The $2000 Running project car. Is it possible? (Solved? I think so.)

[disinfected]

As the title states, about $2000 USD has been deposited for the sake of buying a project car here in Oklahoma City. Meet the contenders...

Here's what I've already called about, without further ado.

First up, we have a '97 Subaru Legacy GT, for $1500, or $2000 fix it's issues. (Struts/Alignment.)
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/2841632211.html - SOLD

Contender number two, we find a '94 Celica GT. The car is running well, the clear coat is the biggest problem, which is more than common for a car of this age. $1900 or best offer.
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/2841137155.html

Here we've got a strong-running 240SX. The whole town wants this one, according to the owner. I'd have to act fast. It's going to need some paint, the headlights are stuck in the up position, and there is no air conditioning. It's $1500.
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/2840089782.html

For $1600 we've got a high mileage Mazda Millenia for a decent price that needs a bit of TLC, though it is in good running condition.
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/2799718948.html

For $1500 yet again, I found a '93 5-speed 3-Series in good running condition, it's got quite a bit of miles, but seems decently taken care of. - SOLD
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/2787237227.html

A great running condition 300E. The possible down side? The most miles of any car here. $1950 or best offer.
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/2838267830.html

This is for the Oklahoma City area, I may also look at what is up in Dallas, Texas, or Tulsa. We've got another car, of course, and can get around more than well. However, two cars would benefit, and I've been looking for a project. Opinions welcome, even if you know what else I could probably look for around this price range. It's hard to come by these days.

 

[YSSMAN]

As the title states, about $2000 USD has been deposited for the sake of buying a project car here in Oklahoma City. Meet the contenders...

=-=-=-=-=-=-=​

Contender number two, we find a '94 Celica GT. The car is running well, the clear coat is the biggest problem, which is more than common for a car of this age. $1900 or best offer.
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/2841137155.html

I have a '98 Celica GT, and with perhaps a single exception that was described to me by the mechanic as a "freak accident," the car has been entirely trouble-free. I had a failure in my fuel system that caused a leak/jam, burnt out an injector and all the spark plugs. It sucked, but it was easily fixed and since then, the car has run like new.

I bought the car with 67,666 miles on the clock, and just yesterday it rolled over 117,800. I've been able to manage about 25-27 MPG, with mostly mixed highway driving. My only complaints personally about the car have been the frameless windows (sucks when its cold), the ride at times (worst when its cold), and my friends frequently complain about the lack of headroom in the back (your fault for sitting back there, dummies).

Other than that... You're getting arguably the best-looking Celica based on the nearly unsinkable Corolla, with a Camry engine and transmission, that was also shared with the RAV-4 and several others. Parts are cheap, you can do most of the repair work yourself (although the low ground clearance has been an issue with my tools), and in the end it is a pretty good car.

Paint issues aside, from the picture(s), the body looks to be in pretty good shape. I'd give it a drive, make sure you check for vibrations in the wheels, and drive it over some rough pavement to see how the body reacts. The struts are known to go bad quickly in the car, and I know my car gobbled through that set of Goodyears I had on it previously fairly quickly.

 

[disinfected]

Supposed to be getting a few more pictures of the Celica on my phone here shortly, as well.

 

[Perfect Balance]

As far as bang for the buck and potential, I'd say the 240 or the 318 is your best option. Parts galore, and they're cheap.

 

[disinfected]

Appears the BMW is now sold.

 

[CodeRedR51]

So is the Subaru, it's been deleted. That's the one I would have went for.

 

[disinfected]

Quite a difference opening up my search to Dallas. So much to take a look at.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/search/cto?query=&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=2000

EDIT: Wouldn't that be interesting.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/2779802309.html

 

[motortrend]

I think I'd either get the merc as a nice lux cruiser or the 240 and drive the life out of it.

 

[Eric.]

Miata.

 

[Joey D]

Yes, a $2,000 project car is possible. I have a Neon with some of my buddies that we are currently building and the total investment right now is about $1,300 and that includes the biggest 2.4L engine with all the swap components. We figure by the time we get suspension and brakes squared away we will be right around the $1,900-$2,000 mark.

I'm not sure how the Craigslist finds are out in Oklahoma, but here in Michigan a domestic car was about the only option in terms of cheap, accessible parts.

 

[Eric.]

My MR2 is probably up to $2500 invested. Maybe. $600 of that being wheels and tires.

 

[disinfected]

Miata.

Not I. Need a car where my head doesn't stick above the windscreen with the top down.

Going to drive the Celica tomorrow and see how that turns out.

 

[Cano]

I can't believe how incredibly cheap cars are in the US.

 

[19988pasha]

I think the Nissan 240
#1 nissan is reliable all japanese cars are
#2 quality
#3 it looks cool as a fixer upper
#4 I WANT ONE I cant because I'm 1

BUT seriously get the nissan I'm telling you

But if you want a showoffy car go with the beamer because it doesn't need a body work hey it might need some work to get it running


This goes back to the NISSAN its engine awesome as a family of Nissan owners that car never failed on us except once wen the battery died that car will run until you die the body as a old timer it will have the strongest and durable the new cars have cheap plasticky bodies but the old ones the can ride through steal


Reply if it helps

 

[Crispy]

The Nissan might be a good idea, maybe not if you want to mess around with it though. My dad's friend tried swapping in an SR20DETT in a 240 they bought and ended up scraping the thing cause it died.

There are a lot of good cars in Dallas, maybe not that many good Project Cars though. My idea would be go with the Nissan, but don't do anything major in terms of engine swaps or things like that. The Celica isn't bad at all either, so that's another one you might wanna look at. One problem with 240SX's is rust. Inspect the car for the normal rust spots.

 

[disinfected]

Finding all kinds of things in Dallas. The only down side is I can't just go test drive them like I could here, and would have to go off of someone's word.

 

[homeforsummer]

What kind of project are you after? Track? Just something to gradually bring back to decent nick?

For some reason, "P71" popped into my head. Can you get them that cheap? Always thought they looked like fun.

 

[disinfected]

What kind of project are you after? Track? Just something to gradually bring back to decent nick?

For some reason, "P71" popped into my head. Can you get them that cheap? Always thought they looked like fun.

Something to possibly have a little more fun with than you can in a 2012 Hyundai under warranty. Possible secondary autocross/track capability.

Assuming by P71 you're talking about a police Crown Victoria. They are EVERYWHERE around here. They are possible to get your hands on for 1500-2000 dollars, as a lot of them get eaten up by Taxi companies.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I can't believe how incredibly cheap cars are in the US.

Depends on the area. Since Phoenix has nice temperatures year round, convertibles down here (mainly Miatas) go for an arm and a leg. Cheapest one I have found was $1,200 and it had 4 flat tires, a nasty valve tick, dead soft top (which means the interior was trashed) and hadn't moved for quite some time.

The Nissan might be a good idea, maybe not if you want to mess around with it though. My dad's friend tried swapping in an SR20DETT in a 240 they bought and ended up scraping the thing cause it died.

Sounds like it wasn't done right. And it was a "DET".

 

[YSSMAN]

For some reason, "P71" popped into my head. Can you get them that cheap? Always thought they looked like fun.

Coming from a Brit, I find this quite funny. Not in a bad way, but that it would come to mind for you even at all, ha ha.

Get a late-model P71, black everything out, strap on a supercharger, and have some fun. Car and Driver did one a while back, and to this day I still want to give it a shot personally.

 

[homeforsummer]

Something to possibly have a little more fun with than you can in a 2012 Hyundai under warranty. Possible secondary autocross/track capability.

Assuming by P71 you're talking about a police Crown Victoria. They are EVERYWHERE around here. They are possible to get your hands on for 1500-2000 dollars, as a lot of them get eaten up by Taxi companies.

That's the feller. Thought they'd be cheap, just didn't know if it took your fancy.

Coming from a Brit, I find this quite funny. Not in a bad way, but that it would come to mind for you even at all, ha ha.

'Tis the way of the international world these days. I spend my life writing about U.S.-market cars at the moment, it rubs off on me

 

[savage388]

I'm also for the p71 crown Vic idea. There aren't Many downsides unless you have to have a standard. Theyre tanks, have power potential look really cool with a push bar, and the best part is you're thrashing on a cop car. On the other hand, not the best choice for the autocross unless you want to kill cones.

 

[niky]

Killing the little orange :censored:s is a joy in itself.

-

I like the Crown Vic idea.

-

If we're talking projects, you willing to get your hands really dirty? A look into the LeMons and GrassRootsMotorsports 20xx Challenge archives should give you a great idea of what you can do with very little in terms of dollar amounts.

 

[disinfected]

If we're talking projects, you willing to get your hands really dirty? A look into the LeMons and GrassRootsMotorsports 20xx Challenge archives should give you a great idea of what you can do with very little in terms of dollar amounts.

Only problem there is that I need something that still drives while it's in progress.

 

[Slash]

I find this funny because I know a lot of people that have 10 times more money in the engine alone lol.

 

[Joey D]

I find this funny because I know a lot of people that have 10 times more money in the engine alone lol.

Right, but you don't need a $20,000 engine to have a fun car. $2,000 is a good number to play around with if you're looking for a fun little project.

 

[disinfected]

Right, but you don't need a $20,000 engine to have a fun car. $2,000 is a good number to play around with if you're looking for a fun little project.

It's also a car you don't have to go into more debt for if it breaks. It's hard not to 'pamper' a 20 grand engine...

 

[Azuremen]

I find this funny because I know a lot of people that have 10 times more money in the engine alone lol.

And I second the P71 idea. Those things can be found for cheap and they go like tanks.

 

[disinfected]

And I second the P71 idea. Those things can be found for cheap and they go like tanks.

I was thinking more of this one.

All if not most of the old police cars in the area are either over the budget, or still in Taxi yellow. Of course, I'll probably be over them once the academy begins.

 

[ND4SPD]

Gonna jump the bandwagon here and also suggest the P71. They're tough as nails and dependable to boot. Not ridiculously fast by all means in a straight line but just enough to have fun in and torque everywhere! Why do I suggest a P71? Because I really miss mine!