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advise for the greenhorn?

FM Former Member
OK, I am as green as it gets, so take it nice and slow. :)

I first started coming around to the idea of a turnkey speedster about 6 months ago when I saw one listed on eBay. I did a little research, but I had just bought a car and had little funds to invest in a second vehicle.

Now I have a better job and am thinking that life with a Speedster could be very cool, or not.

Let me lay it out and I will kick back and take your advice:

I am 33, single, with low funds and currently living in an apartment, soon to be townhouse...I don't have much in the way of tools, garage space, or desire to become a mechanic in the name of daily transportation.

I will likely need this car to be a daily driver, especially if I do things now, rather than wait a few years.

I live in Phoenix, which makes AC a must.

I like music, so being able to upgrade to a decent stereo option is a must.

I am currently looking at JPS as a potential builder, but have not ruled out going used.

My last car was a BMW 318ti, current car is an Elantra GT.

I like decent performance, but don't intend to race or mod my car. A cool paintjob and good sounding stereo would be enough for me, that and enough power to not be embarassed by every tin can or SUV.

I guess my dilemma is that I can only choose one car at a time right now. The turnkey may be a better "ten years from now" purchase, but then again, I don't see too much in the price range that would have the same visual appeal. I have always had a strong respect for the old car soldiers, the ones who are driving around in non-classic daily driver cars from the 60s and 70s. I like the idea of having a piece of history, but I think I may be over my head a bit on this idea.

Ok, I will sit back, read some other threads and see what's shaking.

Thanks in advance,

Michael


Now, some techie questions about engines, etc:

I read about the Subaru engine swap. I am wondering if anyone has tried to swap in the current VW 120hp engine from the Jetta/Golf/Beetle, or if anyone has done the TDI engine (or is that a sacreligious thought). It looks as though JPS is equipped to do some 914-porsche engine options as well as the more standard ones. Can this car be equipped with most reasonably small engines?

Besides no airbags and no ABS, are the cages of these kits crash worthy? I spent five years of my life in a VW Rabbit and felt safe enough. Would this be a similar level of safety? Does the chrome roll-bar add to safety?

What kind of mpg does one get from the standard motors offered on these cars? How high are the emissions?

Does anyone kit/turnkey the Volvo 1800?

I think I could secure the loan, figure out the registration and insurance. I know I would have huge grins on my face when the car is working well, and big red cheeks when it isn't.

You don't have to answer all the questions, maybe focus on a topic or two in each response. I am just wondering if you see this type of vehicle as an alternative for a modern car as a daily driver.

Obviously, for $25k, many cars could be had. The expectation is not to duplicate the modern car, but I would like to hear more about the reality of what I might get into.
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FM Former Member
OK, I am as green as it gets, so take it nice and slow. :)

I first started coming around to the idea of a turnkey speedster about 6 months ago when I saw one listed on eBay. I did a little research, but I had just bought a car and had little funds to invest in a second vehicle.

Now I have a better job and am thinking that life with a Speedster could be very cool, or not.

Let me lay it out and I will kick back and take your advice:

I am 33, single, with low funds and currently living in an apartment, soon to be townhouse...I don't have much in the way of tools, garage space, or desire to become a mechanic in the name of daily transportation.

I will likely need this car to be a daily driver, especially if I do things now, rather than wait a few years.

I live in Phoenix, which makes AC a must.

I like music, so being able to upgrade to a decent stereo option is a must.

I am currently looking at JPS as a potential builder, but have not ruled out going used.

My last car was a BMW 318ti, current car is an Elantra GT.

I like decent performance, but don't intend to race or mod my car. A cool paintjob and good sounding stereo would be enough for me, that and enough power to not be embarassed by every tin can or SUV.

I guess my dilemma is that I can only choose one car at a time right now. The turnkey may be a better "ten years from now" purchase, but then again, I don't see too much in the price range that would have the same visual appeal. I have always had a strong respect for the old car soldiers, the ones who are driving around in non-classic daily driver cars from the 60s and 70s. I like the idea of having a piece of history, but I think I may be over my head a bit on this idea.

Ok, I will sit back, read some other threads and see what's shaking.

Thanks in advance,

Michael


Now, some techie questions about engines, etc:

I read about the Subaru engine swap. I am wondering if anyone has tried to swap in the current VW 120hp engine from the Jetta/Golf/Beetle, or if anyone has done the TDI engine (or is that a sacreligious thought). It looks as though JPS is equipped to do some 914-porsche engine options as well as the more standard ones. Can this car be equipped with most reasonably small engines?

Besides no airbags and no ABS, are the cages of these kits crash worthy? I spent five years of my life in a VW Rabbit and felt safe enough. Would this be a similar level of safety? Does the chrome roll-bar add to safety?

What kind of mpg does one get from the standard motors offered on these cars? How high are the emissions?

Does anyone kit/turnkey the Volvo 1800?

I think I could secure the loan, figure out the registration and insurance. I know I would have huge grins on my face when the car is working well, and big red cheeks when it isn't.

You don't have to answer all the questions, maybe focus on a topic or two in each response. I am just wondering if you see this type of vehicle as an alternative for a modern car as a daily driver.

Obviously, for $25k, many cars could be had. The expectation is not to duplicate the modern car, but I would like to hear more about the reality of what I might get into.
FM Former Member
I'm not sure you can get into it for $25K but, I think what you are spec'ing out is exactly like Jody's IM.

IM convert D roadster (roll-up windows, larger windshield and a taller top) w/ AC and a tow behind trailer for long trips.

www.speedsterowners.com/files/thmblist.asp?sf=%2Fjordanharrison

If I lived in an area of the contry like yours and wanted a "practical" speedster as a daily driver this is exactly what I would get.


Jerome

Be warned: If you ask Jody any questions he may want to show you his "Woody" first.
HossHoss
Michael, the use of a Subaru engine is more than a swap, as you call it. Also, using a current type VW engine, Golf, Jetta or the like would present some major engineering problems since it is a transverse mounting; I am not aware of anyone who is doing that. I suggest you continue your research to find something which will fill your needs. You don't necessarily have to break the bank to get into these cars, but consider carefully what you intend to do with it.
WideRidezzzWideRidezzz
Michael,
Jerome has pointed you towards a car that will fit your bill, nearly to the proverbial'T'. I bought my Vintage used and it is a near daily driver. I have worn some parts out and suffered with some quality issues and disapointments. It is not a four season car except for the truly crazy among us...

If I were to start over, I'd do it a bit differently, but the build would easily exceed $25K whether Kirk at Vintage or John at JPS were the builder on the one hand or start at a minimum of $35K with the tube-frame icon, Henry up at Intermeccanica!

That said, for what you outline a VW powered car in what has become a more 'traditional' application would be your best bet... Once you start building exotic combos, budget goes out the window. The broad horizon of motoring enjoyment begins to narrow into reserach and developement or strictly high performance issues and your daily driver becomes litmus paper for future experiments...

Buy as much quality build as you can afford. That used Intermeccanica looks like a winner and across the board, meets your concerns and concepts of what a cool car should be.
Good Luck
FM Former Member
Ok, I knew the engine questions would get me in trouble. I just needed to ask, before I started walking down that road.

Thanks for the advice and support. I think that time in AZ makes an all-season, daily driver turnkey a possibility.

It seems that several here are suggesting used as the best way to "measure" one's long-term interest in owning such a car. That could be a great way to solve several problems, like the notion that I would want to do upgrades, but budget wouldn't allow for too much of that.

Still curious about the mileage and emissions. That was the idea behind potentially placing a TDI into the engine bay...good power for the weight and plenty of mpg.

Now, did the Subaru swap work because the engine is a boxer? Or is it purely a "work in progress" type project.

One thing JPS offers is a 2.0L 914-style engine (don't have the specs in front of me) but it seems pricey.

Maybe now the notion is to start looking for the right used turnkey.

What are the issues I should know about that?

Also, what are the problems with leaks? Does the installed AC work well enough for AZ summers?

I read through the favorite color arguments with some grins. I do think black looks sharp, but black and AZ don't mix very well. I would be looking at white, cream, tan, or any other light shade color. Heck, I would do pink before black in this town.

If I had my choice, a light-green/cream metallic would be cool. Something a little warmer than the current light green metallic from VW (Beetles).

OK - I have some votes:

1 - keep on a walking (looking)
2 - you found the right place/right car...now just get your mind straight on the issues.

Still counting - and thanks for your time.

p.s. anyone in Phx willing to give me a test ride in their Speedster would be a welcome step. :)
FM Former Member
Michael.....what I hear is you have very limited funds and need this car to be a daily driver.....the two don't mix. In order to have a daily driver you need to put some good money into a good car and then be prepared to fix its short comings. Air-conditioning? I have it and 90f in Iowa feels about the same as 100+ in Arizona and the A/C is completely silly. With the top down it is very cool without A/C, and when its warm the top is down!!! I must say however that the air works really good and could keep up with anything in my car.
HossHoss
Michael,
quote: Now, did the Subaru swap work because the engine is a boxer? Or is it purely a "work in progress" type project?

The configuration makes the Subaru engine a logical option for a Speedster. This is a more common election across the pond and I understand there is a Spyder or two on our shores using this brand of engine. As far as whether this is a "work in progress" is open to debate. On one hand, anything new could possibly be described as a work in progress, but IMHO a lot of thought and some good engineering went into the SAW Speedster/Cabriolet. How well it works out in practice, I'll let you know when I have gathered more real time data.
John H.
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