In reply to Coldsnap:
I like that too.
That definitely appeals to me. Add a high-strung small block and a manual of some type and that would be a blast.
In reply to Coldsnap:
I like that too.
That definitely appeals to me. Add a high-strung small block and a manual of some type and that would be a blast.
You mention small Bronco and also G-body.
Does a rwd S10 based Blazer interest you? Mechanically, they are very similar to G-body.
JohnRW1621 wrote: You mention small Bronco and also G-body. Does a rwd S10 based Blazer interest you? Mechanically, they are very similar to G-body.
Ooo, heck yes. I had no idea about these.
Good sample...
https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5470746003.html
https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5473783095.html
a monte Carlo SS or Hurst/Olds Cutlass can be a lot of fun. They only came in automatic, but a 5-speed swap isn't too hard. Any small block can up upgraded for cheap. Or LS swap, or Big block, or.....
That malibu or s10 blazer are awesome
I agree the key to an old car is to keep the new car around. Enjoy the old car on the days that put it in the best light. When you have to deal with dodgy a/c, leaky windows, and that damn transmission clunk on bad days you'll just resent the car being old. When you have your new car with its warranty and everything working you'll appreciate the differences in the older car rather than just hating its inconveniences.
Do what I did and find an older car that needs work. Know where your limits are on what you can accomplish and buy a car that is broken in ways you can fix but solid in ways you don't want to deal with. My '87 MR2 started out as a shell I bought a year ago for $400. This week its rolling for the first time out of the garage total spend is about $1600. I know the car inside and out now and the blood and sweat equity has made the car more valuable than if I had just put down 4k in cash for a decent one.
JohnRW1621 wrote: You mention small Bronco and also G-body. Does a rwd S10 based Blazer interest you? Mechanically, they are very similar to G-body.
I wouldn't say "very similar". They used a narrowed version of the G-body front suspension, and that is it. So front control arms, springs, shocks and spindles are all that's shared. Front sway bars don't even interchange.
In reply to NickD:
Okay, let me put a different twist to the similarity.
If you like to shop via Jegs, Summit, etc; you will find that a lot of what you want can be bought there for F-Body, G-Body as well as the S10 Blazer.
Jegs and Summit are not quite as handy when shopping for an '88 MR2.
NickD wrote: So front control arms, springs, shocks and spindles are all that's shared.
Isn't that most of the front suspension?
NickD wrote:JohnRW1621 wrote: You mention small Bronco and also G-body. Does a rwd S10 based Blazer interest you? Mechanically, they are very similar to G-body.I wouldn't say "very similar". They used a narrowed version of the G-body front suspension, and that is it. So front control arms, springs, shocks and spindles are all that's shared. Front sway bars don't even interchange.
i would say thats more similar then not 
and theres enough people who make s10's handle that im sure there are a decent amount of good swaybar options.
Well, with my research my best bet looks like I should go to Knoxville TN with $6k in hand because theres a good 3-4 novas I'd buy and 2 malibus that look promising.
What about a lowered 96-98 C1500 with the Vortec 350? Makes good power, is proper EFI, looks good, is versatile, has OBDII, and is reliable enough to drive every day.
Did I mention that they're dirt cheap, and don't suffer from the major frame issues of G-bodies?
Coldsnap wrote: Well, with my research my best bet looks like I should go to Knoxville TN with $6k in hand because theres a good 3-4 novas I'd buy and 2 malibus that look promising.
Do it! As someone mentioned before, buy one thats good in some places and not so good in others and increase the value yourself to sell on later without taking a hit or much of one. For instance, your good with a wrench? Get one with a weak/bad motor and throw something nice in. Better with bondo and paint than a wrench? Get one with a good motor that needs a little body work. But whatever you do check very very well for rust in major places cause no one likes replacing rusty E36 M3. This is the crap ive done for a decade and ive yet to lose money on a car.
JohnRW1621 wrote: The key to life with an older car is to have an additional, reliable, newer daily driver. Keep the Volvo. Add in something else that you might keep short term.
This was so true, along with the advice for the s10 blazer. It's cold, raining, and my car I bought saturday needs a bit of work before I can drive it around. Really don't want to ride my bicycle and thanking that I have my Volvo still. I'm going to try to run the numbers and see if I can keep it.
I guess you could say i've been 'living this dream' for a couple years now with short commutes and the ability to DD my old cars without much worry or care. It's pretty great and i encourage you to stay on this path!
I'm pretty ok with the suggestion of keeping a newer, reliable car around, but it doesn't have to be a lot of money at all. I bought an 07 Prius for $4500 years ago and with the body damage it's picked up and general depreciation since then (now at 250k) i'd be surprised if i could get more than $2600 bucks for it in any kind of quick sale. It's still one of the most reliable cars on the planet and even though it's been replaced as a DD and basically doesn't get used at all any more, it's too good and reliable of a back up plan to get rid of.
And back up plan is a funny term. I can't really imagine a day when ALL my old cars will be broken at the same time. But it's possible to imagine a day when i don't want to drive ANY old car, and that contingency is what the newer car is good for. It's not really about the old CARS breaking, it's about my enjoyment of them not being there in certain situations such as very inclement weather.
Coldsnap wrote:JohnRW1621 wrote: The key to life with an older car is to have an additional, reliable, newer daily driver. Keep the Volvo. Add in something else that you might keep short term.This was so true, along with the advice for the s10 blazer. It's cold, raining, and my car I bought saturday needs a bit of work before I can drive it around. Really don't want to ride my bicycle and thanking that I have my Volvo still. I'm going to try to run the numbers and see if I can keep it.
So... what did you get?
MadScientistMatt wrote:Coldsnap wrote:So... what did you get?JohnRW1621 wrote: The key to life with an older car is to have an additional, reliable, newer daily driver. Keep the Volvo. Add in something else that you might keep short term.This was so true, along with the advice for the s10 blazer. It's cold, raining, and my car I bought saturday needs a bit of work before I can drive it around. Really don't want to ride my bicycle and thanking that I have my Volvo still. I'm going to try to run the numbers and see if I can keep it.
'91 S10 Blazer with an LT1 in it, lol. Here's some pictures in this thread -
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/91-chevy-s10-lt1/117025/page1/#post2039575
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