CChase
Active Member
We've got a 1984 944 with 40,000 miles. It's pretty reliable but I agree, when it's time for something to be replaced, parts are ridiculously priced.
-
Feeling lucky? Check out the AK 24th Anniversary Giveaway thread and join in the fun!
high tech car of the 1980's
- Thread starter 1980'slover
- Start date
We've got a 1984 944 with 40,000 miles. It's pretty reliable but I agree, when it's time for something to be replaced, parts are ridiculously priced.
soundboy
Super Member
Still one of my all-time favorites.
Anyone remember the Van Halen "You Really Got Me" Nissan Z commercial?
Old1625
Super Member
......
NOT TO MENTION ya dont wanna change a water pump in these
the damn thing is BEHIND the timing chain :thumbsdn:
.... !
IIRC that was common drill on cars since that era. I had an '80 Plymouth Horizon that had the water pump behind the timing belt. I was advised to to the extra beaners and get the pump replaced while the timing belt was done. 60K was pretty much the life expectancy of both. By the time I'd have to replace the timing belt and water pump a second time the car was pretty badly inflicted with tinworm, and I had launched the old girl, and have been awfully picky about valve timing gear since. I hate timing belts.
Mmmm.... 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst Edition.
Lovely.
I'd post a pic of my C (68 Plymouth Fury Fasttop), but it's not as purty.
Well; only if ya like primer as a color.
Matt
That's it Matt, if you see that bad boy in your rearview mirror, move way over:thmbsp: the Ralley wheels really make the look! Niiiccccee
Craig
markus
Master Procrastinator
Mmmm.... 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst Edition.
Lovely.
I'd post a pic of my C (68 Plymouth Fury Fasttop), but it's not as purty.
Well; only if ya like primer as a color.
Matt
NICE HURST ! almost bought a rust bucket one of them - went with a cherry 74 newport instead ( I am NOT a body man . . .) 4 door hardtop, low option, but oooooohhhhh so clean . . . had a 400 - once I had 2 & 1/2 inch flowmasters amd edelbrock intake and carb installed, it sounded like an off shore racer (VVVRRRROOOOOOOOMMMMMM!M!!!!!!!!!) highway on ramps and 3 --2 downshifts were my favorite part of the day :thmbsp: it's even in the movie Moonlight Mile for a split second :yes:
also had (over the years) a 83 dodge diplomat ex-cop car, 78 fury ex-cop car, 76 New Yorker, and a 71 New Yorker . . .
passed on a 68 fury drop top and STILL kick myself - it was NICE, and onlyu 3500 :tears: in its condition, it'd be 3 times that these days . . .
Parnelly
Well-Known Member
I need to chime in here. This guy really should check his pocket before buying one of these old cars. First of all parts are hard to come by. All of its digital bs is well..... digital bs. Any wreckers that carry anything will want an arm and a leg for it. Tuner/after market parts are prolly also through the roof. Plus those cars cant make **** for power compared to what we have on our streets now. Sure it may have seemed quick at the time but put that up against anything newer and it wont be so satisfying.
While were on the topic of technology in older vehicles, My dad used to own an 82 Toyota Supra. This thing imo was pretty tech. All kinds of lights and flashing things to entertain the simplest of minds. Plus some cool **** like power everything down to sunroof mirrors etc. It had an inline 6 cylinder engine. Alum Rim and much other goodies right from the factory. The one thing that always caught my attention with this car was the factory stereo. Pioneer cassette deck. Clarion EQ/Power Booster. And speakers of unknown manufacturers. Man could that stereo crank with the booster on. It was a sweet car and could hold its own on the streets of then.
Somewhere in the flow of time we changed from fast to quick. Get up and go seems to be a lot more dominant now over top end. Either end of the spectrum likely that Z car will be beat by a tuned civic or neon. Good luck with your decision making on what vehicle to buy.
I would stay away from anything 80's.
While were on the topic of technology in older vehicles, My dad used to own an 82 Toyota Supra. This thing imo was pretty tech. All kinds of lights and flashing things to entertain the simplest of minds. Plus some cool **** like power everything down to sunroof mirrors etc. It had an inline 6 cylinder engine. Alum Rim and much other goodies right from the factory. The one thing that always caught my attention with this car was the factory stereo. Pioneer cassette deck. Clarion EQ/Power Booster. And speakers of unknown manufacturers. Man could that stereo crank with the booster on. It was a sweet car and could hold its own on the streets of then.
Somewhere in the flow of time we changed from fast to quick. Get up and go seems to be a lot more dominant now over top end. Either end of the spectrum likely that Z car will be beat by a tuned civic or neon. Good luck with your decision making on what vehicle to buy.
I would stay away from anything 80's.
I really love the '80s car tech. I have a 1988 Mazda 626 Turbo with four-wheel-steering (hydraulic and brilliantly reliable). It's great fun to drive, fast and nimble, even by modern standards. Sadly, it is bored and out of commission in PA while I'm living in Utah with my modern vehicle. So if anybody wants a deal on it... 
TAGO MAGO
Super Member
Well, you have 20,000 miles before the mandatory timing belt, balance belt and water pump change which usually means all the idlers and gears for the belt as well Parts + labor for that job ran about $1800 and since it is a non-interference motor, if you don't do the job you are going to look at replacing a bunch of bent valves. Apparently to keep the engine smooth in those there is a balance belt that runs in the opposite direction at twice the RPM. That car is full of high tech and very smart engineering that makes it twice as expensive to repair (i.e. you have to remove the rear subframe to replace the clutch). Also the wipers and the head light motors, at least in 1987 were all positive ground while the rest of the car is negative ground which causes problems down the road. That last trick the Europeans were famous for, although it was more common for the British. That said I would own one again, but have a Honda as my daily driver.
TAGO MAGO
Super Member
I always get those backwards....I think.
TAGO MAGO
Super Member
I really love the '80s car tech. I have a 1988 Mazda 626 Turbo with four-wheel-steering (hydraulic and brilliantly reliable). It's great fun to drive, fast and nimble, even by modern standards. Sadly, it is bored and out of commission in PA while I'm living in Utah with my modern vehicle. So if anybody wants a deal on it...
I had a friend who's parents bought one new and when he got it he never maintained it, abused it horribly and it never let him down, nor did it ever cost him much money. It was a tough little car and decent power for the era. Those were also pretty nice looking too. Personally I would like to find one of the 929's from that era or maybe an old Cressida or first gen Acura Legend. You could beat the hell out of an 80's Japanese car and it would never miss a beat.
Brent71
Well-Known Member
I still think the Vector W2 was the most high-tech looking car of the 80's. The dash seemed like it was right out of Airwolf.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCqvSKfk1Pc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCqvSKfk1Pc
Oh man, Pet Shop Boys, Kraftwerk... nice soundtrack. Nice car, too, I had not heard of them before.
