The Project vs. The Wagon (Project purchased!)

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MedigoFlame

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Despite being handed down a 2003 Toyota Camry from my mom after she purchased a new car, I've still kept the mindset of getting myself a project car or at least a fun car for when I tire of driving the drab Camry. I know I shouldn't be complaining about this at such an age, but I want to gain experience from working with a project. I do have friends who have worked on their own cars and restored their own vehicles, so I will be able to get the project car running. However, I've come to a dilemma that's bothering me badly. And yet, I feel like it is a simple A or B answer question.

So here's my problem. I've been looking to get a project car and came across a 1971 Toyota Crown that I fell in love with through...pictures on craigslist. (Sounds bad I know) However, I also found an Audi 5000 CS Turbo Wagon (I have an obsession with wagons) that is running compared to the engineless-barn-find Toyota Crown. And the thing is, they're at the same price... (Apart from me talking with the owner and contacting him for a week getting the price down to $850. However, he did say when he returns from Canada next weekend, he'd like to meet me in person to discuss a lower price that would could agree on. Also, my friends and I are planning on driving upstate to have a look ourselves while the owner's friend unlocks the barn for us).

Here they are:
The Project Car
http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/3146863985.html
5Ef5K95J63E13Mc3F8c7ic216e4f64547187b.jpg

5Gc5E95Ke3M43Nb3p0c7i3900a202fc8b1640.jpg


I love Japanese classics and the rarity of finding this in Maine makes it even more special. However, parts will be hard to find due to it's rarity and how it was unpopular back in the day. I've discussed several ideas with my friend about what we can do for the Crown (engine, transmission, suspension, etc) I've been in contact with the seller and his friends (One put up the ad, one has the keys to the barn. Weird...)

And finally, what just came to mind.
The Wagon
http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/3134775444.html
There are no pictures of it, but I have emailed the seller requesting for information and photos. It does have an ENGINE and runs. Odometer doesn't work and...the fact that it's an Audi would also be another issue with money. However, there would be interesting plans in store for it and my obsession with wagons is making this Audi flood my mind. And yes, I know about the unintended acceleration issue.


So, with what info I've given, what car would you recommend to get? I'm hoping to buy a "fun" car for under a grand with my current money, but my new job's paying pretty well...for my age. And yes, you can comment about how someone my age is about do something ambitious, but rubbish (TG reference :D). Crazy, stupid, or downright insane, these two cars are driving me crazy. Suggestions please. :)
 
Uughhh the Crown is awesome, but that Audi in wagon form looks cool as hell, SO ODD!!

Frankly, I'd hate to be in your dilemma. I think I'd go for the Crown, even if it is engineless, because in the long run, it's gonna be a much more fun project and car, and will gain some value. Also, I bet my hot wheels it isn't easy to find a Crown as complete as that one. Nothing's missing! (Yeah, I know, the engine, but come on, you can put in whatever you want in there. But check out that mint grille and trim!!! THAT would be the hard to find stuff, and it's all there!!!)

The Audi is still something of an outcast, altough I find it very cool.
 
There is fun to be had working with the Toyota Crown, despite it being a large task, I feel like it will be a great experience and the end result will be nothing disappointing. Considering the fact that it has no engine will make it more of an interesting thing to work with and sometimes, a more difficult job can be more rewarding.

The Audi does run and for that, I'm not to sure of what I could really do with it. Possibly tune it? The fact that I already have a daily makes the idea of buying a running car a tad difficult. However, I love wagons and the Audi is very cool. It could turn out to be a great project for modifying as well. And yes, I know what's tasteful and what isn't. :p

At the moment I'm about 60% Crown, 40% Audi. It still feels like a difficult decision. I have a thing for oddball cars, it's almost bad. :lol:
 
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If I had a job, I probably would be in the same situation as yourself, but I am not. Now, I may sound a little biased for saying this, but I'm liking the wagon a lot. Sure the old Audi's where kinda junk, and had electrical issues, but every car has its problems. Problem with the Audi (& older ones in general - Fox, 5000, Quattro ect.) is I either see them in the junkyard, or I see maybe one or two around town in mint shape.

The Toyota on the other hand - Holy crap! A Toyota that doesn't look like an ugly FWD plastic blob! Would be a cool ride... though it's not a 2-Door or a wagon. :( It does need a significant more amount of work as well, so I don't know.
 
Personally Id go with the Crown. As Cano said it is complete apart from the engine so you dont have to find parts. Apart from the engine. I also think that the Crown is allot better looking than the Audi and you also get the chance to bring the Crown back to life.
 
Ugh, the idea of bring a car back to road-worthiness would be great. But that Audi's just so oddball-y cool. Well, I'm pretty close on the Crown and if something turns out not to be as stated (rust, more issues) than I could try and use the Audi as a backup... However, I emailed the seller and he never responded.

WHY is it always the people with cars that don't run actually respond to my emails, while cars that have an inspection or at least run never respond to me. :grumpy:
 
MedigoFlame
WHY is it always the people with cars that don't run actually respond to my emails, while cars that have an inspection or at least run never respond to me. :grumpy:
Click to expand...

Because their wives want "That piece of **** out of my ****ing garage".
Total generalization, but it makes it's point.

Personally, I would get the Audi.

I would be scared to fully restore that Toyota, and then have some fool mangle my car in an accident. I would be totally gutted. I would only take it out on special occasions, and I hate the idea of putting all that time and effort into a car, and then not driving it.

The Audi, in the meantime, is less rare(I think). I would bet you could find parts a bit more easily, and that would make me less nervous about driving it. Then, I would allow myself to have more fun while driving it, rather than always looking for the best way around puddles, finding the route with the best roads, worrying about the rain/snow.

I drive my Dad's '01 Camry 5-speed. Great cars, albeit unremarkable.
 
That is another thing I do need to consider, the fact that I won't be using it that much and the risk of...well, just about every other driver on the road. (Hooray for public roads with horrible drivers...everywhere! Not like anything can be done...) However, if I do get the Audi, what would I be able to work with? I wouldn't mind modifying, but it'd be good enough to be a daily. But...I also have the Camry as my daily. A special occasion type of vehicle is more of what I'm thinking of, but I'm sure there's fun to be had with the Audi as well.
 
Well, since you have a daily driver, I'd get the Toyota. Mostly because it's so :drool:, and is extremely rare in the US. Go for it, it could be a great learning experience, and a way to have fun. And the lack of an engine opens up some interesting possibilities.
 
At the moment, my friend (with connections) can get me a RB20 with wiring harness and 5-speed transmission for $1200. While there's also an SR20 notchback from the Silvia S15 with tranny and harness for a tad less. Either that or go for a 1JZ with no tranny and have to pay for shipping will be more expensive.
 
Make the Audi into a Scary-quick sleeper. And then make it into like... a Rally Car. That would be awesome.

If you're committed to having a car that just sits in the garage, I think the Toyota would be good. A much bigger project. But then you run into "How much to restore, and how much to modify?". Where do you draw the line for originality? Engine? Brakes? Radio? Interior?
 
Finding original parts are definitely a difficulty when it comes to the Crown. And restoring it will basically have to restore it into becoming a cruiser, really... It is a large car (15 feet long!) and turning into a performance vehicle will definitely require a lot of work. Originality will be a difficult thing to stick to with it's rarity.

As for the Audi, I do have fun ideas for it. And a rally car sounds pretty awesome. :D
 
15 Feet isn't large! Me and a friend where looking at a '69 Fury III that was slightly over 18 feet long.
tongue2.gif
 
Go with the crown. The audi seems like it will break and be expensive to fix so it will just sit in the garage. The Toyota is much simpler which means it's a good car to work on and will make it much more satisfying when completed
 
I'm sorry go with the wagon, I've been obsessed with wagons ever since i've seen people put power into the volvo 850 t5r aand the audi s4. make it a sleeper :)
 
Really dude, go with the Toyota. It's already stripped off it's heart, so you can play around a lot more with it. Say you drop in the SR20 you can get for cheap now, and make it run with that. Clean it off, make it a nice weekends street cruiser, lower it and the usual deal, then pop ther hood and get ooohs and aaaahs because Nissan engine. Then get bored, pop out engine, put in, say, the UZ V8, then get bored and drop in a small block, and on and on. You just need to get the car clean and then you can play along with it if you keep it for a long time. I know I wouldn't sell it.

Hell, if you need money sell the Camry. With a modern angine in there like the SR20 and some better brakes, there is no reason you couldn't daily drive the thing, not even fuel consumption. You'd just need to be very carefull, but come on, you'd enjoy the thing much more. I know I'd be eyeing towards daily drive it if I were to fit in a 4 cilinder engine in it, which would be out of the question with, say, a small block in. And it's a 4 door Toyota. You daily drive one, just 40 years newer.
 
Well, I went out today to have a look at the Toyota Crown and it's in great condition! Engine compartment is huge and we contemplated on finding a 1UZ or a VH V8 (From the Infiniti Q45). Only worrisome rust was on the rocker panels on the rear left side. (Not a lot) The frame was solid and the body was really mint, apart from a very small dent on the front left side. The barn itself was pretty cool, dating well back in maybe...the 50s?

The car was so much cooler in person than in the pictures! :dopey: Random button in the back seat area (not sure, but I'm sure someone can tell me) with a cigarette lighter and ashtrays on both the inside of the rear door. The gas cap is located in the rear of the car which is also very cool. (Think I might use the word "cool" a lot...) Front bench seats were in great condition with no rips or tears. The rear seats had a couple, but it wouldn't be too bad. The car has so much character, I love it! Just gotta get it out of the barn...

I'll get some pictures my friend took with his iPhone (forgot my camera...) that will show a bit more detail.
 
Sounds great, with a good Wash, detail and refurbishing Of the chromed parts it should look great. I'd say you have the chance for an awesome car with less than 5k spent all in depending on how much you do yourself.
 
Stay away from the Audi. It will take all of your money. And even then it will not be fixed. :lol:

Get the Toyota.
 
Feeling pretty confident on the Toyota right now. Chrome will need refurbishing, fixing the rust, and detailing. Work will be done by my friends and I mostly. Honestly fell in love with it first time seeing it. :D

My parents wouldn't let me sell the Camry...it's not entirely under my ownership at the moment. And if I did sell it, they'd kill me. Another problem is fitting it in our driveway. :lol: With the whole family we can fit four cars, Camry, Sienna, Accord, and Rogue. Of course the Honda's my brother's and he's in college right now in NY. But the car of that size wouldn't fit. :scared:
 
Well, do you have some flat, grassy area where it can be parked? It won't be moving much for a while. Anyway, I'm glad you've found a car you like, it's very unusual and would be my first choice.
 
Once I get it and take the time to restore it, the worry is buying the engine... :( A 1UZ with transmission, ecu, wiring harness, etc. is about $1500.

Engine bay is so big, I could fit a Viper V10 in there. :lol: But...no.

Edit: Forgot to note, there's a badge that says ToyoGlide. Apparently that stood for the transmission. The badge looks cool though. :lol:
 
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Sure...a V10 from a Viper of LFA is practical and cheap enough for my budget. :p The 1UZ and VH are still of my interest. I know how you guys feel about automatics...but it just fits this car the best.
 

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