Am I crazy to own all classics?

So bear with me as this may get a little long, but I imagine you guys are the only ones who might get my sickness. My current fleet includes the following:

1976 Porsche 911 Targa 2002 Jeep Wrangler (my DD) 2008 Mazda 3 wagon (wife's DD) 1942 Willys MBT trailer (for hauling house stuff/camping trips) 1989 Bass Tracker

Which means I currently have all these things to move around the garage and driveway. Right now the 911, 3, and MBT are in the garage. The Jeep is in the driveway and the boat is on the side of the house.

This is where I may need help, or encouragement, depending on how you look at it. I'm thinking of selling the Jeep and getting two different older vehicles. I would still like to get an old CJ 5 or 7 perferably with the straight six, as a hunting/fishing/camping/house hauling duties/crappy weather DD. I'm a Jeep guy its what I want, it will replace the outgoing TJ.

Second vehicle would end up being my primary DD. And this is where I get a little stuck, mostly because my Automotive-ADD kicks in. Here is what I know. My commute is around 40-45 miles round trip depending on what I do with a mix of city and highway driving. The Jeep currently gets 17-18 MPG on average no matter how I drive. So anything above that MPG would be a bonus. But the Jeep also starts everytime, has a good heater (more important than working a/c), manual trans which I like, cloth interior, 4.0 motor, is fun to drive. I do NOT want a boring sedan. I do think I want a hard top coupe. I don't think I want a convertible. If it doesn't have a/c it won't be a deal breaker. But it must be able to go 65 miles an hour. That is about the speed I commute at on the highway to my office, and if you go slower than that it could be dangerous. Most people are travelling faster than that. Luckily I go in to work so early that it doesn't really matter. And so much traffic keeps speeds between 50-65 on the way home.

Here is what I am thinking about so far in no order:

-1976 Porsche 912e-I know the car, plus the 76 would be cool next to the 911. But prices have gone up on these, I'm sure there are some 76 year only parts, plus Porsche tax. Will it be reliable?

-1970's- Datsun 240z, 260z. I know nothing about these but like the looks.

-MGB GT- Reliability is my biggest concern with these. I also don't know if 65 MPH is doable, or if I need to only look at ones that have overdrive. I also don't know the MPG with these. No idea on the heater situation in these either.

-Ford Mustang 66-69ish- I see a lot of these for sale in 6cyl and 8cyl versions. Mostly autos which is a bummer. And again I don't know if they can hit the MPG.

-Others under consideration are the Porsche 944 and Porsche 914.

I'm open to thoughts on going to all classics. Thoughts on the cars I listed as possible candidates. And any other options which may fit the bill.

Pictures of the current fleet will help the decision making process.

Enyar said: Pictures of the current fleet will help the decision making process.

Here you go.

I like the idea of a Z. I've had a 72 240Z for 23 years.

74 and earlier are carbed. 5-speed became available sometime in 1977 models. But many have been swapped over the years, both engines and trannies. There are many 240Zs floating around with 5 speeds and 280Z engines.

They're certainly fast enough to meet your criteria! No (vestigial) back seat unless you opt for a 2+2 (74 and up). But the looks are less universally loved.

Oh, and, yes, you are crazy to own all classics.

My daily driver, and newest car I own, is a 1991 Audi 200 quattro wagon with 250k miles on it.

BTW, it gets over 18mpg, and is fun to drive in a big-car way. Manual transmission, turbo, AWD, dirt cheap to buy, less dirt cheap to maintain, but not bad...

bradyzq-Thanks. I don't really need a back seat. Truth be told the DD pretty much just takes me to work. The Jeep has had to serve double duty as my DD and our hunting, fishing, camping ride. But a old CJ could take care of the latter and leave the DD duties to a Z car or something else.

Datsun1500 and bradyzq- How is the fuel injection on the Z cars? Its not like the horrible Porsche CIS system is it? If so I may take a carbed car over having to chase down CIS gremlins again. And 77 (which was a very good year) did not have 5 speeds? Is it a complicated swap to switch a 4 speed to a 5 speed? Lastly what kind of MPG do the Z cars get? And do the 240s-280s use regular gas or premium?

That is part of the issue with the 911 as my DD. It averages about 20 MPG, but also take premium. So even though the mileage is better than the Jeep it still cost more in the end.

I was going to say a gm v6 swapped mgb gt, but sort of ends up as a bunch of work to end to get you where a 240/260 z already is. 944 would be more comfy, but what about a 914? BMW 2002 could hit the requirements - or if you can find a good one a bavaria (E3).

For most Zs, the tranny swap is a direct fit. 280ZX 5speeds drop right in. Mileage also depends on the diff ratio. My 240Z with triple webers, but with a 5speed and a 3.36 rear end (2200RPM at 60mph) could get near 30mpg on the highway. Then I switched to a 4.11.....

The fuel injection on the 280Zs is Bosch L-Jetronic, not CIS. It's pretty simple, like BMWs of similar age.

Another thing to consider is the ability to use unleaded gas without receding the valve seats. The 280Zs have hardened seats, but most any year of Z has probably had a head swapped or refreshed by now, so may already be "converted."

The 280Zs should be ok on regular gas.

BEWARE of rust on these cars!

Sticking to the question asked:

"Am I crazy"

It would seem without a doubt, that your certainly are. So, on that basis, you can not be held liable for any decisions that you make. Sounds like you are clear to do what your heart desires.

Carry on.

We all know you're crazy... The question is how do you feel about it?

Any of the smaller 60s American cars with a straight 6 will get that kind of mileage.

MGB GT would do it - go for the OD.

MGC GT would be even more interesting though.

You beat me to it!

I was considering a BGT DD for myself, but I need a functional back seat for my offspring. They have a "back seat", but would need improvement for my purposes.

What about a Corvair?

wspohn wrote: MGB GT would do it - go for the OD. MGC GT would be even more interesting though.

Here is something you may not have considered.

914 with Subaru motor, more power less maintenance and better gas milage.

MGB GT...........find one with a tired motor.......yank it out and plop in a Toyota 4AG; again more power less maintenance and better milage.

  OR

Buy a first Gen CRX / Civic, Sentra SER, VW GTI or some o ther hot hatch. These have to be the most livable Classics going.

     Tom

If you want to go truly classic, BMW 2002. Good on gas, tossable, and fun. Don't discount the later 924S either. Basically a 944 in a lighter body.

having owned 240's i wouldn't hesitate to use one as a daily, and as a bonus, they are still appreciating. i also would seriously consider the 944. in fact i did for several years use both the na and turbo for dailies. a bit more maintenance, but great cars.

as for the crazy part, i once had 8 cars all of them alfas or fiats. that was crazy....

Man, I've seen pictures in newspapers and magazines from the '70s. Seems like back then, EVERYONE owned classic cars.

The 912E is a great car. I have driven many and while there are some 912E specific parts, they are very reliable and deliver mileage in the 30's. I really like these cars.

A 240Z is a very good investment and you can still get a good one for less than 15k. I know of a 1970 in green for about 10 that is super clean and rust free. It is at Ragtops and Roadsters in PA.

Find a clean Suzuki Samari and kill those two birds you're talking about with one stone?

Consider the Volvo family. If there is one common denominator when amongst their owners, it is the sickening (to a brit car owner) amount of talk you hear about "Driving it anywhere any-time".

As I pull a P1800 apart, I realize just how well built these things are.

The Amazon is the cheaper of the bunch and it comes in a wagon version. the P1800 is a sexier version of the Amazon, but essentially the same car with more motor, 4 wheel disc, posi and OD. All the bits convert to the Amazon if you so desire.

The P1800 is actually something of a Brit car. The first 6000 were assembled by Jensen (those 6000 are the only ones properly called P1800), and bodies came from Pressed Steel in Scotland throughout the P1800/1800S models. The '70 1800E was the first to have a Swedish body. The P/S cars have Lucas wiring harnesses and lighting. ODs were Laycock, brake calipers Girling and instruments Smiths throughout the entire range. Carburetion was dual SUs through the '68 model year.

The Amazon got the SUs and Girling front calipers, but that's the extent of the Brit stuff on those.

bradyzq wrote: For most Zs, the tranny swap is a direct fit. BEWARE of rust on these cars!

The 5-speed does drop right in. However, you will need a shorter prop-shaft. The 5-speed is longer.

Alan Cesar wrote: Man, I've seen pictures in newspapers and magazines from the '70s. Seems like back then, EVERYONE owned classic cars.

That's true. However the classics seem to have held up better than the original owners did.

"Am I crazy to own all classics? "

Not one bit !

You're smart ! ! ! ! ! !

octavious wrote: Pictures of the current fleet will help the decision making process.

I've got one of those too.

octavious wrote:

I'd prefer to have that, same color and everything.