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Detroit, 6:58 AM
Thu Nov 26
22 posts in the last 24 hours

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    Dsmvwl  Admin  Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×
    Image of mechimike mechimike
    11/13/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    Volvo 122. #topten
     Reply
    mechimike was starred mechimike was unstarred
    Image of Ford Tempo Fanatic Ford Tempo Fanatic
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    Good list. Now if only any of those listings were commonplace cars, and not impossibly rare. 'Round these parts, there are a few El Caminos and a few more Rancheros (mostly junk yard examples), but that's about it.

    I think, what should be added are:

    -Toyota Land Cruiser. Because, its a Toyota that can play with CJ Jeeps.
    -Any old American truck. By old, I mean pre-1992 if its a Ford, pre-1988 if its a Chevy/GMC, pre-1994 if its a Dodge. Why? Because, speaking from experience, a Ford short bed with a big ass V8 is just as fun and almost as fast as a stock Mustang or Camaro from the same vintage.
    -Ford Aerostar, Dodge Caravan (of 1980s vintage). Because they're like the new '75 Econoline.
    -Ford Tempo, Mercury Topaz (pre-1993). Surprise, surprise. Why? Because diesels, powerized seat belts, sub 2.5k weight, and all wheel drive are cool. #topten
     Reply
    Ford Tempo Fanatic was starred Ford Tempo Fanatic was unstarred
    Image of ursa ursa
    11/13/09

    @Ford Tempo Fanatic: I think you'd get more points with a Ram Charger than a plain Dodge pickup. Much rarer and much much rarer than the Broncos and Blazers of that vintage.

    I still kick myself for buying a new car instead of a friend's Ram Charger that was so faded the red was more of a pink/dusty rose. Driving that to work - where every car in the lot seems to be a Civic/Corolla S/Camry - I'd be the accountant with an attitude. #topten
     Reply
    Ford Tempo Fanatic promoted this comment ursa was starred ursa was unstarred
    Image of Ford Tempo Fanatic Ford Tempo Fanatic
    11/13/09

    @ursa: Seconded. I have yet to see a Ram Charger in person, but, its not like old school Broncos are commonplace either. Its those damn first generation Explorers and the shittastic S-10 Blazers that fill the lots at Wal-Mart and 7/11.

    Ram Charger, older Bronco. Both good candidates for a sweet daily driver. Plus you get that indestructible reliability of their truck counterparts. #topten
     Reply
    Ford Tempo Fanatic was starred Ford Tempo Fanatic was unstarred
    Image of Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    A Peugeot 505 Turbo S was my only car, 1997-2001. Sure, my mechanic made enough off of me to keep his personal fleet of Peugeots running (no mean feat), but the car was a daily joy.

    My main caveat is the shocks. They will cost ten times as much as the entire car to replace, and while the ride on old shocks is alright, it just won't give you the full Autoroutière experience. #topten
     Reply
    Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est was starred Mr.choppers - Delenda Carthago Est was unstarred
    Image of Novaload Novaload
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    I have a secret longing for Door # 4, Monty. Well, also Door #7. And of course #12. #topten
     Reply
    Novaload was starred Novaload was unstarred
    Image of evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    That Newport is really speaking to me. Specifically, it's saying: "I would be a great replacement for the Jetta. And the neighbors around here would be appalled."

    Yep, a Newport with Cherry Bombs would surely anger the HOA something fierce.

    /Off to Craig's List #topten
     Reply
    evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars was starred evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars was unstarred
    Image of bradyb bradyb
    11/12/09


    @evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars: check ebay motors for Chrysler Newport:
    [cgi.ebay.com] #topten
     Reply
    evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars promoted this comment bradyb was starred bradyb was unstarred
    Image of evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars
    11/12/09

    @bradyb: Oh. Yeah. #topten
     Reply
    evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars was starred evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars was unstarred
    Image of Armand Armand
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    Holy crap! Just when I had given up on Jalopnik during the week, this new kid comes by and writes a killer article. Well done, Mr. Smith. I've always enjoyed your articles in Roundel, but I hadn't realized that you were a true Jalop. Any man who appreciates any of these cars (I'm especially fond of the 505 and W108) is all right in my book; the fact that you see the beauty in all of them means that the Jalop is strong with you. #topten
     Reply
    Armand was starred Armand was unstarred
    Image of evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    This also has given me a small amount of hope for my father, who owned an R107 SL a couple of years ago. A 560SL to be exact. When my wife and I would visit, he'd give us the keys to tool around in it while he was at work. It felt as though we were being propelled by an iron clad nuclear reactor.

    Thanks Dad! #topten
     Reply
    evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars was starred evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars was unstarred
    Image of Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
    11/12/09

    @evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars: Really? You should have spent a little more for the optional lead shielding. It's really worth it. #topten
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was starred Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was unstarred
    Image of evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars
    11/12/09

    @Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet: The way that beast drove, I'm sure lead was a component.

    I really should have bought it from him when he sold it... #topten
     Reply
    evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars was starred evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars was unstarred
    Image of Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    No Buick Wildcat, no Corvair? Not even a TC by Maserati? #topten
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was starred Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was unstarred
    Image of WOT WOT
    11/12/09


    @Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet: I second the Corvair. especially the 60-64's. They are quite oddball yet very fun. I drove one to high school and always wanted to get another. The 65 and newer are much sportier looking but they all handle well.

    And what about an Alfa GTV6? Odd but cool all at the same time. #topten
     Reply
    Armand promoted this comment WOT was starred WOT was unstarred
    Image of Maymar Maymar
    11/12/09

    @Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet: Every day on my way to school, I pass by a seedy motel with a Florida-plated TC in the parking lot, which hasn't appeared to move. One of these days, I'll stop off and find out what its story is. #topten
     Reply
    Maymar was starred Maymar was unstarred
    Image of Novaload Novaload
    11/12/09

    @Maymar: Don't.
    It's a trap. #topten
     Reply
    Novaload was starred Novaload was unstarred
    Image of YotaLoLux YotaLoLux
    11/13/09

    @Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet: While in Florida this week I saw a Corvair (same as Dad's first car at that)wrapped around a bridge support. Woulda broke my heart if I had one :( #topten
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet promoted this comment YotaLoLux was starred YotaLoLux was unstarred
    Image of tonyola tonyola
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    The Volvo 262C was NOT styled by the Italians. Bertone built and trimmed the car, but the styling was pure Volvo.

    Some other candidates for Jalop-quality daily drivers:

    Volkswagen 411/412 - A largish sedan with rear engine and odd-duck styling. Sounds like a Tatra, right? Well, the VW is the closest thing to a Tatra you'll easily find.

    1995-1999 Buick Riviera - Big, capable coupe with uniquely curvy love-it-or-hate-it styling unlike anything else on the road. GM got daring with this one.

    1995-1999 Olds 88 LSS - H-body old folk's car set up as a fully-equipped, better-than-you-might-think sports sedan. Find one with the supercharged 3800 and you've got a stealth cruiser.

    1989-1992 Toyota Cressida - Smooth if anonymous styling, plush interior, 190 hp straight 6 and RWD, extreme quality, good handling. True luxury without ego. Another stealth cruiser.

    1983-1986 Chrysler Executive and Limousine - One of Lido's weirdest ideas - stretch a K-car and hope malaise-shocked limo buyers will come running. They didn't. A limousine you can easily park. Not that great of a car, but big bonus points for a truly Jalopic concept. #topten
     Reply
    tonyola was starred tonyola was unstarred
    Image of Sam Smith Sam Smith
    11/12/09

    @tonyola: Sorry 'bout that—you're right. Fixed it. Thanks! #topten
     Reply
    Sam Smith was starred Sam Smith was unstarred
    Image of Maymar Maymar
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    If the Tempest qualifies, I'd throw the Corvair out there too. From what I understand, the owners are a special kind of loyal, so even if parts are rare, help won't be a problem.

    Old Jags are good too, even the XJ40 (with it's son-of-a-Volvo styling) is tempting.

    I'd throw out the B-body wagon, especially the wood-panelled Roadmaster. As a bonus, it doubles as an apartment if you lose your job.

    I'd also give a bit of love to any non-Mustang Fox body. I'm partial to the Mark VII or Fairmont Futura, but if someone were to build a Cougar wagon with the turbo Pinto engine, they'd win a cookie or something. #topten
     Reply
    Maymar was starred Maymar was unstarred
    Image of layabout layabout
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    Oddball daily driver list.........yet i don't see any SAAB's from the 80's, this list is a mockery of a sham i tells ya! #topten
     Reply
    layabout was starred layabout was unstarred
    Image of FTGDWolverineEdition'09 FTGDWolverineEdition'09
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    And this my friends is what makes Jalopnik, Jalopnik. #topten
     Reply
    FTGDWolverineEdition'09 was starred FTGDWolverineEdition'09 was unstarred
    Image of PowerTryp, Starless wonder. PowerTryp, Starless wonder.
    11/12/09

    @FTGDWolverineEdition'09: Completely agree with that. #topten
     Reply
    FTGDWolverineEdition'09 promoted this comment PowerTryp, Starless wonder. was starred PowerTryp, Starless wonder. was unstarred
    Image of Fd3rsrz Fd3rsrz
    11/12/09

    @FTGDWolverineEdition'09: 100% correct. It's list like these that keep me coming back. Good work, Jalopnik! #topten
     Reply
    FTGDWolverineEdition'09 promoted this comment Fd3rsrz was starred Fd3rsrz was unstarred
    Image of Steve_in_NC Steve_in_NC
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers

    I recently took possession of this 1978 Caprice Brougham from a deceased family member. 94K one owner, white with red velour interior.

    Still has the buff whelan plate from delivery.

    Totally rocking the brougham. I see the envy in others eyes at the stop lights.
     Reply
    Edited by Steve_in_NC at 11/12/09 1:53 PM Steve_in_NC was starred Steve_in_NC was unstarred
    Image of atatteredangel89 atatteredangel89
    11/12/09

    @Steve_in_NC: That ain't no '78.
     Reply
    Steve_in_NC promoted this comment atatteredangel89 was starred atatteredangel89 was unstarred
    Image of P161911 probably shoudn't have P161911 probably shoudn't have
    11/12/09

    @Steve_in_NC: But if you want oddball, make it a coupe. Don't see many Caprice coupes around, I think they were less than 5% of production. #topten
     Reply
    P161911 probably shoudn't have was starred P161911 probably shoudn't have was unstarred
    Image of ManicSquirrel is preparing for winter ManicSquirrel is preparing for winter
    11/12/09

    @P161911 probably shoudn't have: I tried to buy a caprice coupe off a guy when I used to deliver chinese food in high school. He wouldn't budge.

    I also find the crown vic coupes to be odd, though not as good looking #topten
     Reply
    P161911 probably shoudn't have promoted this comment ManicSquirrel is preparing for winter was starred ManicSquirrel is preparing for winter was unstarred
    Image of Steve_in_NC Steve_in_NC
    11/12/09

    @P161911 probably shouldn't have: true it is not really odd. But I have only had that car for a couple of months and am loving it. #topten
     Reply
    Steve_in_NC was starred Steve_in_NC was unstarred
    Image of JC Whitless JC Whitless
    11/12/09

    @Steve_in_NC: You should put Riiiiims on it. #topten
     Reply
    JC Whitless was starred JC Whitless was unstarred
    Image of Steve_in_NC Steve_in_NC
    11/12/09

    @atatteredangel89: Wow. I apparently have aixelsyd. er I mean dyslexia.

    Good call. it is an '87. #topten
     Reply
    Steve_in_NC was starred Steve_in_NC was unstarred
    Image of Steve_in_NC Steve_in_NC
    11/12/09

    @JCWhitless: I was asked not to 'donk' it or sell it until emotional attachment passes. I was able to get it if I promised to be a good caretaker and keep it out of the Michigan winter.

    Ever seen the ending of Gran Torino with the reading of the will?

    "my friend... Thao Vang Lor. On the condition that you don't chop-top the roof like one of those beaners, don't paint any idiotic flames on it like some white trash hillbilly, and don't put a big, gay spoiler on the rear end like you see on all the other zipperheads' cars. It just looks like hell. If you can refrain from doing any of that... it's yours. "

    I received the car with pretty much that comment. The original owner was a Detroit autoworker. #topten
     Reply
    Steve_in_NC was starred Steve_in_NC was unstarred
    Image of powermatic powermatic
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    The 70s/80s SL isn't old enough or quirky enough to be retro, so you look like a douche-wannabe poseur. Otherwise a good list. #topten
     Reply
    powermatic was starred powermatic was unstarred
    Image of Sam Smith Sam Smith
    11/12/09

    @powermatic: No one said you wouldn't look like a douche-wannabe poser. We just said it was old and kind of odd. (Odd, at least, compared to most modern cars.) #topten
     Reply
    Sam Smith was starred Sam Smith was unstarred
    Image of powermatic powermatic
    11/12/09

    @Sam Smith: I'll grant you the slightly odd. But man, I'm giving you 10 out of 11!, all of which would give a driver a certain air of carefree, livin' life free 'n easy, one-day-at-a-time joie de vivre. The Merc? I can't help but think of the one guy I know who owns one-a mullet-sporting lawyer. So maybe I'm projecting. But I've gotta' stay True To My Code. #topten
     Reply
    powermatic was starred powermatic was unstarred
    Image of P161911 probably shoudn't have P161911 probably shoudn't have
    11/12/09

    @powermatic: Just get the SLC then. #topten
     Reply
    P161911 probably shoudn't have was starred P161911 probably shoudn't have was unstarred
    Image of weatherman weatherman
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    I'd add the Jaguar XJ-S to that list, in either coupe or convertible. With a Chevy V8 replacing the notoriously unreliable Jag V12, it satisfies every requirement for stylish, quirky, inexpensive, reliable and easy to repair.
     Reply
    Edited by weatherman at 11/12/09 1:33 PM weatherman was starred weatherman was unstarred
    Image of ursa ursa
    11/12/09

    @weatherman: I live in fear of the day that I inherit my mother's XJ-S. But after 21 years and under 100,000 km's it's a beauty.

    I was thinking that instead of the MGB that an XJ-S is a much better choice. And as a bonus you can fit a couple of small kids in the back seats making it a family car. #topten
     Reply
    weatherman promoted this comment ursa was starred ursa was unstarred
    Image of weatherman weatherman
    11/12/09

    @ursa: I've never owned one, but from what I hear everything is bulletproof except the engine, and the Chevy V8 pops right in and snaps into the tranny no problem. I don't think you could do better for style than the XJ-S, especially not with an MGB. The Jag just reeks class, with just a whif of coke-addicted failed lawyer. #topten
     Reply
    weatherman was starred weatherman was unstarred
    Image of petersterncan petersterncan
    11/12/09

    @weatherman: That V12 engine is reliable... it's just that everything around it isn't. And combine that with the fact you can easily make a Chevy V8 make as much or more power than that V12... and use less fuel at the same time... it makes sense to do that swap. #topten
     Reply
    weatherman promoted this comment petersterncan was starred petersterncan was unstarred
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