Just curious, I'll be in Florida in the near future for a short while and am wondering if I should look for a potential challenge car while I'm there. Years ago, it seemed like anything with broken air conditioning was dirt cheap. Obviously, not something I care about for the challenge. Is it still that way, or have car prices gone nuts across the board?
I'm mean if you really are looking for that I have a cheap Buick with inop AC.
In reply to Stampie :
Still have the gambler Buick?
In reply to eastsideTim :
Yes sir.
Let me add that it's not cheap because of the inop AC. It's cheap because of the other things.
I may have access to a cheap, highly inappropriate car for the challenge already, but I'll keep the Buick in mind if I start getting desperate 
In reply to eastsideTim :
It does have a proven Challenge pedigree having beat a Z31 300zx, LS turbo swapped RX7, Firebird, and a SBC swapped Bugeye Sprite.
There are cheap-ish cars down here. Whether that's because of no AC or they've just been ragged on I couldn't say.
Prices have gone up though.
If I were buying for the challenge in Florida I'd look for EF/EG civics and NA/NB Miatas. Both are proven platforms for challenge glory.
The civic kids blow up the engines with chinese turbos, do a part out, and sell the shells for about $500-800.
There are more miatas per square mile in FL because of the retirees. At some point they get too ratty even for the track guys and seem to fetch a bit more for a shell.
Happy hunting!
The rattiest running miatas here are currently being listed for twice challenge money.
The cheap cars down here are usually the ones imported from the north when people move here. I bought my Cherokee a few years ago for $800 because it had Indiana history. It has a little rust under it but nothing I can't handle. I had to speak Toledo to it while changing the water pump last week and needed the torch on a couple bolts.
jgrewe said:The cheap cars down here are usually the ones imported from the north when people move here. I bought my Cherokee a few years ago for $800 because it had Indiana history. It has a little rust under it but nothing I can't handle. I had to speak Toledo to it while changing the water pump last week and needed the torch on a couple bolts.
Hmm, not really a good idea for the challenge, but I wonder if I could snag a cheap SUV that isn't as bad as what I see in Ohio, but bad enough to scare Floridians.
CrustyRedXpress said:If I were buying for the challenge in Florida I'd look for EF/EG civics and NA/NB Miatas. Both are proven platforms for challenge glory.
The civic kids blow up the engines with chinese turbos, do a part out, and sell the shells for about $500-800.
There are more miatas per square mile in FL because of the retirees. At some point they get too ratty even for the track guys and seem to fetch a bit more for a shell.
Happy hunting!
Miata prices have gone full retard down here. I wouldn't expect to find anything usable for challenge money.
eastsideTim said:jgrewe said:The cheap cars down here are usually the ones imported from the north when people move here. I bought my Cherokee a few years ago for $800 because it had Indiana history. It has a little rust under it but nothing I can't handle. I had to speak Toledo to it while changing the water pump last week and needed the torch on a couple bolts.
Hmm, not really a good idea for the challenge, but I wonder if I could snag a cheap SUV that isn't as bad as what I see in Ohio, but bad enough to scare Floridians.
Here's what you do. Come down, buy a nice rust free escalade. Grab a trailer, and find someone from New York (god theres so many of them) to sell you a E36 M3ty challenge car, and do work. First bourbon is on me.
In reply to Stampie :
Prolly not in the cards for me, but by fall, who knows. Just in case, can I get more details on your Buick?
In reply to 03Panther :
It's the most awesome 1985 Buick Riviera that has ever graced the Challenge with it's presence. It'll also be long gone by fall even if I have to junk it.
I'll add that the riviera was a lot better than expected.
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
I'll translate that. It was like taking home a girl at closing time and having the best night of your life. Would you want to be seen with her the next day? Maybe not. Would you regret that 10/15 years later? Yep.
I remember that from its gambler days... didn't know you had ended up with it! Definitely missed all the info from the last challenge; life got worse again about then. Maybe I'll see some up swing one day
Not the kinda Buick I was thinkin' , but raises its own interesting thoughts.
I'll be in training a few more weeks, but what kinda cash offer would ya be looking at?
In reply to 03Panther :
Good old green American cash? If it's gone in the next two weeks I'll take $1k from a GRMer. Give me a story that I like and maybe even cheaper. Could likely deliver on the 95 north to Philly route or the Upstate SC, Ashville NC, Knoxville TN, Louisville KY, Indy, Detroit route.
Found a 85 caddy eldo on SC Craig's for 500, if anyone wants to mix and match parts with the Gambler!!! Lost the direct link, but could prolly find if interest.
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