Really Light Econobox, any suggestions?

[AMCoelacanth]

My next project calls for a light econobox. Right now the top candidate is the Dodge Omni or it's brother the Plymouth Horizon. They're worthless and pretty small. I'm sure there are a lot of cars that are lighter weight though, I think an Omni is 2200lbs give or take. Light and super cheap are the only things required but if it's stiff or if it's on a frame it gets bonus.

[pimp_squeak]

get an omni with the 2.2(was it ever available with any other engine????) it'll run forever +it's great in the winter

[jcp123]

70's Toyota Corollas
Plymouth Arrows
70's Hondas
70's Mitsubishis
pretty much any japanese import from the 70's will be light, worthless, and actually decent looking.

[AMCoelacanth]

I was going to ask you if the old Japanese cars you mentioned rusted heavily, then I saw you're from California, you couldn't even begin to understand Chicago rust. I'll keep my eyes peeled for some of that Japanese stuff though.

[jcp123]

Most of them probably have, practically nobody takes care of them. I do understand the rust though, when I'm up skiing in the Sierras, there's some heavy duty hardcore rust and corrosion from the salt they used to use.

[Matra et Alpine]

If you would PLEASE put your location in then UCPers woudl know what to suggest.

No point telling you about the hundreds of fantastic European cars is there.
GO ADD A LOCATION NOW PLEASE

[AMCoelacanth]

Location added. Ya, a Renault R5(Le Car) would be perfect if I was in Europe. I love those rally versions with the mid engine V6, super sexy.

[Matra et Alpine]

Good man on the R5 T2s The Clio V6 continues the 'dynasty'
can't help you states-side I'm afraid unless you can afford to do an import

[jcp123]

I thought they sold them here briefly when AMC partnered with Renault...?

[Matra et Alpine]

Hmm, I thought the only 'sporty' Renualt sold in the USA was the GTA which pretty much bombed

[jcp123]

I could be wrong, I don't really specialize in that era...mostly I do 1945-1975 (with the emphasis on '45-'60) or so, and the AMC/Renault thing came a little later.

[AMCoelacanth]

We got the Alliance(GTA), the Fuego and some Le Cars, the Mid engine R5 never made it over except for a few private importers AFAIK. I don't think the GTA bombed but it didn't save AMC either.

[jcp123]

Yeah, I thought we got the Le Cars here, didn't know there was a diff. between the R5's and those though.

[Matra et Alpine]

I don't think the GTA bombed but it didn't save AMC either.

The extra emissions equipment added took a 220bhp sports car and turned it into a 150bhp slowpoke.

21 US spec cars were built in 1987.
Total GTA production for RHD versions for the UK was 79 that year.
Comparing populatoins I'd call that 'bombing'
Total GTA production was 7427 cars.

[AMCoelacanth]

My guess on those 1987 numbers is the fact that AMC was bought out that year so there weren't as many that year because I know there's at least one GTA in the junkyard by my house and I saw another in the classifieds awhile back. When I said the GTA didn't bomb I think I meant the Alliance in general though.

EDIT: Just realized that 1987 was the only year for a GTA.
EDIT 2: Forgot another part of my post.
So this isn't quite and econobox but a first gen Mazda Miata would be pretty small and a convertible which is definitely bonus. I'm gonna check the weights on some other Mazdas too, like a 323, that's an econobox if I ever saw one.