What car should I buy? Weird stuff I like edition

"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword) 06/14/2019 at 19:53 • Filed to: None

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Hey oppo, thinking about what I should save for next.

Backstory- the trans am needs like 20k worth of restoration dough, IF i can even manage to put it back together I would like to split my emotional investment if I could - something else to cry over. Obviously, while I have my “emergency money” taken care of I basically would need to start saving from scratch. This will take me awhile.

Kinda narrowed it down:

12k or less

Convertible

Stupid/ridiculous (no miatas, seriously)

Decent shape/low-ish miles

Here are my top pics

90s LT1 trans am

Pros: availability , t-tops , parts , within my self-inflicted stereotype, reliability

Cons: least interesting of my favorites, the lt1 engine, interior

2: Military surplus humvee

Pros: true 4 seater drop top, parts availability, high eccentricity/stupidity coefficient, potential for upgrades, useful truck bed/towing capacity, resale/long term collectability potential, very different from current vehicles, potential to sneak through military checkpoints in SHTF?

Cons: will need work and upgrades, registration (especially if I need to move out of state in this particularly volatile time in my life), SLOW, difficult to tow home, insurance? maybe?, gas mileage

can always swap a duramax in these. DIY kits are made.

3. TVR Tasmin 280i

Pros: Cool factor, 8os factor, TVR factor, depreciation factor

Cons: Parts, slow, difficulty in upgrading (ecoboost v6 swap?!) old british-ness (although I don’t know if its as big a problem on these)

Just Jeepin' > My bird IS the word 06/14/2019 at 19:58

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Hard to get more ridiculous than this: https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ctd/d/mooresville-2005-chrysler-pt-cruiser/6904478020.html

I’d go with this:  https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/d/greenfield-corvair-1964-convertible/6900628338.html

MM54 > My bird IS the word 06/14/2019 at 20:00

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Of the three listed, I’d be all over the TVR.

fhrblig > My bird IS the word 06/14/2019 at 20:07

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Can I make a suggestion for an alternate for #2? Get an M1009 CUCV. That's gubmint speak for military-spec 80s K5 diesel Blazer. 

My bird IS the word > Just Jeepin' 06/14/2019 at 20:14

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I like the corvair, it’s a good buy but I want to get something a little more modern.

The cruiser,

My bird IS the word > fhrblig 06/14/2019 at 20:21

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maybe if the roof came completely off I would.

dogisbadob > My bird IS the word 06/14/2019 at 20:25

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Get an R170 SLK or Z3

The Cavalier/Sunfire convertible is kinda ridiculous too

Geo Metro convertible

Suzuki X90 T-top thing

Tracker/Sidekick/Vitara convertible

first-gen Kia Sportage or Rav4 convertible

My bird IS the word > dogisbadob 06/14/2019 at 20:28

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cavalier, sunfire, geo over what I picked? eww, no!

Not interested in anything german unless stutt gart had their hands on it.

dogisbadob > My bird IS the word 06/14/2019 at 20:41

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Well, they’re ridiculous/stupid, aren’t they? ;)

And Stuttgart had their hands on the SLK :o)

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > My bird IS the word 06/14/2019 at 20:47

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I think you’d be bordering on 968 cabriolet money

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1993-porsche-968-cabriolet-7/

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > My bird IS the word 06/14/2019 at 21:00

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Datsun 1600?

Also Porsche 914 you could get a reeeeal nice one for that price 

Kiltedpadre > My bird IS the word 06/14/2019 at 21:17

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My ranking of your current thoughts would be 3, 1, 2. The TVR is cool partly because it’s so different even if it is slow.

My alternatives based on local Craigslist.

https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/ctd/d/dayton-1987-cadillacallante-convertible/6911879801.html

https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/d/cleves-1974-volkswagon-thing/6912018958.html

My bird IS the word > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 06/14/2019 at 21:22

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Damn, that was a good buy for whovever picked that up. I like.

My bird IS the word > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/14/2019 at 21:23

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A little older than what im looking for. Good suggestions though.

My bird IS the word > Kiltedpadre 06/14/2019 at 21:27

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Hard no on the allante. The thing would be cool but i dont think id take one over the humvee, fits my niche better.

Thinking about it the tvr would be rad... The t/a is really only the safe option. I would say i,need to invert this list

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > My bird IS the word 06/14/2019 at 21:31

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I don’t know many cheapish newer drop tops, besides later C4 Vette.

Maybe a Turbo Saab?

I also think a TDI B eetle convertible tuned to 200+hp   could be a huge laugh.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 06/14/2019 at 21:34

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It blows  my mind how expensive those things are. There’s one for same on northern Wi CL for like 16,800. I think it’s waaaaay too much 

SmugAardvark > My bird IS the word 06/14/2019 at 21:51

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You’ll infuriate everyone on the highway, but no one can say it isn’t unique (at least in North America).

Only downside is that it may well likely go north of $12k by the time bidding wraps up next week.

Alternatively, if you are the kind of person that is fascinated by why electrical systems in British vehicles never work, you could look into the Triumph TR8. Probably easier to find parts for than the TVR you posted . And you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a running example within your price range.

And finally, I have a thought for a car that is probably not going to be found for $12,000. But if you can save up a little more, they do seem to sell in the $15,000 range. It’s a strange looking car for sure, but mechanically should be easy to keep on the road: the Qvale Mangusta. The drivetrain comes courtesy of Ford (namely the ‘90's SVT Cobra Mustang’s 4.6L V8 and 5-speed transmission).

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/14/2019 at 22:01

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Well; it’s tough to say what the right price for a 968 cab should be. They’ve got power in between the original boxster and boxster s at 235hp. They are more rare and are from Porsche’s more streamlined cost cutting days that started with the 986/996. But at the same time 996 cars start around $15k and a decent boxster s can be had for that money. It’s the kind of car you go for if you want something different and you’ll pay a little premium.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/14/2019 at 22:02

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Oooh a modern 9-3 Saab with the V6 turbo. Press the gas pedal and hold that steering wheel tight.

My bird IS the word > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/15/2019 at 00:10

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Gonna stick with my list i think

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > My bird IS the word 06/15/2019 at 01:18

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Saturn Sky?

Future Heap Owner > My bird IS the word 06/15/2019 at 05:24

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You said “stupid/ridiculous”:

Get yourself a well-maintained, lazily named Dodge RamCharger. Nice looking ones from late 80s/early 90s can be found in that price range. Bonus, it probably has intake manifold EFI or another weird halfway- to- direct- injection- fuel system!

My bird IS the word > Future Heap Owner 06/15/2019 at 10:23

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Ramcharger isnt a convertible though

Future Heap Owner > My bird IS the word 06/15/2019 at 11:27

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The roof is removable on model years through 1980. So I guess substitute “late 70s” for “late 80s/early 90s”