Help me find the next KhalbaliCar!

"Khalbali" (khalbali2)
11/08/2018 at 18:11 • Filed to: None

I need a cheap new DD in the next month or so, I’m moving next week and can start looking then. I’m in the Chicago area but could travel a few hours for something special. Budget is cheap af, preferably under a grand, 2 would be about the max most likely , I can do a little work myself but nothing major, don’t have a garage or anything. I want something comfy and low cost of ownership, but I don’t drive much so fuel economy isn’t as important as reliability/repair cost. My 2 main contenders are a 4.6 panther or a 3800 Buick, but because I’m an OPPO I’m open to interesting unreliable things as well, so if you have any thoughts on either of those 2 contenders or find something completely different, post em below. Maybe in a couple weeks I’ll post a couple finalists and see what you guys pick. I’m open to pretty much anything, just not a rustbucket and hopefully with a little style, I’ve always had manuals but think I might be ready for an automatic for a bit, but not a dealbreaker either way.

Here’s my ideal build though, once it’s retired as a dd i wanna turn in into a rallycross car and roll with shopteacher.

DISCUSSION (32)

NKato > Khalbali
11/08/2018 at 18:30

As a panther owner, I say get the panther. My Queen is currently in the shop getting her suspension checked and steering checked due to an accident.

Let me say this: vics are easy to fix.

Chariotoflove > Khalbali
11/08/2018 at 18:32

Looks like it needs a Rolls-Royce Merlin swap.

Khalbali > Chariotoflove
11/08/2018 at 18:35

Doesn’t everything? (But yes, yes it does)

Khalbali > NKato
11/08/2018 at 18:37

Yeah it’s probably the top choice, my wife had a grandma owned hand me down grand marquis that she managed to throw a rod or something, but it was great until then lol

vondon302 > Khalbali
11/08/2018 at 18:44

Kinja'd!!!

P71 life.

It’s not a great car but it is a fun car and does most things good.

Except mpg that is.

Captain of the Enterprise > Khalbali
11/08/2018 at 18:53

As an ex panther owner it was the worst car I’ve ever had the displeasure of driving. I’d go for a Camry or Avalon instead

Khalbali > Captain of the Enterprise
11/08/2018 at 19:01

I would but at such a low price a decent Honda or Toyota is almost 30 years old with over 200k. If anything you can find an ES300 for the same price as an Avalon. It’s a trade off, will a 15 year old panther with 120k be more reliable than a 30yo Toyota with over 200k? But if I (or you!) find a good deal I’ll certainly consider it!

Captain of the Enterprise > Khalbali
11/08/2018 at 19:03

You have a point there. I guess the Chicago market is different than the Detroit. Best of luck with the hunt!

Khalbali > Captain of the Enterprise
11/08/2018 at 19:21

Yeah, maybe a little less domestic pride here lol. How have you been lately?

NKato > Khalbali
11/08/2018 at 19:33

Go for it. Just shop around first, educate yourself on Panthers, and look up our community, crownvic.net - we also have a discord.

NKato > Khalbali
11/08/2018 at 19:42

By the way there are a few dealers in your area that sells crown vics from out of town, and also carries other government auctioned inventory.

arl > Khalbali
11/08/2018 at 19:45

Come on, you know you want to build a Japanese drift van....here’s the perfect starting point!

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/cto/d/reduced-2002-dodge-ram/6732140746.html

Captain of the Enterprise > Khalbali
11/08/2018 at 19:56

I haven’t been well unfortunately, I’ve been battling severe anxiety and depression and almost daily suicidal thoughts. I’m behind in my college classes and am meeting with my advisor and professors about options. I am meeting with my therapist twice a week and my psychiatrist once per week right now. Today was probably my best day this week but I’m still miserable. I have a safety plan and we are discussing possibly hospitalizing me for my safety. I’m hoping I get better and can finish this semester but I have to accept that nothing is more important than my life and wellbeing. I want to live but am still having the thoughts and just wish I could feel better and not be in this hell.

I’m sorry I don’t have better knews but I do really appreciate you asking.

I’m working on getting the help I need and am starting to find it even if it’s never going to come from my family.

Khalbali > arl
11/08/2018 at 20:08

I do want to, but I want a million other things too lol, I can never decide what I want the most. I do want a van but I’d probably want an Astro or an e series, I’d love a 7.3 powerstroke and vans are cheaper than trucks lol. I even thought about throwing a pickup bed on a cutaway e350 powerstroke chassis, it was a former ambulance with the box pulled off.

Khalbali > vondon302
11/08/2018 at 20:14

I think I’d go for a grand marquis or town car, they’re generally old folk owned and a little cushier. Mpg isn’t a huge issue but obviously better is.... better. Mainly focused on overall cost of ownership, and panthers seem dead reliable and cheap to fix/maintain.

Khalbali > Captain of the Enterprise
11/08/2018 at 20:36

At least things will hopefully start going in the right direction, you have to have a plan to start. But yes, you need to keep your safety as your first priority, I had to make my wife understand that too, she was worried about missing work while she was hospitalized. She’s been slipping backwards the last few weeks and it’s really scary and hard to watch, but we’re getting our own place again next week and hopefully that will help.

RacinBob > Khalbali
11/08/2018 at 20:36

Made me take a look in 54601 area on the list of craig

Austin MN, 140,000

Kinja'd!!!

105,000 Mi

Kinja'd!!!

132,000 Mi

Kinja'd!!!

Made for you

Kinja'd!!!

Captain of the Enterprise > Khalbali
11/08/2018 at 20:53

Yeah I had to be told that by my Social Work professor, we were talking about my mental health and suicidal thoughts and she had me say out loud “nothing is more important than my wellbeing” I think it’s helped get that to stick. I can’t graduate or finish the semester if I’m dead.

I’m sorry to hear that your wife is slipping. That must be very hard for both of you. I’m glad she has you, you seem kind and compassionate. I really hope she gets better soon for both of you. It must be incredibly hard to watch.

I wish you both the best!

Khalbali > RacinBob
11/08/2018 at 21:04

Probably a little farther than I’d like to go, and I wouldn’t want to DD something like that lol, but I like the century or 2000’s regal.

shop-teacher > Khalbali
11/08/2018 at 21:28

I've seen a bunch of cheap Panthers on FB Marketplace.

shop-teacher > Khalbali
11/08/2018 at 22:11

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/332735960850981/

vondon302 > Khalbali
11/09/2018 at 06:09

True. Cheap to buy cheap to own.

RacinBob > Khalbali
11/09/2018 at 07:55

Understood.

It is interesting though to look outside of the big city. Maybe look South of Chicago, or Rockford West or Southern Wisconsin countryside.

I think the cars are better cared for and not chewed up and thrown away. A fellow I work with has the cleanest ‘02 Chevy S10 in existence. He drives it 3000 miles a year and changes the oil every 1500 miles......

Khalbali > RacinBob
11/09/2018 at 08:19

Yeah I'm definitely ok travelling a little but my wife won't go for anything too far, not to mention the inherent risk in driving a completely unknown car long distance the day you buy it.

RacinBob > Khalbali
11/09/2018 at 13:56

I am sure there are many fish in the sea.

Hold out for a car owned by a seller that could afford to take care of it and does not want to give their well maintained car away to lowballers. Being on the market for a while is a good thing as to me they know what they have and won’t give it away.

Verify that oil has been changed. I always look at the tires. If they are newer and good condition, that is a good sign. If they are shot, chances are other things are too.

There is a lot to like about a buick 3.8 and a 4 speed auto . I ran one about from 110,000 miles to 170,000 miles towing my race trailer. All it ever needed was a crank sensor. I would try to get ‘01 or newer if you can find one .

The older you go, the more likely rust will be an issue.

RacinBob > Khalbali
11/10/2018 at 12:11

A lot to like with this one. 130,000 miles in 19 years.

Kinja'd!!!