Most reliable/economical classic car?
 

Hey guys. So I'm looking to buy a second car as a daily driver, but I want it to be something with character. Something semi-classic. I'm thinking early 80s at the very newest.

Obviously something so old is going to have some age-related issues which I'm prepared for. But besides that, what pre 1985 car is the best candidate for dependable daily driver out there?

My thoughts immediately went to the Mercedes E-class W123. It has a stellar rep for build quality.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...07_(14wik).JPG

That said, am I missing anything worth serious consideration? Maybe a BMW 2002? I have to admit a Euro bias.

By the way, I'm not looking for this to cost me $100 a year. If it costs me $200 a month, that's a bit high but I could swallow it if I'm driving around in something I love. I'm tired of these new cars with no personality to be honest. Life's too short! Any recommendations would be appreciated. :thumbup:

American muscle cars from the late 60's through the 70's tend to be fairly reliable, dead simple to maintain (from a mechanical standpoint), and cheap to purchase. Here's a list of cars you might want to consider:

1. 1964 Ford Fairlane -- if I bought this car, I'd probably turn it into a Thunderbolt replica.

http://www.swaqvalley.com/Blueprints...erbolt_low.jpg

2. 1970-1974 Dodge Challenger

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...e_%2711%29.jpg

3. 1969-1981 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...e_Julep%29.jpg

4. 1968-1975 BMW E9

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...d/BMWE9CSc.jpg

5. 1970-1977 Toyota Celica Liftback

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Celica_01.jpg

6. 1966-1967 Mercury Comet

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/pu...-comet-dsf.jpg

7. 1978-1987 Buick Regal GNX

http://www.gnregistry.org/images/BGN00336B_667miles.JPG

2002 Tii...awesome car in its day!! My dad had one when I was young and loved every minute of it. It was def ahead of its time when released. I have a friend that still loves these and has two of his own. Great little cars.

God I love e9s. Thanks for the suggestions!

I forgot to mention, my budget should be around $8k at most. I know I can get a decent driving W124 for under $5K. It may be the most practical of the bunch, though not the most exciting.

E body mopars are cheap to purchase? Where?

All around. You just gotta keep your eyes peeled. Obviously, R/T 440's aren't cheap, but the 198 c.i. and 225 c.i. Challenger variants with automatic transmissions are very reasonably priced (<$10k).

Damn I looked all over, all I found in that range was cars that needed lots of love. I spose deals are still out there

http://north-carolina.locateanyauto....hallenger.html

There ya go!

8. 1982-1991 Porsche 944 (preferably the Turbo S variant)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...944_Turbo_.jpg

I'd recommend an e28 5 series BMW. I have an '85 with over 200k miles on the clock and daily drive it. It's known for being remarkably reliable. I've had it for 27 yrs. Needs very little maintenance other than the usual fluid/belt changes and since it's an old car parts are relatively inexpensive. If you want pre '85, it's predecessor is the e12.

Are you open to Japanese cars? I doubt you'd find a nice 240z for $8K, but you might find a decent 75-78 280Z, or more likely a 79-83 280ZX for that. As mentioned above, First gen Celicas are nice cars (I prefer the look of the coupes over the liftbacks, but that's just my taste), but good ones are getting pricey. You could probably get a really nice, un-molested 3rd gen (81-85) Celica for that money if you can find one. What about a mark I or II supra?
If you really want european, I'm with you on the 2002...nice little cars. A clean low mileage e30 coupe might fit the bill too.

[QUOTE=Wes B.;637832]American muscle cars from the late 60's through the 70's tend to be fairly reliable, dead simple to maintain (from a mechanical standpoint), and cheap to purchase. Here's a list of cars you might want to consider:

1. 1964 Ford Fairlane -- if I bought this car, I'd probably turn it into a Thunderbolt replica.

Rust

2. 1970-1974 Dodge Challenger

Even worst Rust...

3. 1969-1981 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Notorious Engine problems if were going 70's here...

4. 1968-1975 BMW E9
Sure?
5. 1970-1977 Toyota Celica Liftback

Don't these fall apart? :lol:
6. 1966-1967 Mercury Comet

Good

7. 1978-1987 Buick Regal GNX

$$$

Good luck finding someone to touch one of those...




I'm not a master mechanic (or even a mechanic, ha) but i'd have to disagree with these choices...


I'm going to pull this card. Reliable depends on the person, how hard you drive it, how often you clean and take care it.

I bet you i can find someone with a Yugo running 250K miles and having no problems. Weird shit happens in the car world, to me there is no such thing as a truly reliable car.

I'd still drive a Yugo for the hell of it.

[quote=dem00n;638132]Everything rusts. Depends which Trans Am engine you're referring to (the first and second generations had a total of 5 different engine options). E9's are fantastic in nearly every way. That generation of Celicas yielded some of the most reliable cars from the 70's. Proper automotive enthusiasts should be able to do most of the work their car demands.

Agree...disagree...I don't care. I just thought I'd throw a few options the original poster probably wasn't even considering.

True, reliability does depend mostly on the driver, but there are still inherently reliable and unreliable vehicles out there.

Why not a Honda Civic (egg shaped). Got a rental one a few months ago and I got 35mpg without trying. Cheap, reliable, soulless. It doesn't around like you're looking for that, it sounds like your looking for another car to put mileage on that's still "cool". Personally, I'd be looking for a first gen Lexus LS; comfy, reliable, world class build quality.

BAM! Perfection!

http://southcoast.craigslist.org/cto/3466673668.html

Seriously streetwaves, jump on this!

Now that's a cool car..a blast to drive, tons of character, and won't lose value if maintained properly. These are awesome!!

E24 FTW

http://www.euroclassicmotors.com/pho...4m6149K009.jpg

Be real. You want an 835CSi.

Too hot, get stolen all the time even in this day and age.

Fine then!

http://world-viewer.com/data_images/...ic-cvcc-09.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3218/2...2c97a8b5_o.jpg

My friend's 1978 Toyota Corona. Predecessor to the Camry. Extremely reliable with the 20R engine and W50 trans, both of which are still easy to find parts for (as the 20R also came in toyota trucks). Gets decent mileage, and most work on it is relatively simplistic. Even RWD, though none came with LSD, and are fitted with leaf spring rear.

Has lots of character, and turns heads pretty easily. Just a little hard to find nowadays.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...ng_S1J5a94rSh3

rear view of same model.

First gen (1976-1980) Toyota Cressida's are also worth a look at.

Awesome! I totally forgot about the Corona's. The 5th generation ones were definitely the best looking. One question: how "tuner-friendly" are the engines?

The 20R's? Ehhh...not very sad to say. They're torquey engines (as mentioned earlier, they also came in pickups) but thats about it. There's not really any aftermarket tuner support for them, that I know of, and I've really only heard of people just swapping in something more sport oriented, like the 4A-GE, or 3S.

Makes sense...

Great approach! How 'bout a Toyota Starlet?

LOL is OP serious.

Reliable and economical yet posts a merc and bimmer. :lol: Oh I have another good one; audi.

BAM! Another perfect car for the original poster.

http://www.classicmotorsdc.com/1983-...6/Details.aspx

He needs a DD under $10k, every single car you have suggested or posted isnt close.

The old Merc diesels would survive the apocalypse from what I've heard.

And I've known a number of people who have driven E30 3 series to serious mileage with no problems. Today's stereotypes may or may not apply to cars from 30 years ago. Back in the day Japanese cars were all regarded as cheap crap.

Nathan

I love my 66.. It's reliable and gets decent fuel mileage with the 1776.. Got ok mileage with the 2332 but it was fast.. 4 wheel disc brakes and a lot of other upgraded stuff.. In total probably have 6k in it and it starts and runs perfect with no problems once I did my own engine.. I got ripped off twice from other builders

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...P1030162-1.jpg

I admit, the ads I've posted don't quite hit his budget, but the cars are definitely worth it. Think about it, it's generally cheaper to buy a showroom quality car than a hunk of rust that's going to need a ton of time and money invested into it for it to be a reliable DD. I'm a big advocate of spending a little more now rather than spending a lot at a later date.

All the cars I suggested on the other hand can be found within his budget. Let me show you...

1964 Ford Fairlane ($4,950): http://classiccars.com/listing-34941...linois-us.html

1970-1974 Dodge Challenger ($10,000): I posted it in post #8. It makes no sense to post it again.

1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ($7,950): http://classiccars.com/listing/349166.html

1975 BMW 3.0 CS ($6,500): http://classiccars.com/listing-31316...ntario-ca.html

1977 Toyota Celica Liftback ($3,200): http://south-dakota.locateanyauto.co...lift-back.html

1966 Mercury Comet ($2,998): http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...1473&aff=oodle

1978-1987 Buick Regal GNX: I couldn't find one right now for under $10,000, but I have seen them for sale within budget.

1986 Porsche 944 Turbo ($7,900): http://classiccars.com/listing-38502...chigan-us.html

1976 BMW 2002Tii ($8,900): http://classiccars.com/listing-37857...lvania-us.html

1984 BMW 635 C Si ($8,000): http://classiccars.com/listing-36725...kansas-us.html

lol, my e30 is reliable, simple, and cheap to keep running. I'm not afraid of old, solid German cars. And as SubieNate said, those W123 diesels are tanks and will literally reach one million miles if taken care of. I call that reliable.

Liking the suggestions guys! I have an e30, but it's actually a car I kind of want to baby being that I was lucky enough to find a low mileage one. I'm looking for more of a daily driver/beater and the W123 might be perfect for that. I'm leaning in that direction.

Yes, but what about vacuum operated headlights?

The vacuum system can be a pain, I'll admit. Still, I respect a car that doesn't stop going, even if little age-related things pop up.

Diesel or petrol? 2-door or 4-door?

Diesel 2-door. :drool:

:bow: