# I want an impractical car **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 22, 2004, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400 "2004-04-22T10:20:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/21 "2004-04-22T20:35:04Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > So you think a 70s Mercedes would be significantly more expensive to maintain than a 60s American car? > I’m still thinking about the Karmann-Ghia too, such a cute car. Not the safest car around, but I’m more likely to be killed on my bike so I don’t think it makes a big difference. > > Any others? I know we have an MG enthusiast here 😉 - how does it compare to the above nominations? Repair costs on an MBZ vs an American Car? ::: Wipes tears of laughter from eyes.::: The Benz will break you in repair costs. Every time the mark goes up, parts prices do also. When the mark goes down, the prices don’t. You do the math. The problem with the Karmen Gia is that underneath you are stuck with a nuts and boltswagen. I hate aircooled VWs. Lots of people loved them, but to me the aircooled VW was the meaning of the word shitbox. Of course YMMV. A TR-7 was mentioned. There is a webpage devoted to British car owners where they show a book entittled “A guide to buying and owning a TR-7” Inside the book is one word “DON’T”. Nuff said. Before **Johnny LA** gets here, MGs are cheap and plentyful. Very simple car, easy to repair and parts are available. Pretty much the same car built from 1963 till end of production in 1980. A fairly reasonable example can be found for under $10K Good luck ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/22 "2004-04-22T20:48:01Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Triumph, eh? I used to have a colleague who had a TR-3, way cool. Aren’t they expensive to maintain though? My dad had a TR-3 for a few years and loved it. He always says that it wasn’t _expensive_ to maintain, it was _constant_ to maintain. He says he always planned on having to do a little work on it every day. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/23 "2004-04-22T21:05:14Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > But they _are_ cheap and easy to work on, right? By the way I happen to think the Karmann-Ghia looks a lot better than the Porsche 914, sorry. I drove a Ghia in HS. I loved that car. They are extreemly easy to work on. There’s a book (I doubt it’s still in print) called something like “How to take car of your Volkswagon, a guide for the complete idiot.” If you get a Ghia, get the book. Another thing, if there’s a junkyard, there’s a part. Since Ghias are getting rare, I don’t know how cheap they are. I realize you don’t like the roll bar, but if you want character, I would suggest a Cabriolet (Rabbit convertible). They run at about $4000 now. They are still easy to work on, but not as easy as the Ghia - it’s that darned radiator that complicates things. Most parts are easy to find. The major design flaw I’ve found with mine is the exhaust manifold has a life span of about eight years, so make sure you know how old that sucker is. It is much cheaper to replace before it gets warped. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/24 "2004-04-22T21:17:08Z")
I’ve got a Mercedes 560 SL. It only gets 17 miles to the gallon, there’s no third seat for my child and repair bills are infrequent but horrendous when they do occur. The radio and antiquated cassette sucks and the AC isn’t capable of handling the Texas heat. The removable hardtop takes two people to put on or take off and then you have to store it somewhere. It’s like getting bitch slapped by impracticality… and I absolutely love it to death. When you’re on an onramp and start to feed that big ol’ engine some gas, well, nothing else matters and everything’s soon in your rear view mirror. _I want to praise you…_ ---
**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/25 "2004-04-22T21:26:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Before Johnny LA gets here, MGs are cheap and plentyful. I forgot about these things. If they are, in fact, cheap and plentiful, I take back my vote for the Beemer. As I recall, they’re a lot more reliable than the Triumphs, and they’re cool as hell. Yeah, definitely, try to get one of these. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/26 "2004-04-22T21:28:04Z")
> [@Winston Smith](#): > > Bah! You want impractical? Get yourself a Jeep Wrangler. It’s the singlemost impractical automobile ever built. Take it from me - I own one (and love it). Wrong! Its the Jeep Commando!! 😃 When I saw the thread title, I was going to suggest a Commando as the most unpractical vehicle available, but Winston stole my thunder! Only room for two and a half, dreadful milage, guarenteed to leave you stranded at the worst time and place, parts not readily available like every other Jeep, hot in the summer, cold in the winter and despite having 4 wheel drive it is not that good in the snow (way overpowered and underbraked). Truly an awful vehicle. But I still like mine. It has character! Seriously, what the OP wants is a late 80’s/early 90’s BMW 325i convertable. Should be able to find one private party for much less than your max. I’ve drove one quite a bit and was quite impressed. ---
**Author:** ![LVgeogeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@LVgeogeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVgeogeek)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/27 "2004-04-22T21:33:55Z")
MGs might be abundant, but they are still a British car 😃 My FIL has a '71 MG in British Racing Green (of course) and it has always been quirky since he bought it new- wierd electrical problems etc… I do however have a 1976 Toyota LandCruiser FJ40 4X4 for sale for 2000 bucks. It is a little rusty but solid and is just as impractical as the Jeep Wrangler 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/28 "2004-04-22T22:04:18Z")
> [@kferr](#): > > How about a [BMW 2002](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.tuningpt.com/carrosemana/2002/1973_bmw_2002_turbo-1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tuningpt.com/carrosemana/2002/2002.htm&h=485&w=812&sz=69&tbnid=_0O9tKg6_qcJ:&tbnh=84&tbnw=140&prev=/images%3Fq%3DBMW%2B2002%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DN) BMW… aka Break-My-Wallet. This may be a nice car but it doesn’t fit the parameters listed. It has to be easy to fix with a good supply of parts. A convertable, hmmmmmm. For under $8000 ? well, most cars made into convertables have a peformance angle to them. Maybe a Miata. I would have suggested an early Mustang but I doubt $8000 gets you much more than a smile. If you wanted something fun to drive you could look at an 87/88 Thunderbird TurboCoupe but you couldn’t get a convertable. A Honda Del Sol might be just the ticket for you. Although not a convertable the top section comes off and THE BACK WINDOW GOES DOWN! Pretty cool really. Should fit your budget. A nice stereo and a few engine tweeks and you have a sporty car that is unique, fun to drive, and get good gas mileage. It’s a 2 seater. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2004, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/29 "2004-04-22T23:48:20Z")
> [@smaft](#): > > Impractical? Driving on the highway, topless, raining, people in other cars staring at you like you’re completely insane- what’s more practical than that? > > Yes, I love mine, too, especially when it’s warm enough you’re wearing shorts but cold enough you need gloves while you’re driving. Fun stuff! Jeep Wave!!! 😃 My mom has an '03 Jeep Wrangler with a hard top. She lets us remove the top occasionally, but she hasn’t let us remove the doors yet. Back to the OP, I would like to reccommend my parents’ 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 4-door sedan (352 cubic inch V8 engine, 4-barrel carburator - I know the OP isn’t interested in performance, but this does add character 😉 ). Parts are readily available (NOS and reproduction), and most mechanics can handle it–although, for peace of mind, it might be a good idea to locate a shop that specializes in restorations and older cars in general. ---
**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/30 "2004-04-23T01:41:30Z")
Has anyone mentioned the Volkswagen Cabrio. They perform pretty well and you should be able to get one in the price range. It will perform better than the old Beetles and Karman Ghias. Now a real cool [car](http://www.craigslist.org/pen/car/28572292.html) is this '66 Sunbeam. I always loved their looks. [Volkswagen Cabrio](http://www.craigslist.org/pen/car/29252787.html) ---
**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/31 "2004-04-23T01:57:59Z")
Has anyone mentioned the Volkswagen Cabrio. They perform pretty well and you should be able to get one in the price range. It will perform better than the old Beetles and Karman Ghias. Now a real cool [car](http://www.craigslist.org/pen/car/28572292.html) is this '66 Sunbeam. I always loved their looks. [Volkswagen Cabrio](http://www.craigslist.org/pen/car/29252787.html) ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/32 "2004-04-23T02:35:22Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > In a couple of months I’ll be in the market for a car. My previous two cars were Volvos so I want something more fun and less practical this time. More specifically, I want an old, fun convertible. My budget is flexible, but preferably under $8000. I can’t help for two reasons. 1. Miatas are jellybean shaped. 2. They’re dead nuts reliable. That said, You’d do yourself a disservice to not drive a stickshift Miata in your searches. It meets your cost criteria, is devoid of the behaviors most people rationalize as ‘temperamental’. I’d own one, but at 6’6" I look SERIOUSLY goofy driving one. You can also thrash the hell out of it, think you’re going to be taken to jail-do-not-pass-go, look down and realize you’re just doing the speed limit. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/33 "2004-04-23T03:47:25Z")
I vote for one of the prettiest convertibles ever made: [A 1967 Chevy Camaro Convertible](http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/detailbig.cfm/Autos__ID/000017-200401-000044) Now, I know you said no muscle cars, but most of these convertibles don’t qualify. They usually came with a small-block 327 that made around 250HP. They’re fairly small and light, and you can put aftermarket parts on them to make them handle as well as you want. And, you’ll never lose money on one. It might be hard to find one for $8000, but if you do you can be guaranteed that it will go up in value every year you own it. Fully restored models can sell for upwards of $40K. I used to own a '67 Camaro. I loved that car, and I’d like to buy another one. It was bulletproof. Those small-block Chevy engines last forever, and they are really, really easy to work on. And parts for them are about as cheap as it gets. ---
**Author:** ![DadWagonDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/34 "2004-04-23T04:20:54Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > . I would have suggested an early Mustang but I doubt $8000 gets you much more than a smile. Come to Michigan and surprise yourself. Small engined Mustangs are easy to find mear Detroit, and not very expensive. I nearly bought a 67 in high school (5 years ago) for about $6500, but I wanted the bigger engine. Unfortunately, Dad wouldn’t let me take his 351 Super Cobra Jet to drop in it. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/35 "2004-04-23T08:00:27Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > I vote for one of the prettiest convertibles ever made: [A 1967 Chevy Camaro Convertible](http://www.dealsonwheels.com/search/detailbig.cfm/Autos__ID/000017-200401-000044) > > Now, I know you said no muscle cars, but most of these convertibles don’t qualify. They usually came with a small-block 327 that made around 250HP. They’re fairly small and light, and you can put aftermarket parts on them to make them handle as well as you want. > > And, you’ll never lose money on one. It might be hard to find one for $8000, but if you do you can be guaranteed that it will go up in value every year you own it. Fully restored models can sell for upwards of $40K. > > I used to own a '67 Camaro. I loved that car, and I’d like to buy another one. It was bulletproof. Those small-block Chevy engines last forever, and they are really, really easy to work on. And parts for them are about as cheap as it gets. Nah , surprised no one has mentioned either ,but he may want to look at getting a GTO , either the goat or the judge. Same car , but it looks sweet with the top down. Declan ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/36 "2004-04-23T09:53:48Z")
> [@DaToad](#): > > My next door neighbor has a very nice '72 K-Ghia convertable that he has to sell. He would let it go for $5K. I might be interested, actually. Does he have an e-mail address? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/37 "2004-04-23T10:09:26Z")
So far the ones I like are: Very nice but most likely out of price range: Austin Healey, 60s Camaro, 60s Mustang, 60s GTO Nice, probably can afford, possibly unreliable but maintenance costs reasonable: VW Thing, VW Karmann-Ghia, 60s Ford Galaxie, MG, Triumph Sensible but not as much character (IMHO): 80s BMW, VW Cabriolet How is a 60s Ford Falcon, by the way? Parts reasonably easy to find? It’s a bit more manageable size than the Galaxie and has a Volvo-like “ugly-cool” thing going for it, at least IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![DaToad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@DaToad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaToad)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/38 "2004-04-23T15:19:01Z")
He lives with his mom. I don’t think he has a computer, but I know his mother does because I hooked up her printer for her. I’ll get the e-mail address this weekend. Also, I can take a few pics and have him e-mail them to you if you’re interested. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/39 "2004-04-23T23:31:14Z")
> [@wmulax93](#): > > Come to Michigan and surprise yourself. > > Small engined Mustangs are easy to find mear Detroit, and not very expensive. I nearly bought a 67 in high school (5 years ago) for about $6500, but I wanted the bigger engine. Unfortunately, Dad wouldn’t let me take his 351 Super Cobra Jet to drop in it. You couldn’t buy a convertible Stang for $6500. Nice to know you can still get a hard top for less than $10.000. I’d still look at the Del Sol. take the top off and drop the back window and you are cruising in open air. Just the ability to lower the rear window makes it unique and the car has distinctive style. Also, gas isn’t going to stay cheap forever. Feeding a 15 mpg car is twice as painful as feeding a 30 mpg car. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2004, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400/40 "2004-04-24T04:34:19Z")
> [@DaToad](#): > > He lives with his mom. I don’t think he has a computer, but I know his mother does because I hooked up her printer for her. I’ll get the e-mail address this weekend. Thanks. By the way where are you located? The Del Sol looks like a sensible choice, though if I’m getting something that recent, I think I prefer the VW Cabrio. Miata is a possibility too but I’ve sat in one and found the huge A pillar very obtrusive. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-an-impractical-car/241400.md?page=3)