Restored Older Car for DD?

[Maximus1966]

Originally Posted By: Phishin
Originally Posted By: Maximus1966
Lots of mid-80's to mid-90's GM cars around at very attractive prices. The ones with the 3.8 v-6 have proven to be very durable. My neighbor recently paid $3500 for a 1985 Cutlass with 25k original miles. Looks very nice!


Yeah, and all of them are ugly as snot too. I want an older car, because I want style. For me, every single American car made in the 80's to current production has no style. They are all so vanilla and just blah...


Well...excuse me for making a suggestion! What happened to the "thanks for the input fellas!" in the first post. You asked about DD's but mentioned nothing about "style."

Besides, one person's style is another's lack thereof. I kinda like the mid-80's Cutlasses.

http://www.productioncars.com/gallery.php?car=5677&make=Oldsmobile&model=Cutlass

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: The_Jed
That's what I do with my Lincoln. One drawback is the lack of shoulder belts for the rear passengers.


Any car made since 1973 has predrilled holes in the rear pillars for shoulder belts, and a kit available at your local dealer.

They won't be fancy retracting ones though.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: The_Jed
That's what I do with my Lincoln. One drawback is the lack of shoulder belts for the rear passengers. Once my kids outgrow their harness type seats I'll have to retrofit shoulder belts or pick up a newer old DD.
I've been looking at either a '96-'99 Tahoe or '97-'01 Explorer 5.0.
Those Mercedes are sexy, though. Just when I had extinguished my lust for a European sedan...

Try driving one. Nothing sounds as sexy as a quad cam V12 on its cams going threw a tunnel at the top of 3rd gear.


Here is one in its natural environment with so so mileage on it, only 301k. I have seen a few with over 500k, and they will still crack 100 like a Camry does 30.


Baring the lame music here is an S600 at a very comfortable cruising speed. Will run at 140 with the AC blasting until the tank runs dry in total comfort. Not bad for a car designed in the late 80's. 4k in 4th gear is a nice cruising speed in that car, they hum.

 

[JHZR2]

But what a waste of fuel. Sorry situation to make one "feel" rich and powerful. Neat cars and neat engines, but there are better options for all tasks, and you could probably buy one of each for the same $.

 

[Phishin]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
But what a waste of fuel. Sorry situation to make one "feel" rich and powerful. Neat cars and neat engines, but there are better options for all tasks, and you could probably buy one of each for the same $.


You can't be serious...and if you are, no reason to post in this thread.

What kind of "sour grapes" attitude is that, man? If you use your arguement, we should all just ride 1 cylinder 90cc engines in micro-cars to work. Yeah, I will fabricate one for myself someday, absolutely, but your "waste of fuel" and "feel rich and powerful" comments are out of line. These Benz's are a dream to drive. They create a wonderful driving experience.

I drive around a 23 year old truck that is confused if it's carburated or fuel injected (TBI) that burns a quart of oil every 200 miles and gets 13mpg's around down. I've driven it 20k miles in 18 months. What a waste of gas and oil!!!! For that kind of gas and oil consumption, I think I'll take a 500HP 500 Ft/Lbs. torque V12 over an anemic 150HP tired old truck.

 

[SuzukiGoat]

I will say this for Mercedes...their parts availability is better than any other manufacturer...by far.

But...the easiest and cheapest way to do it is old truck, crate motor/transmission, new paint, susonsion....that's under 15k fora new truck... provided you bought a blown one with a straightish body.

Hit a Camry in one of those and let THEM crumple. The car you hit matters just as much as the car you're in.

I did it right, I avoided the oncoming car and went down an embankment and cracked an oak tree. That Camry saved my life and being big, but that airbag hit me harder than any man can ever hope to.

 

[brave sir robin]

I currently daily drive my 68 Electra. While not being totally restored it has had the majority of the wearing items repaired or replaced in the last few years. I do not think its a cost effective way of doing things. In my case the fuel usage is brutal. I typically get 9 mpg a tankful. While the majority of parts are pretty inexpensive the quality is hit or miss. I had an alternator go out within six months water pumps fail bushings disintegrate etc.. I work on my car at least once a week. I still spend less money than a car payment but its not that much less when factoring in the added fuel cost.

If I were to DD an older vehicle I would have to say 90's era Nissan or BMW. They are still fairly easy to work on with decent parts availability and solid reliability once everything is sorted.

 

[SS1970chrysler]

My daily use alternates between a '63 Chrysler Newport and an '88 Caddy. I get to work all the time, on time and am still alive. These cars got it done when new and can still do it today.

 

[MCompact]

My wife and I use my 1975 '02 on a daily basis when its lack of A/C isn't an issue. We both prefer it to her E90. It has E21 Recaros and rebuilt seat belts with new webbing and strong retractors. I did relent and install an Alpine head unit equipped with a Sirius XM tuner. It's a joy to drive; direct steering with no electronic nannies.
Previously it was my son's first car; you should have heard the hand-wringing bedwetters tut-tutting about that when I mentioned it on a couple of forums...

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
But what a waste of fuel. Sorry situation to make one "feel" rich and powerful. Neat cars and neat engines, but there are better options for all tasks, and you could probably buy one of each for the same $.


So I assume you ride a bike and live in a tent?

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
But what a waste of fuel. Sorry situation to make one "feel" rich and powerful. Neat cars and neat engines, but there are better options for all tasks, and you could probably buy one of each for the same $.


So I assume you ride a bike and live in a tent?


Sorry that I have to bold my feelings on the situation for you. Since it obviously didnt come across and many got their panties in a wad, let's also remember...

IMO

Its as if one could never get driving enjoyment, and that any car just automatically sucks unless it has some giant V12 engine in it.

IMO they are more of a novelty than most anything else. Otherwise there would be a lot more of them out there. Oh wait, people want to feel "exclusive" going back to my feeling rich comment.

As someone who DOES drive 30+ year old cars for DDs including on LONG road trips with my family, Im fairly qualified to discuss in this thread, pro V-12 or not.

 

[01rangerxl]

67-91 Ford trucks
67-91 GM trucks
72-93 Dodge trucks

That is what you need if you want old and reliable.

LMC Truck and a number of other companies sell all the new reproduction and old stock parts you will ever need. Many things will be on Rock Auto or at the local parts store. Practically everything is cheap and easy to repair if it breaks. I see 30-40 year old Ford and GM trucks daily, and many are just survivors, not babied restored trucks.

 

[Lyman]

I drove a 57 Chevy PU for many years. I sold it when my Family grew. I regret getting rid of it now. Real easy to work on and very reliable. I swapped a 350/350 in it a few years after I bought it.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
But what a waste of fuel. Sorry situation to make one "feel" rich and powerful. Neat cars and neat engines, but there are better options for all tasks, and you could probably buy one of each for the same $.


So I assume you ride a bike and live in a tent?


Sorry that I have to bold my feelings on the situation for you. Since it obviously didnt come across and many got their panties in a wad, let's also remember...

IMO

Its as if one could never get driving enjoyment, and that any car just automatically sucks unless it has some giant V12 engine in it.

IMO they are more of a novelty than most anything else. Otherwise there would be a lot more of them out there. Oh wait, people want to feel "exclusive" going back to my feeling rich comment.

As someone who DOES drive 30+ year old cars for DDs including on LONG road trips with my family, Im fairly qualified to discuss in this thread, pro V-12 or not.


I simply discussed an interesting older vehicle because the OP asked about it. I don't understand what your issue is, or do I really care to be honest.

If you actually bothered to read what I recommended to the OP, I told him to get an S500 and avoid the M120 unless he really wanted a 12 cylinder.

 

[SuzukiGoat]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
My wife and I use my 1975 '02 on a daily basis when its lack of A/C isn't an issue. We both prefer it to her E90. It has E21 Recaros and rebuilt seat belts with new webbing and strong retractors. I did relent and install an Alpine head unit equipped with a Sirius XM tuner. It's a joy to drive; direct steering with no electronic nannies.
Previously it was my son's first car; you should have heard the hand-wringing bedwetters tut-tutting about that when I mentioned it on a couple of forums...

I am...so jealous.

If we ever have kids, mines first vehicle will.be a Toyota truck. Slow, reliable, and cheap to replace when they inevitably mess it up.

2002....

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: SuzukiGoat

I am...so jealous.

If we ever have kids, mines first vehicle will.be a Toyota truck. Slow, reliable, and cheap to replace when they inevitably mess it up.

2002....


The 1974 and up '02s have the "diving board" 5 mph bumpers, so he never managed to ding the bodywork. And I agree on "low and slow" for a first car.
Funny thing, even though the '75 wasn't pristine, it was the coolest car at his school- due to the fact that a 1600 convertible starred in Katy Perry's Teenage Dream video at just about the same time he started driving it...

 

[Benzadmiral]

I can speak to the solidity and quality of the W126 Mercedes, made from '81 to '91 (a little earlier or later in non-American markets, I think). My '86 420SEL had 135K on it when I purchased it in 1999. I drove it all over Colorado and from Denver back down to The Swamp, and then for 3 years here, until it was totalled while parked at 199K miles. Despite the body damage, it was still perfectly drivable. I wish I'd put in the money and time to have it repaired.

Parts, I believe, are still easily available. It was easy to work on -- I changed my own oil with a Topsider --and it was safe and quiet, and darn fast for a two-ton sedan. Look for 300SE or -SEL (6 cyl. gas; "L" means longer wheelbase), 300SD/L (diesel), 420SE/L, 500SE/L, or 560SE/L. There are also the sexy coupes, the 500SEC and 560SEC. A well-sorted '91 560 sedan or coupe, or a 300 sedan, would be a dream DD!

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: SuzukiGoat
Originally Posted By: MCompact
My wife and I use my 1975 '02 on a daily basis when its lack of A/C isn't an issue. We both prefer it to her E90. It has E21 Recaros and rebuilt seat belts with new webbing and strong retractors. I did relent and install an Alpine head unit equipped with a Sirius XM tuner. It's a joy to drive; direct steering with no electronic nannies.
Previously it was my son's first car; you should have heard the hand-wringing bedwetters tut-tutting about that when I mentioned it on a couple of forums...

I am...so jealous.

If we ever have kids, mines first vehicle will be a Toyota truck. Slow, reliable, and cheap to replace when they inevitably mess it up.

2002....


My wife still has her first car...1986 Buick Regal, just a V6...in monochrome black with buckets & console.

Dude I went to school with had a Dodge Daytona Turbo Z as his first car!

 

[bmwjohn]

well I am looking for a DD also. Not a P1800 as they have stepped well into the collector car price status. Even 240's are starting to get collectable,rarer, and pricy, although there are many out there, loads of parts, and tons of tech info. SO, here in Indiana I'm looking for a 96-97 Volvo 850, which became the V-70 in 1998. Both sides galvanized body, good factory paint, FWD with 5 cylinder, some with turbo, basically rustproof brake lines, strong emphasis on safety, and reaching the absolute pit in depreciation. A nice 245 wagon will be twice the price of the 850, and less safety, comfort, more rust though. 850 sedans are all around, the rarest being the 850R with 5 speed and turbo. All have later type a/c, injection, I think most have abs, multi-airbags, generally good appearance. I am seeing $500 - $3,000, except 850r, with unfortunately 100-300k miles. If you wish to visit the Volvo dealer often it will be very expensive, if you try to do some work yourself there will be more tech support and info than you can imagine, with many parts sources. This is true of 240 series also. I love BMW's but price is climbing rapidly, and I would hate for you to ruin one, but even E-30'S are climbing, unless you get a real beater 318. As for 2002's, well into collectable ranks - following the 356.Old Mercedes, esp. diesel, seem usually higher and diesels especially.BTW, I am looking for an 850 turbo wagon, fancy interior, perhaps 100k, good maintenance history, and $1500-2000. Haven't seen it yet - did find a 200k very well maintained 850glt wagon, auto, no turbo, but 75 miles away and $2500. Sure prefer it to an old Chevy Lumina or Buick Lesabre.Kind of uncomfortable to give up turbo and gain 200k to start. Original market was as executive European car, quality build, aimed at less sporty but more safety oriented import car buyers at mid-high $$ end.Don't steal mine!

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle

Dude I went to school with had a Dodge Daytona Turbo Z as his first car!

One of my son's classmates got a 2011 Mustang GT for his first car. I will say that the kid was/is very mature and my son thinks he drives like a little old lady...