I Have 1500 Dollars

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
05/30/2016 at 17:02 • Filed to: Project1500

And I want to buy something. So I surfed my local Craigslists and came up with eleven good or less-good choices, then decided to run them by my esteemed colleagues here at Oppo.

There is, it should be said, a bit of everything. All cars are priced at $2000 and under, and all kinda suck in their own way. Here we go!

1988 Pontiac Fiero Formula. 2.8 V6, 5 speed, hard top...t-tops would be better, but I’m just glad it’s not a sunroof car. 127k miles, needs a battery and a tire. $1600.

1968 Mustang. 6 cylinder, 3 speed stick. Runs and drives, interior is actually pretty good looking, new floors and seat risers. Needs brakes, no title, $1900.

1969 Torino. No engine or trans, but a factory Cobra Jet/4 speed/Drag Pak car. No idea what the status of the interior, frame, or floors is. Clean title, looks reasonably solid, $2000.

This is a neat one, a 1971 Vega modified. No engine or trans, looks like it’s setup for a SBC and has a nice set of long tube headers inside it. It also doesn’t look like the car is an offset chassis, so I might be able to make it turn right as well as left. $2000 obo.

1971 Ranchero. 302 with a 3 speed stick, presumably on the column. Has paperwork I can use to register it, interior/underneath condition unknown since that’s the only picture. $1500 obo.

1973 GTO. The guy says it’s a parts car, but it doesn’t look too bad so I’m thinking that might mean a lack of paperwork. Likely a 400/automatic, but kinda neat. $1500.

1969 Impala. 327, disc brakes, doesn’t run and the owner won’t try to start it. Needs floors and a gas tank, no paperwork, $2000 obo.

1968 Infernational Scout. 4 cylinder, 4x4, stick...so many levers inside! Owner says it needs body work, which implies the frame is okay, but that remains to be seen. Runs and drives, my dad used to drive one for work when he was a kid, removable hard top, $1000.

1965 Triumph Spitfire, and BY FAR the worst idea here. 302, 4 speed stick, narrowed rear end, and look at them meats on the back! This may have been featured once by graverobber on NP or CP, it looks familiar to me. $1500.

1964 Sunbeam Alpine. One owner since 1978, solid overall, stored indoors. Engine was rebuilt recently in terms of miles, but quite a few years back. All there, would be a nice candidate for a Tiger clone with a 260/289 or maybe a 2.3 turbo for something unique. $1500.

Last but not quite least, a 1986 944. Stick, 230k miles, sounds like it needs a headgasket. Nice shape overall, dash doesn’t look cracked, seats are serviceable. $1000.

If I had to pick a top 5, I’d get it down to the ‘68 Scout, the Torino, the Sunbeam, the Mustang and the Vega. I REALLY like the Vega.

So what here seems like an awful idea (the Spitfire), a good idea (the Mustang), or an awesome idea (the Vega)?

DISCUSSION (55)

Steve in Manhattan > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:05

A question: what do you drive now? Would it be better to put the bucks into that?

Frenchlicker > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:06

I'll vote for the Scout and Sunbeam. The scout makes the most sense whilst I've wanted to make a tiger clone since I first learned about them.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:07

Scout or the Sunbeam

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Steve in Manhattan
05/30/2016 at 17:07

Fun. Police.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Steve in Manhattan
05/30/2016 at 17:08

2001 F250. That’s also an option, my truck needs cab corners so I was going to go by the local body shop this week to see how much it would cost to get those repaired.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Frenchlicker
05/30/2016 at 17:10

The Sunbeam looks excellent for the price, really solid. I'd love to just do a 5.0/T5 in it...perfect amount of power for that car. Drop it over some Minilites, add a roll bar, and you're done.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:11

I vote Sunbeam, Porsche or Ranchero! :)

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
05/30/2016 at 17:11

They both look good for the price. Even the Scout, with its pop riveted fender repair, doesn't look too rotted.

Steve in Manhattan > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:12

That might be the better option, although the Sunbeam is tempting. I’m not trying to be a buzzkill, but $1500 cars are a potential money pit.

C62030 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:13

Buy none of them and get a Miata

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:13

You should get the spitty.

But you also should not follow my advice.

Spridget > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:13

Awful: Spitfire (gonna need a link for that)

Bad: Scout

Good: Sunbeam

Awesome: Sptifire

If I had to pick 5, I’d get the Spit, Sunbeam, GTO, Scout, and Mustang. The best idea for a car you actually should buy is the ‘Stang, but if you bought the Spitfire you’d be an Oppo legend.

Steve in Manhattan > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
05/30/2016 at 17:13

As if I haven’t tried to be the voice of reason before here? Just a middle-aged guy who has done more than his share of dumb things.

TheJWT > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:15

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/5597923883…

If you’re interested, the Oppo discount is in full effect...

Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:15

Scout all the way. Full paint restoration, beefier tires, light bar...

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Steve in Manhattan
05/30/2016 at 17:16

I like money pits, hahaha. Repairing the truck is actually the thing I’d do to make money here...my truck is really nice with a low mileage 7.3, and if I fixed the rot I could turn it around for a good profit. It's good advice, don't worry about being a buzzkill.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Spridget
05/30/2016 at 17:18

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/5576314030…

If it was $1000 obo instead of $1500 firm, I'd seriously consider it.

Frenchlicker > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:21

That was my original thought. However I really really really want to do an ecoboost swap into something when I can afford it.

Spridget > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:21

Going straight into the “first car options” folder. Keep in mind that I’d be a teenage driver in that thing.

Flies With Thunderbirds > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:35

Buy the Ranchero

Your boy, BJR > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:37

Impala

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 17:45

Get the pirache

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Spridget
05/30/2016 at 17:48

It’ll be like the cantina scene in Star Wars

Spridget: I’ll be careful.

Thunderbolt: You’ll be dead!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Flies With Thunderbirds
05/30/2016 at 17:48

I emailed about the Ranchero, he's supposed to text me pictures.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Your boy, BJR
05/30/2016 at 17:49

I should find a ‘67 four door, get the Supernatural fan girls all hot and bothered.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Frenchlicker
05/30/2016 at 18:01

Oh my god, Sunbeam Alpine with the Ecoboost 3 cylinder. That would be AWESOME, and it would be super light.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S.
05/30/2016 at 18:05

Lots of votes for the Scout, I'm a little surprised.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
05/30/2016 at 18:06

I dig basically everything on the list but the Impala, not sure why I included it.

The cars are too damn large > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 18:11

Porsche or the triumph.

sdwarf36 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 18:14

That Sunbeam seems almost too cheap. But boy that Vega would be a fun hillclimb/trackday car.

Frenchlicker > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 18:32

That would be perfection in my opinion.

Honeybunchesofgoats > Spridget
05/30/2016 at 18:40

You’d be a teenage owner , but teenage driver might be a tad optimistic.

Spridget > Honeybunchesofgoats
05/30/2016 at 19:08

No, I’d be a teenage driver. For about 3 seconds after 4 years of work.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe
05/30/2016 at 19:37

I love the look of the back of the spitfire, with those giant tires. Just such a terrible idea, I seem to recall it being the subject of a massive Crack Pipe loss.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > TheJWT
05/30/2016 at 19:37

If it was closer I'd definitely check it out, I love those.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > sdwarf36
05/30/2016 at 19:38

I'm shocked the Vega isn't getting more support. It's perfectly Oppo. The Sunbeam is the overwhelming favorite here, which isn't totally shocking.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > C62030
05/30/2016 at 19:39

Nah, never been a Miata guy.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > The cars are too damn large
05/30/2016 at 19:39

The Porsche is closest and cheapest, I might go see it Wednesday.

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 20:05

Go for the Fiero! I have had mine for less than a year, but I really enjoy it. It’s honestly better than “they” tell you it is. Parts are insanely available for it, too. How many other mid-engined cars have you owned? Plus, it’s a Formula!

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 20:16

The Sunbeam, but don’t make it into a Tiger clone, that’s boring. If it’s rust free it’s a good deal.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > jdrgoat - Ponticrack?
05/30/2016 at 20:30

I like the Fiero a lot. My uncle was big into them for a while before he got into F-bodies, had three or four. I’ve only ever driven one, a black ‘88 GT with an automatic that I remember enjoying a lot.

An ‘88 Formula seems to be the one to get, best suspension and lighter than the GT. Plus it's one of the few on this list that I could drive home.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 20:37

I live off of terrible ideas

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 21:11

I say Alpine, Fiero, or Porsche.

Alpine I’d fix up but keep stock. Too many people have made Tiger clones, not very original. Most original I’ve seen was one with a Datsun pickup engine.

Fiero is good, parts are plentiful, but it’s 1980's GM and could catch fire. But a pretty good price for the amount of work it needs.

Porsche, NP! If you can do the work yourself, that is. But $1k is a steal.

Flies With Thunderbirds > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 21:18

Rancheros are great. What would make them even better would be a powerstroke

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Flies With Thunderbirds
05/30/2016 at 21:33

There also a guy selling a 5 cylinder Powerstroke out of a Transit on CL, that would be a fun match.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
05/30/2016 at 21:38

The Alpine and the Scout are getting the most love here. I think the perfect engine for that Alpine is an Ecoboost 3 cylinder. Plenty of power, good mileage, light enough that it won’t turn it into a plow.

Right now the Fiero has taken the lead for me, mostly because it’s a Formula, which is my favorite Fiero. Looks like it needs a little paint and upholstery, but it’s one of the few cars on this list that I could drive home. I'd take it home for $1200.

The Porsche is interesting. I almost bought a black ‘87 once, looked at it back to back with an ‘85...the steering wheel in the ‘85 hit my knees, but the new style interior fits me like a glove. It's nearby, I might try to see it this week...I bet it can be had for $800.

TheJWT > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 21:39

Where are you at? I’m sure we can work something out if you’re interested.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > TheJWT
05/30/2016 at 21:41

Rhode Island, a little bit of a haul, haha

TheJWT > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 21:43

Ah yeah... I’d still meet halfway, but probably a bit too far.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > TheJWT
05/30/2016 at 21:45

A little bit out there. Furthest I’ve gone to pick up a car was Pennsylvania for an ‘88 IROC back when I was 17.

TheJWT > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 22:07

Funnily enough I’m looking for a cheap Trans Am GTA, and there’s a nice one near St. Louis...

David Baker > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 22:53

How about the turbo 5 diesel you mentioned in the Sunbeam. Talk about different!

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/30/2016 at 23:06

On the Alpine, I’d do a simpler, more period engine so you don’t have to worry about electronic sh*t.

Scout I’d avoid. Yes it runs and drives but probably does neither well. And the body is insanely rough.

If you could get the Porsche for $800, you can’t beat it.

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/31/2016 at 00:15

In my mind, being able to drive it home is a big plus. I don’t have a Formula (or even an 88) myself, but I know all the reasons they’re improved. I think Formulas hold a special regard in most Fiero groups/owner’s minds.

Aside from the shared parts with many other GM vehicles, there’s The Fiero Store, The Fiero Factory, Rodney Dickman, in addition to Rock Auto and Amazon. Plus a long history of support from communities now on the internet.

Flies With Thunderbirds > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
05/31/2016 at 01:03

It would indeed.