As the tittle says, if anyone in the NJ area is available to look at a car for me ( I'd be happy to send some gas money their way ), I'd highly appreciate it. I have no idea how shady this dealer might be, if the car was ever legally imported, what the history and overall condition might be, if it can be registered easily. That said, I love this car, even though it "might" be overpriced. It's silly, dumb and impulsive of me to want to get this. But I'd like to have the opportunity to regret this decision.
1989 Ford Econobox XR3i
That would certainly make a splash at radwood :) I can't help, but that's a cool econobox!
I love that color.
Sadly, I don't know anyone in the area who could help, but I can give your thread a bump. 
In reply to JesseWolfe :
Don't do it!
It's a money pit!
Where the hell are you gonna get Parts?
Are you berkeleying insane?
Where's the build thread?!
I'm about an hour away on business and now sad I chose to fly out of Philly rather than Newark.
That car is awesome. Buy it and tell us a great story. That story could be a comedy, could be a drama, or maybe a tale of horror. But we'll all be entertained.
ddavidv
UltimaDork
3/11/25 7:59 a.m.
Brazil license plate, Brazil flag in the background. I'm betting someone in the dealership is from there and has a 'source' for stuff like that. I doubt parts would be too difficult if it's the same as the European model. They sold tons of those things in the UK and Germany.
I haven't had a response from the dealer to my email yet, I'm calling tomorrow if I don't get a reply today.
It does look like a Brazilian model, it has a VW ea827 engine, not sure if it's a 1.6 or 1.8, gas, alcohol or mixed fuel model. Having a VW engine makes it a little more appealing with US based parts availability vs sourcing CVH parts from England, chassis components should be a 1:1 transfer with USA based Ford Econoboxs.
Either way, if I can't get any communication with the dealer I'm going to drop looking into this anymore. I have a buyer lined up for my 12' JSW, and a low APR line of credit from my bank. Fingers crossed something happens.
Maybe not quite as cool, but if you're set on a Ford Econobox and don't want to drop $10k, here's an option. Not mine - very minimal affiliation. I've never seen the car but the seller is a fellow RallyCross guy.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1EDBqMgQXi/
I was gonna volunteer but its a good bit north. I have a buddy up that way that may be able to put eyes on it. He's a vw nut so the gol may be enough to get him moving.
In reply to JesseWolfe :
I grew up in that county, and might be able to get there Thursday or Friday this week. There are several Brazilian used car dealers in the Newark area. If you remain interested I live one hour west and go into Newark on someone else's dime several times per month too.
In reply to TurnerX19 :
I'd take you up on that. Let me get ahold of that dealer on the phone and see if I can get some information first. You are free to swing in there and take a look if you have free time, that's much appreciated.
We can exchange numbers to make this easier?
Noddaz
PowerDork
3/11/25 6:19 p.m.
Well now, that is very interesting. And just why didn't the USA get these?
Noddaz
UltimaDork
3/11/25 6:20 p.m.
Well now, that is very interesting. And just why didn't the USA get these?
In reply to Noddaz :
Because we never get anything Brazilian, except a few engines. They would cost to much, and they were made in volumes just enough to satisfy the local market. The VW engine is because Ford doesn't sell enough in Brazil to warrant tooling an engine factory there, and Brazilian fuel regulation make other similar size Ford engines made elsewhere unsuitable. VW has such a hold on that market that "everything" has VW power.
I was looking at maps....This dealer is 5 blocks from Bennet Heat Treating. I was there last Tuesday....
Just a profile comparison, 89' Ford Econobox GT vs the 89' XR3i. The overall profile is identical, but the lack of the lower body cladding makes the XR3i more appealing visually. Plus VW power vs Ford power is a significant plus.
Dealer finally emailed me, going to respond back this morning and see where this goes.
