This morning my friend's Jetta did it's best Italian exotic impression.
His wife was driving, waiting in line at the elementary to drop their two kids off at school this morning. They all got out safe, but it burned a hole in his young son's coat... Fire started near the tail, fuel pump wiring perhaps, engulfed the rear seat just after yanking kids out.
Regardless, he needs something fun ASAP. This car did auto-x, rally-x, etc. but also pulls family duty. The local CL is coming up a little dry, so I thought I'd post here to help find leads on fun cheap cars that could be had with a reasonable drive from Michigan.
Help him out. What you got?
Wow! Glad everyone is safe. I got nothing. Maybe put a Ferrari or Lambo sticker on the charred carcass to make your buddy feel better?
Edit: found these on Grand Rapids CL. Dunno if these are actually worth the asking price.
2001 protege
99 Accord
97 SAAB Aero
03 P71
87 SAAB 900
Never any fun, glad every one is ok!
Is there something he/they have in mind?
the answer of course, is miata, this originated here
JtspellS wrote:
Never any fun, glad every one is ok!
Is there something he/they have in mind?
Something simple. 4 banger stick. Mk3 2.0 VW, E36, ?? Budget is pretty limited, not looking for a miracle. This car that burned was a very clean 16V mk2 Jetta.
I vote the Saab that Appleseed posted (the 9000, not the 900)
Buy the best Accord or Corolla/Prizm you can find, maybe a Zetec focus?
Early 9-5 with good maintenance is a hell of a vehicle.......
I have a 97 Saturn SW2 wagon with just over 100K; DOHC and stick. Interior (tan) is clean, paint (hunter green) has peeling clearcoat. Tires are brand new Bridgestone 009, and some other recent maintenance. Motor was replaced--has about 90K and chassis has low 100's. Located in Milwaukee.
sanman
Reader
4/10/13 10:12 p.m.
An early mazda 6 might be available for that with a stick.
Mazda Miata or Protege (the FWD Miata)
Comb the local trailer parks for a 5.0 Foxbody. That's how I found mine.
EvanB
PowerDork
4/11/13 12:30 a.m.
Kenny_McCormic wrote:
Buy the best Accord or Corolla/Prizm you can find
Well that doesn't meet the "fun" criteria.
In reply to EvanB:
Eh, I find em entertaining enough for daily use, the old double wishbone Hondas in particular. The 98-02 Prizm/Corolla does NOT drive like a Camry. I've had both, I wont be getting rid of the Prizm anytime soon, its ridiculously competent on a set of sensa tracs and drives like a stereotypical FWD car. The 1ZZ is a happy little engine with a lot more bottom end than any Honda I've been in, and geared accordingly, you arent spinning 4300rpm at 80 mph in top gear unlike a civic
Man, I can't stop coming back to that XT6. That car is as close (as looks go) as I'll ever get to a Lancia Stratos.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far!
Here's a pic another parent snapped...
Having experienced a fire in my MK2 Jetta I can certainly relate. I was fortunate the fire dept was right across the street and they saved it. Glad everyone is ok.
Having said that, I'm going to say E30 BMW. After driving VWs for years I really like my new E30 more than the VWs. They're all over and junkyards around here are chock full of nice new parts. I bet the local autox guys could find one quickly in that price range.
Message AngryCorvair, I bet he can find something. He's a Michigan guy.
