Oppo, I Need A Car

"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
02/20/2015 at 16:46 • Filed to: None

Image via Speedhunters

My search continues, and as my handle indicates, I can't make up my damn mind. I've been driving my F150 everyday, and would like to stop. It's starting to become a problem, with very Tempestuous Searches and way, way too much listing of the Craig. The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! I was looking at has been sold, so that's off the table.

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In its place are Saab 900s (oddly, it's hard to find good turbo coupes), 9000s, Alfa Romeo Milanos, other Fairlanes, Falcons, Galaxies, VW Mk1s & IIs, another Mk4 Golf, a Quantum Syncro wagon, Fox body Mustangs, Porsche 944s, Mercedes 190Es (a 2.6 5-speed, but it's black, dammit), Mercedes Pontons & Fintails, W108s, W123 300Ds, yet another E28, 320i's, Bavarias, E12s, E36s, yet another Vanagon, Baja Bugs, Squarebacks, yet another 4000 Quattro, Ur-S4s, Ur-S6s, 240sx's, RWD Celicas, Cressidas, bicycles, hot dog carts, and skateboards. See? I'm sure in another 5 minutes the list will have expanded. Part of the issue is that I could also find something else for my wife, which would then free up her manual E46 Touring for me. Her suggestion, not mine. I love my wife, but I'm oddly not really motivated by that option. The car is just too new for my tastes, and is perfectly useful & safe for her and the offspring.

I'm going to fix & sell the Subaru to help defray the costs of its replacement. Whatever I get has to (sort of) fat dad, because I have a 2 year old and one on the way. That's not necessarily a deal breaker because the little one is rarely in my car, and I can use my truck for that if needed.

I'm well and truly lost, which is new. Usually I sort of laser in on one car I'm after. I just want something fun or interesting in some way. If I'm going to drive it every day I may as well like it. I'd like to spend $5k or less (will stretch for something super bitchin'), have a manual transmission, and get at least 20mpg. I don't care about age, door numbers or driven wheels (though something sort of hoonable would be preferred), and need back seats that can baby. Preferably within 2-300 miles of 93401. Help me refine or expand my search, Opponauts. GO!

DISCUSSION (19)

Brian Silvestro > RallyWrench
02/20/2015 at 16:52

Alfa 105/115 Series Coupe

E34 M5

Defender

190E 2.3L 16V Cosworth

GTV6

Corolla AE86

E36 M3

MR2 (1st or 2nd gen)

240sx

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RallyWrench
02/20/2015 at 16:59

All those kickass Ford's you mentioned sell for more than comparable Mercury brand cars.

This is why I found the Montego.

Check out Montego, Cyclone, Comet, Marauder, Monterrey. Even all the way up in fox body generation there was the Capri.

You get cool but don't get the price tag.

RallyWrench > Brian Silvestro
02/20/2015 at 17:00

105s and GTV6s are on my wishlist, but are out of budget, 105s by several times.

Nibby > RallyWrench
02/20/2015 at 17:08

miata

Brian Silvestro > RallyWrench
02/20/2015 at 17:52

but what about the other cars

RallyWrench > Brian Silvestro
02/20/2015 at 18:01

Good AE86s are hard to find, but I have been searching them. Kind like the 240sx, they're all drifted out & held together with zip ties, or are super modified & won't pass smog. Or they're automatics, which ruins them, and I don't have time to do a manual swap.

I've had an E28 M5 and would love an E34, but those are also over budget. Although there's one here at the shop now that needs a head that I could have for 3k. It's black though, which after my E28 I decided I'd never have again.

Defenders are $$, cool as they are.

MR2s, though I like them, don't have any back seat, so that' s pretty indefensible to my wife.

An E36 M3 or 328i is on the radar because they're cheap.

A good 190E 16V is also hard to find, and having driven them, they're not as special as everyone thinks. I do have a line on a 2.6L 5-speed '90 190E down in LA that looks decent, but it's black.

So many options, but I'm being stupid picky at the same time. We'll see.

RallyWrench > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
02/20/2015 at 18:02

I've always liked Comets, and have seen a couple of others that look interesting. Worth thinking about, for sure.

Brian Silvestro > RallyWrench
02/20/2015 at 20:29

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/489951…

buy that

RallyWrench > Brian Silvestro
02/20/2015 at 20:41

Damn, that looks nice. Like, buy a 1-way plane ticket nice. Surprised he's not asking twice that.

Brian Silvestro > RallyWrench
02/20/2015 at 20:42

Yeah if I had space I'd already be looking for flights

This will not be for sale tomorrow, because it will be sold

I've given you a chance, take it

RallyWrench > Brian Silvestro
02/20/2015 at 21:06

Flights next weekend from $266. I almost flew up there for a '95.5 S6 Avant last month, but the guy decided to keep it. Gotta see if he'll hang on to this or take a deposit if it sounds good. Damn. The color is great, too. The funnest car I've ever driven is my buddy's 20v-swapped AE86 at Buttonwillow, I've wanted one ever since.

Brian Silvestro > RallyWrench
02/20/2015 at 21:08

mmmm hearing that they're fun to drive makes me want one that much more, good luck!

RallyWrench > Brian Silvestro
02/20/2015 at 21:24

Thanks for the tip, man. I've got a text in to him, so we'll see. First question: Will it make a 1000 mile trip home?

Brian Silvestro > RallyWrench
02/20/2015 at 21:34

well since Toyota I assume so

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RallyWrench
02/23/2015 at 09:41

Always remember if you're in the "rediculously obsessed with wagons" club that a large portion of Jalopnik/OPPO is in, every 60's Merc was available in Wagon.

RallyWrench > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
02/23/2015 at 10:41

I am a big wagon fan, but when it comes to old FoMoCo iron I generally prefer the lines of the 2 door cars. Definitely some nice longroofs out there though.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RallyWrench
02/23/2015 at 11:17

I know you literally JUST said not into old wagons, but this is basically my car in ford wagon form (kickass tailgate on it btw, read the descript) http://slo.craigslist.org/cto/4899348894…

This is sweet:

http://fresno.craigslist.org/cto/4899435048…

RallyWrench > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
02/23/2015 at 14:09

I am into them, just not quite as much as, say, a Galaxie 500 fastback. That's mostly because I have the F150 to carry things, so I don't need to haul around that much extra car on a daily basis. And that is a lot of car. Too bad about the carpet & headliner though. I'm liking that Merc quite a bit, actually. I'd just get the sides painted to match & cruise the hell out of it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RallyWrench
02/23/2015 at 14:25

It's pretty epic. I feel like they should have just done the whole hood and top of fenders that wraps over. I wouldn't mind the black sides, but it seems odd to only have roof and trunk lid. Good looking car though. Seems like a nicely upgraded motor too.