Good or Bad Idea?

1985Jetta · Sep 16, 2013

Taking a 1981 Cutlass Calais to Los Angeles. Would be using it because it's an automatic (mk2 would be the next choice, but I wouldn't want a manual in LA traffic). I'd trust it to make it all the way there.

Pros: 231 carbed V6 runs well, transmission shifts smoothly, all lights work, wipers work, A/C works etc. Hardtop, didn't pay anything for the car

Cons: No theft protection whatsoever except stock door locks, tach does not work, no tunes, has a landau top thingy.

So, what do you think? (Not actual car pictured)

Iroczgirl · Sep 16, 2013

My only fear would be theft/vandalism.

Biff Beltsander · Sep 16, 2013

What you'd save in gas and piece of mind would make a rental worth it. I got a Venza V6 for $187, five day rental. I drove it close to a thousand miles on that trip (Priceline gets you unlimited mileage often).
My other choice would of been one of two past their prime Oldsmobiles as well.

Smigelski · Sep 16, 2013

FV-QR

If you have to ask...

Broduski · Sep 16, 2013

1985Jetta said:
Cons: No theft protection whatsoever except stock door locks, tach does not work, no tunes, has a landau top thingy.

F*ck that. I can drive quite a ways without music, I've gotten used to it with no radio in my F100.

But across the country? Hell to the no.

Noah Fecks · Sep 16, 2013

drive it here and then sell it before it gets stolen. buy something else.

one swell foop · Sep 16, 2013

"Dear TCL, I've found yet another POS car and want to do something really stupid with it. What do you think about that?"

Well 1985jetta, I think it's an idiotic idea, but, for that reason, I'm sure you'll attempt it. Good luck. Hope the truck stop sex is great.

NeverEnoughCars · Sep 16, 2013

Broduski said:
F*ck that. I can drive quite a ways without music, I've gotten used to it with no radio in my F100.

But across the country? Hell to the no.

I would have no problem with having no radio.
Even with a radio I barely listen to it and when it is on the volume is usually low. So it would be just like almost every other long trip I have taken.

Jettavr666 · Sep 16, 2013

Is this to live, or for a trip?

1985Jetta · Sep 16, 2013

Iroczgirl said:
My only fear would be theft/vandalism.

That's my main issue with taking it...

Biff Beltsander said:
What you'd save in gas and piece of mind would make a rental worth it. I got a Venza V6 for $187, five day rental. I drove it close to a thousand miles on that trip (Priceline gets you unlimited mileage often).
My other choice would of been one of two past their prime Oldsmobiles as well.

Would rather not do a rental because of a time limit

Smigelski said:
If you have to ask...

Broduski said:
F*ck that. I can drive quite a ways without music, I've gotten used to it with no radio in my F100.

But across the country? Hell to the no.

I have an extra radio panel in my 86 parts car (has the big radio with integrated knobs), but I'm not sure if it works. I need my NPR :laugh:

Noah Fecks said:
drive it here and then sell it before it gets stolen. buy something else.

Good suggestion there...

one swell foop said:
"Dear TCL, I've found yet another POS car and want to do something really stupid with it. What do you think about that?"

Well 1985jetta, I think it's an idiotic idea, but, for that reason, I'm sure you'll attempt it. Good luck. Hope the truck stop sex is great.

:sly:

NeverEnoughCars said:
I would have no problem with having no radio.
Even with a radio I barely listen to it and when it is on the volume is usually low. So it would be just like almost every other long trip I have taken.

The panel's not cut, so I might be able to find one at a junkyard

Jettavr666 said:
Is this to live, or for a trip?

Possibly to live, yes.

Broduski · Sep 16, 2013

How are you going to get all those cars to LA?

I'll take some off your hands.

Ermegerd · Sep 16, 2013

Broduski said:
Hell to the no.

boring car and no tunes..... :thumbdown:

Biff Beltsander · Sep 16, 2013

1985Jetta said:
Possibly to live, yes.

Well I guess a rental is out then.

Your vast fleet and this is the best option you have?

1985Jetta · Sep 16, 2013

Broduski said:
How are you going to get all those cars to LA?

I'll take some off your hands.

The Caballero, bondo Maverick, and 65 Skylark will soon be available :laugh:

I also forgot to mention that the '81 has had 2 theft attempts already. Gone through 3 steering columns

1985Jetta · Sep 16, 2013

Ermegerd said:
boring car and no tunes..... :thumbdown:

I actually do like the V6's sound

Biff Beltsander said:
Well I guess a rental is out then.

Your vast fleet and this is the best option you have?

Half of them don't have good tags or haven't run in years

PJA · Sep 16, 2013

This isn't a bad idea.

It's a TERRIBLE idea.

I actually owned an '82 Gutless Supreme with the 231 V6. If you like the sound of a sucking intake and a surging moan, then, yeah, I guess it sounds alright. And that pretty-sure-a-lot-of-those-original-110-horses-have-left-the-stable is sure going to be a blast at high altitude on your way out.

patrikman · Sep 16, 2013

I wouldn't drive a Buick V6 powered Gutlass with no radio to the liquor store.

hushypushy · Sep 16, 2013

You're seriously worried about someone stealing an '81 Cutlass? What kind of horrible neighborhood are you visiting?

If the car is reliable enough to get you there and back, go for it.

1985Jetta · Sep 16, 2013

PJA said:
This isn't a bad idea.

It's a TERRIBLE idea.

I actually owned an '82 Gutless Supreme with the 231 V6. If you like the sound of a sucking intake and a surging moan, then, yeah, I guess it sounds alright. And that pretty-sure-a-lot-of-those-original-110-horses-have-left-the-stable is sure going to be a blast at high altitude on your way out.

I could an intake and heads off a 4.1 on it to boost it at least a little bit. Car has 139k

patrikman said:
I wouldn't drive a Buick V6 powered Gutlass with no radio to the liquor store.

I do have an extra head unit from the mk2

1985Jetta · Sep 16, 2013

hushypushy said:
You're seriously worried about someone stealing an '81 Cutlass? What kind of horrible neighborhood are you visiting?

If the car is reliable enough to get you there and back, go for it.

Tons of these cars get stolen. There's even a specific forum for stolen cars on the G body boards.

Good or Bad Idea?

1985Jetta

Iroczgirl

Biff Beltsander

Smigelski

Broduski

Noah Fecks

one swell foop

NeverEnoughCars

Jettavr666

1985Jetta

Broduski

Ermegerd

Biff Beltsander

1985Jetta

1985Jetta

PJA

patrikman

hushypushy

1985Jetta

1985Jetta

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