But I got to thinking that if I had just the v8 as a daily driver
how truly brutal that would be, and see the options I could face
Aceptance of the engine finite (Spelling!?!?!) mileage is part of the deal of old car ownership. A newer modern engine can best an older engine in mileage, but to what degree and cost?Again, you must be willing.
I have kids so I try to be as practical as possible:
so remember I could only pick one. This could be tuff. Maybe a combo of the below?
1. Over drive trans, (big costly project for noobie)
2.Swap a slant in and run v8 only during summer (you get a back up motor and trans just in case)
3.drive something else better on gas scooter or ?(not good with kids)
4.swap a new generation combo(better mileage motor but costly)
If I were to do a A body with mileage concerns now and cost would be a consideration though a good penny would still be dropped on the build because you sometimes just can't get away from the cost..... it would be;
A slant 6 car would stay that way. Even though I've never had one get even get 19 mpg Hwy. A good one (Or rebuilt unit done well w/mileage in mind) wold stay in.
An overdriver trans would be imployed, auto or manual. (Manual prefured by myself, though probably not worth the cost/hassle of doing so. Desire of one would be the reason for it.)
All with a gear ratio with mileage and cruise RPM in mind. This would also apply with a V8 anysize.
Whats low buck?
..............
So am I in left field here? My 21 yr old daughter wants a Dart but cant afford 2 cars so for someone like her... what would be the best plan?
If she were to bust her but and buy.. build a nice car she would not be able to use it daily she couldn't take it on a trip out of state at 14 miles a gallon.
I think you can, heres why;
Insurance is cheaply obtained at, maybe a 100 or so a year? Total coverage worth is a significant part of it all. My 79 Magnum is 110 a year and it is a anytime anywhere driver except to work. Must have a lockable garage. Thats it.
Fuel is allways an issue and the main concern here. So carful tuning on any engine is the main key and cruise rpm should be a known item and where you drive at. Driving outside of it, AKA stop and go traffic, will kill the mileage factor.
Do you see most future young guns buying slant cars? what will the new mopar enthusiast look like in 10 yrs? what would be your suggestion?
Maybe, but reguardless of power train, classic cars normaly do not get good mileage. Ethier get the car and be happy with it as it is or dont get it and drive a gas mizer. Don't complain about things that can not be obtained or the lack of funds to drive it. It is what it is. Ethier your on board spending the money on fuel or your behind us saving money on fuel in a mizer gas pincher. The money spent of fuel can be controlled. The amount the car uses can be altered to a degree.
People complain about the costs of building Mopars I think gas price's might be the bigger deterrent now. I have a 14 yr old too and she wants an a body barracuda I think i will find her a slant before she gets set in stone..LOL
I have worked hard to pass the hobby to my kids and look forward to sharing the shows and the road with them.
let me here from all of you.
Dads speak up!
A Dad speaks up.
To do up a car or purchase one done costs alot of money. Then theres up keep and the added cost of modification if so desired. You ethier have the money for it or you don't. To spend money on something unreliable as the only car is a poor move and one you would never pass onto you kids.
IMO, an old car as the main and only car is a bad move.
Example 1;
My Daughter (now 17) asked if she can have an old car. She wants a 71 Mach 1 Stang. (OK, easy boys, wifes a Ford fan, but loves old cars period no matter the maker.)
I told her she can have one when she meets the basics of ownership first.
Not understanding what I ment, I explained to her that a old classic is a great thing to have on many levels that were not going into here today and of for which we allready know. But the very first thing she MUST have is a dead reliable modern car for all the reasons that make a older car harder to maintain and keep on the road. And to a degree, undesireable.
Second, after having a modern car, the old car must be worked on be her and only her. (Enter the willing pupil) And have a space to park it in. (Ya, Dad can make room) But it all must be paid in full by her and only her and no one else period, ever, end of sentence! (AKA Rule!)
The one reason is to teach her the value of her money, understand that it is all on her. IF anyone ever helps her with a few bucks for the car, it had better be an emergency and paid back ASAP. This will keep the car all hers and ony hers without anyone being able to say chit on helping to pay for a part and not being paid back.
I've actualy met an *** that layed partial claim of ownership to a car because they flipped a few bucks to the owner for a part. I know that is wacked, but ya neverknow what *** will rise to the surface and stink up the place.
This forces the daughter to maintain a level of income for insurance, fuel, mantainance for both cars, and everything else that goes with it.
Dad pays zero!
Daughter gets a lesson in economics, encourangement to work and go to collage to make better money to make things easier.
