More Mopars for my Daughter...

The 2.6 Mitsubishi was great, till it wasn't. 30+ years can't help that. The 2.2/2.5 will do better with modern head gasket improvements.
 
I'm not dead set on American or Mopar....would prefer mopar since that is the circles I run in and would most likely have the most individuals who could help with info and help. ;)

I appreciate all the advice and suggestions and I would prefer to get her into something a bit newer but kids being kids I can only do so much, But having said that I will still try and nudge her towards something decent. Was thinking about the 1st gen VW Jetta gasser but would love to fond a little Diesel unit.
 
I remember when I switched to Toyota's to get away from having to swap engines/transmissions in the early 90's.

My father in law & brother in laws hassled me about "buying from our neighbours" and how it would cost me big time in repairs.

Well guess what... they all drive imports now because they got tired of changing engines & transmissions amongst dealing with the cheapness of everything in an American product...:rolleyes:
Sorry guys that are American or nothing.
The quality of daily drivers is extremely important to me...
 
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I remember when I switched to Toyota's to get away from having to swap engines/transmissions in the early 90's.

My father in law & brother in laws hassled me about "buying from our neighbours" and how it would cost me big time in repairs.

Well guess what... they all drive imports now because the ygot tired of changing engines & transmissions amongst dealing with the cheapness of everything in an American product...:rolleyes:
Sorry guys that are American or nothing.
The quality of daily drivers is extremely important to me...

The only thing my Toyota needs is a new emissions charcoal canister every few years cause that is the code i keep getting, P0456 and P0442 :-\
 
I'm not dead set on American or Mopar....would prefer mopar since that is the circles I run in and would most likely have the most individuals who could help with info and help. ;)

I appreciate all the advice and suggestions and I would prefer to get her into something a bit newer but kids being kids I can only do so much, But having said that I will still try and nudge her towards something decent. Was thinking about the 1st gen VW Jetta gasser but would love to fond a little Diesel unit.
Maybe Graham aka dobalovr and his industry friends could locate something suitable???
 
The later model K cars w/ the 2.2 were very reliable. Rusted k frames and rear axle assemb. are common. Stay away from the 2.6 Mitsubishi, carb and timing chain problems are just one of there many problems. Just my 2 cents.
 
Here is my take on this. While it is a great idea to ask for suggestions I think you will find that everyone has a different opinion which makes it very difficult to make a decision. If you listened to them all you would never buy a car.
My recommendation would be to find something SHE likes and buy it.
Good luck
 
Here is my take on this. While it is a great idea to ask for suggestions I think you will find that everyone has a different opinion which makes it very difficult to make a decision. If you listened to them all you would never buy a car.
My recommendation would be to find something SHE likes and buy it.
Good luck

Very good advice thanks!

What I'm looking for is more glaring and major issue I should look for and or avoid. The advice on the rotting sub frames and staying away from the mitsi 2.6L motor is kind of what I'm looking for.

I showed her some Jettas and she is not much of a fan.....she really loves the look of the 86 Aries. Might have a buddy go check it out for me and see if it looks good from the underside.
 
Maybe Graham aka dobalovr and his industry friends could locate something suitable???

Funny you say that. My wife’s cousin from the NWT’s just picked up her new Rebel today and left me her 2009 Honda Fit Sport to find a new home.
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What would be a cool ride is a Dodge Shadow 2dr or Sundance Duster. Still has K car underpinnings reliable 2.5 fuel injected motor.
If you can find one with the power bulge hood and rear spoiler and A/C is a plus. They accept modern day 5 lug wheels in 15 and 16 inch. Show her a Daytona see if she likes it. A 92 IROC Daytona are cool.
How about a Lebaron convertible? Lots out there from 88 to 95 IIRC.
DODGE SPIRIT ES especially the 95's were good cars well equipped and good looking with the gold trim on red green or whited paint. Indestructible 2.5
 
Brian , on that 86 K double check the front wheel tubs ahead of the kick panels behind the park brake pedal.
Also where the rear trailing arms connect to the rocker panels. Brake lines tend to rot along driver side and front frame rails do too.
The floor seams and rockers should be checked.strut towers and inner fender wells Finally the rebar of rear bumper.
I remember the rusty points from the cars I dealt with at my work when K's were still common.
 
I actually agree with @413. Both my daughters drove Neon's for years for $500 initial investment. I put about $1500 in making them safe and they drove the wheels off them. When they were all used up I sold them for the $500 I initially spent.
Pt cruisers can be found cheap.
Roomy and reliable too
Pt is probably the easier to find in fair condition... and they're just an uglier neon that sucks a little more to work on.
 
Very good advice thanks!

What I'm looking for is more glaring and major issue I should look for and or avoid. The advice on the rotting sub frames and staying away from the mitsi 2.6L motor is kind of what I'm looking for.

I showed her some Jettas and she is not much of a fan.....she really loves the look of the 86 Aries. Might have a buddy go check it out for me and see if it looks good from the underside.
If the 86 checks out solid, it's probably still pretty cheap to keep on the road. Just don't forget how much we greaseballs liked them, lots of easy to repair stuff that sucked to do at home... there with be repairs, but hopefully cheapish compared to lots of other stuff out there.

I think a good Panther chassis that was never a cop car or taxi is still one of the cheapest cars to buy/keep and has a lot going for it. The PT is neck and neck, but never appealed to me as much (too tall). Neons that are decent are getting to be harder and harder to find... too many used as first cars and wannabe racers.

Old P/Us and SUVs are cheap too, but you have to be careful what you buy... you can spend a lot fixing the trouble prone ones. Don't buy the previously beaten to death ones and expect them to be reasonable to own. Trade off is Fuel economy for cheap to keep transportation on a good one.
 
Doubt I can talk her into a PT cruiser.....but will see what she says. She loves the interiors of the old cars....wood grain, big chrome buttons and switches, real door handles and manual windows and an AM, or AM/FM with 8-track or cassette would be perfect she says. :D When i showed her VW Jettas from about 88-92 she said they were "Meh" from the outside but the interiors looked too bland and modern and not for her.
 
We had a 81 Plymouth Reliant SE 2dr with stick. Loved it and drove it till we needed 4 doors for kids and car seats. Never a days trouble with over 100k miles. Dealership shop was my problem, they messed the alignment of the driver window glass when they broke the door handle and it never stayed in the track after. Great gas mileage and a more traditional "formal" look than the Aries. Dark green with tan interior. Odd, the memory still makes me smile.
 
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