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Detroit, 12:07 AM
Tue Dec 1
29 posts in the last 24 hours

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

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    Love the Bug! I've had a '69 Automatic Stickshift since 1989. It's not a DD any more, but will be once I finish the Propane conversion... #topten
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet promoted this comment FireFlyFarm was starred FireFlyFarm was unstarred
    Image of friendslikeJimRome friendslikeJimRome
    11/13/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    In Vermont, this list would definitely include an early sixties Corvair. When I was in high school, they were the car to own. They were cheap, you could buy new parts at Target and they were great in the snow. #topten
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet promoted this comment friendslikeJimRome was starred friendslikeJimRome was unstarred
    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 MadHungarian MadHungarian
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    Huh? I can only really agree with you on the Bug, the Chrysler, the Tempest and the El Camino. The Bertone Volvo says "I am a dork driving the lamest looking car in the world." The Benzes will cost you various arms, legs and even more vital body parts should anything break. With the Alfa, Peugeot and MG, it's not a question of "should" anything break; it's already broken. 2002's in usable condition are not cheap. Instead how about:

    1. Any Corvair.

    2. Any Studebaker Lark.

    3. Just about any pre-1975 Japanese car (think Datsun B210, shovel-nose Toyota Coronas, the first gen Civic or the even smaller Honda 600, etc.)

    4. 1960-61 Comet (with the cat-eye taillights)

    5. 1977-90 Buick Electra wagon (fully loaded, woodgrain and all, for the sheer decadence of the thing).

    6. 1975-80 Buick Skyhawk (rusts like a Vega, but has a real drivetrain)

    7. Mid 70's Nova (can't kill 'em). #topten
     Reply
    FlakJack promoted this comment MadHungarian was starred MadHungarian was unstarred
    Image of Zarba Zarba
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    Do we get points for how many we own on the list?

    I own two on the list:

    1) 1972 Mercedes 280SE 4.5, and

    2) 1990 Alfa Spider #topten
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet promoted this comment Zarba was starred Zarba was unstarred
    Image of TurboRefrigerator TurboRefrigerator
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    I didn't see where anyone else mentioned this, so I will:

    The MGB was available from 1962-1980, not the 1968-1981 mentioned.
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet promoted this comment Edited by TurboRefrigerator at 11/12/09 8:14 PM TurboRefrigerator was starred TurboRefrigerator was unstarred
    Image of Sam Smith Sam Smith
    11/12/09

    @TurboRefrigerator: If you check the bottom of the first post, the italics clarify the point. We listed the years we recommended (in other words, the cars best suited for beater/affordable drivers), not total production run. #topten
     Reply
    Sam Smith was starred Sam Smith was unstarred
    Image of Sam Smith Sam Smith
    11/12/09

    @TurboRefrigerator: Also, you're right re: 1980 vs. 1981. (Production ended in October of '80, but there were LEs titled and sold as '81s, which was what threw me off. My mistake.) #topten
     Reply
    Sam Smith was starred Sam Smith was unstarred
    Image of TurboRefrigerator TurboRefrigerator
    11/13/09

    @Sam Smith: I saw the italicized note. Perhaps I should have clarified better, too. I didn't know if people would think that 68-81 was the full run, in lieu of the erroneous '81 date being thrown in there.

    You know how much of a stickler us British car people tend to be. It allows us to maintain that stiff upper lip when we see a clearance light, assorted and assundry bolts, or trim ring go bouncing off behind us when we are flying down the interstate.
     Reply
    Edited by TurboRefrigerator at 11/13/09 1:14 AM TurboRefrigerator was starred TurboRefrigerator was unstarred
    Image of Scoutch Scoutch
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    Volvo...
    like wearing sweatpants in public, or making art out of re-bar and 2x4s, or owning a Yellow Lab like the one in that 242 Bertugly. It just says, "I have no aesthetic, no style, no ambition. I never want to go fast or look good if it means I have to try." #topten
     Reply
    Scoutch was starred Scoutch was unstarred
    Image of TurboRefrigerator TurboRefrigerator
    11/12/09

    @Scoutch: That is a 262, not a 242. That is also a Great Dane, not a Labrador.

    Count yourself lucky, for I own TWO Volvos. That means 50% less ambition than even the average Volvo owner. Otherwise, I'd really give you hell for your ignorance in, well, what appears to be everything. #topten
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet promoted this comment TurboRefrigerator was starred TurboRefrigerator 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 bradyb bradyb
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    NO INTERNATIONAL???
    Check this out, 1974 4x4 Pickup w/60,000 miles, and no rust for $3,300. That's right, no freakin rust! It's also complete and runs great, orginal sales form and paperwork included.

    That's IHC history right there. #topten
     Reply
    bradyb was starred bradyb was unstarred
    Image of bradyb bradyb
    11/12/09

    @bradyb: Here she is
     Reply
    bradyb was starred bradyb was unstarred
    Image of bradyb bradyb
    11/12/09

    @bradyb: So clean!
     Reply
    bradyb was starred bradyb was unstarred
    Image of bradyb bradyb
    11/12/09

    @bradyb: Check out the stock seat cover.
     Reply
    Novaload promoted this comment bradyb was starred bradyb was unstarred
    Image of Scrubcakes Scrubcakes
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    I was so close to buying a Peugeot 505 wagon, I called the seller's work phone over the weekend instead of his cell, he thought I lost interest and sold it. Maybe it was for the best.

    It was a 5-speed with a Hemi four cylinder engine. Only problem with the wagons is the gas tank falls out.

    I ended up with a Subaru XT as my daily driver. I found out that my local Subaru dealer was also a Peugeot dealer at one time. I asked the veteran parts guy about it, he just looked at me in disgust, and handed me the mono-windshield wiper I ordered.

    The Mercedes SL's go for under 1k for a project, about 4-5k for a good driver. The v8 SEL sedans are cheap as chips as they require lots of premium gas, under 2k will get you a very nice one.

    The prices for the diesel MB's are going down because the bio/veggie fad is ending, the diesels are getting so worn out now that in the next few years, only enthusiasts will have them. If you go diesel, get a wagon or coupe, they are getting rarer. #topten
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet promoted this comment Scrubcakes was starred Scrubcakes was unstarred
    Image of HoyaCarLover HoyaCarLover
    11/12/09

    In reply to The Ten Best Cheap, Oddball Daily Drivers
    I really, really, really want an Alfa Romeo Spider.

    It's unhealthy lust and I know it would kill me. Oh well. I still want it. #topten
     Reply
    Novaload promoted this comment HoyaCarLover was starred HoyaCarLover was unstarred
    Image of Alfisted Alfisted
    11/12/09

    @HoyaCarLover: If you scratch that itch, check out afabb.com. Single best information resource going, and it's free. #topten
     Reply
    Alfisted was starred Alfisted 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
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