You know, I’m dropping my shorts here but...

That’s what really sad. Not the people who can afford a new car because they obviously don’t care about getting screwed.

First Gear:

I feel this. A friend of mine just bought a 2017 Civic LX (that’s the base model) with 71K miles and a dented radiator and lower bumper, from a mainline Toyota dealership. He paid $18,700.

“One Dollar, Bob!”

A couple years ago when the GC was on the way out base models could be had in my area for the very low 20's. I briefly thought about it.

The Grand Caravan didn’t fit the performance image they wanted/still want for Dodge, so when the Fiat-based Pacifica’s came out, they never thought to do a Dodge version. They only kept selling the Grand Caravan until 2020 because they figured they’d make a great deal of money on a design that was well paid for by the…

Dodge Grand Caravan.

So, here me out...every minivan on the market now starts at $33,000 or more. They’re loaded with “features” and luxury and AWD and things to make people want to buy them over an SUV.

But as recently as 2020, Dodge was offering the Grand Caravan well below $30K, and it had all of the stuff you…

the old skool 3 door civic (which I suppose would now be a 3 door Fit although that car is actually huge compared to the old Civic)

That is for the 75-79 SPICA models with additional smog stuff. My 73 did not have it. 

The price doesn’t put me off particularly. It’s an old Alfa Romeo, in decent shape ... save for the doors (yikes!). Rust? Well - to be expected at that age.

Tubing for the heat choke valve.

Forgetting about the doors for a minute, this is a decent price for one of these.  Prices are kind of all over the map for these, but it is a lot easier to find similar to this for more than for less, so nice price, but for me the doors would have to be reversible (taken back to stock, not twisted around in yet…

I can’t figure out this car.

There will not be better. Alfas rust if you spit on them, much less actually use them. All of them have some rust bubbling, somewhere, which will require cutting and replacing to “fix.”

Lots of “if’s” on this one, but if they’re all ok, I’m game. I do question the priorities of an Alfa owner that spends money on idiotic doors over other things that do go wrong. I’m pretty sure what ever they cost is a good amount of the money that I’d want to set aside for maintenance and repairs.

Can’t beat those Italian ergonomics. If you can reach it, it’s good enough.

Straight, clean, low miles, fixable doors. If you’re shopping an Alfa, you’re choosing the pain that comes with it. NP.

Yet the door seams are still more uniform than a Tesla. 

For a usable project, it’s not half bad. The doors are crime against classic car, but mendable. And if it’s pretty much othervise stock and rust free, I would say it’s a steal.