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Winter beater

Need new winter beater V. Like, 7?

11K views 54 replies 23 participants last post by  Geechie_Suede 
#1 ·
Looking for an interesting winter beater. Lowered Bravada is pretty much crap. I don't like or want an SUV, I prefer something RWD personally with good tires. Manual trans is a plus, even though most choices will be FWD. Budget, under $1500. Added advice on my choices appreciated.

What does TCL suggest?

Here's what I found so far. Looking at all three in the next two days gathering info.

Top choice. Checking it out Thursday.
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/5865667345.html
VOLVO 240 1992 - $980 (EGR) said:
1992 VOLVO 240 SEDAN
new brakes
new exhaust
front suspension repaired
good tires
new battery spring 2016
slight exhaust noise
power windows
clean interior
sub woofer
iPod compatible stereo
odometer stopped working at 145000
cracked windshield
W140 S320, last of the straight 6 S-Class. Called, no reply.
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/5863868723.html
1994 Mercedes Benz S320 Luxury Sedan - $1000 (Comstock Park) said:
1994 Mercedes Benz S320 Luxury Sedan $1000.00 OBO
Rear wheel drive, 6 cylinder, automatic transmission, 4 door, 130,000 miles

Leather upholstery, Bucket Seats, Sun roof
Abs breaks - Anti-Theft System - Alarm, Cruise Control, Dual Front Airbags, Side Mirror Adjustments, Rear Window Defogger, Good heat/Air
Power mirrors/rear view & side, seats, windows, locks - rear seat flip down mirrors - headlight wipers - first aide kit

In good shape, champagne color

Wheel Diameter - 16 Inch Alloy Wheels
17 city, 24 hwy, 3.2 L 229 lb ft torque, 26.4 gal tank
Random cheap D2 A8. Emailed, no reply yet.
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/5864895538.html
1999 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro - $1200 (Grand Rapids) said:
1999 Audi A8 Quattro 4.2 Black with tan leather interior. Premium 19" Wheels. All Wheel Drive. Excellent in the winter snow and smooth drive in the summer. Best Car I ever owned. Has wear and tear of a 15 year old car on the interior. Ac and heat work well. All luxury items work well in the cockpit. It does have a cracked windshield and front bumper cracked from a frozen snow bank last year. Selling because I bought an SUV. High mileage. Looking for $1200.
Those are my top three. Others I found below.

Manual LS
http://madison.craigslist.org/cto/5863147593.html


One-owner, high mile, 328is
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/5849751006.html


Crown Vic coupe
http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/cto/5859315603.html


S90
http://centralmich.craigslist.org/cto/5852265904.html


1st gen GS
http://fortwayne.craigslist.org/cto/5852530716.html


83 Fleet
http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/5824824851.html
 
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6
#15 · (Edited)
RWD $1500 winter beater?


90+ Lincoln TC (and other panther chassis cars)
Lexus SC
Gm B body.
Volvo 900 series (last/best of the old RWD Volvos) (IE the S90 that you posted)
3rd gen supra.
Z31 300ZX (;))
Cressida (See: 3rd gen Supra)


Love that e36, just get it compression checked :thumbup:. The 240 will make a pushrod Cavalier seem spry.


Edit: the first gen Lexus GS came to america? Didn't know that. Also- Infiniti q45.
 
#21 ·
RWD $1500 winter beater?

90+ Lincoln TC (and other panther chassis cars) Looking at possibly another P71
Lexus SC If I can find one
Gm B body. The Fleetwood I posted isn't a bad alternative, especially minus the HT4100
Volvo 900 series (last/best of the old RWD Volvos) (IE the S90 that you posted) I'll see if I can find any more:thumbup:
3rd gen supra. Don't want another cheap Mk3 Supra
Z31 300ZX (;)) :wave:
Cressida (See: 3rd gen Supra) Definitely if I can find one


Love that e36, just get it compression checked :thumbup:. Still on the fence on any BMW

The 240 will make a pushrod Cavalier seem spry. Don't care, I love 240s


Edit: the first gen Lexus GS came to america? Didn't know that. Also- Infiniti q45. Lexus makes almost too much sence:laugh:

Negatives on the Audi?
 
#19 ·
http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/cto/5853281242.html

I'm selling my 96 Town Car "Cartier Edition" which is suppose to be the top of the line in features for the time period.
It has 189k miles
4.6 V8 runs good
Mechanically sound other than a small exhaust leak
Air ride suspension that actually still works!
Brakes are good
Tires are good all around
Leather and power seats
Power windows and locks with a key fab
Heat works great
Exterior is in decent shape, only bad spot is the driver side fender from a tire blowing out
Almost no rust at all

Overall its a good daily driver that won't leave you stranded

I'm asking $1400 o.b.o.

I wouldn't drive to Madison (!) for anything and I wouldn't want a 3-series from Chicago either. but I would be pretty interested in trying to find an old DSM or something else all wheel drive.
 
#24 ·
What's wrong with the japanese plushies? With being as specific as "~$1500" and "rwd" those are some of the best options taking reliability into account.

The original grill less q45 and the SC were always neat cars at the least.
 
#26 ·
I ran a manual transmission Volvo 744 turbo through two snowy Nebraska winters. On decent all-season tires, it was great in the winter, and I share your preference for RWD. More fun and more challenging, but with narrow tires and good ground clearance, I had no big issues with it as a winter car. I think I paid $75 for this car 10 years ago and had to re-wire most of the fusebox since it had melted down prior to my purchase.

After buying new tires, prancing moose stickers, and the wiring fixes, I think I had a total of $450 in it. It was a tank, great car.

 
#32 ·
After seeing an otherwise-mint (it was green, too!) late-model Volvo 245 go by the wayside due to aging electrons, I cannot second that statement. The owner (a friend of mine) was a diehard Volvoista - she was 32 at the time, and had only owned 2 cars, both 245's, up to that point. Yes, she's a college professor :laugh:. But more to the point, the repeatedly-intermittent stalling problem stumped even the most heartiest of European Volvo gurus in the area, that she simply threw up her hands and traded it in on a Prius.

With a car that old, you run the risk of old-car problems just by how long it has been on this earth. That said, I'd have some fun and get the Bimmer
 
#36 ·
That's what I'm here for




A 3rd Gen Supra is actually a really good idea. My neighbour had one as his winter sled but took the top off for the summer. Never had issues. Except the turbo blew up at 230k km, but yeah. :D
Even though it's mechanically similar to the Cressida, I posted the 3rd gen Supra as far more examples still exist, and you can even choose a 5 speed if you want. For a 1980s car, 140K miles isn't a bad turbo lifespan, I honestly think the N/A's 200 HP is perfectly fine, though. (my 300ZX has only 160 when running properly :laugh:)
 
#34 ·
A 3rd Gen Supra is actually a really good idea. My neighbour had one as his winter sled but took the top off for the summer. Never had issues. Except the turbo blew up at 230k km, but yeah. :D

 
#37 ·
I've attempted to drive a MkIII Supra in the winter. Terrible plan. Now, I didn't have snows, but that thing, while huge, seemed so light in the rear end. Honestly, I felt like my fox was better in the snow due to the skinnier tires and more connected feeling.

I'd recommend the A8.

Chris
 
#44 ·
I was delayed on the 240 and will be seeing it today. The Audi I will also be checking out today. I emailed the A8 owner on Wednesday and he said he would get back with me today, he got called out of town for work and took the A8, so the ad was taken down until he gets back.


I had a MK3 Supra a few years ago with 306k miles. Not planning on buying another cheap cheap targa Supra. I want a good example next time that hopefully doesn't leave me with a wet ass after some rain. Nobody likes a wet ass.
 
#45 ·
Update:

A8 is gone as far as i know. He won't get back with me.
Mercedes owner won't answer his phone.
GS300 is gone.
Volvo 240 was in really good condition for its age. Well taken care of, owned by an older gentleman that bought it for his daughter in 2012. Very little rust, but my only issue it's slow as balls. It might be in the same bracket as my 190, I loved everything about that, except the performance.

Now, I might be picking up this 960. Going to see it tomorrow after work, owner said him and his son put about a 100k on it. Son was the last driver before he bought a BMW, so this car sat in the garage for the last year or so, definitely will need a battery and tires.

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/cto/5852265904.html


Then, this XC popped up this morning. If it runs and if I can get the 960 cheap, I may buy both.
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/5874823407.html


Option 2: P71
A few years ago I bought an 01 P71 dirty cheap, and to this day, I think it was the best winter beater I ever owned. Didn't even need snow tires (already had a good set of all-seasons), never got stuck during that MI winter once.

Found this earlier, if the 960 don't work out, I'll pick this up on the way back. Either way, I need to bring a battery with me.
http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/5874669020.html
 
#46 · (Edited)
Told you 240s are slow :) Of the options I honestly trust the 960 alot more, but the xc70 is a better price. The P71 could be fun if it has a LSD, and it should be the cheapest to own.


Edit: wow, top end and transmission rebuilt? That alone would make me buy the P71, and it's by far the newest. The price isn't even bad. It's a salvage title, but who cares at that price point.
 
#49 · (Edited)
Love the Volvos, predictably. 960 will be a tank, you'll love it. Cheap to repair, insanely durable. That one is overpriced, can get that for half the price. 850/x70/P2 wheels will work on that car, so many P2 wheels used for cheap with decent tires. Interference engine so make sure timing belt/tensioners are good.

On the V70XC, make sure you know what you're getting into. Still love them but needier than the 960. The Classic Red is rare and amazeballs on the V70XC!
 
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