Help Me Pick My DD Beater!?!?!

"04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches." (04sneaky) 12/26/2013 at 20:37 • Filed to: volvo wagons everything

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Herro Oppo,

I, Cody, request your magical wizardry and knowledge for my next car purchase. I finally have an "adult job" with "adult pay" so I can finally have the "adult garage" with my project car on one side and DD beater on the other side. I'm looking for something around $2,000, something that I could fix up and make "cool" (can't NOT mod a DD) and something that I could easily work on and fix/repair/jalop if I needed to (I couldn't tell you what dealership maintenance is, I just have these two hands and they seem to maintain and make deals pretty damn well).

So I currently have a "top 3" list if you will of cars that I have found locally (Kansas City for anyone who feels up to the task of searching with me). They're pretty Oppo-worthy in my eyes but given the little bit I've searched on them they all seem kind of 50/50 on good versus bad. So that's where I need the help.

1) Volvo 740/760 Wagon - Turbo Intercooled ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! )

I've always wanted a Volvo Wagon, and I've always wanted one that was RWD. So this fits my bill of "cool DD" to the T. It is an automatic (I know hoping to find a manual is like wishing I'd wake up next to Olivia Wilde one day), but it has been taken care of overall so that was a plus to me.

Also found a nice 760 Turbo Wagon, but I haven't been able to really get a hold of the seller that well to look at it in person.

2) Mercedes 420SEL ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! )

More of a "want" than anything else. I love V8s, sorry mom, and I've always wanted something that seems so "sophisticated" that I could turn into a semi-weekend warrior (exhaust, few mods, etc.). I've looked at a few 300-series as well, but I really like the overall package of the 400-series a lot more.

3) Datsun Wagon ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! )

So I found this today at work, and fell in love. I love Datsuns, and I love wagons. So this was a double-whammy. It does have a lot of miles, but honestly with most of these cars I planned on a rebuild during the summer when I could drive the Cobra again so I wouldn't be upset if this only lasted me until then. But it's just so different and rare that I fell in love.

So, now that the rant is over, anyone have any input? Am I crazy, should I be asking about certain things on these three, or should I be looking at something else all together?

Nibby > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 20:42

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Daily Beater? Your right hand.

dogisbadob > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 20:44

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The Datsun

d00mZ > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 20:48

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Check that Mercedes off. Wayy too expensive to keep up as a DD.
I'd personally pick the Sentra because
1) I'm biased AF! Nissan/Datsun ftw and cause I'm asian.
2)It's reliable AS HELL!! Look at the odom and its still running. Thing is, its great as a DD because mpg is 35/27 I believe. Plus the market for the engine wide as hell. You could even drop an RB or SR20 in there.

Textured Soy Protein > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 20:48

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My main problem with the Volvo you posted: "On cut springs, snow tires in the rear."

That doesn't sound very appealing.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > Nibby 12/26/2013 at 20:50

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They don't approve when I pull into work with that beater. Hospital security guards look at me weird as I search for my badge all while continuously keeping awkward eye contact.

Plus with all this salt on the road the friction starts to become...painful to say the least.

505Turbeaux > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 20:51

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dont mess with a slammed Volvo. That w126 benz looks pretty good. For real leather the interior looks surprisingly ok. Pretty great cars! The Datsun looks cool too. Tough choice. Probably the Datsun though for me, although Japanese cars are not my bag.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > dogisbadob 12/26/2013 at 20:51

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Datsun has the "ultimate cool JDM" factor going for it. I'm just not too familiar with what all is interchangeable with it and if something breaks how hard it'd be to find replacements for.

That scares me the most. I don't mind working on a car, but spending days looking for parts is another thing.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 20:54

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If the volvo wasn't slammed I would vote volvo but I automatically eliminate any vehicle with cut springs because that means the previous owner was a dumbass who doesn't know how to take care of cars. I vote Datsun because wing mirrors!

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > Textured Soy Protein 12/26/2013 at 20:54

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He has replacement springs, I'd just have to put them in. I'm going to test drive it this weekend to see how it rides and that'll be the determining factor for me.

Snow tires are actually helpful because I'd probably end up buying some for it anyways with the way the weather is right now.

Desu-San-Desu > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 20:58

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Go Datsun wagon. I wonder how many components are interchangeable with those of the Z cars...

Also, rough-style bolt-on fender flares! You've got to repair the bumper and fender anyway, so....

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > 505Turbeaux 12/26/2013 at 20:59

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I don't like many old Jap cars, but Datsuns always do it for me. Even the trucks, which is sad to admit.

The Volvo has normal springs as well, I'd just have to put them back in. I haven't test drove it so I don't know what the ride quality is like or if the shocks have been destroyed from it being too low.

The W126 is a big fave. I love the interior as its very well kept like you said. The guy also has records of some decent maintenance which I usually don't care but since it is a German I appreciated that a lot. And it's a W126, which in my eyes is like a street-tuned DTM Mercedes lol.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > d00mZ 12/26/2013 at 21:00

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Do you know what all other cars this shares chassis with? Or is it the typical Nissan where pretty much everything fits everything?

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > Desu-San-Desu 12/26/2013 at 21:03

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That's exactly how I'm going to explain it to the GF if I get it lol.

Definitely a big question on my mind is what is interchangeable on the Datsun. Because if I could swap some Z-car parts over then it'd end up being a bigger project than my Cobra lol. Also just for long term reliability.

 > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 21:05

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Crown Vic Police Interceptor /thread

505Turbeaux > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 21:09

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yeah just have the timing chain tension checked out on the w126, for some reason I remember checking that and oil pressure on the 420's, but it has been some time since I have messed with the v8's in those

the datsun for that price, if its fairly rust free, you cant lose.

Textured Soy Protein > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 21:16

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I did some poking around your local craigslist. Here are some others to consider.

'92 Toyota Celica GTS - $2000 - 175k miles

'92 Toyota Celica GT - $1900 - 167k miles

'93 Mercedes 190E - $1800 - 250k miles

'87 Honda Civic Si hatch - $1700 - 171k miles

The 190E may not be the best idea on account of parts cost.

Desu-San-Desu > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 21:21

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Generally, as long as there weren't any rust issues, Datsuns were pretty damned bulletproof and a lot of parts were interchangeable. I've heard of lots of people swapping S30 parts onto 510's, 510 parts onto 620's, etc.

d00mZ > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 21:26

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Hmm as engine wise or anything else? All I know is that it's a little tough if you want to drop the RB or SR20. I believe most engine swaps for this chassis is the GA or CA types with little to no weld mounts or bolt-ons.
Since it's a Nissan/Datsun, I thought the same when I got my S30 awhile back, but I think this specific chassis isn't universal. If you do get the car, PUT IN THOSE FLARES MAN!!!

Desu-San-Desu > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 21:45

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Actually, nevermind the Datsun. Some sleuthing has revealed it to be a 1984 Nissan Sentra wagon, which was FWD.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 21:47

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I seem to think that the ac on those can be iffy as well. They would also cost more than the price of entry to fix, if I recall. That said, if everything is on the up and up, I vote for the big Merc. if nothing else, it shows classy.

Desu-San-Desu > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 22:12

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YEEEEAAAAHHHHH BOI SVX!

Two Words: FUCK & YES!

revrseat70 > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/26/2013 at 23:06

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I always love a good Datsun. Out of those three, I'd go with that one. Have you considered a Panther?

KSUENGINEER > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/27/2013 at 00:26

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OH THIS IS FUN!

I creep around the KC Craigslist quiet a bit since I live in Manhattan.

Here are some fun four-bangers. 1985 4-door Escort , CRX , 1983 Civic Hatchback , and a 1987 Civic SI Hatchback .

Do you like 1980's sports cars with a good old manual transmission? Then you might like the 1985 RX7 , 1983 RX7 , 1986 BMW 3-Series?? (seller seems sketchy though), 1988 Camaro , and 1983 5.0 Foxbody .

Those are the few that stood out to me that would be fun to fire up everyday.

KSUENGINEER > KSUENGINEER 12/27/2013 at 00:42

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If you are willing to travel to the Wichita area here are some sweet cars. 1976 MGB , 1979 Fiat Spider , 1992 GTI , 1993 Miata , 1993 300ZX , and 1991 AWD Talon .

KSUENGINEER > KSUENGINEER 12/27/2013 at 01:37

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Some cars that are located just west of KC. 1992 Dodge Daytona , 1975 Datsun 280Z , 1972 AMC Hornet Sportabout Wagon , 1995 Volvo 850 Turbo , 1984 Pontiac Fiero , 1990 bmw 535i , and 1988 LINCOLN MARK VII LSC .

911e46z06 > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/27/2013 at 02:20

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e30

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > Desu-San-Desu 12/27/2013 at 10:22

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Both awesome options. I totally forget about SVXs everytime. Would love to have AWD...

And of course the Celica beats everything. Carbs kind of worry me with all the extreme weather we have. But carbed cars are always more fun (when they work).

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > revrseat70 12/27/2013 at 10:46

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I have and there are a good set of them around, but sadly they don't do much for me. I like Crown Vics, but idk I've just never liked them enough to own one I suppose.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > KSUENGINEER 12/27/2013 at 10:47

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You are a saint. These are some great options. Definitely going to dig through some of these. THANK YOU!

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits 12/27/2013 at 10:47

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I'm leaning towards the Merc a lot. It seems the best bang for buck in terms of driving it daily and being able to have a little fun with it at the same time.

JEM > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 12/27/2013 at 10:59

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I'd like to second the E30 BMW as a good choice, though that one KSU posted looks really suspect.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > JEM 12/27/2013 at 12:35

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http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4248041001…

Just saw this....