouldn’t have sold it...

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 10:34

I miss DDing classics.

Party-vi > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 10:35

Hey now, the CJ has doors - they’re just made out of cloth.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Tripper
12/28/2016 at 10:37

I’d recommend it as long as you’re okay with the complete lack of safety equipment lol. Other than that, the only downside is that it ruins driving normal cars to an extent. I miss every little errand being an adventure, newer cars just don’t give me that buzz

Noah - Now with more boost. > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
12/28/2016 at 10:38

Good luck with the import! And yeah at that point you’d have people passing you constantly. Around town though... I bet those are so good! X1/9s are on my list...

Noah - Now with more boost. > WilliamsSW
12/28/2016 at 10:46

I got veeeerrry lucky, my first car was a 1989 635csi, one of 200ish imported with a 5 speed for the 88/89 year (series III), which meant it had the more powerful M30B35 from the new 5er (E34). It had 165k when I stopped driving it (this time I’d buy something with well under 100k). I’d buy something from my bucket list: square headlight 5.0 GT fox body, C4 vette, another E24, XJ-S, XJ-6. Condition would be more important than the specific model. Nothing tiny like a 2002, for practicality/some measure of safety (not that classics are actually safe...)

Noah - Now with more boost. > Party-vi
12/28/2016 at 10:48

lol omg... I didn’t know they weren’t steel

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 10:52

Hey if you’re gonna die, die happy. Right?

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 10:59

All you have to do is wait 40-50 years and any current car you drive will become a classic!

WilliamsSW > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 11:01

Those all seem reasonable to me- although I think it would be very hard to find them under 100 miles (esp. the Fox).

There are a lot of cars I’d like to own, but would never daily (more mid-60s GM mid size, 2002, early 60s big Pontiac), but an E34 or E39 BMW threads the needle between classic and modern in my mind, at least.

E24 is a sweet ride - would be a great find to get another one of those,I’m sure!

Noah - Now with more boost. > random001
12/28/2016 at 11:03

My memories of that era (early college) seem like a dream now. I wish I realized how idyllic that period was at the time... tearing around the Connecticut river valley with my college buddies, windows down, blasting music, surrounded by rolling hills and small mountains, not a care in the world beyond homework and scraping together beer money for the weekend...

Noah - Now with more boost. > WilliamsSW
12/28/2016 at 11:08

I’m good at this ;) and keep in mind too that it’s the dead of winter here, craigslist explodes in the spring.

https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/5903752380.html

https://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5906144669.html

Yeah an E34 would feel vintage! And E39 definitely straddles the line but of course a mint 540i/6 would be dreamy.

Tripper > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 11:11

I agree about the buzz. Modern cars are fun in the “video game” sense, but there is something lost from “the drive” when the car is doing most of the work for you. I had a 1987 Ranger that was a total piece of shit, but I loved bouncing around in it. It is one of the few cars that I really miss.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Tripper
12/28/2016 at 11:15

For me at least (especially since I’m a history nerd) the time capsule element of the experience adds to the escapism of driving. Once you’re on an empty road, it’s 1979 again...

WilliamsSW > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 11:19

Oooh, that Mustang is perfect except for one major flaw...

No clue what these are worth but the price doesn’t seem out of line to me?

The E34 has always been my favorite 5 series. I grew up on 60's Detroit iron so I just love boxy, I guess.

EDIT: Buy the Jaaaaaaaag.

Nothing > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 11:35

I don’t have a commute, so I can’t really say I have a DD. That said, my vehicles split duties pretty evenly depending on season/task. For things the Cougar is not suitable for, I drive the Tacoma. Otherwise, I bought the Cougar to enjoy and to use as my adult Lego kit. When given the option, my soon to be 7 year old son always chooses the Cougar.

fintail > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 12:11

This was my everyday car through college and for a few months after:

Kinja'd!!!

I still have it and love driving it, but in the damp and traffic of where I live now, I am fine with it being a dry weekend car (pic is from Saturday before last when it was actually snowing a little). In this regi0n, I fear the daily grind and wet winters would just be too rough on any old car one wishes to preserve.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 12:16

Nice ‘58 Conti.

twochevrons > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 12:46

I’ve been thinking about this as well... My high school years and early twenties were spent daily-driving British classics of varying degrees of decrepitude. First, a thoroughly used-up ‘76 Triumph 2500, then a profoundly antisocial ‘84 Rover SD1 (with the V8!). It felt exactly as you described, with a fair bit of irresponsible driving thrown in as well.

Kinja'd!!!

As fate would have it, I now own the Triumph’s older sibling (a ‘68 2000 Estate), and last summer, it saw more mileage than my GTI. Sure, it stayed in the garage on rainy days, but aside from that, it was pretty much my daily. It just felt so right, and despite having less than half the GTI’s power (from the same sized engine!), and rather wallowy handling, did a much better job at putting a big dumb grin on my face. I can’t wait to get it out again come spring.

Just do it.

Scary__goongala! > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 14:38

I loved cruising around in my 83' W123 300D. I’m pretty sure I’ll be buying a pre 80' American full size car after I graduate college to complement my Miata.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Scary__goongala!
12/28/2016 at 14:47

I wish I had something like a miata to balance out my boat! that’s the dream right there haha

Noah - Now with more boost. > twochevrons
12/28/2016 at 15:06

Nice vehicle history you have there! I saw my first few SD1s at a british car show this summer, they’re great in person. Such an oddball four door GT car.

Noah - Now with more boost. > fintail
12/28/2016 at 15:07

that’s awesome!! a fintail college car, NBD. And yea same issue here, hence the need for a “beater” (realistically it would be in nice condition too, just not a classic)

Noah - Now with more boost. > Nothing
12/28/2016 at 15:11

yeah the no commute lifestyle would be ideal!

fintail > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 16:00

It’s a fun car and was an experience having on the road regularly, but I like having a reliable DD I don’t have to worry about, and keeping a project car for recreational use. Maybe if I lived in a dry warmer climate.

Rykilla303 > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 16:04

I usually don’t, but i lent my car out. I’ve been DDing my 78 chevy truck and loving it.

twochevrons > Noah - Now with more boost.
12/28/2016 at 16:24

The SD1 was a blast; sure the build quality was questionable at best, and it wasn’t particularly powerful or fast, but it had a hilarious muscle-car feel to it. Mine had a sports exhaust and an ‘80s-tastic body kit, and practically begged to be driven irresponsibly. I miss it immensely.