moparmanik
a body junkie
that's exactly what i bought my valiant for.spending most of the winter getting it ready 4 next year,not stressing on paint/body just want it safe and reliable.can't wait to drive it everywhere and turn some heads! :cheers:
Daily driving an A-body
- Thread starter PanGasket
- Start date
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blackbomber
Raging Member
You can rationalize, reason and calculate all you want. In the end, for ME, driving the old car is so much more satisfying.
Here is MY recommendation to DarTT: Keep the Stratus, and get your project to the point where it is roadworthy. THEN sell the Stratus and get a lesser Abody for daily use. That way you will have your pride and joy to fall back on if you need to wait for parts, or don't have time for a mid-week repair. You also get to drive a classic every day. This will also give you a feeling if driving the classic every day is really what you want (since you WILL be able to drive your Dart every day for a while).
Incidently, this is what I plan on doing. I'm going to finish my Duster, then get a local (new england) car that I don't feel so guilty about trashing through our winters for daily use. I had temptation to replace my modern car now, but then I would have two projects going (actually more).
Here is MY recommendation to DarTT: Keep the Stratus, and get your project to the point where it is roadworthy. THEN sell the Stratus and get a lesser Abody for daily use. That way you will have your pride and joy to fall back on if you need to wait for parts, or don't have time for a mid-week repair. You also get to drive a classic every day. This will also give you a feeling if driving the classic every day is really what you want (since you WILL be able to drive your Dart every day for a while).
Incidently, this is what I plan on doing. I'm going to finish my Duster, then get a local (new england) car that I don't feel so guilty about trashing through our winters for daily use. I had temptation to replace my modern car now, but then I would have two projects going (actually more).
yeah dartt I think if the car you're looking at getting is in solid shape, runs good, and isn't gonna need a bunch of $$$ or work to get road ready, I think you have a green light to get that as your daily driver. Do what makes you happy.
Colohusker
Well-Known Member
Just my 2 cents worth. I'm building my son's Duster to be a daily driver, and as any parent is, I'm worried about safety and reliability. Hence the disk brakes in the front, fresh motor, new gauges, new shoulder belts, new tires when the time comes. It will be primarily to and from college, which is 700 miles so the one thing I don't want is getting a call saying it died 350 miles from either end.
Right now I don't care what it looks like, if he wants to make it look nice with new paint and wheels, that's up to him. My job is to make sure mechanically it's in tip top shape. But, right now I think I'd trust the Duster to make that trip more than my 2002 Mitsubishi or even the wifes Toyota van. And, even if it does break down, a simple tool set and some spares should be able to at least let him get off the road to a town. I'll be looking for a Dart or another Duster to be my daily after the youngest goes to college in a couple of years.
Right now I don't care what it looks like, if he wants to make it look nice with new paint and wheels, that's up to him. My job is to make sure mechanically it's in tip top shape. But, right now I think I'd trust the Duster to make that trip more than my 2002 Mitsubishi or even the wifes Toyota van. And, even if it does break down, a simple tool set and some spares should be able to at least let him get off the road to a town. I'll be looking for a Dart or another Duster to be my daily after the youngest goes to college in a couple of years.
70DartMike
Too many projects
I use my 65 Valiant V200, 273 auto as a daily driver. It's pretty good on gas, and can keep up to highway speeds no problem with the 2.94 gears out back. It is super reliable, and I am comfortable driving it anywhere. Of course, I have replaces a few items, but the previous owner put new rings and seals in the engine, and I replaced all wheel cylinders, put on a dual master cylinder, upgraded the wipers, upgraded to 14" rims with new tires, new fuel pump, etc.
I don't have a picture of it now, but this is it when I first bought it. Paid around $500 for it. I since have also fixed that quarter panel a bit, and replaced the grill, and found straight headlight bezels.
I don't have a picture of it now, but this is it when I first bought it. Paid around $500 for it. I since have also fixed that quarter panel a bit, and replaced the grill, and found straight headlight bezels.
I didn't go all the way through this so I'm not sure if this has been asked/answer yet, but how long is your 'daily' drive?
When you think of a daily driver what do you have in mind, mileage, durability, or something that will go from A to B?
When you think of a daily driver what do you have in mind, mileage, durability, or something that will go from A to B?
LH23H2R
Well-Known Member
Let's see here ...
- NO smog checks
- NO computers
- WILL only increase in value
- WILL be unique
- EASY to repair / maintain / modify
* Potential Downsides *
- Quality of gasoline
- Some parts aren't typically in-stock
- Can be a pain if it's your only mode-of-transportation and it breaks down
- Special oil additives required ( unless it's got a roller cam & lifters motor )
My daily driver for the last 6 years has been a 1972 Coronet ( stock -- other than ignition upgrades -- 318 , Trans-Go shift-kitted 904 , stock 2.71 gearing ; NO radio , NO a/c , NO heater ; climate leaks around windshield and backlight due to rusted glass channels ; malfunctioning smog junk removed ( EEC canister had vacuum leaks all-over ; OSAC valve disconnected ; pre-heat tube and related hardware is gone ) ; fatigued springs ; worn out seats , no carpet because the leaks destroyed it ; 215-75-14 tyres ) .
I like that it's Emissions I/M exempt , there's no plastic crap in the engine compartment , I can perform all of my own services ( oil changes , trans servicing , tune-ups ).
I run "premium" gas ( measly 91 octane out here in Ca. ) as I've got the timing maxed-out advance-wise .
You've got some things to weigh out .
It's -- at a minimum -- an investment :cheers:
- NO smog checks
- NO computers
- WILL only increase in value
- WILL be unique
- EASY to repair / maintain / modify
* Potential Downsides *
- Quality of gasoline
- Some parts aren't typically in-stock
- Can be a pain if it's your only mode-of-transportation and it breaks down
- Special oil additives required ( unless it's got a roller cam & lifters motor )
My daily driver for the last 6 years has been a 1972 Coronet ( stock -- other than ignition upgrades -- 318 , Trans-Go shift-kitted 904 , stock 2.71 gearing ; NO radio , NO a/c , NO heater ; climate leaks around windshield and backlight due to rusted glass channels ; malfunctioning smog junk removed ( EEC canister had vacuum leaks all-over ; OSAC valve disconnected ; pre-heat tube and related hardware is gone ) ; fatigued springs ; worn out seats , no carpet because the leaks destroyed it ; 215-75-14 tyres ) .
I like that it's Emissions I/M exempt , there's no plastic crap in the engine compartment , I can perform all of my own services ( oil changes , trans servicing , tune-ups ).
I run "premium" gas ( measly 91 octane out here in Ca. ) as I've got the timing maxed-out advance-wise .
You've got some things to weigh out .
It's -- at a minimum -- an investment :cheers:
PanGasket
has cork sides
Tis a little too late now, as my daily is now a '72 Dodge Dart Swinger with a 318 with a 2bbl for now.8)
Check it out in my signature.
As I am unemployed right now, my daily drive isn't far. And once I get a job, it will expand my range a little bit more since I just do odd jobs ATM. Everything is pretty close as I am near a lot of stuff since I'm near one of Georgia's largest tourist traps. The furthest I have to drive is 26 miles to school round trip about every other day of the week sometimes but usually just Monday and Wednesday.
PanGasket
has cork sides
Thanks dude! I hope to have it running and driving good soon!Ah, well in that case, I would have went with the dart
Good luck with it, hope there aren't any surprises for you. If you can't find the headlight pieces in a day or so send me a PM and I'll go dig through the garage.
PanGasket
has cork sides
Thanks man! I know it runs good, its just time to get it running reliably and get the brakes good and finish assembly! I have been in touch with the previous owner who told me quite alot of information on it. If any surprises wait, I will be 3 steps ahead I hope!
CUDAGUY
aka Prince Valiant
I know Im a bit late, but I just stumbled across this....
I drove the Cuda for a little over a year as my daily.....no heat, no dash lights, no carpet, constantly overheating in traffic, voltage regulator/headlight issues, crappy brakes, mush suspension, no radio, constant exhaust fumes when not warm, always attracted cops, crappy milage, complete ish in the snow.....I will never do it again.
Then I aquired my neon for next to nothing.....every complaint instantly fixed and still carries the same 'spirit' that the Cuda does, and is getting really close to matching the performance as well......yet plows 10" of fresh powder on bald, miss-matched street tires.
As far as a driver goes, I say something less than 25-years old or less than 90,000 miles upon aquisition....then you can atleast keep up on the repairs. Leave the old stuff as a toy/once a week thing.
I drove the Cuda for a little over a year as my daily.....no heat, no dash lights, no carpet, constantly overheating in traffic, voltage regulator/headlight issues, crappy brakes, mush suspension, no radio, constant exhaust fumes when not warm, always attracted cops, crappy milage, complete ish in the snow.....I will never do it again.
Then I aquired my neon for next to nothing.....every complaint instantly fixed and still carries the same 'spirit' that the Cuda does, and is getting really close to matching the performance as well......yet plows 10" of fresh powder on bald, miss-matched street tires.
As far as a driver goes, I say something less than 25-years old or less than 90,000 miles upon aquisition....then you can atleast keep up on the repairs. Leave the old stuff as a toy/once a week thing.
Hotwheelsjr
Well-Known Member
My 22yo daughter's DD -- '67 with a /6 and 2.76 rear gears -- good for 20+mpg!
CUDAGUY
aka Prince Valiant
introduce me to her please!=P~
Hotwheelsjr
Well-Known Member
Come down to Phoenix, sweep her off her feet and I'll help you pack her things...
LOL!
jeeper
Well-Known Member
I hate to jump in late, but I did just what you are asking about, only from a dead reliable newer truck that I owed a bit on to a paid for 89 Cummins.
Here is what I have noticed. My Cummins was a ranch slave truck. Almost nothing worked, but the engine. I have spent about $300-500 and probably 30-50 hours fixing things. The engine is fine, and it runs great, but the rest of the truck needs TLC.
It is now semi-reliable. I don't leave home without tools and liquids-EVER!
I knew the risks when I did it. Driving is now a much more vigilant thing. You listen for creaks and groans etc.
Yesterday, for instance. I was driving in the rain over a mountain pass and my wipers just quit. It took some fiddling, but I figured out that it was the switch. Three parts store stops at the out of town destination and I was going. I moved the switch around a bit and was able to get home in the rain again. I should note that my wife was with me and it did create some stress for her, but we got through it and it wasn't a biggie. She trusts me for some reason.....
I live on a very dangerous stretch of hwy, and we regularly see 5-6 cars in the ditch on a 8 mile stretch of road in winter. There is also very little place to pull off in the snow.
I am a professional, and I can't be calling in and being flaky so there is some stress.
In the past for most of my driving life I have driven older, large 4x4 trucks so I am used to it.
Here is my rule for DD old vehicles: YOU MUST have two rigs or at least access readily to a second vehicle. Right now i am essentially down to one rig and it is a bit of a stressor thinking about the 89 only as a DD.
I am working on getting another rig going as a back up.
FWIW-ROB
Here is what I have noticed. My Cummins was a ranch slave truck. Almost nothing worked, but the engine. I have spent about $300-500 and probably 30-50 hours fixing things. The engine is fine, and it runs great, but the rest of the truck needs TLC.
It is now semi-reliable. I don't leave home without tools and liquids-EVER!
I knew the risks when I did it. Driving is now a much more vigilant thing. You listen for creaks and groans etc.
Yesterday, for instance. I was driving in the rain over a mountain pass and my wipers just quit. It took some fiddling, but I figured out that it was the switch. Three parts store stops at the out of town destination and I was going. I moved the switch around a bit and was able to get home in the rain again. I should note that my wife was with me and it did create some stress for her, but we got through it and it wasn't a biggie. She trusts me for some reason.....
I live on a very dangerous stretch of hwy, and we regularly see 5-6 cars in the ditch on a 8 mile stretch of road in winter. There is also very little place to pull off in the snow.
I am a professional, and I can't be calling in and being flaky so there is some stress.
In the past for most of my driving life I have driven older, large 4x4 trucks so I am used to it.
Here is my rule for DD old vehicles: YOU MUST have two rigs or at least access readily to a second vehicle. Right now i am essentially down to one rig and it is a bit of a stressor thinking about the 89 only as a DD.
I am working on getting another rig going as a back up.
FWIW-ROB
CUDAGUY
aka Prince Valiant
that desperate to get her out of the house?:-D
coffeedart67
Well-Known Member
The best daily driver for snow and ice that I have owned was a 75 Duster, 318 2 barrel with 3 speed manual. This was back in the late 80's early 90's, when nobody wanted a duster, it was kind of beat up but would be considered restorable today. It had the normal rear end sag, tried shackles, all they did was flatten the springs, ended up putting 15's on the back and 4 wheel drive shocks. THe day I bought it was 36 degrees below zero and the heater didn't work(about 70 mile drive)put a new tank heater on it and then it would heat up to where I would be down to a t-shirt in 0 degree weather.
65Coronet7165
C body owner
This is EXactly what I'm looking for, an A body or B body that I CAN use as a daily driver!! Slant 6, 273 or 318...no need for A/C, probably have to avoid the Hottest summer days. It has to be a car I can drive in the rain too, ie, no leaks!
I've owned a 67 Chrysler 300 'vert for almost 6 years now. The original owners had it repainted, bumpers replated and a new convertible top put on circa 2002. The interior is the original leather bucket seats and still in good condition...Car made a great 'cosmetic' appearance when I bought it, but there were a lot of mechanical issues...I won't go into that here, but they've all been addressed and now the car is a delight to drive.
It's not my daily driver because it has all the performance goodies: 440 TNT and all that, so fuel economy is a definate consideration. My other issues is that I have leaks into the back seat floor area when it rains. Until I can address that, I don't drive it when it rains.
NOW, I'd love to have an old Mopar as a daily driver...as I mentioned above. Still keeping the Chrysler of course!!
I've owned a 67 Chrysler 300 'vert for almost 6 years now. The original owners had it repainted, bumpers replated and a new convertible top put on circa 2002. The interior is the original leather bucket seats and still in good condition...Car made a great 'cosmetic' appearance when I bought it, but there were a lot of mechanical issues...I won't go into that here, but they've all been addressed and now the car is a delight to drive.
It's not my daily driver because it has all the performance goodies: 440 TNT and all that, so fuel economy is a definate consideration. My other issues is that I have leaks into the back seat floor area when it rains. Until I can address that, I don't drive it when it rains.
NOW, I'd love to have an old Mopar as a daily driver...as I mentioned above. Still keeping the Chrysler of course!!
a68postcar
Well-Known Member
i love mine as a D/D!!!!!!!
YoungBlood
Jolt the Squares
I was in my teens when I bought my Duster. Even though I had another car (a gas-sipper) I chose the Duster as my daily for the sheer love of driving it.
The car never let me down but man was I an idiot. The suspension was 35 years old and I drove stupid far. I could have at least done ball joints!
I went to a modern car eventually just for the reason to save gas (stupid $13k mistake), turns out that car eventually deteriorated, and now I'm back to the Duster (but getting it dialed).
Now that I'm a little wiser I am spending approx. $9500 to get it to my liking for daily use and it will damn right out perform a new car when ready. I always have 1-2 extra dependible rides at any given time too though...
Good for you for buying your dart. Take my advice: don't be like me; scrounge up a grand and dial the suspension sooner than later!
The car never let me down but man was I an idiot. The suspension was 35 years old and I drove stupid far. I could have at least done ball joints!
I went to a modern car eventually just for the reason to save gas (stupid $13k mistake), turns out that car eventually deteriorated, and now I'm back to the Duster (but getting it dialed).
Now that I'm a little wiser I am spending approx. $9500 to get it to my liking for daily use and it will damn right out perform a new car when ready. I always have 1-2 extra dependible rides at any given time too though...
Good for you for buying your dart. Take my advice: don't be like me; scrounge up a grand and dial the suspension sooner than later!
ProStreetDuster
Well-Known Member
Like has already been posted, I'd dump some gas down the carb and/or fill the bowls so you can hear it run. Take a close look at the front suspension, for wear/slop and if all seems good or at least fixable without dumping a ton of money in it I say go for it.
I sold my Dodge Ram pickup after I bought my 72 Challenger with a 340(not original) and fixed a few minor things to make it a good reliable daily driver.
I'm an Electrician so it was funny to see peoples faces when I roll into the parking area (usually dirt and gravel) at a refinery or power plant that's full of pickups and SUVs.
The only part that kinda sucked a little was no A/C. I'm in California and at the time I started driving it we were having record temps in the summer. Ever got into a black on black car that has been sitting in the 110-115 sun all day? Might as well just dump a gallon of water down your back LOL The other 95% of the time was great.
You can't help but have a smile on your face when driving a classic muscle car as your daily driver amongst a sea of Hondas and Toyotas.
I sold my Dodge Ram pickup after I bought my 72 Challenger with a 340(not original) and fixed a few minor things to make it a good reliable daily driver.
I'm an Electrician so it was funny to see peoples faces when I roll into the parking area (usually dirt and gravel) at a refinery or power plant that's full of pickups and SUVs.
The only part that kinda sucked a little was no A/C. I'm in California and at the time I started driving it we were having record temps in the summer. Ever got into a black on black car that has been sitting in the 110-115 sun all day? Might as well just dump a gallon of water down your back LOL The other 95% of the time was great.
You can't help but have a smile on your face when driving a classic muscle car as your daily driver amongst a sea of Hondas and Toyotas.
ProStreetDuster
Well-Known Member
Oops I guess I missed the part about you already buying it, so in that case congrats!
I'd do some preventive maintenance on it. Change out all the fluids, replace all the hoses, check the the brakes, repack/replace wheel bearings, check out and grease the suspension, replace U joints, fuel filter, belts, new battery if it's getting old etc. Of course a tune up.
Basically if it looks old, I like to replace it even if it's still working. That way I start fresh with new parts on the typical stuff that leaves you on the side of the road at the worst time. Then I keep the used but good replaced stuff in the trunk (except for the old battery of course) along with tools to swap them incase something breaks. This way hopefully you'll be trouble free for awhile, and limit the growing pains of driving a new (old) car as a daily driver.
I'd do some preventive maintenance on it. Change out all the fluids, replace all the hoses, check the the brakes, repack/replace wheel bearings, check out and grease the suspension, replace U joints, fuel filter, belts, new battery if it's getting old etc. Of course a tune up.
Basically if it looks old, I like to replace it even if it's still working. That way I start fresh with new parts on the typical stuff that leaves you on the side of the road at the worst time. Then I keep the used but good replaced stuff in the trunk (except for the old battery of course) along with tools to swap them incase something breaks. This way hopefully you'll be trouble free for awhile, and limit the growing pains of driving a new (old) car as a daily driver.
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