In tomorrow’s CC, I reveal my new lust object. I’m not exactly sure what the price is, but I think five big ones would probably cover it. So how about you? What single one CC would you most want to buy right now (and actually have to care and feed) if someone slipped you a James Madison?
Right before I bought Lorraine last month, there was a well preserved daily driver 1965 Buick Skylark Coupe for exactly $5000. It was a weird green/grey with white whatever Buick called it’s tough vinyl seats and those adorable spinner knock off wheel covers were all accounted for. Most likely it was an Estate sale by someone that didn’t get his/her Grandmother’s 1965 Buick was worth all that much, and comparatively, since it wasn’t a Gran Sport (just a 300 V8 with the twin path automatic) it wasn’t, but in it’s condition it was worth closer to $7,500 or $8,000.
Other than that normally in my $5000 desire range are these 5:
1) a 1964 Chevrolet Monza Coupe (110hp/Powerglide)
2) a 1965 Corvair Monza (for some reason more 140hp cars seem to be in that price range in the Bay Area, but a 110 would do)
3) 1971-72 Mercedes Benz 280 SE 4.5 (there’s enough drivers of those in that range, although with the potential to make me cry)
4) 1994 Mercedes E320 Wagon
5) 1962 Oldsmobile F-85 Cutlass Coupe (Ideally I’d want the Convertible but those seem to be solidly $8,500-$10K cars now)
I’m not sure if these qualify because they have not been featured on CC, but I would like either a 1959 Lincoln Premier (Four Door Hardtop) or a 1963 Mercury S63 (Two Door Hardtop) I’m afraid that if I had millions of dollars that I would need an acre of land for all the neat cars I have seen and would like to own lol
Any car qualifies, not just ones seen here.
Thats great Paul, Thanks!
Ok, Actually looked, and came across this:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/2335622946.html I’m even coming $1500 under budget.
Which would leave me enough of a Budget for this: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2341003780.html
Otherwise I’d be a monster with three Nerdy sedans right now.
The first one looks good. I’d skip the second one on the general principle that I don’t do business with people who think my time is theirs to waste.
If I really have to think about gas and Maintenance, Well I have always wanted a Mazda Miata Special Edition. Perhaps the Greenish-Blue Montego Green, I think it was a 1993.
I would still like a 1989 Toronado Trofeo, as I only got to drive mine for about 2 months.
Perhaps this time I’d Prefer a 1993 or 1999 Buick Riviera.
Going back to the true Classics, I’d like a 1966 Ford Thunderbird, but I bet it would be a nightmare to keep running o a budget.
Another 87 Integra (un-molested) to replace my late one. No joke.
hmmmm… here goes:
1. ’66 Buick Riviera????? (lust!)
2. ’64 Merc Marauder in aqua blue w/ black steelie wheels???
yummmmy,
Mint condition E30 BMW 3 series… then save up for an S50 engine swap. Or maybe a Fox-body Mustang. Oooooh, or maybe a mid-80s Monte Carlo SS, always wanted one of those!
Not too many real classics I would want can be found that cheap.
I’d keep that James Madison. It’s worth quite a bit more than 5K. Anyone have one they want to sell me?
With an hour and 40 minutes left to bid, the highest bid for this beaut is $4,159:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1965-PONTIAC-GRAND-PRIX-GREAT-VALUE-/190523943735?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c5c1cab37
With any luck, it could be fixed up just enough to drive home and get a Virginia inspection sticker for another $841.
This past December, I did just that – and under budget as well. The weekend before Christmas, four of us (my wife, my father, a good friend of mine, and yours truly) crammed ourselves into my wife’s Subaru Baja, drove 16 hours from Connecticut to Charlotte, NC, and picked up my shiny (not-so) new beach cruiser – a 5-speed 1991 Geo Metro convertible. In yellow. With only 62,000 miles showing on the odometer, and the paperwork to prove it. It’s a great car, fun to drive, wonderful on gas, fun to ride in with the top down. I just hope the temperatures here in the Northeast break 40 degrees soon…
Pretty much anything made before dashboards became huge and plasticky, i.e. 1967 and back. Nowadays you’re very lucky if you can even find any pre-’67 car in drivable condition for under $5k.
I know where there’s a 66 New Yorker 2-door hardtop with bucket seats and console shifter, parked in a garage about 45 minutes drive from me. Hasn’t been licensed since 2004. It looks like it just left the showroom aside from wear on the drivers seat, which is a rare find for a local car in the rustbelt. If I knocked on their door with $5k cash, it could probably be mine.
$5000 wouldn’t get you much of one, but I’d love a 1964 Imperial Crown hardtop coupe or a ’65 New Yorker. A nice Saab 99 Turbo, in a suitably obnoxious color, wouldn’t go amiss either.
For that kind of money, I’m thinking either a 1997 Volvo 960, 1998 Volvo S90, 1990-92 Cadillac Brougham or a 1995-97 Town Car. First choice would be a 1992 Brougham D’Elegance in black, maroon or navy blue with the 5.7L V8.
I’d buy the Caddy too, then stuff a rebuilt 500 in it and call it good.
hm, $5,000 neatly adjusts to £3,000 over here on the little island…
That’d buy me a middling example of (boringly predictably) a late 90s FIAT Coupe 20vt 😀 but probably only leave me enough left for a year’s insurance and no tax… or money for the inevitable big servicing bill it would rack up in the first year.
Alternatively a similar vintage SAAB 9000 which (a quick scan of autotrader says) would cost more to buy but (experience tells me) much less to run… wouldn’t be as much fun but I’d still get a grin out of it.
5g would find me a nice 88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. That is the one car I keep kicking myself for getting rid of.
Perhaps a Canadian 64-65 Valiant with a slant six motor. Always liked them not exactly sure why though.
A 1966 Studebaker, preferably in one of the Canadian themed colors like Laurentian Red, Yukon Gold, or Timberline Turquoise. I had one once and sold it in a weak moment, regretted it ever since.
Second choice would be a c.1970 Envoy Epic, aka a Canadian market Vauxhall Viva. Cute little cars, and decent on fuel too.
Here is one in GT form too but its a Vauxhall not Envoy
http://oldcarjunkie.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/1970-vauxhall-viva-gt/
I don’t think I could consumate my lust for$5K. He’s the object of my desire.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/velden/3891964827/
I always wanted one since my farming country cousin dated identical blond twins when owning one. It made a big impression on me as a 7 year old city kid.
I’d probably settle for a 1989/90 Corvette, as long as it had a 6-speed, wasn’t red, and wasn’t a convertible.
The Charger is very nice — always had a thing for the glass back Barracuda, myself. Would especially love a ’65 slant six version with the pushbutton AT and console.
I have two choices from actual CCs that Paul did. 1992 Crown Victoria Touring http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/09/1992-crown-victoria-touring-sedan-p75-the-one-and-only-panther-truly-deserving-appreciation/ $5K should do it. Paul said it was the only Panther deserving appreciation.
I’d make an offer on that 1975 New Yorker in the CC Cohort pictures that he posted yesterday. It was beautiful for it’s age and it’s one of the last big Chryslers that was worth a dang.
For my “left field” pics I’d likely pick up a nice Town Car from the 5.0V8 era cause I love the boxier styling and the ease of replacing that motor with Mustang sourced parts. Faling that I’d go for a “bubble” Caprice. The non-Impala non-wagon varieties are still fairly cheap.
See I have 4 cars to choose from.
A true P75 is a rare cat that is for sure the only rarer 1st gen aero Panther is the tow package cars. However the only thing unique thing the P75 package got you was the Touring Sedan Script and the not so good looking in my opinion 2 tone paint. There were quite a few made with the good part of that package the HPP or Handling and Performance Package, leather interior and real keyless entry. My first CV was equipped as such and is the car that infected me with a terminal case of Panther love.
’89 SHO.
Vista Cruiser, baby! Like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-oldsmobile-vista-cruiser-W-30-muscle-wagon-442-/280664042339?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4158e16b63
$5,000.00? Hmmm…I couldn’t afford a car like my avatar I used to own, they go for 30K! My next best choice would be a car like my dad owned and I took extreme pride in – a 1966 Impala sports sedan – yes – pillarless hardtop! Just basic like his: 250 6 cyl, powerglide, PS, AM radio. Black cloth and vinyl interior, fire engine red exterior. bright rub strip down the side. I used to wash and wax that car every weekend back then. He used to let me have it when I went out on the weekend, as my parents rarely went anywhere. I could probably afford one of those! I’ll research it!
BMW E30.
I’d say 325iX, but most good iX’s are over the $5k limit. So make mine an ’89-’91 325iS. Newer “small bumpers” not the “diving boards” of the older E30, with a 5-speed manual and a limited slip diff.
Failing that, a 318iS (1991 only) with the DOHC 16v M42 would be acceptable as well. 140 horsepower in an E30 is plenty sufficient and the 318iS body kit with stock 15″ basket weave BBS rims still look excellent after 20 years.
A modified 1957 or 1957 Plymouth 2-door hardtop (or even a 2-door sedan). Modified, so that I could make my desired changes without the car losing value because of not being original. These cars had the worst frickin’ seats in the world; I’d have to change to bucket seats. The trick is that you have to modify the hardware because the floors in those cars slant downward from the driveline tunnel to the door. A 383 4-barrel with a 4-speed and a 3.23 rear end would be fine for motive power. Toreador red – same color as my ’58 convertible – red and black interior. Ok, I know I’ve gone over the five grand but I’m just dreaming here.
1960-1972 Impala Convertible. Might have to settle for a hardtop at $5K. Engine not all that importnat but want the body to look GREAT!!
Too many choices out there:
1. 1980-82 Ford Thunderbird. I’ve started to have a twisted fascination with the Fairbird. (Thanks, EducatorDan! 🙂 ) There’s one about 35 miles from me and I’d love to take it and load it with Cobra parts.
2. 1989-91 Chevy Corsica LTZ Hatchback. Average purchase price-$500. Add one 95-96 Corsica for the better interior, ABS, other niceties +$500. Add high value 3.5L and transmission +$2500? With parts and labor that equals $5000, right?
3. Datsun 510 two door. My family has tales of the greatness of this car but it died of cancer seven years before I existed. I really want to catch air with one!
I could go on all day….
Best part about that “Fairbird” is no one would ever see the butt whooping they were about to receive coming. I’d purposely put quiet mufflers and the stickiest whitewall tires on it I could find just to keep the rice-rocket drivers guessing.
If you really want a sleeper, find a ’81-’82 Granada or Cougar 4-door and drop Mustang GT guts into it. That was the great thing about the Foxes–Ford kept cross-pollinating hardware from the Mustang to the Mark VII to the T-Bird and Cougar and back to the Mustang, every year the components got better, and most of them interchanged. That train fell off of the tracks in ’89 with the non-Fox T-Bird. I had both an ’86 and a ’90, and while I would snap up another ’86, I would not cross the street for another ’90.
An excellent topic. Sitting at various continuing ed conferences over the past 15 years or so my mind has always wondered to the task of making a list of autos I would like to have to fill up my “5K Auto Collection.” I have actually been able to garage two on the list, each for less than 5K. A showroom condition 1991 Mercury Colony Park that I will submit a cc sometime this spring. Used to tow a folding camper, and has made 3 trips to Florida among many other family adventures. Last spring I was able to snag an original owner 1983 RX-7 with 54,000 miles. Unmolested and exactly as it was when it left the factory. Pretty much the opposite ends of the auto spectrum.
Others on the list would include:
1. Lincoln Versailles. Throw in an upgraded 5.0 litre and an upgraded suspension package and it could be quite the head turning, unique performance sedan.
2. 1985-86 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe.
3. 1986-1992 Mazda B2200 SE-5 pickup. Like a sports car with a big trunk for running various chores and yard work duty. They were a fabulous small truck.
4. 1988 Ford Escort GT. Likely impossible to find.
5. 1978-79 Thunderbird T-roof.
Yeah, these lists typically reflect where we were as teens and young adults, don’t they?
I’m a bit late to the party here, but I’d go for a Porsche 944 or maybe 928. Back a few years ago you could get a very nice 944 for around six grand – not sure about now.
Yeah, the vanilla version that 5k would buy would be at least two seconds slower to 60 than my Saab 9-5. But with the right rubber under it, it’s be a lot more fun in the twisty bits. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love my Saab – and it may actually handle better on paper despite the extra 1000lbs (another 15 years of chassis / structural work will do that) but slow and flexible as they are, I’d like me a 944.
I actually have two – a donation by my aunt. But one has a busted transaxle and a horrid brushed-on purple paint job (it’s on the window sills. Seriously) but an otherwise excellent interior and body… And the other has a good drivetrain and more rust than a detroit junkyard. Those two things add up to far more time than I have – or perhaps will ever, until a 1985 944 looks like a Model A…
The vehicle at the top of my $5K budget wanted list would have to be a IH Wagonmaster, Either a 1010 model with the Dana 60 and rear wheel ASB (anti-skid brakes), or a 1210 4×4 with the 5sp OD. Second on the list would be a 67-8 or 69-70 Cougar. Third on the list would be a Scout Sporttop with a 266, 4sp and 4×4.
Don’t know what a Wagonmaster is? Basically it is a Travelall pickup and where GM got the idea for the Avalanche. The Scout Sporttop was the hardtop coupe version of the baby Scout.
’85-’86 T-bird with the 5.0. I actually had an ’86 with the 3.8, and loved it, but I’d rather move up to the 5.0/AOD setup. The ’85-’86 had a nicer interior than the ’83-’84, and I always liked the ’83-’86 sheetmetal more than the ’87-’88. The nice thing about these cars, being Fox derivatives, is that they are so easy to work on that even I can do it.
A friend of mine had an ’80 Cougar, and I briefly thought about getting one, but they look like the box that the later cars came in.
Not 100% sure either of these would make it under the 5k limit, but I don’t think either one would exceed it by much:
1976-78 Mazda RX-5 Cosmo
1978-82 Volvo 262 or 242 GT
From what Paul has written about recently I really want a Duster /Demon or a plain old Dart.