Suggest fun cars for under $5,000.

"WRXasaurus" (wrxasaurus)
04/19/2017 at 09:30 • Filed to: None

I’ve been looking at an assortment of cars that would be fun to own for under $5000, but now I want some suggestions from you all. My only requirements are:

1. Must be fun.

2. Must be simple to work on.

3. No AWD, preferably RWD but will accept FWD.

4. No convertibles since my summers are so short in upper MN.

5. I don’t care on engine configuration, rotary, I4, I5, I6, V6, V8... I don’t care.

And if you can find something on the local MN Craigslist that is a bonus.

Thanks everyone.

DISCUSSION (77)

TheHondaBro > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:34

Honda CRX?

Patrick Nichols > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:37

A jet ski and a snowmobile, both of which should be plentiful in the land of 10,000 lakes and 7 months of winter.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:38

V8 land barge (any). You can get ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s land barges in that range, all with different things to recommend them.

nerd_racing > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:38

Miata, obviously. Also see FB RX7.

bob and john > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:38

2 2,500 motorcycles

diplodicus > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:39

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/cto/6092714336.html

WRXasaurus > Patrick Nichols
04/19/2017 at 09:42

I already have a sled, and access to a jetski.

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:42

Take #4 off your requirements. Get miata with a removable hard top.

I have one in ON. No regrets despite long winters.

WRXasaurus > nerd_racing
04/19/2017 at 09:43

No convertibles = no miata. Rx7 is a good choice though.

WRXasaurus > bob and john
04/19/2017 at 09:43

Wife and kids say no.

WRXasaurus > TheHondaBro
04/19/2017 at 09:44

Problem is that they are all rusted out. Good idea though.

WilliamsSW > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:44

I kinda like the Bimmer personally, and the Dodge is just plain goofy, depending on your idea of fun to drive.

https://madison.craigslist.org/cto/6090901446.html

https://madison.craigslist.org/ctd/6087324811.html

https://madison.craigslist.org/cto/6081482713.html

https://madison.craigslist.org/cto/6076585068.html

https://madison.craigslist.org/cto/6088415784.html

WRXasaurus > diplodicus
04/19/2017 at 09:44

Oh, I like that.

bob and john > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:45

Kinja'd!!!

fine. its got 4 wheels.....

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:45

E36

WRXasaurus > bob and john
04/19/2017 at 09:46

You are unrelenting.

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:46

Woo! MN!

nerd_racing > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:47

Hardtop?

WRXasaurus > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series
04/19/2017 at 09:47

Yeah, I’m up in the Mesabi iron range.

WilliamsSW > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/19/2017 at 09:48

Here’s a fun one that’s in WI—

https://madison.craigslist.org/cto/6076585068.html

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:49

and you DON’T want AWD???

interstate366, now In The Industry > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:49

Kinja'd!!!

WRXasaurus > nerd_racing
04/19/2017 at 09:49

Maybe. I do like the look. I would prefer something larger though.

WRXasaurus > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series
04/19/2017 at 09:50

I already have a WRX.

bob and john > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:53

....yea. Arent I great?

pip bip - choose Corrour > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:53

Geo Metro?

Patrick Nichols > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:54

Then an adventure bike and RWD beater for ice racing.

Stapleface > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:55

Depends on what your idea of fun is. But I’ve got a couple I pulled from Minneapolis’s CL (assuming you’re relatively close to there)

2001 Camaro

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/6085365557.html

1989 Camaro

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/6090665447.html

1995 Trans Am

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/cto/6073617434.html

2002 Mustang

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/cto/6073617434.html

I know you said no AWD. But it’s a Wrangler. They could be loads of fun.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/cto/6053028914.html

1975 CJ5

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/6092825949.html

Not even going to tell you what this one is.. You have to click it. lol

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/cto/6068188334.html

1986 300 ZX

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/cto/6094012167.html

Shift24 > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 09:58

Boosted Prelude?

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/6084976973.html

or Stockish

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/6081476890.html

3rd gen Camaro RS V8

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/6090665447.html

Apex seals bro RX8

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/6068657614.html

WRXasaurus > bob and john
04/19/2017 at 10:01

Yeah, I actually enjoy your insanity. I can’t deny the fact that a motorcycle would be the way to go. I just can’t take on the risk. Too many stories up here of a rider hitting a deer.

Sweet Trav > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 10:03

Fox body Mustang.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/6089013677.html

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/6084694940.html

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/6075805339.html

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/cto/6071369722.html

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/6093051526.html

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 10:04

Focus svt! I regret selling mine. You can get a low mileage stock one for 5k. One of the most fun cars I’ve had to pleasure to drive

WRXasaurus > WilliamsSW
04/19/2017 at 10:04

That’s just ugly.

WilliamsSW > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 10:07

It’s a love or hate thing. No in between. I love cars from this era, but that one isn’t one of my favorites by any means. But it’s rare to see any station wagon from the 60s, let alone one with a stick shift 383.

EL_ULY > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 10:07

Clean a/f Z/28

Kinja'd!!!

Working better than most cars! Galaxy 500

Kinja'd!!!

Jalop special and car show hit! Yugo

Kinja'd!!!

Baller!!!! S430 in excellent condition

Kinja'd!!!

V8... 4X4...Single cab = Fun times! Ram

Kinja'd!!!

Hammerdown > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 10:10

A cheap V8 Mustang would probably be the easiest thing. And you wouldn’t feel bad throwing it away in a few years.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 10:10

92 MR2 NA

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/6092547075.html

THREE Saab Sonetts

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/6094281338.html

Brown on brown on brown V6 Fiero

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/cto/6082788396.html

Zoidberg-mobile

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/cto/6064124726.html

Mazdaspeed Protege

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/6092681437.html

Focus SVT

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/6090853252.html

nerd_racing > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 10:14

I’ll sell you my FB RX7 pretty cheap. It has some miles on it, but it runs well and the car came from Georgia so no rot. Fresh carb rebuild and converted to HEI igniters and Dual direct fire Blaster 2 high vibration coils for the leading ignition. The thing gets high 20's mpg.

clangus > Jarrett - [BRZ Boi]
04/19/2017 at 10:24

I concur, I have an NA and live in Scoland. I have had the hard top off twice in two years. One of those occasions was so that I could sit in it in the middle of the night and watch a meteor shower!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 10:24

Mk2/3 supra. Comfortable-ish to drive, and easy to keep running in non-turbo guise. Great examples are abound in the 3-6 grand range for a non turbo example. Here’s an absolute cherry of a Mk3 with stick shift for 6500 OBO - https://duluth.craigslist.org/cto/6054624744.html

Slightly rougher ones will be a grand or mor less. Still in great shape, just not as perfect as that one.

WRXasaurus > WilliamsSW
04/19/2017 at 10:32

I’d take an Edsel instead, they are great.

WiscoProud > WilliamsSW
04/19/2017 at 10:33

I’m genuinely impressed that hasn’t been snatched up for a demo derby

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 10:34

Define “simple to work on” for you...

WilliamsSW > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 10:35

But it’s a brown, manual, RWD wagon! For under $5k! Very oppo! !!

Although that price seems high.

WRXasaurus > EL_ULY
04/19/2017 at 10:36

I can’t believe there is a Yugo on craigslist up here

WilliamsSW > WiscoProud
04/19/2017 at 10:37

Price may be too high? It’s fairly straight for what it is.

1 Wisconsin winter should be enough to make it a derby candidate

WRXasaurus > Trevor Slattery, ACTOR
04/19/2017 at 10:41

As long as it doesn’t take any special expensive tools I should be able to accomplish it. My project this summer is the clutch on my WRX. I’ve already done the timing belt.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 10:41

Miata. Get a hardtop since you hate wind blowing through your hair. Here in MI we get plenty of vert weather

WRXasaurus > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
04/19/2017 at 10:42

I like that. I’ve been watching that one to see how long it stays up.

WRXasaurus > nerd_racing
04/19/2017 at 10:44

That would be fun. I have always wanted to try one of those out.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 10:45

I would really look at GS300s. They are Supras with 4 doors so you can do a lot of fun things with them and they’re cheap. They also drive well straight from the factory.

WRXasaurus > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
04/19/2017 at 10:47

I was wondering about though, any generation in particular?

WiscoProud > WilliamsSW
04/19/2017 at 10:48

Yeah, for a derby car it should be under $1,000. Honestly, I don’t know how they’re asking that much. There is literally no chance the underside isn’t riddled in rust. Just look at the body panels and engine bay.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 10:50

The GS300 technically came in 2 generations(‘06 hashe pretty body with a GS300 but it’s a V6 out of the ES) the but 1st gen with the 2JZ-FE is the one you want. They seem to be cheaper then IS300 which have the same engine but are smaller. Also the trunk can hold a crap ton. My sisters GS300s trunk is more usable than my LS400. That high trunk line helps so much.

WilliamsSW > WiscoProud
04/19/2017 at 10:54

Looks like they applied a bunch of bondo and are trying to call it rust free now. It’s a CP price but entertaining anyways.

WiscoProud > WilliamsSW
04/19/2017 at 10:55

Oh, I’m sure it would be a lot of fun too. Best case scenario is $1,500 if there’s no frame rust (there is)

WilliamsSW > WiscoProud
04/19/2017 at 11:03

That’s a unibody, too. 1500 is what was in my head, too —-

WRXasaurus > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
04/19/2017 at 11:06

Definitely will look into it then. Thanks for the tips.

WiscoProud > WilliamsSW
04/19/2017 at 11:23

A unibody? Damn, that’s even worse. I assumed it was your typical body on frame.

EL_ULY > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 11:27

If was 20-21 years old and single, i’d choose this!

WilliamsSW > WiscoProud
04/19/2017 at 11:28

Nah, Chrysler was the king of unibody construction. Most of what they produced back to the late ‘50's was unibody. Not coincidentally, they’re more rare than their Ford/GM counterparts.

WiscoProud > WilliamsSW
04/19/2017 at 11:29

Well, learn something new everyday

WRXasaurus > EL_ULY
04/19/2017 at 11:32

Well I am 28, married and have one kid and wanting another so....

nerd_racing > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 11:34

Let me know if you want to seriously consider it. I’m finishing up the HEI direct fire ignition setup this week, then I can get some running vids. I’ll throw in new rubber (OE Size 13's) too.

WRXasaurus > nerd_racing
04/19/2017 at 11:39

I’d love to actually consider it but a pickup is more likely on my horizon. I was just curious what oppo had to suggest. I got quite the variety. Where are you located just in case it could happen.

nerd_racing > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 11:44

Buffalo NY area, but delivery is not out of the question.

Mustafaluigi > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 11:47

4th gen Camaro/Firebird. LT1's are cheap and with a T56 they are a blast to drive and make faster.

WRXasaurus > nerd_racing
04/19/2017 at 11:50

Well don’t count on me, but I will let you know what I decide.

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > clangus
04/19/2017 at 13:35

6 months on, 6 months off for me :)

Die-Trying > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 15:43

1973 k20 - $4500 (Fairbank)

Kinja'd!!!

1979 Ford F150 4x4 V8 4 Speed - $1100 (Rochester)

MM54 > nerd_racing
04/19/2017 at 17:04

I’m looking for an FB... where are you located? (If the OP doesn’t buy it, don’t want to be that guy )

MM54 > nerd_racing
04/19/2017 at 17:41

Guess I should have read all the comments before I posted mine; I’d seriously be interested if you have some pictures/video and WRXasaurus doesn’t go for it. You’re only a few hours from me.

TheBlacktopExperiment > WRXasaurus
04/19/2017 at 17:43

Can it be old? Would you prefer old? ‘70-’72 Cadillac Sedan Deville or Buick Electra. It’s a pretty simple car to repair. Can be found in decent-ish shape for around $3,000-$5,000 CDN ($2,250-$3,750 US). A ton of fun to own, drive, and even just look at from time to time.

nerd_racing > MM54
04/20/2017 at 07:04

shoot me an email and I’ll send you some. neymanaj@yahoo.com