• Registered: 2010-03-24
  • Posts: 6

Topic: Help us choose a car!

Hey guys,

So I've been searching around craigslist for cheap $500 cars that I can ruin and eventually put on it's roof. I've come across two potential ones so far but I don't really know a lot about Nissan's so I was wondering if you guys could help me out

Car #1: 1982 Datsun 200sx
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/c … 81484.html

Pros:
- RWD
- looks like it wouldn't need much maintenence
-pretty light, and when we strip it out it'll be even lighter
- 5 speed manual

Cons:
- 4cyl
- was built to meet emissions, not performance
- next to nothing you can do to bump the power
- doesn't seem like there is much of a community behind this car so it may be hard to acquire/sell parts


Car #2: 1989 Nissan Pulsar
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rch/c … 15176.html

Pros for the pulsar
- massive community behind it
- 5 speed manual
- looks to be in excellent shape

cons
- front wheel drive (I think. some sites say FWD, some say RWD)
- CA18DE is a bit on an anemic engine and the best bang for the buck mod is to drop in an SR20DET ($$$)
- parts may be a bit more expensive.


Am I right in my thinking so far? Do you guys have any knowledge bombs to drop on me about either of these cars? Which one is better for racing?

Thanks.

  • JThw8
  • JThw8
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  • From: Mullica Hill, NJ
  • Registered: 2009-06-10
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Re: Help us choose a car!

they seem about even to me, but both utterly boring

I'd be eyeballing more like this

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/c … 21759.html
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/c … 96512.html

You seem to be focusing on performance.  This is an endurance race, speed and performance mean very little.  Reliability is king and freakin wierd is god.

http://wartburg.misfittoysracing.com
OTTER: "I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part."
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  • From: Detroit, MI
  • Registered: 2009-05-16
  • Posts: 1,594

Re: Help us choose a car!

Agree.  The 510 is way LeMony-er.  If the Pulsar had one of the optional roofs, it'd be a shoe-in, but with the boring hatch roof it's a snoozer.  The 200SX is better, but not as good as the 510.

BRE Datsun (Broke Racing Effluence) formerly Dawn of the Zed Racing
'74 260Z
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/editpicture.php … 2559430584

Jeff G 78's Website

  • From: San Diego, CA
  • Registered: 2009-08-17
  • Posts: 364

Re: Help us choose a car!

Here you go, take a drive down to Sunny Arizona:

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/1658296870.html

Pendejo Engineering "Captain" - 1991 Alfa 164
1983 Shaguar XJ-S V-12 "The Two Ton Miata"
1995 Mercedes S600 V-12  - First car ever CLAIMED by JAY!
1980 Maserati Quattroporte - Judge's Choice

magnusracing's Website

  • From: Davis, Ca
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 1,843

Re: Help us choose a car!

Show up with a SR20DET and the judges will tear your heart out with penalty laps, just sayin'

Gosh, my business card says 'Tech Tyrant'

6 Reply by MustardFacial (edited by MustardFacial 2010-03-24 06:13 PM)

  • Registered: 2010-03-24
  • Posts: 6

Re: Help us choose a car!

I was looking at that 510, but it's over the $500 limit, so doesn't that automatically put us over budget?

I was also considering a GMC Grumman Canadian Postal Van but they ended up being over the weight limit. A few months ago I came across a Lada Riva but it didn't run and finding parts for a Lada in Canada would be like finding a McDonald's at the bottom of the ocean.

Thanks for the input though guys. I'll look for something more interesting and focus less on power.

  • From: Detroit, MI
  • Registered: 2009-05-16
  • Posts: 1,594

Re: Help us choose a car!

This isn't KMart, you are allowed to make an offer that's lower than the sticker price.  Besides, you can probably sell off a few trim parts and get some cap space.

BRE Datsun (Broke Racing Effluence) formerly Dawn of the Zed Racing
'74 260Z
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/editpicture.php … 2559430584

Jeff G 78's Website

  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 9,416

Re: Help us choose a car!

You will have an easier time getting accepted to the race with the 200SX. However, a mid-80s Pulsar with the funky Sport Roof (or whatever it was called) would be pretty damn cool.

But plenty of great Lemons cars on CL Vancouver! What's wrong with this $200 Cressida? It's got a Greddy exhaust, Momo steering wheel, and 6-point cage!

Or this '89 Z24 Cavalier? Z24 yo!

Or a '65 Corvair!

A 1981 Olds Regency!

A '79 BMW 733i!

And best of all, this 1947 Plymouth!

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  • JThw8
  • JThw8
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  • Registered: 2009-06-10
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Re: Help us choose a car!

MustardFacial wrote:

I was looking at that 510, but it's over the $500 limit, so doesn't that automatically put us over budget?

I was also considering a GMC Grumman Canadian Postal Van but they ended up being over the weight limit. A few months ago I came across a Lada Riva but it didn't run and finding parts for a Lada in Canada would be like finding a McDonald's at the bottom of the ocean.

Thanks for the input though guys. I'll look for something more interesting and focus less on power.

as Jeff said, make an offer, even if you buy it over $500 there's enough non essential parts that could be sold off to a collector to get it under budget.

Sorry Im a complete weird car whore so I give "bad" advice.

http://wartburg.misfittoysracing.com
OTTER: "I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part."
BLUTO: "We're just the guys to do it."

JThw8's Website

10 Reply by MustardFacial (edited by MustardFacial 2010-03-24 06:36 PM)

  • Registered: 2010-03-24
  • Posts: 6

Re: Help us choose a car!

ok so I've been looking around some more what do you think about these:

Datsun 510
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/c … 38590.html

1965 Corvair
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/c … 47243.html

1985 saab 900 (I actually really want this)
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/c … 27471.html

1986 Chrysler Laser
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/c … 13915.html

1994 Lada Sogona (I've never heard of this or know what it is.)
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/c … 94566.html

[edit] the Lada has been sold sad

  • JThw8
  • JThw8
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Re: Help us choose a car!

510...yes

corvair.....hell yes

saab....ok but less exciting

laser....seriously?  you want to finish dont you?

lada.....HEEELLLLLL MOTHER FFFFING YES!!!!

http://wartburg.misfittoysracing.com
OTTER: "I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part."
BLUTO: "We're just the guys to do it."

JThw8's Website

  • JThw8
  • JThw8
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Re: Help us choose a car!

just actually read the ads and that corvair comes with enough bits to sell it back down to $0 easily.   

Looks like a winner to me...and by winner I mean sure to fail in a spectacular way and make you a leg-end

http://wartburg.misfittoysracing.com
OTTER: "I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part."
BLUTO: "We're just the guys to do it."

JThw8's Website

  • Registered: 2010-03-24
  • Posts: 6

Re: Help us choose a car!

JThw8 wrote:

just actually read the ads and that corvair comes with enough bits to sell it back down to $0 easily.   

Looks like a winner to me...and by winner I mean sure to fail in a spectacular way and make you a leg-end

I will not be happy unless the car spontaneously explodes in a glorious fashion. I will fill every available space with candy for when this happens.

  • From: Choctaw, Oklahoma
  • Registered: 2009-11-12
  • Posts: 2,145

Re: Help us choose a car!

A very few 200SXs came with VG30E motors (the V6 from the 300ZXs and everything else mid-sized and up Nissan built in the '80s). Grab a 4 banger 200SX and drop in a VG30, trans, and harness from a same year V6 car. Might have to do a little pin-out work on the 'puter, but I've driven one and it was a pretty sweet ride!

  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 9,416

Re: Help us choose a car!

We've seen two Corvairs in Lemons. One has had its ups and downs but mostly runs, while the other took the Index Of Effluency its first time out.

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  • From: Toronto, Ontario
  • Registered: 2009-05-03
  • Posts: 1,114

Re: Help us choose a car!

Left coast, no salt=no rust......jealous! Take the Corvair!

Jim "Endo" Anderton
30 years of racing and still not Brambilla.....
  • Registered: 2010-03-24
  • Posts: 6

Re: Help us choose a car!

well the corvair is out. Nobody on the team (except for me and another guy) wants to build a car from scratch. I can't say I blame them most of the people on the team aren't mechanics by any means.

  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 9,416

Re: Help us choose a car!

MustardFacial wrote:

the people on the team aren't mechanics by any means.

In that case, the simple rear-wheel-drive 200SX is a better choice for you than the more complex FWD Pulsar. RWD cars are way easier to fix when you blow up the clutch/differential/axles/etc.

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19 Reply by MustardFacial (edited by MustardFacial 2010-03-24 10:57 PM)

  • Registered: 2010-03-24
  • Posts: 6

Re: Help us choose a car!

I guess it's back to square one. The 200sx has been sold for more than we cared to pay for it. Our current target is the 510 or something else crazy stupid that has no business on a race track (please get back to me Canada Post. I want to race around a track in one of your mail delivery vans.)

[edit] nevermind
1965 AMC Rambler American. Hell. Yes.
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/c … 25228.html

  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 9,416

Re: Help us choose a car!

The Rambler American would be an excellent choice. Junked Jeeps will have plenty of engine parts.

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  • Mulry
  • Mulry
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  • From: Dallas, TX
  • Registered: 2009-05-01
  • Posts: 4,607

Re: Help us choose a car!

Not very interesting from a Lemony perspective, but this '86 GTI would be an easy start for a new team, is under $500, and somebody's already got Bilsteins on it:
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/c … 25226.html

AMG Body Kit, Boy-ee! Body kit = fast!
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/c … 28296.html

Although far from sexy, this Toyota Corolla (AE 98 Trueno) with the smallport 4AGE could be a good buy, especially since the aircare (whatever the hell that is) has run out. Downside is that it's a slushbox, but it couldn't be hard to find a c52 and the pedal assy to make it a manual:
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/c … 26898.html

1974 MGB, buy this and you're going to get accepted to any race you enter:
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/c … 80322.html

Or the winnar: 1965 Valiant Signet, slant 6 engine and lots of character on that body:
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bnc/c … 65915.html

Pat Mulry, TARP Racing #67

Mandatory disclaimer: all opinions expressed are mine alone & not those of 24HOL, its mgmt, sponsors, etc.
  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
  • Registered: 2009-04-30
  • Posts: 9,416

Re: Help us choose a car!

I would not recommend a GTI for a new team, because it seems that only total VW freaks have been able to keep water-cooled VWs running for an entire race.

The MGB isn't as ridiculous a choice as it might seem. Tearing out all the electrical stuff and building your own harness (time-consuming, but not too hard) solves most of the reliability problems, and they're incredibly simple little cars that non-expert mechanics have no problem working on. They can be made to handle acceptably well, too.

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  • Registered: 2010-01-10
  • Posts: 37

Re: Help us choose a car!

For a new team, you might consider buying a Lemon's race car that is for sale.   I can tell you that if you spend $500 on the car, you also will spend another $1500 on safety items.   Roll cage- $950, tires- $340,  brakes- $150,  harness- $75,  seat-  optional,    These items add up fast and there is only so much trim you can sell to keep the costs down.   On another forum topic, someone estimated that it cost $650 per driver to be in the race.   That is pretty close.   

Also, based on the number of BMWs on the track, I would say EVERYONE cheats on the $500 limit

  • From: Federal Way, WA
  • Registered: 2009-06-11
  • Posts: 333

Re: Help us choose a car!

How about two Peugeot 505s for $888? You'd have the advantage of a knowledgeable Peugeot team just 150 miles south in Seattle. We'd love to have a Can-Am Peugeot challenge!

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/c … 54568.html

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  • From: Hayward, CA
  • Registered: 2010-03-23
  • Posts: 1,762

Re: Help us choose a car!

Datsun 510
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/c … 38590.html

1965 Corvair
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/c … 47243.html

The 78 datsun will probably have the L20B engine, but with emissions crap on it. Not much better than the Z22 in the 200sx. But those engines will run the distance.  De-smog it and open up the carbs and exhaust to get some more Hp!

But get the Corvair, it comes with extra parts!. Sell the Monza Dash.  140hp heads!! and a built engine! Its a simple car, so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out how to put together. Put on a heavy duty spring tension-er for the fan belt?

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