My remarkably unfocused search for a RallyMetro replacement

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
12/10/2018 at 14:17 • Filed to: RallyCross

What I want preferably:

- ‘94 and earlier (so I can use significantly cheaper AV license plates)

- Manual transmission

- Cheap

- Durable

- Flat towable (not all vehicles can be flat towed without damaging them, actually most can’t be )

- Not a hopeless rust bucket

Which of these meets all of those criteria?

None. Not a single one of them. There are some strong contenders here anyways , and a few LOLNOPE ones.

DISCUSSION (68)

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:34

Psst

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/1987-vw-golf-gti/6754983801.html

This is why I stay off craiglist...I’m too tempted otherwise

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:35

Not a Roadmaster but pretty close:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/d/1991-chevrolet-caprice-wagon/6764046448.html

Chariotoflove > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:35

Let the girls choose. That outta be fun.

shop-teacher > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/10/2018 at 14:37

That’s gotta be a trap ... right?

I added it to my list! I promised my wife I wouldn’t buy anything until after the holidays.

shop-teacher > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
12/10/2018 at 14:38

I looked at that one. I think that’s a dicey area, plus it’s a 305. Still tempting though.

shop-teacher > Chariotoflove
12/10/2018 at 14:38

Ha! :)

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:39

I don’t know...it seems too good to be true , but who would run a scam using that as the bait?

Stef Schrader > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:41

u want parsh

Mercedes Streeter > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:43

Trans-Am because I wanna see a Battlebird. :D

shop-teacher > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
12/10/2018 at 14:43

I mean, even if it’s not scam, who would sell a car with

“Brand new rebuilt engine

Rebuilt transmission
Brake lines
Calipers
brake shoes
Plus much more”

for $650? There’s gotta be something horrible lurking.

Still mighty tempting.

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter
12/10/2018 at 14:44

That one is my favorite. It’s price point is a huge stretch for me though.

MatisyahuSerious > Mercedes Streeter
12/10/2018 at 14:45

my son has now heard of, and wants a trans-am.

can’t i mag ine why!

shop-teacher > Stef Schrader
12/10/2018 at 14:47

I had a few 944 on the list, but they’ve been sold. There is still a 944 on FB that has peaked my interest. I would appreciate your professional Parsh opinion on this one . “Third gear notchy” is very scary to me.

facw > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:50

Kinja'd!!!

Mazda Miata - $800

InFierority Complex > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:51

Kinja'd!!!

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/d/1979-fiat-spider/6758783614.html

facw > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:52

1976 jeep j20 $900 (Hobart)

Kinja'd!!!

(Floors can’t be rusty when they’re not there! )

Mercedes Streeter > MatisyahuSerious
12/10/2018 at 14:53

Muahahahaha!

I wish I were a Pontiac fangirl because I’d totally rock “Pontiac Trans, Am” in a Kinja name. lol

shop-teacher > facw
12/10/2018 at 14:54

Good one, but n o raptops for me. I’ve seen too many rollovers. Plus I’m pretty fat, I don’t think I can even get in a Miata.

Cé hé sin > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:55

Rally Metro? Pre 1994? Manual? Cheap? OK, two out of three.

Kinja'd!!!

Luggage space leaves a little to be desired.

Kinja'd!!!

They did however genuinely make production ones.

Kinja'd!!!

shop-teacher > InFierority Complex
12/10/2018 at 14:55

No ragtops for me. I’ve seen too many rollovers.

facw > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:55

Celicas have a rally history

Kinja'd!!!

1994 Toyota Celica $1000(Waukegan Illinois)

Tristan > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:56

Pre-’94? No. Manual? No. Cheap? Not really. Durable? Totally. Flat towable? Presumably. Not a hopeless rustbucket? There’s not a speck of rust on it!

I know you expressed interest in my Suburban previously. I’m beginning to think about selling it. Totally not a replacement for the rally metro, though!

facw > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:57

Move a class up from the Metro?

Kinja'd!!!

Geo prizm $850 (60402)

shop-teacher > facw
12/10/2018 at 14:58

I had seen that one already, and I was really digging it until I got to the picture that shows the grass from inside the cab.

shop-teacher > Cé hé sin
12/10/2018 at 14:58

I wish!

facw > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 14:58

That’s ok, I found some worse choices for you! I have no idea if any of them are flat towable, but you don’t stand to lose much if towing destroys them.

shop-teacher > facw
12/10/2018 at 15:00

Eh. Good one, but I tried to make myself want it, and I can’t.

shop-teacher > facw
12/10/2018 at 15:00

I considered that one, but I wouldn’t go into that part of town without a gun.

I don’t own a gun though.

shop-teacher > facw
12/10/2018 at 15:01

By all means, fire away!

facw > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 15:02

Fine, I guess if you don’t want to die over a Geo, that’s your choice...

shop-teacher > Tristan
12/10/2018 at 15:03

Oh? How much are you thinking of selling it for? It’s an 8.1, right?

shop-teacher > facw
12/10/2018 at 15:04

Indeed, I choo se not to die attempting to buy a Geo :)

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 15:25

Saturn S-series was designed to be flat-towable. This one meets almost all of your needs. Put it in neutral, pull a relay from under the hood, and tow it wherever. They’re pretty durable, too.

Kinja'd!!!

shop-teacher > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
12/10/2018 at 15:28

Ha! I just saved that ad five minutes ago :)

It meets all my wants except for the age. As a bonus, the snow tires and wheels I saved from the RallyMetro will bolt right on.

MatisyahuSerious > Mercedes Streeter
12/10/2018 at 15:37

Kinja'd!!!

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 15:45

Dang. You said 94 and earlier. r ules out my Subaru its a 97.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 16:44

Almost as bad as me.

Almost.

Do not look at my inbox.

shop-teacher > GoodIdeaAtTheTime
12/10/2018 at 17:24

I’m not completely opposed to newer than ‘94, it’s just a preference because license plates are cheaper. Whatcha got?

shop-teacher > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
12/10/2018 at 17:25

I’ve added a few since I posted this, plus there’s my saved ones on FB Marketplace :)

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 17:44

Mine is basically 500 instances of:

“Update on the 200[5-8] Jeep Grand Cherokee you saved.”

Stef Schrader > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 17:45

There isn’t a ton of parts to that shift linkage, as I found out when the stupid short-shifter kit a previous owner installed broke before our race last Spring. Seriously, I’d take a good look at what’s on top of the transaxle. Other than that, it’s not terrible. I’d offer lower even though he says he knows what he has. It’s very clean, but I’d want to feel the notch in person. 3rd’s an important gear!

NKato > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 18:26

I dare you to try a crown Vic and give it a 5 speed swap.

Tristan > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 18:43

6.0. I'm thinking eBay might get me $7,000-8,500... I'm open to negotiations, though.

shop-teacher > Stef Schrader
12/10/2018 at 19:55

Thanks for the knowledge :)

shop-teacher > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
12/10/2018 at 19:56

That's a very specific search!

shop-teacher > NKato
12/10/2018 at 20:21

That would be really cool, but I don't have time for a project. I just want something I can drive.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 20:23

Model specific, yes. Location specific... uh.

“Update on 05 GC Tan - Austin, TX”
“Update on 06 GCO Red - Seattle, WA”
“Update on 08 GC Blue - Naples, FL”
“Update on 07 GC Red - Jersey City, NJ”
“Update on 05 GC Beryl - SATX”
“Update on 08 GC Black - San Diego”
“Update on 05 GC Red - Cleveland”

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 20:40

97 Subaru Impreza Coupe. It is a B righton 2.2 with mismatched 2.5rs body p anels on it. Gearbox is coming out to replace some seals and the shifter joint, lots of play in the shifter at the moment. And to inspect the clutch, I think the pilot or throw out bearing is making a bit of noise.

shop-teacher > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
12/10/2018 at 21:07

Oh my ...

shop-teacher > GoodIdeaAtTheTime
12/10/2018 at 21:08

Those are cool looking. What will you be looking to get for it once it’s back together, and are you local to Chicago?

shop-teacher > Tristan
12/10/2018 at 21:10

I would actually prefer a 6.0

Damnit anyways though. The only way I could come up with that kind of money right now, would be to get a loan or sell my truck. I’ll have to pass, unfortunately. That’s pretty much the perfect Suburban for me, but now isn’t the right time.

NKato > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 21:12

Mine is technically a project car, but still a daily driver. It’s been pretty reliable outside of the perfectly avoidable repair bills (rear axle, accident repair, etc).

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 21:31

Yeah. I have a problem. That problem is GODDAMNIT SOMEBODY FIND ME AN OBVIOUSLY NOT SHIT WK GRAND CHEROKEE I DON’T CARE WHERE I JUST WANT GOOD BONES THAT I CAN DAILY AND ROAD TRIP ONCE OR TWICE BEFORE THE SNOW CLEARS. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!

shop-teacher > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
12/10/2018 at 22:12

I would say I'll keep my eye out, but around here they're all rusty and shitty.

shop-teacher > NKato
12/10/2018 at 22:17

I work all the extra time I can get, because I’m the sole income for my family. That plus little kids, means I don’t get a ton of free time. While I don’t mind doing some wrenching and repairs, I want as much of that free time as possible to be spent rallycrossing. A 5-speed swap is WAY more than I’m i nterested in taking on.

NKato > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 23:12

okay, well, you can easily do a little lift on the Vic, throw on some off-road tires, and do rally cross with that. You won't win anything, but you'll definitely turn some heads. Could also be a decent camping car with the kids.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > shop-teacher
12/10/2018 at 23:21

The goddamn frustrating part is that my local boneyard guy has already set aside a known bad ‘06 545RFE for me that he’ll give me for less than half price.

shop-teacher > NKato
12/10/2018 at 23:22

If I were to get a P71, and that is on my list of possibilities, I’ll leave it stock. You don’t need extra ride height for rallycrossing. I'd toss a set of snow tires on it, and send it.

NKato > shop-teacher
12/11/2018 at 00:29

For something less than $3000, I would probably do that, yeah.

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > shop-teacher
12/11/2018 at 00:40

I am a few hours south. Like 5. In Louisville KY. Around 1500 to 2000. The car is odd to say the least, the things are legos so there a parts from a bunch of different cars . If I can figure out how to post pictures I will toss a few up.

Tristan > shop-teacher
12/11/2018 at 00:45

I’m not in a big rush, so if you change your mind let me know! I’d love to see it go to an Oppo, especially one who appreciates GMT800s. There’s even the slight possibility of a delivery as we generally trek out to the Wisconsin Dells every summer!

shop-teacher > GoodIdeaAtTheTime
12/11/2018 at 02:30

Please do.

shop-teacher > Tristan
12/11/2018 at 02:31

Ok then. I'll be thinking about it :)

Fresh-Outta-Nissans > shop-teacher
12/13/2018 at 16:50

Saturns absolutely dominate the very lowest tier of racing along with Dodge Neons. It’s worth some money.

Fresh-Outta-Nissans > shop-teacher
12/13/2018 at 16:56

Manual twin cam coupe, new clutch, designed for flat towing. With auto seatbelts and flip up headlamps, looks minty fresh for $1500.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/cto/d/1994-saturn-5-speed/6771463618.html

Fresh-Outta-Nissans > shop-teacher
12/13/2018 at 17:00

You could be an absolute hero and get an DSM Turbo tall wagon:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/d/1990-colt-vista-wagon/6754078161.html

shop-teacher > Fresh-Outta-Nissans
12/13/2018 at 17:18

I already have that ad saved :)

Its a strong contender.

shop-teacher > Fresh-Outta-Nissans
12/13/2018 at 17:23

I found a rusty Neon ACR for $450. That’s mighty tempting.