Best $2000 and under car to work on/hoon?

"Singhjr96" (singhjr96) 02/19/2014 at 23:07 • Filed to: None

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That's pretty much it. If you only had $2000 dollars to start a project what would you get? Has to be running, with little to no rust. It should also be simple to work on, with a reasonable sized parts marketplace.

Bandit > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:09

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2nd gen Firebird/Trans Am/Camaro. I got mine for $2500 running and driving with practically no rust.

Singhjr96 > Bandit 02/19/2014 at 23:11

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I SAID 2000 YOU SON OF A *****, kidding. That's a pretty good recommendation. Could probably get one for 2000 with a little effort and a little more rust.

Bandit > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:12

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I didn't bid low enough. The seller accepted my price of $2500 immediately (she was asking $3000).

f86sabre > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:12

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Early 90s Escort. We got our LeMons car for $300 and it has done 6 races and is pretty much indestructible. Super cheap parts everywhere and very easy to work on.

dogisbadob > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:13

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Any running car in the condition you describe is the best car for $2000

I would say my car, but it's not simple to work on with the transverse V6 :(

Any 4-cylinder 4-door hatchback or wagon with a sunroof would work for me

Singhjr96 > Bandit 02/19/2014 at 23:13

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Ok so then this is definitely an option.

Bandit > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:14

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This: http://tippecanoe.craigslist.org/cto/4278286674… + a Chevy 350/th350 combo (they bolt right in) = Fun for less than 2k.

Arben72 > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:15

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I bought this for 2,000. Came with a nice engine with about 25 psi of boost.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:15

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Something like this. Basically any F-body. Fairly cheap, and the possibilities are endless when it comes to modding.

Singhjr96 > f86sabre 02/19/2014 at 23:16

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Hehe!, I bet there is quite a bit of parts out there. lol.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:16

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S13 240sx. They are everywhere for 2 grand and under!

Singhjr96 > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 02/19/2014 at 23:17

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Ehh. Just not my style. I would have to sink quite a bit into the body to get it the way i want too, and I don't want to do that.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:18

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Easy. Miata. You can find them all day for under 2k

Singhjr96 > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:19

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The third generation though. OMG YES!

Singhjr96 > YSI-what can brown do for you 02/19/2014 at 23:21

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Man we've had this conversation. The ones that cheap will be beat up like shit, and/or rusted out. especially where I live. these are popular for drifters. It'll be hard to find a fresh untouched one for that cheap.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:21

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E30.

Singhjr96 > YSI-what can brown do for you 02/19/2014 at 23:21

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They look amazing though.

Singhjr96 > E30Joe drives a Subaru 02/19/2014 at 23:22

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Ofcourse.

JGrabowMSt > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:22

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First gen Neon. Buy it for dirt cheap, then source a good SRT4 drivetrain. Swap. Profit.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:22

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Buick. Regal.GS.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…
some light work, and this bad boy will be one hell of a sleeper

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:24

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;)

hethoughtofcars > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:25

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It's like trying to find a CRX that is 100% stock. Possible, but not likely.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:25

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Well, as long as they aren't your daily, they will be fine. They had truck engines in them and they can handle a lot! The rust might be a problem, but you will have trouble finding a car for under 2 grand that doesn't! Plus these cars have tons of potential if you keep if for a few years!

YSI-what can brown do for you > Arben72 02/19/2014 at 23:25

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HOW?!??!?!

hethoughtofcars > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:27

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....and you're welcome. Unless I get there first :)

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/434085…

CobraJoe > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:39

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I'll tell you what I did get:

An '88 Thunderbird Sport. It's got a (weak) 5.0 V8, it's got a 5 speed swapped in (probably because the AOD was toast), it ran so horribly that the previous owner wanted to get rid of it after owning it for a month, and it's so swappable and upgradable that it might as well be made of legos.

I've already installed springs from a '98 Mustang GT to lower it, an intake from a Explorer to give it more power, and I'm planning a head swap to make it equivalent to a 5.0 HO in a Mustang (or better...). Later on, I'm planning brake upgrades (from SN95 Mustangs), an axle swap (maybe even a Cobra IRS), a good paint job and who knows what else.

As for the price, I didn't pay exactly $2000, but the guy valued it at $2000 and I traded a '93 Mark VIII for it at equal value. As for it's condition, it does need paint, some interior work, and some trouble shooting to make it run right, but it's also rust free, a solid runner (after I figured out the coil was shorting out), and has only 80k miles. Plus, I have a nearly endless supply of Mustang parts for upgrades, and it's not just another Mustang.

Bytemite > YSI-what can brown do for you 02/19/2014 at 23:40

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Finding S13s (240SX) that aren't overpriced and/or beaten is impossible.

Everyone wants one, and everyone has already ruined the lot.

Singhjr96 > hethoughtofcars 02/19/2014 at 23:40

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What is the thing in the back seat?

Bytemite > E30Joe drives a Subaru 02/19/2014 at 23:40

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318is

Singhjr96 > Arben72 02/19/2014 at 23:41

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Serious how? What was wrong with it?

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Bytemite 02/19/2014 at 23:41

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That was my 1500 dollar project, running and everything it was fun.

Arben72 > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:44

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2 coil packs and probably a new transmission or valve body for the transmission. Also one headlight doesn't work and the trunk doesn't open. Ordered a new ballast for the headlight for $50 new coil packs @ $80ea and using a connection for a tranny with ~45k miles for about $500. Diying everything. Still feel like I stole it, the mods alone are worth a couple times what I payed for it.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Bytemite 02/19/2014 at 23:47

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It is owned by a lot of stancers and drifters, which give the cars hell. I want one once I get out of college to make into a track car that I can also take to some fun roads around town. Should be amazing!

hethoughtofcars > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:49

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Haha. Yeah, I guess when you've got a car that sweet, you don't need cohesive pictures of what you're selling that make any sense at all. It appears to be a baby's hat(?) maybe? Clearly too much of a hassle to reach back and move in any case.

Singhjr96 > Arben72 02/19/2014 at 23:55

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You are lucky with a hookup for a tranny. Now me I would need to pay a lot more for a tranny. And oh boy, how wrong does that sound?

Arben72 > Singhjr96 02/19/2014 at 23:59

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Car-parts.com shows them in that general price, but I know this ones going to be in good condition. For sound, dear god video doesn't do it justice. The turbo spool is about as loud as my m3 in the cabin, exhaust is huge. Bov, and external waste gate. Exhaust is pretty much just a pipe that aims the sound and muffles nothing.

JasonStern911 > YSI-what can brown do for you 02/20/2014 at 00:02

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those are actually the better ones to own. most of the ones in my area in the sub-$2k price range are abandoned projects, which means you need a ridiculous amount of time to go through nearly everything to see just what they decided to mess with for some stupid reason.

Frosted > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 00:03

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Singhjr96 > JasonStern911 02/20/2014 at 00:04

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Same here. Or they just in general don't run.

KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 00:05

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My best friend has a hatch 240sx and has a bunch of friends with s-chassis. Every single one of them says what you're saying. As much as I love them, you're right to stay away. Truck engine schmuck engine, if you want one that hasn't been screwed up in some way or another you're looking at at LEAST $4k.

JasonStern911 > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 00:11

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cash for clunkers really destroyed the under $2k market, but ignoring what has already been posted:

GM G-Body

Cheap, rear-wheel drive, and can be had with a small block Chevy V8.

Ford Panther:

Cheap, rear-wheel drive, and available with a Ford Modular V8.

Toyota MR2 (AW11):

Cheap (I don't get why I keep listing that as a selling point on cars under $2,000), rear-wheel drive, mid-engine, 4AGE powered.

YSI-what can brown do for you > JasonStern911 02/20/2014 at 00:11

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It generally means they are running. I haven't found a single one in my area over 3 grand, which is good and bad. I have no idea the condition, plus a lot of times, they seem fine until you get up to highway speeds.

Singhjr96 > JasonStern911 02/20/2014 at 00:15

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I saw a red mr2 drifting around on a road that I like to take corners at speed on. I would've done a tandem and just followed up, but unfortunately I have a fwd car, and it wasn't slick enough from the rain. I have managed to somewhat power slide a van with a v6 in it down a curvy road that was on a hill when it was pouring, with slightly bladed front tires. That is why I love washington. It's rains a lot so you can have fun without rwd.

KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 00:17

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I'm gonna go with Miata. As boring as that sounds, I really mean it. It'll be bulletproof, and can be anything you modify it to be. There's one in FD for goodness' sake.

Alternatively, FB RX-7. You can get them for around that price, but it won't be running too well. However, rotaties are super (I'm not kidding) easy to rebuild if you know how (which manuals and the internet are wonderful for), and with some more modern apex seals and regular maintenance (and not letting the engine sit still for too long) are actually extremely reliable. They do drink a bit of oil, but that's by DESIGN, not poor reliability like most people think. I'm not kidding when I say that a tuned rotary is more reliable than a tuned 4-pot. The only issue with this is that you say it has to be running, which FBs around this price will be doing, just not at their best.

Another option, fox body Mustang. Cheap as hell, easy engine swaps, huge aftermarket, IRS swaps have been a ton if you care about that (from a 99 or 01-03 Mustang Cobra, just find one with a totaled front and buy it for the rear suspension), and they can look badass with just a few mods (lowered, front bumper, tasteful wheels [anything but chrome] and maybe even fender flares).

Alternatively, get a motorcycle. This really is the best choice, you'll get way more performance and it'll cost less in insurance and fuel as well. And you're on a motorcycle

Singhjr96 > KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb 02/20/2014 at 00:21

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Well as for the motorcycle thing...I live in washington where it rains about 250-300 days of the year. Or it is bats hit cold for the days that don't rain. Foxbody mustang...Not really sold on that. But the 2000-2003ish in terms of styling, I like a lot. As for the rotary bit... not really looking to learn engine maintenance just yet.

JasonStern911 > YSI-what can brown do for you 02/20/2014 at 00:21

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honestly, cars seem really overpriced where I live. I posted asking for suggestions for cars for my girl to buy, and most of them were well over the price limit. then I looked at the car prices in San Diego where my sister lives, and it was like - wow. many of my "you can't buy that car for that price!" responses seemed incorrect.

but going back to the project cars, people seem unwilling to take a loss on them. the ads read like "bought a running car. bought rims, installed a blow off valve, upped the boost, and now it's having a minor compression problem. should be an easy fix. I'd do it but I have work/school. asking as much as I paid for the car and mods, which is a steal."

sad, really, as I imagine a ton of nice cars going to waste due to that...

KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 00:24

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Hey, I live in Washington too! Except for right now when I'm going to school in Minnesota. You're being a wimp, riding in the rain really isn't that bad (I actually enjoy it quite a lot, you just need a helmet with good vents), and WA really isn't cold at all. With a reasonable riding jacket you're golden.

Also, you want to "start a project" but aren't willing to work on your car? I is confus. Any project car will without fail need at least some engine work.

JasonStern911 > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 00:28

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I can't speak for front wheel drive drifting, as unless I pulled the e-brake, all I ever got was understeer which for some reason (video games?) scared the crap out of me more than oversteer which at least felt like there was some chance I could correct it. but MR2s are terrible drift cars. hell, anything mid-engine or rear-engine are inherently terrible drift cars. not saying it cannot be done, but the skill level required is exponentially higher. and there are plenty of well balanced front-engine, rear-wheel drive cars out there, so I don't get making things harder than they have to be.

but then no $2k car should be a drift car unless it's: 1 - not a daily driver, and 2 - owned by someone with the funds to fix it when something breaks.

Singhjr96 > KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb 02/20/2014 at 00:29

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OK will I want to work on a car, but I'm just not sold on the rotary. Also I would need to get an endorsement, and my parents would never let me get a motorcycle. (i'll get one later when I'm older.) And I'm just not to sold on the mustang because there are about 5 just at my school alone.

Singhjr96 > JasonStern911 02/20/2014 at 00:36

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Oh no, this guy is good, and he has sunk quite a bit of money into his mr2. I'm not looking to make a drift car though. Plus yeah understeer can be scary so I make sure I only try on roads that I know or that have a pretty big shoulder. But if anything goes wrong I just let off the gas a bit. Or if i'm braking let off the pedal and let the car find grip, but that's a little hard to do in the middle of a bend, which is when the shoulder comes into play. let the steering return center and let it slow down until you can turn. I'm not saying i'm good because i'm not, but I do have a little experience, and some friends with miatas and rx7's. Same rules apply I guess.

Zibodiz > f86sabre 02/20/2014 at 01:52

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This. I daily drive my $850 'scort, and it's been super reliable so far (had it for a year). Buying a sub-$1k car means you have some left over to immediately invest in upgrades!

Cynical > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 04:54

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e30. Every. Single. Time.

f86sabre > Zibodiz 02/20/2014 at 06:06

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You also have a set of expectations that if it breaks you just fix it and don't bitch about it. That is kind of nice.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 08:14

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Rebel against the Miata hive-mind and drive a real go-kart

mycarneverruns87 > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 09:58

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Two words.....FOX BODY

4 different body configurations, cheap, made of legos, HUGE aftermarket, easy to find, and super fun to build and drive.

RazoE > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 10:04

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MKIII Supra

They love boost, just make sure you take care of the HG first.

DirtyBird > Frosted 02/20/2014 at 13:08

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Not biased at all...

Frosted > DirtyBird 02/20/2014 at 13:43

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RWD, reliable, decent aftermarket, plus wagon!

KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 17:15

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Why aren't you sold on the rotary?

Fair enough on the parents thing, but with the Mustang thing you really shouldn't let high-school peers dictate important choices. You'll be out of there in a bit, and doing something to avoid being associated with people is... eh, can't think of the word, but it says something about lack of self-determination. Just do it better than them.

Singhjr96 > KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb 02/20/2014 at 18:40

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Well I like mustangs but I'm just not completely sold on the mustang idea. I guess i'm just using the large crowd of mustangs as an excuse. I like mustangs, but not as much as some other cars which I can get within my budget. Idk, maybe i'll find a mustang that I completely fall in love with, but until then, it's on my list, but it's like a little ways down. Preferences I guess.

KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 21:05

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Fair enough. Since rotaries are out for some reason (I understand, most people have unfounded bias against them, I've come to accept that) or the other, what options are you currently considering?

Singhjr96 > KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb 02/20/2014 at 22:19

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OK I know you are going to think I am being hypocritical here, but first is a yugo. I want to spend no more than $2000 on it. I could get them easily around $1500.(finding one is the problem) I've heard engine can be as cheap as $100. Not so sure about that but I wouldn't be surprised if they were. But either way, that will give me quite a little bit of wiggle room for parts, and a more reliable engine and tranny. But I want to also look at the mr2. Why? Because I don't give a fuck what you think. lol. Sweet little cars in my opinion. I've seen one in decent shape with no rust from a dealership for almost $3000 so i'm sure I could find a decent project car for $2000. I would have to earn more funds with this option but eh. I'd do it. Third I would probably have to say would be a mustang. Might be a little rough in condition, but it should be not to hard to find one. I would've liked to have gotten a integera because I think they look awesome, and are a great base, but so does everybody else. Which caused the cost of them to go up. Most integeras are overpriced IMHO. It's because of their reputation for being good cars to modify.

KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 22:27

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Hm, I'm surprised you're finding MR2s that cheap in good condition. AW11?

Yugo would be awesome. Go for it. My only gripe would be that it's FWD.

And yes, teggys are overpriced. And FWD. If you're going to invest in something fun, make it something that'll stay fun.

Also, good on you for not giving a fuck what I think.

Singhjr96 > KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb 02/20/2014 at 23:02

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lol. I get quite a bit of crap for what I think. Like I think my accord with a cvt is awesome and people hate on it. but the only thing is for me to get it cheap, I would have to get it from halfway across the country. That's like 500 for someone the ship it over here. Probably even more. Here's one that I could drive out to if I absolutely had too. But i'm sure I can find one local one craigslist which I haven't searched yet.

Singhjr96 > Singhjr96 02/20/2014 at 23:04

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Here's a link if you want to snag it because I still have to save up a little bit.(edit:this ones $5000 I believe)

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-To…

-edit- Sorry wrong link, here's the one I meant to share.

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-To… ($3000)

Singhjr96 > KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb 02/21/2014 at 00:29

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As for the yugo fwd thing... Well i'll just leave this here.