Straight six or V6? What should I look for?

[Motorhead350]

I think I might need to get another vehicle due to having little income and I need to save on gas. I might have to trade my incomplete 65 Chevy for something with a V6 or Straight Six. This vehicle will be my daily driver in winter and I will use the K5 only when necessay. I was thinking of maybe a late 80s Chevy Malibu, but I am not sure about how good those things are on gas even with a straight six or V6.

I am open to suggestion for a Vehicle for around $2000 or less. I do not want anything FWD or really an Import, but I am open to listen. Also I need to know what lasts better and what is more efficent: Straight Six or V6?

Thanks.

[Zack]

Dont buy what you are not able to work on, or pay to have fixed.

This thread FAILS.

[justbob]

80's-90's f150 straight six w/no options. These are hard to kill. I've had an 85 90 91 92 and 94 with different engines and options. The reason for so many was only because of upgrading. I started with the 85 strip down reg. cab straight six three speed with granny gear and ended up with probably the best truck i ever owned, the 94 ext cab lariat 302 auto (242,000 miles) sold because of third kid and bought the Marauder.

[Motorhead350]

Dont buy what you are not able to work on, or pay to have fixed.

This thread FAILS.

If the 65 wasn't in as bad shape as I thought there would be no problem.

I would be able to afford to fix it if anyone showed up to help me, but no one called, no one showed. I refuse to pay for labor from anyone.

I need to get around and I don't have a running car with less than 350hp, I need something that can run on 87 and get above 18mpg, 25 would be nice.

Nothing failed.

Also Bob I need a car, I have a truck already and need a trunk for my bands gear.

[sd8683]

Save the 2 grand for gas and drive the blazer.

[justbob]

You know your asking for alot here. How about a 80's regal V6 or equilalent?

[RR|Suki]

ford thunderbird/cougar :confused: My old 96 cougar that my brother now has gets like 19 combined I think and has been going strong for 140K

[larryo340]

Get yourself a standard CV or GM with a 2.73 rear. I get between 15 (heavy foot) and 18(lighter foot) locally, and as high as 26 on highway (75-85 MPH). For the most part these cars as you should know are bulleproof, and may even hold up with you driving.

[Master]

I don't know any bands that tour around without someone owning a van. Why not an old Astro van or some sort (not a Ford, obviously, since you don't want something you have to work on every other day). The little Chevs seemed to hold up pretty well and get good mileage to boot.

[TJCOX]

Ford escort g.t. One of the best cars ever made!

[TAKEDOWN]

85-87 Oldsmobile cutlass? If you got $$$ an 87 Buick Grand National

[Wags]

Dom,

Why no FWD? Especially with our Chicago winters? For 2K you can get a pretty decent Cavalier or older Grand Am, or like the post above, an Escort (all FWD). You can also get a Caravan pretty cheap also. They are great in the snow, and have alot of room for your band stuff. Don't understand why you don't want FWD. Almost all of the small, higher MPG cars are FWD. Also, what's wrong with a 4cyl car? Why no imports? You can get a Honda or Toyota pretty cheap also, and they are very good cars. But remember, you will get what you pay for. If you pick up a car for under 1K, be prepared to most likely work on it.

Wags

[Zack]

If the 65 wasn't in as bad shape as I thought there would be no problem.

I would be able to afford to fix it if anyone showed up to help me, but no one called, no one showed. I refuse to pay for labor from anyone.

I need to get around and I don't have a running car with less than 350hp, I need something that can run on 87 and get above 18mpg, 25 would be nice.

Nothing failed.

Also Bob I need a car, I have a truck already and need a trunk for my bands gear.


Gee, a single stall garage with an uneven concrete floor, no heat, no tools.
Sorry I couldnt make it.
Dont buy something you cant fix yourself.

[fastblackmerc]

Good gas mileage
Easy to repair

This is just the thing you need.















































http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u133/fastblackmerc/Funnies/LADY-PINK-08.jpg

[Haggis]

...I would be able to afford to fix it if anyone showed up to help me, but no one called, no one showed. I refuse to pay for labor from anyone.

This is why no one showed up, you will at least have to offer food and drinks.

[Rocknthehawk]

^^ haha.

buy a 2wd 4 cylinder 5 speed ranger... you'll easily get 20's out of it for relatively little investment.

[baltimoremm]

Save the 2 grand for gas and drive the blazer.

this is the best advice i have heard. instead of buying another car and worrying about maintenance, insurance, etc, just put the money from selling the 65 into a gas card. i think it would take you a long time to recover your costs investing in another car that will still only get 25-30mpg.

[Joe Walsh]

If the 65 wasn't in as bad shape as I thought there would be no problem.

I would be able to afford to fix it if anyone showed up to help me, but no one called, no one showed. I refuse to pay for labor from anyone.



Then you have three choices...

1: Hope that you can persuade friends to work on your broken cars for free.
2: Buy a vehicle that requires no maintenance
3: Learn how to fix things yourself.

[TJCOX]

Ride the bus like my nephew does!

[nomad]

Then you have three choices...

1: Hope that you can persuade friends to work on your broken cars for free.
2: Buy a vehicle that requires no maintenance
3: Learn how to fix things yourself.

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?
UMM, but, but,but, that makes sense?:shake:

[TAKEDOWN]

How a bout a bubble type chevy Caprice. Its now affordable, roomy, V8, only downfall it's a gas guzzler, not as bad as 80's version, just a suggestion!

[Leadfoot281]

I just don't get it.

You want a "classic" car/truck but,

1. It's got to be cheap.
2. It's got to run.
3. No DIY skills or labor money.

Sorry! Pick two. That's all you get. A running, classic Chevy pick up for under $3,000?! Seriously, you can spend that on a bicycle. This budget might get you a classic motorcycle...maybe.

If it's got to be cheap and you have no skills/money for repairs, it won't run.

If it's got to run and you have no skills, it won't be cheap.

If it's got run and be done cheaply, you better have some skills.

So you gave up.

Now you want to drop $3,000 on a new ride, with new problems that will save you $300 (at most) in gas over the winter?

My advise? Keep the '65. Have it done by NEXT halloween and have it done right. Rat Rod or not, it's still a motor vehical and does need to start and stop reliably.

Either that or find a '78-'83 Ford Fairmont. You'll love it's 88hp, 200 cubic inch strait six. :rolleyes:

[Motorhead350]

Zack I know what to do, I simply lack the tools. I do not have $20,000 worth of tools in my garage or something to weld with.

Gordon I willing to pay for food, drinks (even beer!) if someone came over and helped with the 65 Chevy, but the only guy that showed up came over because he owes me cash and I guess he think's he's working it off or something. :shake:

The one guy who really offered to help for free was JustBob, but for the amount of labor he's going to put into helping me with the wiring I believe he is entitled to much more than just food and drinks.

I do use public transportation that is includded in my school payment program, so getting around during the week is literally free. It's about 20 miles each way to my drummers house and getting the bass player is 30 each way too. So just to have band practice is almost 100 miles in one day just to keep the grove going. :shake:

Pete, I am not against FWD Imports, I just do not like the style of them really unless it's something with a Turbo that costs more than I can shell out right now.

As for the 65 the only reason it is sitting is from lack of help from people. I bought it with the intention to build it with my friends and family, seems like no one will show unless $$$ is involved and it really sickens me. I have all the parts I need, but I need assistance and wanted to learn off this truck too. I know what needs to be done to the engine can be knocked out in a minute or if it needs new mounts just a few hours and the wiring in a few days. If I had a skill or ability someone lacked I would be there for that person in a heartbeat (if they were on good terms with me) and wouldn't charge unless they offered me something. I'm not about to say I'll only help if you pay me and believe me some people in my life would have helped me back in high school and now want $500 for something. WTF?! It's all about the money I guess.

Maybe Zack is right. I should have never gotten this thing if I didn't know how to do exactly everything needed, but like I said my intention was to learn. I have learned a lot from him and others too, but I don't know. I think this is the worst decision I made all year. I really wanted to be driving this thing and EVERYONE says "What's the rush? Take your time." I'll tell you what my rush is, when others grow older they don't have time for stuff like this anymore and before you know it the project sits for years because of bills, kids, others needing you before you know it the project it sold or you bite the bullet and send it off to someone to restore it, take all the fun out of it and not to mention screw you over on the labor. I want it now!!! I can have it done in about a week with probably another set of hands and someone that can teach me what I am doing wrong, but no everyone is in the own little world right now with no time unless money is involved.(Except JustBob who is waiting for me, literally) I didn't mean to go at anyone on here especailly Zack, I'm just mentioning how things are right now.

Jim, I can't stand people on bikes here in the city. Look up Critical Mass... my enemy of the city. I was considering a bike, but when something can be reached by bike I usually do it by walking or taking the CTA. (train.)

The 65 Chevy isn't the reason I am seeking a V6, but I don't know anymore about anything...

Anyone who has a weekend free PM me to deal with the 65 Chevy. I might have to at least get the engine in it and sell it. :bigcry:

[KillJoy]

Dominick, you really are a piece of work.

:rolleyes:

One moment you say you just want a good winter beater that is good on gas, but not a FWD Import for <$2000. Then you say, well.... if it has a Turbo it would be okay.

It is a damn Winter Beater. Deal with it.

As for the Help, you get what you pay for. Have you helped other's on projects? Have you "earned" and payback assistance? I am guessing not. And if the working conditions are as Zack said, I wouldn't have showed up, being paid or not.

Get you head out of it, and you might see the light.

UNBELIEVABLE!

KillJoy

[n00bkiller944]

Don't give up on it man, do the math... gas is cheaper now than its has been in a while, soon you will have the k5 back and you can run that all winter on 87 octane and you can take your time and gradually get the '65 running over the winter and hopefully get it done by the time it gets warmer...

[Zack]

For the record, I said I MIGHT be able to make it.
I have a 2400 sq ft house to take care of, 3 ongoing projects of my own, a full time job, 4 dogs and an awesome woman I only get to see about 2-3 hours a day.

MY BAD.

[TJCOX]

Have you tried enlisting into the service, where they will train you to be a mechanic and also you could perform in their band?

[Paul T. Casey]

Also I need to know what lasts better and what is more efficent: Straight Six or V6?

Thanks.

It's your lucky day as I'm in a helpful mood. Lasts better. Everyone has their war stories about how good the straight 6 was. It's like walking uphill in the snow both ways to school. The average well maintained V6 should get you 150K to 200K miles if you don't beat on it. Back a few years ago they made cars a little more complicated. This kept a lot of would be backyard mechanics out from under the hood. This was a good thing. I remeber working part time at my buddy's garage on "simple" cars. 40% of the business was undoing the owners "repairs."

More efficent (and I'm very impressed that you spelled it right). Again, the V6 hands down. Hell, I get better gas economy with my Marauder than I got with my 198 cube slant six Duster. It's a technology thing.

What you really need, sorry to say, is something FWD, 4 cyl, and imported. Can you say Camry. Bulletproof (you're not easy on equipment), economical (you're crying about cheap gas), and cheap. Find one with about 100K miles, 10 or so years old, and drive it until it breaks.

[KillJoy]

What you really need, sorry to say, is something FWD, 4 cyl, and imported. Can you say Camry. Bulletproof (you're not easy on equipment), economical (you're crying about cheap gas), and cheap. Find one with about 100K miles, 10 or so years old, and drive it until it breaks.

:up:

+1

KillJoy

[mrjones]

Find one with about 100K miles, 10 or so years old, and drive it until it breaks.[/QUOTE]

But don't forget to post about it here when it does.

[TAKEDOWN]

You need a beer Dom not root beer.

[Motorhead350]

I know Zack, I know....

Andrew I need to be at least 50 years in the past. I don't know how to get there. You and me both.

[Aren Jay]

Buick Reatta

[Joe Walsh]

Have you tried enlisting into the service, where they will train you to be a mechanic and also you could perform in their band?

Good Lord!...Dom working on an M1 Abrams!!!...:eek:....:eek:.... .:eek:



Find one with about 100K miles, 10 or so years old, and drive it until it breaks.
But don't forget to post about it here when it does.

LOL!

[Motorhead350]

Have you tried enlisting into the service, where they will train you to be a mechanic and also you could perform in their band?

I don't think the group that makes the most since to me (AnArchy) has anything organized like that. It's full of enough contradictions. No rules is a rule, but meh whatever...

[davidholland]

+2 for a F-Series with the 300 Straight Six,Can't kill'em and they get respectable mileage. I've owned 2 an 87 F250 4spd,and a 92 F250 5spd. Gas mileage was actually the same both had 3:55 rears. I loved that 87 though. Granny first it could pull a house! Some moron rear-ended me on the NJ Turnpike and totalled it. At that time in 1990 it had 93K and ran like new!

[bigmerc2003]

Dom, drive the blazer end of story. yes it costs more on fuel but are you going to save 300-600 per month on fuel buy getting a new car? think about it, you then have a higher insurance bill, fuel and maint. for the new car and most likely a car payment. It has been proven again and again that the morons that traded in their trucks and suv's to get small car lost out! there is really no advantage to keeping a marauder, blazer, project truck, and another car around at the same time and only buying a comuter for the gas milage. dont give up on the truck, when you have time play around, when you dont have time dont mess with it. it will not run away if you dont mess with it for a month. i have several projects that are in different stages and when i have time or find parts i play around. As to your original question, I-6 vs V-6 that all depends on the car/truck. As stated the I-6 in the fords was a wonder motor from 240-300cid it would not die, in a chevy get a 4.3L or a 3.8L both great motors but realize the investment to own a gas freindly car offsets the fuel savings and takes too long to recoup your investment. stick with what you have

[justbob]

Do not get the chevy 250 six. My personnal experience. I have two reasons why. Unless you really love adding oil every 10 miles and you would cover that ten miles faster by jogging.

[Aren Jay]

K-Car, they had good MPG and the V6 wasn't all that bad.