help! i dont want a ricer

-
If you're going 4 cyl and want something that's reliable and somewhat fun to drive then get a Honda.Mazdas and Nissans are also pretty decent and can be fun,Toyotas are bulletproof but boring,and most used domestics have serious quality issues and are not worth the risk.Unfortunately this goes doubly for Chrysler built vehicles,sorry to say.

When you decide what you want,don't buy one that's been modified or owned by any sort of Fast and Furious wannabe or on a sleazy "we'll finance anybody" car lot.

Try to buy one privately so you get an idea of the cars history and ask questions about maintenance and recent repairs.If they've owned it a short time or sellling if for their "sister,cousin,brother-in-law,etc" walk away and if they say anything to the effect of "it's been a great car,I have'nt had to spend a dime on it for years" that means it now needs everything and they're dumping it.

Make sure it's had regular servicing and a repair history or plan to start spending some money on it shortly.
 
WHats wrong with just a regular neon? We had a 2001 and it was a nice little car... just not made for people with long legs.
 
I have read somewere that dart sport lights and feather duster dusters would get 30+ mpg with a overdrive 4 speed.I parted a spirit of 76 dart a few years ago that had a aluminum framed hood and intake and oter parts to lighten and I imagine some pretty tall gears. That would be a cool driver if you can find one .If not it is hard to beat a import for reliability and econimical cost to operate as much as it pains me to say it and I have owned many over the years.Now if you really want to think out of the box find yourself a vw rabbit diesal you can pick these up for cheap when they wont run any more and throw a set of rings in them and get 50mpg just be carefull like there namsake they multiply and almost becomes a obsession to buy every one you find for parts that you will probebly never need Ive had about 30 of em.Incase you wondering they are super simpile to work on and parts arent to bad I could rebuild one enough to start and run reliably for about 50.00 and 4 hrs time dont even have to pull engine.Boy this is wordy for me lol
 
Hmm. Didn't even think of a diesel. Diesels a lil more expensive fuel right now but they et great mileage. I'll have to think on that.
 
Ford Escort: I would get a wagon, ugly but at least useful
early Camry wagon. I own a 98 sedan and have learned to appreciate it's blandness
Miata: have fun and then resell. They started making them in 90 so you can probably find some in your price range. They can go for many miles.
 
i hate the idea of having to buy a run-of-the-mill rice rocket, since ive only owned dodge an im quite faithful to em. really to any american brand.
Click to expand...


well if you want american then you better stay away from any 98-08 chrysler product they were german cars. plus being built in mexico and canada sure isn't american made.
 
You know I was loomin at a 93 or so miata on CL. 50k miles on it! I don't know I'm not I. The market right this moment, which makes it harder for me
 
73charger said:
You know I was loomin at a 93 or so miata on CL. 50k miles on it! I don't know I'm not I. The market right this moment, which makes it harder for me
Click to expand...


I have had 3 Miatas. They are fun, reliable, and good on gas but your friends will ask if you are gay. LOL, I know mine did.
 
Haha i don't doubt it but I've always liked miatas. Cool lil cars. Dnt know if it's the best idea though. Would prefer a 4+ seater since it's more useful than a 2 seater
 
I had to get a new daily car, as before i got laid off work moved to Seattle, and i wasnt going to leave the bee at a park and ride or in a downtown parking lot.

I was looking for a good car, doing the ricer shuffle, seemed to be a lot out there, but being a mechanic who had worked on most of them, i didnt want many of them.

I finally found a 2nd gen K car, 88 Reliant Wagon. So what if its ugly and may get laughed at, i get 20 MPG and my big green car is safe at home. Plus its way easier and simple to work on, unlike its Ford or Chevy counterparts of teh same era.
 
I'm enjoying my '98 Neon. 2 door, 2.0L DOHC, 5 spd. Great on gas and isn't that rice-y unless somebody has stuck on a fart can or a big gay spoiler.
 
my 88 accord lxi 5spd is bone stock, reliable only has 200k on the od (should be good for at least 100k more) and gets between 28 (driving hard) and 32(freeway)
 
I've got a 318 in my valiant and I haverage 17-18mpg, when I was in highschool I had a /6 '72 dart. I put an electronic ingition, ele distributor, and a 2 barrel intake/carb and found with that I didn't want to keep my foot on the gas as much. plus when you get the 360 you can sell the /6 parts and recoupe some of your expenses
 
805moparkid said:
spruce up that 6... it should be getting mid 20's no problem...
Click to expand...

As i previously stated, I don't see a point in putting any extra cash into my /6 since I'm pullin it out for a 360. Not to mention my suspension is of great safety concern right now an my interior is in shambles. But I can't afford to fix anything cuz of the gas. Maybe a different story If an wen u get a better job, but its immensely safer to just park it an fix it on the side without driving it
 
you'd be surprised by the /6 i'd tune it up and then build the 360 on the side then find another /6 car to put yours into
 
hit up craigslist for cheap rides. i just got a 98 z24 cavalier for 300 bucks. was told the power steering pump was bad turned out just empty lol after 4 used tires tags and tiltle taxes i have 520 dollars in it. has high miles but runs great and looks nice too.
 
you'll have to fix the suspension some time anyway... why not put the money your would use towards another car to fix the suspension, maybe some of the interior, and drive the / while building the 360.

otherwise i like the old toyota truck idea, I maybe following that advice myself soon... since you sold your dakota, you may need a part hauler, if it can get great mpg all the freaken better.

also go get that job or a job and you'll have more freedom. you can work on getting a better job while your hating whatever job you can manage to get now. :)

best,
 
haha im working at a baskin robbins for $8 per hr right now. i making barely enough to cover gas insurance an paying the shop, my uncle an taxes. my plan is to get a new job where my bro-in-law works, pay off my debts and get a cheapo import. im a CL-addict so ive already started shopping and found a 93 celica with 70k original miles! hopin its still for sale when i get around buyin a new car
 
What about Kcars, Shadows, Daytonas, and Omnis? TurboMopar.com has tons of enthusiasts that support these cars with a vengeance. Tell 'em 89CSX10 sent you!
 
Yep, I can tell it's not what you want to hear (been in the same situation myself), but your best bet really is to replace the front suspension on the Dart, tune up the slant, and drive that while you build your 360. Like others have said, you'll have to rebuild the suspension anyway (and you'd wanna upgrade those torsion bars for a V8 swap either way), plus it would give you basic tuning/diagnostic experience you'll need when the 360 is ready to drop in. 1500 miles a month HAS to include a lot of highway miles, right? And a properly-tuned slant can get mid 20's on the highway pretty easily.

But if you're dead-set against getting the slant tuned-up and optimized, you're probably not going to be able to get decent mileage out of a 360 either, so find yourself a economical daily driver now. Just understand that you could learn a LOT from working on the slant that will apply later to a 360.

I kinda did what you're proposing myself. I now have a nice, economical, Japanese daily-driver with power windows and cold A/C (along with a sizeable car-payment), but I prefer to drive my old Swinger, slant six and all. LOTS more character.

Good luck!
 
theres just too much little things. i worry my doors r gonna fall off cuz the stikers r porrly repaired an rusting again. i recently did a tune up on the /6 with plugs, wires, cap rotor ect an it changed nothing really.
 
I have a 91 dodge spirit and love it. Great car,very easy to work on,and CHEAP to fix. It has the 2.5 with the 3 spd. auto with lock up. Get 24 city and 30 highway. Not bad for an 800 dollar car,and its a mopar.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top