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Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"

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  • benjaminhbenjaminh Member Posts: 6,547
    15 year old Volvo S60 evaluated at by Car Wizard. Basic maintenance has been neglected. It's at about 150,000 miles and spark plugs were due at 100k but weren't changed. Ditto with timing belt. All sorts of other issues add up to at least $4000. To me seems like time to start with a new car.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRl2XApo9Jo
    2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech 4WS (mine), 2024 Subaru Outback (wife's), 2018 Honda CR-V EX (offspring)
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,347
    makes sense, but as is, won't get hardly anything for it running like crap. so figure what you can get for say $6,000. Probably going to have needs, and will it really be better than this car fully sorted?

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    edited December 2024
    Yep! Mine's a '57 Firedome Sportsman hardtop coupe. Same color scheme too, red and white! The side contrast is an evolution of the '55-56 spear, which drooped down at the rear for '55, but kicked upwards for '56, to blend in with the kink at the top of the fins.

    The '56 Belvedere was somewhat similar, with the two-toning low on the rear of the car...
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    I always thought the side contrasting on the lower-level '58 Plymouths looked a bit DeSoto-ish:
    Meanwhile, the '58 DeSoto abandoned that "Sweepspear" as they called it, and went for a more slender contrast:

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,347
    with the diesel and unmolested, a lot.

    saw this while I was at BaT. Very cool. Also in the next town over when I lived in Jersey, so I might have taken a look. But the RHD would be an issue.

    https://carsandbids.com/auctions/35WgyXQN/1996-tvr-chimaera-400-clubman

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,198
    There’s a dealer who advertises on the local Craigslist but is from Texas. Always has older trucks with desirable features and sometimes low milage. His asking prices are sky high.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    Something to think about if you are looking at one of these cars(Lexus GS-F).
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ievn7Kd5xaM
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • sdasda Member Posts: 7,580
    I had an 88 Fox GL, same color as this. It was a good basic car, and my first new, not used car. https://youtu.be/0X-DO3c40Ik?si=-wyeb8icx9dzFI2m

    2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    2 reviews of the same car.
    You can't trust anybody anymore.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L33pGpledw

    Subsequent review.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpSZOQMizfY
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • benjaminhbenjaminh Member Posts: 6,547
    edited February 8
    On another thread I posted a possible answer to a question I've had for years: how long does the average car last in the US? The answer from 50,000 responses from junkyards across the country was that on average personal vehicles in the US go to the junkyard after 16.5 years, and even vehicles that last the longest, like a Honda Accord, on average don't make it to 200k.

    The price of this 2008 Acura RDX is $4900, but a vehicles that's 17 years old and has 215,000 miles I'd guess is already be past the 95% mark in terms of its lifespan, and is maybe even closer to 99%? That's especially true because it has a turbo engine. There are lots of service records, but with these years and mileage doesn't seem like much comfort. I don't think this vehicle would be a good risk even for a budget buyer. At this same dealer yesterday, for 4k flat, there was a 2013 BMW 3-series with 130k or so miles. The BMW also had a carfax (lots of maintenance and no accidents) and looked to be in really nice condition. Unlike RDX the BMW description had a warning that it hasn't been checked out, probably has major mechanical issues, buyer beware and so on. But on the surface of it, although both would be risky, I might pick the BMW bc it was newer and didn't have as many miles. Shortly after I looked at it the BMW listing vanished, and so I guess it was sold. Anyway, glad I can afford new at his point.

    https://www.acuraatoxmoor.com/auto/used-2008-acura-rdx-technology-package-louisville-ky/100873018/


    2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech 4WS (mine), 2024 Subaru Outback (wife's), 2018 Honda CR-V EX (offspring)
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,198
    The hoopties I have purchased in the past usually came in at less than 10% of original sticker and averaged 15 years old with under 100k miles. A 215k miles car would scare me.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    $4800 is the new $2500. A roll of the dice, but if average croaks at 200K, half go beyond that. The thought of a 12 year old 100+K BMW that in many trims was built to a cost and can attract abusive drivers scares me unless I like DIY (which I seldom do).
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107

    It’s like human life expectancy. If the average is 75 years, and I’m 75, that doesn’t mean I’m going to die tomorrow. You have to look at the average life expectancy for 75 year olds, which is longer.

  • benjaminhbenjaminh Member Posts: 6,547
    2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech 4WS (mine), 2024 Subaru Outback (wife's), 2018 Honda CR-V EX (offspring)
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,284
    edited February 8
    @benjaminh - That takes me back. I had one of those, also an ‘85, except in silver. What a fun car, my first new car. Perfect for a young single guy. They were pretty rare around here. I remember going on a few summertime vacation trips in it, one time from Halifax to Toronto and back, another to New England. On that one I was driving through New Brunswick when I encountered another MR2 on the highway towards the Maine border. It was a 2-lane, a bit twisty in parts, and the two of us has fun passing and repassing each other at slightly extra-legal speeds until we both got pulled over by a RCMP car. He was decent enough and assumed we knew each other. Turned out the other car had 2 young ladies in it! Unfortunately he let them go first and I never could find them. Let me go with a “drive safely” warning.

    The price is interesting. Mine was $15,000 Cdn new in ‘85.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,616
    I loved those cars. Almost made a Toyota salesman cry on a test drive..

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  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    edited February 9

    That price is absurd.

    And get a load of that “MSRP” on the VW Cabrio.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,616
    qbrozen said:

    That price is absurd.

    And get a load of that “MSRP” on the VW Cabrio.


    Import one from Japan, and make some money!

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  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    edited February 9

    That price is in line with the sales prices on BAT, lots over $15,000.

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    edited February 9

    @texases said:
    That price is in line with the sales prices on BAT, lots over $15,000.

    Would have to confirm specs. The boosted models pull far more, of course. With 68k miles and no boost, nothing special here.

    I definitely could import them far cheaper, but RHD brings less money, too.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • sdasda Member Posts: 7,580

    2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    This popped up in a fintail group - later run car (W111 230S), off the road for 10+ years because of rear suspension/differential issues, but cosmetically and structurally nice (the expensive things to get right):



    One may notice something is unusual here:



    Oh, that's what's unusual, a 302:


  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    Nice Ford engine in that Benz. Seems somewhat sacrilegious though.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,347
    looks nice and tidy though. Needs a 5 speed stick instead though.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    edited February 27
    If something like that was good enough for Paul Newman, I guess it would be good with me.
    Not that car but did the conversion with a Volvo.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415

    Nice Ford engine in that Benz. Seems somewhat sacrilegious though.

    Oh yeah some people howled about it. I don't have an issue - the car may have had some kind of mechanical issue where a bad engine took it off the road. Perhaps the conversion saved the car, better to have it alive with a transplant than sent to the parking lot in the sky.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    Never know what you might come across going for a walk in our neighborhood.

    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,616
    fintail said:

    Nice Ford engine in that Benz. Seems somewhat sacrilegious though.

    Oh yeah some people howled about it. I don't have an issue - the car may have had some kind of mechanical issue where a bad engine took it off the road. Perhaps the conversion saved the car, better to have it alive with a transplant than sent to the parking lot in the sky.
    That's the only way that '70s, '80s and '90s Jaguars stay on the road (though they usually get Chevy V-8s)

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  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,951

    I didn’t scroll all the way and I was going to say that aftermarket head unit was unfortunate.

    I don’t hate the 302 in there. Probably runs nice

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,347

    I think the Volvo 302 swaps are really cool too.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,951

    It makes sense. You can buy anything for a 302 and it will run on bad gas and no oil pressure forever.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,616
    tjc78 said:

    It makes sense. You can buy anything for a 302 and it will run on bad gas and no oil pressure forever.

    Well, not forever... My first 302 threw a piston. :o

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  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736

    Of course. Paul Newman and Dave Letterman each famously had a v8-swapped Volvo.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,347
    I would sell my wife's car for a 740 V8 manual conversion. If needed she can go in the deal too.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I last drove the fintail on November 5th - since then I would put it on the battery tender now and then, and put fuel stabilizer in it, but didn't start it. In prior winters I would start the car monthly or so and let it get to hot idle, this year I figured I would let the car have a real hibernation, and see what happens. Today I went out to start the car, and to my pleasure and relief, it started on the first turn of the key, and idled fine. I didn't drive the car, just pulled it out into the driveway and let it idle to full temp for maybe 20-30 mins, but everything seems fine - hopefully it will stop and shift as usual. Maybe a long slumber won't hurt anything.
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,284
    I did the same thing every year with my Cutlass. There was always anxiety every spring when I would disconnect the battery tender, hook up the car’s battery, give the engine few few cranks to build up some oil pressure, then give the gas pedal a couple of full presses to set the choke and crank it again. For over 20 years it always started and ran great.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,683
    Yeah, my old rigs often slumber for 9+ months continuously, and I have yet to have an issue getting them to wake up.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,198
    I do the battery tender plus monthly starts. Seems to work.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • gsemikegsemike Member Posts: 2,412
    Went to my local abandoned car auction mostly just out of curiosity. All cars are sold with no keys and unknown mileage except for the real old ones with digital speedos. They did provide the VINs so you may be able to sleuth up a history.

    Sadly, many of the cars appeared lived in. There were a few with potential if you felt like rolling the dice. The Audi Q5 was the cleanest. Practically no chance that it's running.





  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736

    Bentley would make for a nice apartment

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    Here's a non-running Aston Martin, at least the keys are included, bid fast!
    https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-aston-martin-virage-8/
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,284
    Huh. I’m no Aston expert, but that model is all new to me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one before. I find it oddly unattractive in terms of both exterior styling and interior design. Doesn’t turn my crank in any way.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    @gsemike - any idea what they sold for?
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,198
    Who was living in that Bentley?

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736

    @oldfarmer50 said:
    Who was living in that Bentley?

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,347

    I would have bought the Miata. Only a cat could live in one of those.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,347

    Aston looks like a modestly face lifted V8 from the 70s. Same 3 speed automatic too!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    Looks like the last bid ($10,000) might get that Aston. Probably small compared to the costs of getting it back on the road after 15+ years undriven.
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