Quest for the Least Reliable Vehicle for MontuckyFried

[Timberridge]

Where is the car located? There is a distinct possibility that is the rig my mom spieled a deer in last year.

I really hope so!

[Harry]

You guys are gonna laugh at me (feel free),

Man, am I ever glad you were not like this when you lived in Big Sky. You would have been calling me for rides all the time. Back then you always had nice cars.



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[El Chupacabra]

Nissan is a hard pass and Mazda doesn't make what I need.

Too reliable?

From this side of the screen, what it sounds like you and Montucky both actually need is something that runs, day in and day out, without breaking. Ever.

You both could just go buy a Honda Fit, put on whatever you need for snow tires and roof racks, and call it done.

[::: :::]

C30 has bubbled up on our list for a $10k commuter.
Kid drove a few vehicles yesterday & shortlisted Impreza, GTI & C30 with the C30 leading if it can be found. Larger wagons were liked too (outback & xc70), but he thought maybe too big for his immediate needs (primarily local commute this year).
He liked the solid door thunk feel, the 225hp & the quirky euro look. MT’s do not seem to be very available tho.

[Toyota & Honda reccos got eliminated cuz they all seem to be super high miles & he found the prospective available models boring as all get out ]

Beyond timing belt service records & picking a no-accident vehicle, anything to consider for a 70-120k volvo as we’ll hope to get another 50-60k out of it?

[El Chupacabra]

How about a Saab? Seems fitting for this thread.
https://reno.craigslist.org/cto/d/re...511696778.html

[gravitylover]

Too reliable?

From this side of the screen, what it sounds like you and Montucky both actually need is something that runs, day in and day out, without breaking. Ever.

You both could just go buy a Honda Fit, put on whatever you need for snow tires and roof racks, and call it done.

I truly dislike driving CVTs but I guess if a nice Quest showed up at the right price and it was easy to acquire I'd probably have a hard time saying no. My problem is I have to have something large and even big SUVs don't meet one of the prime requirements. I have to be able to travel with bikes inside and still take 2 people and 2 dogs. If this was the only thing I could go with a pickup and cap but that eliminates 4 people and 2 dogs comfortably unless the dogs are in the bed which is a no go.

I'm focusing on 09-11 or 12 Sienna or 11-14 T&C. If the money works out I'd get an older van and a Fit, or similar high mpg little thing, for a DD outside of work. I almost went across town and bought a really really nice 1986 Alfa Spider Veloce this morning, I quivered as I closed the ad

[Ted Striker]

https://sanmarcos.craigslist.org/cto...511838085.html
Just a little cosmetic touchup

The worst MG ever. Those crash bumpers added a lot of weight, yet provide little protection. Plus they had to lift the whole car for them (and the headlights) to be at the legal height. That and other suspension tweaks changed the previously "ok" handling to a rolling mess. And it only had one carb! I'd be surprised if it made 60hp.

[jono]

At least with Volvo, they're not RR or BMW bad quality wise. Lotsa Ford parts and my XC's been pretty bomber overall.

This comment and Mazda being dismissed on the same page are why this thread is not yet half over.

[gravitylover]

The Mazda 5 almost gets me there and could suffice it it was the only choice but they were low production and ended what, 10 years ago? Parts are getting tough and a few things can disable them now. I don't need that. MPV? No, also because of the same thing. Mf agreed to a 5spd 5 a while back in this thread.

@::: ::: I'd go for a C30 if it checked out. I think mf got unlucky in a mf kinda way. edit- The Focus ST is pretty similar under the skin and might be worth a look.

[Mazderati]

Automotive Ow! Balls!

Looking forward to new episodes.

[detrusor]

Great idiocracy quote


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[MontuckyFried]

C30 has bubbled up on our list for a $10k commuter.
Kid drove a few vehicles yesterday & shortlisted Impreza, GTI & C30 with the C30 leading if it can be found. Larger wagons were liked too (outback & xc70), but he thought maybe too big for his immediate needs (primarily local commute this year).
He liked the solid door thunk feel, the 225hp & the quirky euro look. MT’s do not seem to be very available tho.

[Toyota & Honda reccos got eliminated cuz they all seem to be super high miles & he found the prospective available models boring as all get out ]

Beyond timing belt service records & picking a no-accident vehicle, anything to consider for a 70-120k volvo as we’ll hope to get another 50-60k out of it?

I still HIGHLY recommend the C30. Sure, I got a bum one but it's still a kick ass little car. Way cheaper than it's Ford Focus ST cousin too. To me, since I managed to find one with a stick and the top trim, I'm still ok with what happened. Gives me just the excuse I needed to dive in there and do some of the upgrades I wanted to do anyway. ^_^

If I were you, I'd snag this guy and put in the engine it needs. It's a pretty sweet example for a good price:
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/m...engine.656746/

It's definitely what I would have gotten if it were available when I bought mine.

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[anotherVTskibum]

https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/m...engine.656746/

It's definitely what I would have gotten if it were available when I bought mine.

On that basis alone, I'd run away from that particular car.

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[Ted Striker]

Don't do what Donny Don't does!

[MontuckyFried]

Man, am I ever glad you were not like this when you lived in Big Sky. You would have been calling me for rides all the time. Back then you always had nice cars.



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Ha. Yup. How the mighty have fallen. I came into Big Sky moderately successful and then got my ass kicked and life's been kicking me in the balls ever since. Couple that with runaway inflation on car prices these last couple years and it was the perfect storm of making it tough on those of us in search of affordable transportation. Faaaaack. Think gravity shares a similar story. Life + stupid high car prices = teh suckage

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[Ted Striker]

Gives me just the excuse I needed to dive in there and do some of the upgrades I wanted to do anyway. ^_^

Since you're not throwing in the towel, you want a pair of prancing moose ferrari decals?
edit for pic

PM your address and I'll drop them in the mail.

[MontuckyFried]

On that basis alone, I'd run away from that particular car.

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No way! Source a new motor, do the install yourself, and the math totally works out. Seriously. Do a nationwide search for R-Design C30s with sticks. It's slim pickins out there. That's why I'm actually not too cranky about my bad fortune on mine. I still love the car. Worth the extra investment for such a special car.

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[MontuckyFried]

Since you're not throwing in the towel, you want a pair of prancing moose ferrari decals?

PM your address and I'll drop them in the mail.

Hell yes!!! Thanks, Ted!!! PM inbound.

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[MontuckyFried]

Bravo to whoever thought this sticker up.

Indeed! Bravo! Tis going on ye ole C30 fo sho.

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[liv2ski]

Since you're not throwing in the towel, you want a pair of prancing moose ferrari decals?
edit for pic

PM your address and I'll drop them in the mail.

I have had those on the VR for 15 years. Many moons ago these teenage boys were looking at my car when it was parked uptown. I walked out and asked what's up and one of them with a confused look on his face asked if Inga was a Ferrari? I had to laugh and told him to look closer at the sticker. He face was really confused then. It was great.

[anotherVTskibum]

No way! Source a new motor, do the install yourself, and the math totally works out. Seriously. Do a nationwide search for R-Design C30s with sticks. It's slim pickins out there. That's why I'm actually not too cranky about my bad fortune on mine. I still love the car. Worth the extra investment for such a special car.

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If you haven't read "The Gold-Plated Porsche", you probably should.

[emoji14]

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[MontuckyFried]

If you haven't read "The Gold-Plated Porsche", you probably should.

[emoji14]

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Lol. Totally not the same in this case. It's the Volvo P1/Ford C1/Mazda BK platform! Which means that parts have been proving cheap and plentiful.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford...C-car_Platform
It's been hella easy and cheap to get parts so far. Much better than my P3 based XC70. Maybe I should toss in the larger turbo from a Focus RS! Bolts right in. Easy to tune, etc. You can even "add" AWD with the guts from a donor V50!!! The space is there for the axle and the ECU knows what to do. Car is shockingly modifiable!

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[Timberridge]

We look forward to your journey down Modification Rd, but first let's get that head gasket sorted. You seem to loose focus easily. Where do we stand on that?

[MontuckyFried]

We look forward to your journey down Modification Rd, but first let's get that head gasket sorted. You seem to loose focus easily. Where do we stand on that?

Yup! Haven't even turned the first screw yet. I'm too tied up with work anyway but when I was leaving the other day and saw this for the outside temp, I said NOPE. This project is on the back burner til we get some relief from this heat. Actual temp was like 109, so what the car was seeing was temp off the cement, but my garage is even worse. I feel like I'm gonna die every time I go in there for something. Lol. Perhaps I should take some of the money I'm gonna save from not going to a mechanic and invest in a mini-split for my garage! Sheesh. Been brutal...



I really am looking forward to getting going with this project though. Once it's not 1000 degrees out there that is.

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[Timberridge]

Ok great. Yow, that's hot.
You've ordered head bolts and the gasket? Sometimes parts are hard to get now.

I would suggest once you have the head off to take it to a pro before bolting things back on. They'll check it's not warped.

If it were mine and I plan on keeping the car it for a while, I'd have them refit new valve stem seals, check the seats, etc. while it's there. Or you can do it yourself.