74 Swinger - daily driver?

Greetings all! I'm a newbie to the forum and I thank you in advance for putting up with another new guy with mundane questions!

This car came up in the local classifieds and I am considering it as a possible daily driver. I'm an engineering student and looking for inexpensive, reliable transportation that I can work on myself. I also enjoy "driving "old iron" and I am digging the body style and color on this thing. I spoke with the owner yesterday. He said it was something he's been sitting on for 10 years and hasn't gotten around to restoring it. He said it was mechanically sound so I'm considering it as a daily driver though probably not the best rig in a snowy environment - seems like it would be fun to drive and the slant six would prove a reliable, inexpensive motor to run. I had a 77 Nova with a straight six and it was probably the most reliable car I've had.

Do any of you use one as a daily driver and is it reliable or a headache? What are some common problems that I should look for when I go look at it? Does the 225 slant six get decent mpg?

He's asking $2500 - fair price?

thanks! =P~

Looks clean, I'd drive it, altho if they use salt on the roads it won't be clean long, welcome to the board.

The reliability of the Slant Six is lengendary- possibly the greatest economy engine ever produced. The body and engine look very clean is this example; I'd say it's a buy. Remember that you are buying a 40 year old classic car; for the same money you could buy a mid 90's Buick Regal or something and have a much more modern car. If you ENJOY working on a nice old car, buy it! The Darts and Valiants are bulletproof, maybe I'm biased but I'd say much more so than the '77 Nova. It will probably need some brake work from sitting.

I drive my 318 73 Satellite 2 days a week or more, plus weekend errands, and even some long distances.

I've put 6000 miles on it in just over a year.

Just "regular" maintenance...and most parts are still available.

Looks nice! Check floor boards for rot and subframes. Don't know where the car is located as far as road salt issues.
My old slant would get around 18mpg.

Welcome aboard!

i drove a 75 slant valiant back in high school as my daily driver. lasted one whole winter with a cracked head! if you daily drive that wash it often to keep it as clean as it is.

I appreciate the feedback guys. Going to look it over this weekend and I'll keep you updated. Not much for road salt use where I live so it shouldn't pose too much of a problem.

Maybe just use it to get through school and, who knows, a mild restoration down the road. Has a little body damage on the driver's side that doesn't concern me much.

For some reason these Darts always caught my eye, they seem to have "blue collar" written all over them and I love anything that works well without being pretentious!

Reliable yes but things WILL come up that it needs so include that in your budget. Get underneath and check everywhere for rust including the fuel tank. If you decide to buy the car your next purchase should be a factory service manual. It looks very nice, hope it works out!