A what car thread of my very own

Well, guys. Some of you read that I hydroplaned my car into a wall at 65 mph yesterday. The damage was minimal, but it still slightly pushed the front clip to the side and its a bit too much body work for me to take on. The engine is in great condition and I have a few modifications thrown into the mix. The car get great mileage and if I could find a good Zx2 that needed a new engine, I would swap everything out.

As seen in the picture above, everything is pushed just slightly to the side.

I don't make much and I would need a loan for basically anything above a couple hundred dollars. If I were to get a loan, I'd have to make a few cuts. Get rid of cable, and try to lower a few other bills around the house. My credit is very high, so I could get a loan for about anything, but I plan on buying a house soon. Then again, It will run me less per month than my rent.

Here's the deal. I'm a Ford and Nissan guy, so I would like to stick with them. I need something cheap and easy to work on. If I could find a car that the Zetec could fit, I would be happy to swap my engine. I also have a Skyline engine prepped for an S13 sitting around, but I don't want to use it for a daily driver. I could drive it on dry weather days, though, if I found a good S13 body. The truck is a good wet weather vehicle.

What says the brain trust?

(BTW, the accident was not high impact and I'm fine. Not a lick of whiplash or anything. I was very lucky yesterday morning. Now off to browse CG and I'll be checking back.)

EDIT: Forgot to add: If I can realign the front end with a hammer, dedicated autocross car?

I'm finding a lot of good P71s. Going to work. Hopefully I can get some suggestions. I'm going to look around on the way to work.

I always seem to find ZX2's needing a new trans, as people can't fathom the idea of changing the trans fluid in their automatic at least once a decade....

I'd say, find another with a blown up something, engine or trans, and go town on swapping. Part hoard what is savable, and scrap the rest. Then profit?

Did someone say quasi-sporty convertible Mercury Capri?

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/3246188266.html

Mix that with parts from your ZX2? They're both Mazda BG chassis cars, so... I don't know about a powerplant swap from a ZX2 into these, Celica Failboat or whatever he's called should show up with a short dissertation, but I think it's doable with factory bits already in your car + this one.

What kind of time frame? Do you have something to drive to work? If you're not stranded, I'll 2nd Ranger50.

Glad to hear you're OK..

In reply to pres589:

I like where you're going. Also toying with ways to afford a new focus, fusion, or Taurus.

friedgreencorrado wrote: What kind of time frame? Do you have something to drive to work? If you're not stranded, I'll 2nd Ranger50. Glad to hear you're OK..

Got the 12 mpg F150. I've got time. Also, the Zx2 is beyond totaled from hail and damage I bought it with and now this, but I can slap the bumper back on and driver her, too.

If it's driveable and such, just drive the ZX2 for a while making sure the alignment is squared back up as best you can, and save some money for a good all-rounder DD.

You know what may possibly work? Swapping ZX2 hardware into a Festiva. Nice and light little hatchback with good mileage and clean examples, while somewhat rare, are very cheap.

New car monthly payments almost made me crap my pants. Keep the swap ideas coming. I like them.

I don't think there are any alignment problems. Drives just fine.

Looking strongly at the Capri. Already emailed him. We'll see what he says. Could be decent. Thanks for the toss out, pres. Maybe this will turn into a build thread.

I like that Capri idea - you don't see these built too often, and it is the same platform.

In reply to MadScientistMatt:

If they weren't FWD I'd be allll about trying one on!

On the Capri. My father the mechanic advised against it due to electrical issues. I'll get more detailed with him later.

I've looked at P71s. Found a super clean 05 with170k and the owner will drop to 3400. A bit high? Its a street package, so it looks civilian and is damn nice.

Also looking at Volvo wagons and Subaru wagons. Found one escort wagon needing an engine. Had SVT wheels and a hideous carbon fibre hood. He was asking 1000 and had little room to negotiate.

Thoughts?

Capris are fine, no major electrical issues as long as they stay dry inside.

I don't know a damn thing about swapping the Zetec into one, though... i imagine it'd be just like swapping a BP in one. The mounting holes SHOULD be there, i would imagine.

I don't really know, but if the Capri is a true BG chassis through and through and not some weird variation or combination of BF and BG, the swap shouldn't be terrible.

On the flip side, i imagine getting a Zetec into a Festiva would be a nightmare.

N Sperlo wrote: On the Capri. My father the mechanic advised against it due to electrical issues. I'll get more detailed with him later. I've looked at P71s. Found a super clean 05 with170k and the owner will drop to 3400. A bit high? Its a street package, so it looks civilian and is damn nice. Also looking at Volvo wagons and Subaru wagons. Found one escort wagon needing an engine. Had SVT wheels and a hideous carbon fibre hood. He was asking 1000 and had little room to negotiate. Thoughts?

Pics of the hideous CF hood?

N Sperlo wrote: I don't think there are any alignment problems. Drives just fine.

Re-assemble, keep driving it?

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

N Sperlo wrote: I don't think there are any alignment problems. Drives just fine.

Re-assemble, keep driving it?

This IS an option. It'll just have a crooked front end. My wife actually offered to let me start driving the focus and she'd take over the escort. I put way more miles ona car, so I don't plan on increasing the miles on a car we got new.

I could do a sheet metal front bumper.

I'm halfway tempted to put the P71 up for sale, since a Mustang popped up that I'd love to have. If you're interested, we can talk.

Looks nice. I'd be interested. It would have top be quick and I don't have much cash though. I've been looking in the 1500 range and that looks a little more pricey. Either way, let me know.

Is it impossible to find a 5 speed Volvo wagon? How do I go about that. Plans would be for a 5.0 down the line, but a DD for the time being. I can deal with an auto until then, but I prefer manual.

They are around. Mostly 240's, but a few 740's as well. I test drove a 240 a few years ago and we looked at a few others when my g/f was considering one. It felt like my old Toyota pick-up, just lower to the ground... You can mod them and make them sportier with springs and sway bars, but you're starting in a hole.

I had a Volvo 740 turbo wagon and didn't care for it much.

My first thought when I saw this was "2nd gen escort swap." If you're patient, one with a bad auto transmission will come along soon, I bet.

The one you posted sounds cool too. Swap the hood for a stocker and a hundred dollar bill from a high schooler and you'll be set.

This is exactly why I have 4 running vehicles right now. Especially with winter coming on...when one drives junky cars, one needs a fleet

Any Mazda/Ford thing from the 90s is good in my book (says the guy driving a '90 323 and who loves 2nd gen Escorts).

Check the "Deals Found by Clem" page on facebook, I'll be looking in this area for you...

Clem

Cool. Thanks guys. Toss me an email if you find anything good, Clem and I'll keep an eye on deals.

BTW, the Capri is a BF body, not BG. still swapable, though, I think.

Because I can't update facebook until late tonight:

http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3311224858.html '91 Caprice with bad grammar. Not a ford, but good cars, generally speaking.

Astro...probably not what you're looking for either: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3310808021.html

Now we're talking (Escort): http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3310387746.html

Oh...and you'll like this too, I bet (Nissan): http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3310128463.html

Not what you're looking for, but you know you want it...pimp: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3269266298.html

Mazdatruck: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3309989851.html

posted only for price point reasons: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3308777324.html

Because it won't pass inspection but is eligible for historci tags (which require no inspection). 1987 Firebird: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3298953561.html

A hen's tooth? I think yes: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3307812245.html

Festiva...should be priced closer to $1K in my opinion...and it's an automatic : http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3307781891.html

Ranger: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3307774605.html

Taurus: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3307722271.html

Buick Roadmaster (not an LT1...don't get too excited) equipped with an upscale "Cadillac Converter": http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3281250463.html

'nother Taurus: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3307546930.html

Incredibly overpriced volvo (hey...you asked) for sale by someone who goes by "Popeye"...you can't make this stuff up: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3268041975.html

Not bad...also Not P71: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3306915013.html

Bronco II: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3306714178.html

Would require cannibalizing the Back 40 racer: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/pts/3310984521.html

Trade for my Escort Wagon?

I'll do the body work on ZX2...I've done it before!