Cheap, fun & easily repairable project cars
12-25-2001 | 08:03 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 433
Likes: 1
From: Canada
Cheap, fun & easily repairable project cars
Hi guys,
I did a similar tread a while back, and wanted to see if we could get anything new out of this.
My inputs would be:
924, 931, 914
What other makes/models would you guys suggest?
The car has to have available parts (and not expensive), and has to be easy to work on?
Thanks
Mike
1984 944 (new tranny and clutch)
I did a similar tread a while back, and wanted to see if we could get anything new out of this.
My inputs would be:
924, 931, 914
What other makes/models would you guys suggest?
The car has to have available parts (and not expensive), and has to be easy to work on?
Thanks
Mike
1984 944 (new tranny and clutch)
12-25-2001 | 08:20 PM
#2
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Sparks, Maryland
The 914 is going to be the least expensive car to fix-up, and the 931 (924 turbo) is going to be the most expensive. Specifically, the 931 is almost as much to maintain as a 951 - if I were going that route, I'd strongly consider how much working capital you have and what kind of starter vehicle you can get for your project.
I've seem some really nice 914's in the local PCA events. Not terribly fast, but those little things handle awesome.
Greg
I've seem some really nice 914's in the local PCA events. Not terribly fast, but those little things handle awesome.
Greg
12-25-2001 | 11:32 PM
#4
Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 2
From: Asheville,NC (Don't move here!!!)
Other makes / models?
Top of my budget list would be an '83-'84 Rabbit GTI. The basic goodies are there from the factory, parts are cheap & available, and you can always transplant a later 2.0 L 16V engine into it.... dunno if a VR-6 would fit.
My first 'sporty car' was an '83 GTI. Also the only new car I ever bought.
Other sportier-looking candidates would be RX-7 (my boss has one that's cherry, only about 70K miles on it) & maybe the MR-2.
Jim, too dam' many projects already...
Top of my budget list would be an '83-'84 Rabbit GTI. The basic goodies are there from the factory, parts are cheap & available, and you can always transplant a later 2.0 L 16V engine into it.... dunno if a VR-6 would fit.
My first 'sporty car' was an '83 GTI. Also the only new car I ever bought.
Other sportier-looking candidates would be RX-7 (my boss has one that's cherry, only about 70K miles on it) & maybe the MR-2.
Jim, too dam' many projects already...
12-26-2001 | 12:48 AM
#5
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 971
Likes: 0
From: PA
hmmmm.....i would get a pontiac fiero....put a caddy northstar engine in it (should bolt right up in) and have some fun....from what i hear, that engine in that car will bring the wheels off the ground... 
i have some good ideas on project cars...
i say after the 944 supercharger project car, im going to pimp out a conversion van or get a minivan and see how fast i can make it........
space
i have some good ideas on project cars...
i say after the 944 supercharger project car, im going to pimp out a conversion van or get a minivan and see how fast i can make it....
....space
12-27-2001 | 11:01 AM
#7
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Cincy, OH
Space,
I am a Fiero junkie too. I have thinned my herd from 4 to 1 and it is a project vehicle. The N* swap has a few problems. It is not even close to a bolt in. The SBC is much closer and can use the Fiero trans too. V-8 Archie makes a reasonibly priced SBC kit for someone that does not have the ability to make their own. Also, note that the long-term reliability of the N* is suspicious.
PM me if you ever want to discuss more about Fiero's.
Firestarter
I am a Fiero junkie too. I have thinned my herd from 4 to 1 and it is a project vehicle. The N* swap has a few problems. It is not even close to a bolt in. The SBC is much closer and can use the Fiero trans too. V-8 Archie makes a reasonibly priced SBC kit for someone that does not have the ability to make their own. Also, note that the long-term reliability of the N* is suspicious.
PM me if you ever want to discuss more about Fiero's.
Firestarter
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12-27-2001 | 11:47 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 0
From: Crofton, MD
Ugh...I just got out of court this morning for some BS noise violation at my old apartment...I was asleep through most of the party, yet I still got charged with everything. I passed on my right to a lawyer, jury trial, etc. and I talked to the state's attourney and pleaded guilty to 1 of the 3 charges and received 1 day's probation (I better not do anything bad today), $45 fine, and $55 court costs. I think I am going to sleep all day.
Anyways, fun project cars...
1st gen MR2 supercharged...with chips and a pulley, a veritable 220 HP 2100 pound monster.
1st gen rx-7 with a 2nd gen turbo II motor (bolts right up). My first car was a 1st gen with an '89 n/a motor (160 HP) and that thing flew.
2nd gen rx-7 turbo II - very moddable, dirt cheap, engine rebuild costs $1000 parts and 15 hours of your time in case you blow one up, and if you have someone else rebuild the motor for you, its usually less than $2000.
2nd gen rx-7 convertible with a turbo II engine/tranny swap. I am seriously considering this as my next car once I get my rediculous tax return back this year (I worked for 6 months at a decent pay rate, withheld more taxes than I needed to, and then quit, so I should end up getting taxed on half of my salary for last year, which should give me some bling blingin' action$$$$)
AE-86 corrola - Great little light weight RWD car with many performance options available, including a bolt-in motor swap from a supercharged MR2. Lots of drifting with this beast.
I am sure there are a bunch more, but this is all that I could come up with after having all of an hour and a half of sleep and waking up from a terrifying dream where I was being mauled by a viscous kitten on the top of my head.
I think I am going to go to sleep...later.
Anyways, fun project cars...
1st gen MR2 supercharged...with chips and a pulley, a veritable 220 HP 2100 pound monster.
1st gen rx-7 with a 2nd gen turbo II motor (bolts right up). My first car was a 1st gen with an '89 n/a motor (160 HP) and that thing flew.
2nd gen rx-7 turbo II - very moddable, dirt cheap, engine rebuild costs $1000 parts and 15 hours of your time in case you blow one up, and if you have someone else rebuild the motor for you, its usually less than $2000.
2nd gen rx-7 convertible with a turbo II engine/tranny swap. I am seriously considering this as my next car once I get my rediculous tax return back this year (I worked for 6 months at a decent pay rate, withheld more taxes than I needed to, and then quit, so I should end up getting taxed on half of my salary for last year, which should give me some bling blingin' action$$$$)
AE-86 corrola - Great little light weight RWD car with many performance options available, including a bolt-in motor swap from a supercharged MR2. Lots of drifting with this beast.
I am sure there are a bunch more, but this is all that I could come up with after having all of an hour and a half of sleep and waking up from a terrifying dream where I was being mauled by a viscous kitten on the top of my head.
I think I am going to go to sleep...later.
