cosmicbang

Hey don't knock the Bricklin

Aviator 902S

Hey, if you have a Bricklin by all means keep it--- you'll have something that nobody else has, at it can only go up in value. The problem with those cars (in spite of their good looks, performance and handling) was the poor quality fit/ finish and design flaws such as leaky roofs, cracked and warping body panels after long exposure to UV rays and electrical glitches. Combined with loss of factory support after Bricklin cratered, this meant few options regarding maintenance and restoration.

However, there is a guy in the states who restores these cars meticulously (if you give him a year in which to do it) and corrects many of the original design flaws. $20,000 for a restorable copy + another $30,000 to pay him for the job = $50,000 for a reliable Bricklin that will be worth (drum roll) $30,000--- or if you wait another 10 to 20 years, maybe $60,000. Depends on how bad you want one.

cosmicbang

I'm keeping them, lol. They did have plenty of problems, but under the circumstances it's amazing that any were built at all. And since most of the flaws have been fixed over the years I don't think it should be on a worst cars list.

But who knows? being on a "worst cars" list might actually increase a model's value. Notoriety was good for Edsels.

DriveFast7

iTrader: (1)

Pictures of the Bricklin!

rexman13b

iTrader: (7)

did the daihatsu charade make the list? what about anything daewoo makes?

rexman13b

iTrader: (7)

what's up? i didn't see any Yugos. they were about the shittiest car i've ever rode in. not because i had one, my mom used to have a friend that drove one.

rexman13b

iTrader: (7)

nevermind i found a Yugo.

Aviator 902S

Cars picked for a worst car list are generally referring to the cars in stock, unmodified form, comlete with all factory warts. An RX2 that's been retrofitted with a later rotary is by no means a bad car.

John McBeth

iTrader: (1)

The next time you go out and buy a car are you going to pick up a copy of "Forbes" to see what is the best car to buy?????? NOT!!!!!!! I will probably pick up a copy of a CAR magazine!!!!

Aviator 902S

Go back and re-read my first post on this thread. It will then be obvious that I agree that going to Forbes for car advice is like going to a hairdresser for brain surgery.

As far as car mags go, most provide good info but remember, they and their editors (of some mags) have been known to be on the take. Write-ups on certain cars trump up that car's strengths and trivialize the weaknesses in return (from auto manufacturers) for all-expenses paid trips to auto shows world wide and who-knows-what-else.

Don't believe me? Pick up a very old copy of Motor Trend with articles on some known lemons that had some very obvious handing problems and design flaws right from the get go. The '79 Dodge Omni/ Plymouth Horizon comes to mind. Sure these articles say a few not-so-positive things for the sake of credibility, but phrases like " the braking characteristics of this car leave us gravely concerned for the safety of its occupants. Not recommended." are very conspicuous by their absence. (Yes, I do know what I'm talking about--- I've owned one).

For a more accurate and unbiased (although not always 100% accurate) assessment of which cars are ok and which ones are poison I read Lemon Aid, by Phil Edmunston. He pulls no punches, and auto manufacturers and dealers absolutely despise this guy. Oh, and did I mention? He says good things about the Mazda rotary.

Raymr

A well-known car mag (MT) also picked the Vega, Plymouth Volare, Mustang II, and Renault Alliance as Car of the Year. So I wouldn't put much faith in that method either.

Aviator 902S

All true. Staff at some of these mags are definitely on the take, even now. Exceptions are Consumer Reports (NOT Consumer Digest!) and Lemon Aid.

xclusiv7

F^*K Forbes.. they suck...

NewLevelMotorsports

I once saw a yugo with hasps and padlocks on the doors. What a sorry sight that was.

Aviator 902S

Ironic, since those cars aren't likely to ever get stolen. I can't rember who it was on this forum who stated that it's no coincidence that Yugos are the perfect size and shape to fit inside a dumpster...

Aviator 902S

Start here:

http://bricklin.org/BI_MemberPicturePage.htm

ohm1163058

Yah my pops had an RX-2 that the seals wentout on at about 50,000. I keep telling him he should have rebuilt it and kept it as I would be nice to have now. He still won't let me toss a 13b into my B2200.

DriveFast7

iTrader: (1)

I remember those bricklins. looks like a cross between early 70's corvette and a fiero. looks like a kit car. COOL.

cosmicbang

The Bricklin International Owners Club, along with the restorers (notably Terry Tanner) is the reason they are still around. Most Bricklins you see today are in far better shape than when they left the factory. A couple of us have discussed swapping a 3-rotor engine in them, but IMHO the car is too heavy unfortunately.

Malcolm Bricklin now has a new plan to import Chinese cars, which should be interesting at the least.

Aviator 902S

First Bricklins, then Yugos, and now MB wants to import cars from China? I smell... lemons.

cosmicbang

Actually Bricklin first sold Lambretta scooters, then brought Subaru to the US with the Subaru 360. He was also was the US distributor for the Fiat 124 Spider and X1/9 (Bertone) in the 80's. At one time he owned the rights to import Proton (Malaysian) and I think those had potential. He is a great promoter and I wish him success in the Chery venture, but realistically???

Aviator 902S

Yeah, along with the dismal failures the guy has had some ventures that proved to be (for him) financially successful. But it seems the cars he was involved with were mostly (if not all) junk. Fiat Spider, X1/9, Yugo--- all seemed to be cars that had repeated problems and failures for their owners. His own creation was his most glaring failure even though those cars in good shape are now collector items.

He now seems to go after those vehicles that nobody else in his position wants anything to do with in an effort to capitalize on the concept of selling NEW cars at prices that even those who cannot afford to buy new (and know little about cars) can get financing for. Many of these buyers eventually regret their decisions.

He's also a shrewd businessman who is skilled in the art of using other people's money to realize his goals. The province of New Brunswick lost over 20 million bucks in 1974-76 that he'd cajoled them out of. (I was living there at that time and got to see the whole thing unfold). Even now there are people in that province who would like to string him up. I wonder if those doing business with him in China are aware of his history?