A list of my affordable(-ish) dream cars.

"not for canada - australian in disguise" (for-canada) 04/13/2019 at 21:25 • Filed to: None

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A later GMT400 (post 95, so with the newer interior) short bed single cab Silverado/Sierra.

On the subject of GMT400s, a Tony Soprano-spec Suburban. Literally the perfect GMT400. Tony Soprano may have been a piece of shit, but he had great taste in trucks.

A third generation Toyota Celsior. Why a C elsior and not a CDM LS ? Because of cloth;

I’d definitely settle for a cheaper first or second gen one though. Probably also easier to find with the cloth seats too. But it would be nice to have the more modern comforts of the third gen.

And last but not least, a two parter. Either an Elgrand or an Alphard, the newest one I could find (so probably a 2004 as that’s the newest you can import). Not too different from the Celsior really, just in practical van form.

Honourable mentions;

Delica, which would be quite cheap and easy to find. Honourable mention because, as cool as the Delica is , I’d prefer a more comfortable and more DD-able Alphard/Elgrand.

A second gen Toyota Soarer. Honourable mention because honestly, while I like the Soarer, I don’t think I like it enough to go out and seek one. Maybe if one pops up for sale while I’m scrolling through Kijiji or Autotrader.

A Toyota Sera. Honourable mention because, aside from the doors and bubble roof , it’s really just a Paseo. Those doors are absolutely fantastic though.

Feel free to post some of yours, or not, I’m not the boss of you.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > not for canada - australian in disguise 04/13/2019 at 22:04

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Just be careful of the 6.5L turbo diesels in the GMT400s.  They aren't necessarily as awful as people make them out to be, but they aren't great either.  As long as you drive them easy and don't squirrel around, they will last.  Just keep the oil changed, and a PMD relocation to the inner fender is a must!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > not for canada - australian in disguise 04/13/2019 at 22:34

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Tony Soprano was a piece of shit, but that Suburban was his best vehicle by far. I hated that cream Escalade he had.

DipodomysDeserti > not for canada - australian in disguise 04/13/2019 at 23:47

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My dad owned both that Silverado and that Suburban. He’s also an Italian from New Jersey. However, he’s always had calloused hands unlike that pussy Tony Soprano.

not for canada - australian in disguise > DipodomysDeserti 04/14/2019 at 00:12

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Alright A.J.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/14/2019 at 01:55

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If I were to get a GMT400, it’d probably be a Vortec and not a diesel. Nothing against the diesels, but there seems to a markup on diesel trucks in general, and I’ve got no qualms with driving a gas truck.

vondon302 > not for canada - australian in disguise 04/14/2019 at 08:14

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There starting to climb up this sold for 9500 at the repo auction by me. Really clean but 2 wheel drive. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > not for canada - australian in disguise 04/15/2019 at 08:00

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Nothing wrong with that. Diesels are good if you tow and haul frequently, other wise they are a bit silly . My family had a ‘ 98 GMC 2500 crewcab with the 6.5L diesel that we used to pull a gooseneck horsetrailer which held 2 horses and had a small tack room on the front . You say diesels are a premium, which is true, but 6.5Ls should be a discount. This is how I know they have issues - we went through 1 low pressure fuel pump, 1 high pressure injector pump,   3 PMDs, and a set of glowplugs in ~18 years / 215k miles. And thats considered amazing reliability on that engine. Rule of thumb is injectors every 60~75k, injector pump 75~100k, glow plugs every 100k, and PMDs every 50k until you relocate it to the inner fender and put a bigass heatsink on it .

The Vortec 5700 trucks are solid and dependable, though not powerhouses. Those trucks used the L31 engine, which is a Gen II 350 Small Block, makes like 250HP / 330 ft-lbs. My dad had a Savanna van with that engine that gave up the ghost at 298k miles when it lost compression in 3 cylinders at once. It only got one tuneup at around 140k miles. The only “ problem” with those engines is the funky Multi Point Fuel Injection system. If you want to leave the truck mostly stock its fine, you can even do basic stuff like cold air intake and exhaust. But they just don’t flow enough fuel to support over about 300HP, so if you’re looking to hop it up you’re going to run into issues, though there are solutions out there such as converting to a 411 ECU and port fuel injection system.

You could also get the Vortec 7400 Big Block, but I don’t know much about those.  

RT > not for canada - australian in disguise 04/21/2019 at 22:14

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My current idea of an affordable-ish dream car consists of ‘anything Japanese from ~1989-2002 ’. Well, it must fit personal needs and preferences too.

While an Eunos Cosmo is amazing and fantastic, it could easily bankrupt me. I equally adore the R32 Skyline GT-R, but prices are rising; it isn’t getting any newer either.

Maybe a 1996 cut-off point would be more sensible, which would strip me of most of my favourites (including those listed above). Granted, I’d still have some room to play with. I t all leaves me with something like this:

Or this, if I’m feeling really adventurous:

Take your pick. I barely scratched the surface though .

Tristan > not for canada - australian in disguise 05/09/2019 at 15:09

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The GMT400 is a real looker...

There’s just the small problem of the 10 bolt rear not being up to the task, and the 4L60E being utter trash, and the Vortec engines eating intake gaskets and that stupid spider injector. There’s also that stupid heater hose quick disconnect that rots away and explodes. And the front end eats ball joints, TREs and pitman arms for breakfast lunch and dinner.

They are good looking, though... And they’re comfy and nice to drive. I kinda miss mine at times, but then I remember what a piece of shit it was.