Greetings elhigh,
Only reason why I was debating on Pinto/Pacer/Chevette is because I've seen these cars hold up in demo derbies. I for one am sadden when I see old iron wasted like that and myself prefer to run Luminas.
I'd love the idea of a kabota diesel out of a refer unit (believe that's where most of them are sourced). If I go the diesel route, I'm guessing I would store it in the winter and revive the Saturn for winter driving. I plan to keep the Saturn as a back up car because I hate driving the 98 Chevy crew cab 3500 4x4 to and from work. Well actually I prefer driving it, just hate the 10-12mpg from the under powered 5.7.
I know there is mileage to be had in classic cars, just the norm is to throw big motors in them and burn the tires off. Which is fun, but my 60 Chevy truck is what I do that in
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The $1 milk is the best!