recommend a project.

[spikerS]

I am thinking about starting a project vehicle. But I am not too sure what.

I don't want to spend a lot of cash, so cheap and widely available parts would be best. I don't need anything flashy, and should be easy to work on.

How big is too big to fit into a MGB? or a Karmann Ghia? Classic Beetle?

I am really leaning towards a little convertible for road trips for Baygirl and I.

Any other thoughts on a vehicle that fits the bill that can be had for 3-4k?

[jacky4566]

Do you have any goals for this project? AutoX, Ski Mobile, Car Camping?

Just off the top of my head
Datsun 510
Pontiac Fiero
BMW anything

[baygirl]

Originally posted by spikerS


How big is too big to fit into a MGB? or a Karmann Ghia? Classic Beetle?


No, no, maybe.

What about a fox body Mustang?:dunno:

[spikerS]

Originally posted by jacky4566
Do you have any goals for this project? AutoX, Ski Mobile, Car Camping?

Just off the top of my head
Datsun 510
Pontiac Fiero
BMW anything

No real goals for purpose built like that. I am thinking about just a fun cruising car. Do road trips into the mountains and such in a cool ride.

[Kloubek]

I would feel cramped in one of those considerations, and you have a bunch on me. Couldn't imagine youd come out on the comfortable side of that equation.

I think you best consider a domestic. Fox body convertible would be appropriate.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Miata

[spikerS]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo
Miata

I have already tried to fit into a Miata, but at 6'4", I can't even get my leg under the steering wheel to get in.

[Tik-Tok]

Those seems like small cars spikerS. You strike me as more of a vintage/classic truck kind of guy.

If it has to be car though, a mid 70's Cadillac with a modern drivetrain swap would be a nice highway cruiser. Keep considering one for trips to my parents on the Island. Would just float down the highway.

[NoPulp]

Mustangs might be sort of boring, but probably one of the best values? Also easy to work on and TONS of parts.

vw cabriolet?


OH! I heard chicks dig convertible PT cruisers.

[birdman86]

Tiny but so versatile:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/01/a9/64/01a96428fc9e6ca0384057771fad7ecc.jpg

http://www.carmaautolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Baby-blue-bug-roof-rack-.jpg

http://cdn.coresites.factorymedia.com/mpora_new/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/zuampa-surf-on-a-beatle.jpg

[ercchry]

yeah i dont see spikers fitting in most of these cars :rofl:

mustang would for sure be best bang for buck... but on the flip side... casual use, full coverage on my datsun 510 is like... $40/yr (no, i didnt miss a zero) :rofl:

[Sugarphreak]

...

[ianmcc]

Mercedes 450 convertible?
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/lloydminster-ab/1973-mercedes-benz-450-sl-convertible/1078597998?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/calgary/1972-mercedes-450-sl/1103648320?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/edmonton/1974-mercedes-benz-450sl-convertible/1101283176?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

[finboy]

http://www.customdakotas.com/forums/attachments/sale/5947d1316396429-1989-dakota-convertible-sale-100_2100.jpg

[Sentry]

For a turn-key drivable car I'd be looking for R129 SL500s.

http://i.imgur.com/010vO86.jpg

Killer looks, plenty of power, known to be reliable.

Saw one for $3k not too long ago, seems to be gone from Kijiji now though.

[firebane]

LOL a the mention of a Fiero... Those things won't fit him either!

[AndyL]

Craploads of bmw 3 series convertibles on kijiji in that price point...

Few older Saab's - and they're pretty fun when you get the turbo models... Not particularly easy on parts though...

I still vote for a thunderchicken with t tops ;)

A Nissan Z would fit the bill too - t tops are a little more practical than true convertible...

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
A classic jeep would be a great low cost budget project... Plus convertible

Jeep + Highway cruising? :nut:

[spikerS]

Originally posted by Sentry
For a turn-key drivable car I'd be looking for R129 SL500s.

http://i.imgur.com/010vO86.jpg

Killer looks, plenty of power, known to be reliable.

Saw one for $3k not too long ago, seems to be gone from Kijiji now though.

That one is actually pretty interesting.

I could get into that I think, I was hoping to stay away from the V8s, but that looks pretty pimp.

[AE92_TreunoSC]

SL's get expensive fast when fixing the many things that go wrong, but they do drive and sound nice when the stars align.

I would lean towards a mustang for parts availability and overall ease to work on.

That MB has a crazy fuel injection system and two distributors to go with its two fuel pumps.

I had lots of fun with the jeep I bought to fix up, and offroading is way more fun in a small lifted jeep thats paid for than a full sized pickup! Just a thought.

[revelations]

I've never heard someone ASK which project they should take on ... most enthusiasts already have 3-4 ideas constantly in mind for a project..... if that time ever came :rofl:

But otherwise, thats far too broad a request - usually most guys focus on a year/make/model/style.

As far as convertible, cheap & easy to work on - a used Seabring :dunno:

[spikerS]

Originally posted by revelations
I've never heard someone ASK which project they should take on ... most enthusiasts already have 3-4 ideas constantly in mind for a project..... if that time ever came :rofl:


Oh, I already know what project (FOR ME) that I want, Baygirl would veto it every time though.

But I am looking for a fun car to do a roadtrip with that doesn't break my bank.

[spikerS]

I am just saying that if I ever post up saying that I bought this...

https://cdn1.3dtuning.com/info/AMC%20Gremlin%20X%201970%203%20Door%20Hatchback/factory/1.jpg

When my body is found, make sure the cops look into Baygirl as a prime suspect.

[carson blocks]

If you want a cheap convertible, and an easy project that's cheap to work on, with plentiful and inexpensive parts, why not a SN95(94-98) or 'New Edge' (99-04)Mustang convertible?

[Sentry]

Originally posted by spikerS
That one is actually pretty interesting.

I could get into that I think, I was hoping to stay away from the V8s, but that looks pretty pimp.
Inline 6 is an option as well.

If it's not fast enough, some crazy euro fucks (https://www.google.ca/search?q=turbobandit) have taken those I6es to astronomical power levels. :D

[gogreen]

This one seems like the price may be too low to be legit, but something along the same lines would make a cool cruiser:

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/calgary/1963-ford-falcon/1104323848?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

They did come in a convertible, though you could probably find a well-kept 4-door for fairly cheap. Upgrading to disc brakes is a common modification, and a lot of parts are shared with early Mustangs.

There's also this, which I thought was unique:

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/calgary/1961-dodge-town-wagon-1-2-ton-project-on-1988-frame/1098081347?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Being on an '88 Dodge truck frame would probably help parts availability, provided the frame swap was done well.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Fuck highways, get a late 4.0L YJ. Cheapish, unkillable engine, dead easy to work on.

[quick_scar]

Del Sol.

At 6'3 I fit in one fine (surprising amount of room for the size of car)
any 92-95 civic parts fit for suspension, engine, etc..... and they are everywhere (civics).

Only hard part is finding body specific parts at times ex. ashtray (common issue), dash buttons, etc....

[Abeo]

If I were starting a new project, I'd get this:

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/calgary/1971-ford-maverick/1104077708?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Make it a mini-muscle car. Modern fuel injection and overdrive would make it a nice cruiser, too.

[GotRice?]

nvm not 3-4k

[cam_wmh]

W201? There's usually cheap manuals kicking around now & then, and maybe do a motor swap?

[Sugarphreak]

...

[firebane]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak


A topless Jeep with the doors off is pretty damn fun in the summer

A classic CJ-7 or CJ-5 in good shape isn't too expensive, endless aftermarket mods, and super easy to work on. They make a great project car.

Yeah except you need to do at least a swap with a different transmission to make them highway friendly.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak


A topless Jeep with the doors off is pretty damn fun in the summer

A classic CJ-7 or CJ-5 in good shape isn't too expensive, endless aftermarket mods, and super easy to work on. They make a great project car.

I whole-heartedly agree... but not in a vehicle that's intended for 120km/h highway cruising.

Aerodynamics of a brick, bare sheet metal, no sound deadener, badly geared for high speed, tires will likely be A/T (because Jeep). So put that altogether, and it's a great vehicle for not having a conservation with your passenger.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[Paul]

Spikers, I faced the exact same delimma at the beginning of this summer. Wanted a project car, didn't want to break the bank, had to have good aftermarket support (to make repairs / tuning cheaper) and be a convertible.

I ended up buying a 1998 Porsche Boxter (which I've never been a fan of) that had sat for a number of years. Car came with a TechArt body kit (was actually the 1999 TechArt poster car) , aftermarket headers, exhaust, intake, rims, new tires but it wasn't running properly bit has less than 100,000 Kms on the odo. After tinkering with it a bit, and about $2000 in parts, I've got a pretty cool summer cruiser. Insurance, full coverage, is dirt cheap because of age of the car. It's actually a blast to drive.

I'd check kijiji for an older Boxter. I paid $10k for mine.

[codetrap]

.

[SkiBum5.0]

A project car, under $10K that is also reliable enough to take on long drives is going to be tough. It will take at least a year to shake out all the issues to the point where you can be confident in it.

My wife still won't ride in the Mustang because you smell like race gas when you get out. I may have to add some 100 cell cats next year, plus a new gas fill hose and breather to get her into it