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The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
Detroit, 6:46 AM
Fri Nov 27
1 posts in the last 24 hours
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The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers |
Original material is licensed under a Creative Commons License permitting non-commercial sharing with attribution.
11/13/09
11/12/09
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
11/13/09
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
11/13/09
Ram Charger, older Bronco. Both good candidates for a sweet daily driver. Plus you get that indestructible reliability of their truck counterparts. #topten
11/12/09
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
11/12/09
11/12/09
Yep, a Newport with Cherry Bombs would surely anger the HOA something fierce.
/Off to Craig's List #topten
11/12/09
@evoCS-Hench-Minion to the stars: check ebay motors for Chrysler Newport:
[cgi.ebay.com] #topten
11/12/09
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Thanks Dad! #topten
11/12/09
11/12/09
I really should have bought it from him when he sold it... #topten
11/12/09
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
11/12/09
11/12/09
It's a trap. #topten
11/13/09
11/12/09
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
11/12/09
11/12/09
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
11/12/09
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11/12/09
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.
11/12/09
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11/12/09
I also find the crown vic coupes to be odd, though not as good looking #topten
11/12/09
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11/12/09
Good call. it is an '87. #topten
11/12/09
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
11/12/09
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11/12/09
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
11/12/09
11/12/09