Rare/classic/fast headturning cars around the $5K mark?

[niky]

Want a reliable old MIni that's safe? Buy a cage and a new front subframe for a B16 swap.

Of course, the cage, subframe, B16 and the brakes to go with the motor would probably cost more than the car...

 

[XS]

Maserati Biturbo.

This.
At the same time you better be willing to work on the dang thing, a lot, especially for a biturbo around the 5k mark.

 

[Venari]

If you're not interested in going fast I can't believe you're having a problem.

You could find a 6-pot Mustang (a proper one, you know, from 1964-1968) for that I'm sure - or a 67/68 Cougar which are A) cheaper and B) V8s.

Fix the front brakes - Wilwood do a disc conversion for $800 and it's a doddle to fit - and you're away. Everything else is just attention to detail, if it's running already.

I'm certain you could find a Cougar if you looked. It would be rough, but it would be with you for ever. I love mine.

 

[Tyger]

I would've said a 944 as I always do when this kind of topic comes up, but servicing and parts will not come cheap.

For 5k you could get a really sorted CRX with the vtec, late model, just make sure it hasn't been thrashed (though that might be more likely in the UK where it was a "boy racer" car of choice)

I like the idea of a Mini too though it might not be your cuppa. Not sure how many of the 90s Coopers are over there with the 1275cc injection, but that would definitely be my choice. 90 feels more like 190 in one of those.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Minis here in the US are very expensive to buy,a s a lot of people want them. It's very difficult to get a running one in merely decent condition for under 5 grand.

I'm going to second the mustang idea, they're moderately quick with the V8, fairly good looking (generally), and pretty affordable. And cheap to maintain.

 

[McLaren]

+1 for DSM. 1g or 2g talon tsi or eclipse gsx. Reliable, cheap, awd, turbo and not a boring ecnobox car.

DSM & reliable do not exist.

 

[Keef]

And yet nobody is complaining about the Corrado suggestion. If any of the suggested cars is going to break it's going to be the Corrado, especially if it's the G60.

 

[Dennisch]

And yet nobody is complaining about the Corrado suggestion. If any of the suggested cars is going to break it's going to be the Corrado, especially if it's the G60.

Ahem.

When thinking of the Corrado, stay away from the G60 model. There is a reason they only used the G-loader for a short time.

 

[Antonisbob]

Fox body Stangs, (LX are cooler though)
I know it's a common car, but an unmolested one is a rare find.

Good luck finding a stock one though.

If we remove power out of the equation, I suggest you that. 1980's Cadillac Fleetwood (Avoid those with the 4.1L V8) Heads will turn everywhere you go.

Cadillac, for sure. 👍

 

[Slash]

How about an Eagle Talon? I checked AutoTrader and they can be had for less than $5000, and while not super-rare they're probably not going to be overly-common either. I imagine that parts and reliability won't be any better or worse than average, and it'd be fun to drive.

My $0.02

I've seen about 2 of those in the last 10 years, at least in my area.

 

[Slash]

If you're not interested in going fast I can't believe you're having a problem.

You could find a 6-pot Mustang (a proper one, you know, from 1964-1968) for that I'm sure - or a 67/68 Cougar which are A) cheaper and B) V8s.

Fix the front brakes - Wilwood do a disc conversion for $800 and it's a doddle to fit - and you're away. Everything else is just attention to detail, if it's running already.

I'm certain you could find a Cougar if you looked. It would be rough, but it would be with you for ever. I love mine.

No. Cougar's are not cheaper...especially since they are the luxury version of the Mustang. The old 200 and 250 I6's aren't exacly full of power either, let alone a lot of aftermarket for them. So if something goes, might as well get another engine. Better off with a V8 if you want something reliable, unless that I6 is a 300.

 

[avens]

that won't have endless mechanical issues therefore the worst pick ever for a first car?

 

[Antonisbob]

Mid-'70s Cougars are cheap. & Are similar to the LTD II, so parts should be easy.

 

[Venari]

No. Cougar's are not cheaper...especially since they are the luxury version of the Mustang. The old 200 and 250 I6's aren't exacly full of power either, let alone a lot of aftermarket for them. So if something goes, might as well get another engine. Better off with a V8 if you want something reliable, unless that I6 is a 300.

I disagree. I have a Cougar and on both sides of the pond, they're simply not as desirable in the market, ergo they're cheaper. For the same spec of car, the Mustang is more expensive. In modern terms, the notion of the Mercury being more luxurious than the Ford is laughable. They're the same car (except I think the Cougar is more handsome, but I'm biased.)

And as for the I6 - well, the OP said it didn't have to be a road burner. With the right hop-ups, an I6 in a Mustang or Camaro can be a fair piece. Classic Inlines manufacture an alloy cylinder head that, while it's not a crossflow, can double the stock torque and HP outputs. And the I6 has always taken pressure charging well - there at 250cis with 450+hp out there, still streetable. The bits are out there, you just have to know where to look. And if you dress an I6 crank properly, those heads flow better than V8 ports at high valve openings, you can build a proper screamer.

And if that's not your bag, a V8/trans/axle swap at a later time is always feasible.

My view on old cars like this if they are to be daily drivers is that you plan for life. This winter, brakes. Next spring, headers and intake. Next summer, heads and cam. Winter, suspension and rack... they can suck your wallet dry, but so much fun - and a drivable car.

Just don't crash it. You'll die a horrible painful bloody crushing death. That's how I wanna go out.

 

[Slash]

Mid-'70s Cougars are cheap. & Are similar to the LTD II, so parts should be easy.

They are also a pile of trash.

I disagree. I have a Cougar and on both sides of the pond, they're simply not as desirable in the market, ergo they're cheaper. For the same spec of car, the Mustang is more expensive. In modern terms, the notion of the Mercury being more luxurious than the Ford is laughable. They're the same car (except I think the Cougar is more handsome, but I'm biased.)

I think this depends more so on your location to be honest, as I've seen prices be exceptionally higher on 1st Gen Cougars than Mustangs. In modern terms, you are correct, but 50 years ago, definitely not.

And as for the I6 - well, the OP said it didn't have to be a road burner. With the right hop-ups, an I6 in a Mustang or Camaro can be a fair piece. Classic Inlines manufacture an alloy cylinder head that, while it's not a crossflow, can double the stock torque and HP outputs. And the I6 has always taken pressure charging well - there at 250cis with 450+hp out there, still streetable. The bits are out there, you just have to know where to look. And if you dress an I6 crank properly, those heads flow better than V8 ports at high valve openings, you can build a proper screamer.

I'm sure he doesn't exactly want a car that takes an exaggerated 25 seconds to get to 60mph either (say said engine is stock).

And if that's not your bag, a V8/trans/axle swap at a later time is always feasible.

Agreed.

My view on old cars like this if they are to be daily drivers is that you plan for life. This winter, brakes. Next spring, headers and intake. Next summer, heads and cam. Winter, suspension and rack... they can suck your wallet dry, but so much fun - and a drivable car.

Personally I'd just put on that parts as the money is available, but that's just me.

Just don't crash it. You'll die a horrible painful bloody crushing death. That's how I wanna go out.


Me too lol.