I absolutely love the AMC Eagle. I've always wanted one. My neighbor growing up had 2 of them. When he sold them I wasn't in a place to buy it but I sure wish I could have!
@@ElectronicMusicUnderground one of the worst combinations I've ever heard of. 3rd speed autos are ok on big blocks that keep you in the powerband... Not whatever the eagle is supposed to be. Can't even cruise with it
@@ElectronicMusicUnderground Totally worth it. Lol Plus, there is always a manual swap. A T5 would be pretty easy to get in there. An AX15 might even work.
I worked for a GM dealer for 2 years. You rarely saw those things come in for anything. When they did it was for stupid stuff that someone couldn’t get to or jobs that needed a lift. I have one myself that I bought off a friend who trashed it. He used it like a glorified sports locker. I got new carpet all the way around for extremely cheap. The backseat was always folded down so some leather cleaner brought it right back. I did have to reupholster the front seats and replace the foam which was a job I did one winter Friday night in my living room. I POR-15ed the frame cause it was a bit nasty looking ( POR-15 absolutely bonds to rust btw) then a coat of gloss black rustolium to cover the POR-15. I abused my dealer connections and got new shocks and brakes for a stupid low price and was able to have the bodyshop repaint it in its original white. Some NOS bumpers and a headlight resto kit and the thing looks brand new. Used it as a spare vehicle or a boat/ vacation rig to help my dad. I also used like 3 cans of gunk to clean the engine bay. Has about 85k on it but it’s running good. Was glad I had it cause when I ran into legal problems and was forced to give back my 22 Toyota Tacoma to help pay for fines I did still have something to get me around. The most important thing is I don’t have a car payment right now and I need every dime I can get. So long as the old GMC keeps going I’ll keep driving it
@@metalmaniac-mu9kt I had one...in the 90s. It was a very poor example, but I loved it. A little door droop, because the doors weighed about 700 lbs apiece (and some serious mechanical issues due to neglect), but there was something about it... the sun roof came in handy, because mine had a chronic exhaust leak, and was prone to overheating, so summer traffic jams meant heat on/sun roof open/stereo as loud as it could get. This brings back memories, lol
@@metalmaniac-mu9kt I got rid of it before it ever came to that. But yeah they were pretty cheesy considering that each door weighed more than a complete 1970 VW Beetle.
I daily an 04' GMC Yukon XL and I absolutely love it! I bought it for my 1st car 3 years ago for 5k, did some work to it, and It's been an amazing truck!
The best series on the channel. That Eagle is the spiritual predecessor to the Crosstrek, and that's no compliment. I guessed $1,300 figuring there are enough fans who'll be stupid with their money. That Datsun was still quite competitive with the Toyota Pickup of its day. I remember people liking these, and that design looks great when cleaned up with a new paint job. My guess was $1,800. The Yukon... People still want those. My guess was $5,400. I guessed before knowing the odometer issue. 😅
AMC was always cash strapped and just kept things going longer than most companies. The Eagle is the 4WD version of the Concord, which is just a mild update of the Hornet. My mom had a Hornet Sportabout wagon that looked exactly like this Eagle from the A-pillar back, maybe more. I mean, it had a different front end with two round lights but that's really the only difference (except for the ride height). It even had the same interior. I think it was from the early 70s. So this basic platform has been around for a while!
The GMT800 is an amazing platform. I own two of these trucks myself. I'm a shop owner and don't like owning things I hate to work on or are always broken down. GMT800 trucks are dead reliable, especially when well cared for. They are super easy to work on and parts are cheap.
My uncle had an AMC Eagle for the longest time then he replaced it with a late 90s Plymouth Voyager. What can I say, he's cheap I almost forgot he also had a Gremlin
wow, I absolutely love all three of those. I'd have paid more for each of them than they went for. Then again I don't have a dealers license, so... irrelevant.... Speaking of the auction.. You drove past a sweet looking gen 3 Lincoln Town car each time.. please tell me you did a walk around and review on it! Those big luxo barges are quite possibly the coolest things ever made... and they will never be made again.
I actually wanted to buy that one! It was the extended wheel base version and if I had the cash at the time of filming, it would be in my fleet. Good catch!
Good luck finding an AMC Eagle that is not a clapped out junker. I live in Wisconsin where they were once very popular, and even when I was in college 20 years ago they were almost a curiosity even at that point because so few had survived.
The AMC Eagle was a colossal pile of crap. We had one as kids. It was an alternative for cheap dads that didn't want to pay for a Wagoneer. Please donate any remaining to be scrapped and turned into cell phones.
subaru did it first in 71 i like you guys buy dang chase is picky its a 42 year old car! its in decent shape just needs a tune up probably a timing chain. only issue with the yukon gmt800 is fuel consumption a dodge dakota with a miss and 335k miles gets better mileage than a 5.3 with all that weight.
That Yukon is way too new to be a "classic". IMO, nothing newer than an '89 is a classic. That AMC Eagle isn't really worthy of restoration, but I think with a little work it could be a great daily driver. Especially for a teenager. They're tanks. @4:00... Sorry, the AMC Eagle wasn't the first 4x4 passenger car in the US. The 4wd Subaru wagon was introduced in 1975. @8:50... I had one of those when I first moved the Vegas. I was a Local 12 apprentice and wasn't making a lot yet. I drove it until the front diff exploded while I was hauling ass up a muddy dirt road. I removed the front driveshaft and drove it another year before selling it for what I paid for it. My mother had an '87 Hardbody SE-V6 manual that she bought new. I still have that Hardbody and it has 465k miles on it.
your right about the Hardbody trucks, i have a few buddies here in Canada that still have them, i think 1990 model he bought it new a year before he got married , it had every Heavy Duty 4WD option available at the time and i think it included a rear locker , not sure about the front though, we had one helluva snowstorm that year and it never came close to getting stuck and we sure pulled allot of other vehicles out that were stuck and it had the best heater in it out of any small truck sold new at the time, it was the best truck sold in its class, Toyota was behind it then, even S10 or S15's were pretty junky compared to them, I know i worked for a Chev-Olds dealer then, the only thing better was the 4.3 V6 tons of power , the Hardbody was still the better truck, built quality, features, fit and finish, better steel than any domestic truck and vastly superior paint finish and the best shifting 5 speed transmissions 👍
In the early 2000s, I was looking for a budget classic 4x4 while I was in high school. Ended up picking up 72 Bronco for $500. Cut the fenders out, added a cheap lift, and 33s. Was a pretty cool trail rig for the time. I'm gathering parts now to V8 swap it and put a better suspension in it. I like the Eagle the best out of those 3. I could see myself with one of those.
'Murica: We got a 8.1 litre V8 producing 150 horsepower - F*CK YEAH! Europe: We got a 2.0 litre I4 producing 170 horsepower 'Murica: V8 F*CK YEAH! Love it 😂
@@richkar1127 Awesome to hear! I've put 130k miles on my 06 in 8 years. I purchased with 30k miles and I'm up to 160k now. It's been a great truck and the 5.3l has been reliable the entire time.
Very cool to see different members of the team take their turns at the game! I'd buy that Datsun for sure. And at that $1100 price, even with the unknown mileage and broken odometer, I'd buy the GMC too. The Eagle...only if it went for less than $1k would I consider possibly trying to buy and fix it. I do have a soft spot for '80s 4WD wagons ever since my parents got their '82 Subaru wagon as a family car when I was a kid.
That Eagle styling has aged better than I would've thought back when they were new. That said, I can't believe dealers paid that much for that example in the poor condition it was in. The Datsun pickup was a vehicle I really wanted back in the day, though. I'd still much rather have that than the Eagle.
That Eagle may be tired, but considering it's the same engine they were using in Jeeps up until maybe a decade or so ago, they're easy to work on and to get parts for. Besides, you just don't SEE AMC Eagles these days, I really wanted one of these as my first car here in Michigan because I wanted a classic that could be driven in the snow and not a Jeep Wrangler or a bigger 4X4, just couldn't find one. These AMC Eagles are definitely a slept-on classic that one day will become rather desirable, so should definitely get one while you still can! Edit: My guess about why the Yukon went for so little was BECAUSE the odometer was broken, not knowing the exact mileage of the vehicle can be a bit of a red flag to a lot of bidders.
You should buy that AMC Eagle ALL DAY LONG. It's a thousand bucks, Those engines were stupid simple to work on, A COMPLETE rebuild kit for that 258 is $430 from Summit and that comes with EVERYTHING to rebuild the engine, the rear bumper is easy to find, that body damage in the rear sin;t hard to fix, fix all that and throw a good but cheap paint job on it, I would paint it a updated but different color and now you've spent a couple thousand dollars at most more into it and you have a car that you will be able to drive for the next 40 years for 3 grand or you can sell it and get 10-12k for. Classic cars like this are getting VERY VERY popular because they are cheap to buy and cheap to build, someone would scoop this car up QUICKLY, $1800 is STILL a great buy for that, it's not just about "whats wrong with it" now, it's how cheaply it can be fixed and these AMC's can be fixed cheaply and are simple to work on.
Eagle is very cool. However it is extremely underpowered gas gazzling, tight inside, even decent sized from outside, very much unreliable. 20 years later automakers learned to squeeze more power from an inline4 than V8 in this case.
Dealers so inept, do not buy from a dealer or auction. On street right now in colorado where this filmed you can get off facebook market and craigslist a 2003 tahoe 160k miles $2500, 2005 yukon xl/suburban 125k miles $4200, 2002 suburban 6.0L 2500 110k miles $4800. 1992 Nissan harbody pickup $700.
All that Eagle needed was a junkyard 4.0 from a Jeep. Even better if the 4.2 crank is still good. Rebuild the 4.0 with the 4.2 crank and maybe a small cam and it's a 250hp 300lbft super reliable family wagon. Will get you anywhere and a 3 inch lift(add a leaf and a spacer maybe $150)to fit some 30x9.50r15 tires. Also s10 or fwd caddy front CV axle handle articulation better. Wouldn't cost a good mechanic another $2000 to make it a nice off-road cruiser. You can go wild with coilovers and 4 links, subframe connectors, np231 tcase, Ford 8.8 axles, and a turbo. Still would be under $15,000 to build something that rides like a roomier Bronco Sport and wheels like a non Squatch full size Bronco. Add a locker to the rear and solid axle swap the front with a long arm XJ kit and you are still way under $20k unless you blow it on rims. They also have muscle car lineage from the AMC Hornet as well as Baja and Rally credentials.
Mannn, wagons are so cool, 4WD and lifted? This is what we need to bring back. That steering column and dash tho, that is death on wheels lol. But in a world of subcompact crossover utility turbo-4 CVT bulls***, be an AMC Eagle.
A Eagle SX-4 two door hatchback was the second car I ever owned in the late 80’s .258 straight six with a 4 speed stick. Fun car , ahead of its time. The first crossover and actually good off road. Would love to get another someday.
There are people putting SR-20 DET engines in those 720 trucks making them really powerful! You let it go for $1500? Bad move I just sold my 1985 for $6500 prices have gone up on them should have baught that 720 it appeared to be in good enough condition to clean up. Add some after market rims polish it up and add a Webber Carb to it and you would have easily made your money back and some:P
The AMC isn't retro, it's an OG. Also, crossover, not CUV. The 5.3 Suburban/Yukon XL is a beast with the tow package. Pulls 6-7k lbs in the flat Midwest all day long. If you haul in the mountains the 6 litre is the way to go.
I would buy that AMC Eagle Wagon. First thing I will do, find a wrecked Ram, Jeep Commander or Grand Cherokee, Durango, Charger, 300 or Challenger that has the 5.7 Hemi. Snatch the motor and Delete the MDS and drop it in. Then later, I would do cosmetics or I might just leave it like it is.
The difference between CUV and SUV is just dumb and vans they're all pretty much the same thing I like older cars that just work and take you where you need to go I don't like the new b*******
3:55 Not the first passenger car in the US with 4WD. It's the first one with FULL TIME 4WD. Subaru beat them with a part-time 4WD system (by 5 years) in 1975.
Eagle was Komplete Junk. Friend who was a Specialist /old skool Jaguars mechanic... found a Vibration (driving) in his New Eagle. After months of fruitless dicking around with the dealer and the factory shill.. he took out the rear axles and found that they were Eccentric. Being Machined that way... Intentionally ...by some disgruntled Worker. This being the Manufacturers reps' opinion....on finally seeing the problem with his own Eyes. Junk quality cars is an Honest descriptor.
The Eagle was built in the days of 55 mph speed limits, so its lack of horsepower was not unique. On the plus side, the 258 inline 6 was a long-lived engine. If I recall, the automatic transmission was a Chrysler Torque Flite. AMC's in that era had Chrysler, Ford, and GM parts on them from the factory.
I’m not really in tune with the industry, but don’t know that $1800 was a terrible price for an AMC Eagle. They probably sold for that in private party transactions when they were 4-5 years old. The six cylinder is reliable and can be fixed. The 4x4 would be what concerned me. The quadra trac system AMC was offering in that era had its issues. An uncle had a Wagoneer that lost the QT a couple of times, and it wasn’t going off road much at all. I’d go with the Datsun.
Datsun pickup? Buy one from the US, send it for sale to Canada and you'll triple your money. This generation of Datsun pickup does not exist in Canada as they ALL rotted out with road salt. I love these trucks, I had 2 of them, both died of brown body cancer. There are those of us here who would love to steal one again for that giveaway price of $2,300 Canadian bucks.
It really stinks that you called the vid ”These Classic 4x4s” and you didn’t go into the 4 wheel drive differences and benefits, only they all happen to be 4wheel drive and from there how “practical” and “normalish” they were. I was hoping to see different/interesting 4x4s (I did get 2/3 there to your credit) and it ended with Buy or Bust “Soccer Mom/Tow Rig” that would struggle in a tight dirt road scenario let alone as a wheeler. As much as I hate to say it since I don’t like GM stuff, I would have jumped on that Yukon because it could be a money maker,. A good scan tool can find the mileage and if it’s silly high it could be parted out easily, if not high the clusters are inexpensive as far as they go and very readily available.
The Eagle was a level of cool that those of us who had or grew up with one in the '80s just didn't appreciate until it was too late. First my dad traded in his '85 Cherokee, and then my mother traded in her Eagle wagon (complete with "wood") side panels. 30 years later, I'm STILL not cool with that lol
I recall when Idaho Springs had a few Eagle Wagons. I used to work at Midas on West Colfax at the time. Those were the most beat up, POS cars imaginable for driving around IS and over the OMG Road, etc. Yes, the powertrain was brilliant, for the time. However, the vehicle was not up to the duty for which it was being used. Just another case of people with no experience being placed in charge of a government service.
Nissan 720 was a great truck. Had one back in the day and loved it. Rust took it out. The GMC was a steal, amazing trucks and the Eagle was over priced but always wanted one. Really cool.
I know two guys who purchased Eagles in the late 1980s with the intent, right out of the gate, of utilizing them for off road use as hunting and fishing trip "SUVs". Both vehicles are still on the road in 2023 and have undergone numerous suspension and interior changes, not to mention camo paint jobs, etc. etc. We are in the middle of hunting season here in South Carolina but if I can get in contact with either Eagle owner, I will ask them for permission to photograph their vehicles and send them to you. To this day I miss the early model 4X4 Hardbody I purchased used in 1999.
GMT800's were good, as long as you stayed away from the 1/2 tons with the 4L60E's. There are still plenty of 3/4 ton's and 1 tons on the road, as the 4L80E was a much better transmission for the era.
The Eagle brand was created by Chrysler for former AMC dealers to have a label to sell cars under, in addition to the Jeep brand which had always been separate from the AMC brand. Jeep/Eagle dealers had Americanized Renault cars (Medallion and Premier) that Chrysler was contractually obligated to build and sell for a while. They had a/some Mitsubishis (Talon...?). And some Chryslers too after the Renault cars were retired.
I'd bought the AMC for that price, with some work it would be a cool car. The Datsun is a nice tough little truck, my buddy had one very similar to that one. And the GMC I wouldn't have for any price.
My first car was a 1985 eagle wagon, same color to. I got so many zero chick's with that turd lmao... I bought it summer of 1995 and I would drive it more than to school, never the freeway.
I love you guys and the delivery of your content. Just got to Go with the Datsun on this one. ( I am a Ford guy.) But I agree with everything that you guys do. Keep the content coming.
I absolutely love the AMC Eagle. I've always wanted one. My neighbor growing up had 2 of them. When he sold them I wasn't in a place to buy it but I sure wish I could have!
I'd still buy the AMC Eagle. That engine is no big deal to work on. They are fantastic cars.
The good is the 258 I6 engine
@@ElectronicMusicUndergroundawe the 3 speed kills it for me
@@ElectronicMusicUnderground one of the worst combinations I've ever heard of. 3rd speed autos are ok on big blocks that keep you in the powerband... Not whatever the eagle is supposed to be. Can't even cruise with it
@@ElectronicMusicUnderground Totally worth it. Lol
Plus, there is always a manual swap. A T5 would be pretty easy to get in there. An AX15 might even work.
My buddy had one, it caught fire driving many times haha
GMT 800 has the most comfie, lounge chair seats of all time. My '02 Suburban was my most comfortable long range road trip car of all time...
I'd love one of those Eagles. Would be a great winter beater.
love my 86 wagon its my daily driver its lifted bigger wheels etc cant go anywhere without questions or storys about them
I love these buy or bust videos. Short but sweet
that 4.2 is one of my favorite sounding engines. unfortunately in NY nothing that has one of those motors really goes for pocket change
I had a truck like that Datsun years ago, many holes in floor
I don’t think you’ll find parts to repair….
Unless you find some in junk yard
I did drivers ed. in an AMC Eagle wagon donated from a local AMC dealer-I'm getting old !
Love this series, great job!
Too bad the Eagle is junk They were really good cars back in the day
4 jump packs and one time machine later the AMC started!! $1800??!!!
I have to watch later to see about the eagle
Eagle driveline, parts for a jeep of the same era.
AMC made a two door too hatch back
Kool beans
You can tell Brendan REALLY loves his GMC.
You know you do too.. :)
I worked for a GM dealer for 2 years. You rarely saw those things come in for anything. When they did it was for stupid stuff that someone couldn’t get to or jobs that needed a lift. I have one myself that I bought off a friend who trashed it. He used it like a glorified sports locker. I got new carpet all the way around for extremely cheap. The backseat was always folded down so some leather cleaner brought it right back. I did have to reupholster the front seats and replace the foam which was a job I did one winter Friday night in my living room. I POR-15ed the frame cause it was a bit nasty looking ( POR-15 absolutely bonds to rust btw) then a coat of gloss black rustolium to cover the POR-15. I abused my dealer connections and got new shocks and brakes for a stupid low price and was able to have the bodyshop repaint it in its original white. Some NOS bumpers and a headlight resto kit and the thing looks brand new. Used it as a spare vehicle or a boat/ vacation rig to help my dad. I also used like 3 cans of gunk to clean the engine bay. Has about 85k on it but it’s running good. Was glad I had it cause when I ran into legal problems and was forced to give back my 22 Toyota Tacoma to help pay for fines I did still have something to get me around. The most important thing is I don’t have a car payment right now and I need every dime I can get. So long as the old GMC keeps going I’ll keep driving it
You forgot the super-cool SX4 Eagle hatch! We had the wagon but always wanted the SX4.
I agree they missed the coolest one. My dad had an SX4 with a pop out sun roof.
@@metalmaniac-mu9kt I had one...in the 90s. It was a very poor example, but I loved it. A little door droop, because the doors weighed about 700 lbs apiece (and some serious mechanical issues due to neglect), but there was something about it... the sun roof came in handy, because mine had a chronic exhaust leak, and was prone to overheating, so summer traffic jams meant heat on/sun roof open/stereo as loud as it could get. This brings back memories, lol
@@seanmorrissey3103 How many junk yards did you visit looking for door handles? lol
@@metalmaniac-mu9kt I got rid of it before it ever came to that. But yeah they were pretty cheesy considering that each door weighed more than a complete 1970 VW Beetle.
There were three 2 door variations the sx4 the coupe version of the sedan and the kamerback.
I daily an 04' GMC Yukon XL and I absolutely love it! I bought it for my 1st car 3 years ago for 5k, did some work to it, and It's been an amazing truck!
Stop hyping the GMT 400s all the time because you’re going to make me buy one! Great show, guys.
Best decision I ever made was to buy a k2500 suburban.
@@Wornk my first vehicle was a 91 k1500 and I still daily drive her after 12 years of course I rebuilt the engine and got a new transmission
The best series on the channel.
That Eagle is the spiritual predecessor to the Crosstrek, and that's no compliment. I guessed $1,300 figuring there are enough fans who'll be stupid with their money.
That Datsun was still quite competitive with the Toyota Pickup of its day. I remember people liking these, and that design looks great when cleaned up with a new paint job. My guess was $1,800.
The Yukon... People still want those. My guess was $5,400. I guessed before knowing the odometer issue. 😅
Agreed
What's your beef with the Eagle and Crosstrek? Are you morally opposed to small cars with AWD/4WD and improved ground clearance?
How does it look like real wood? It's AMC. No wood anything.
AMC was always cash strapped and just kept things going longer than most companies. The Eagle is the 4WD version of the Concord, which is just a mild update of the Hornet. My mom had a Hornet Sportabout wagon that looked exactly like this Eagle from the A-pillar back, maybe more. I mean, it had a different front end with two round lights but that's really the only difference (except for the ride height). It even had the same interior. I think it was from the early 70s. So this basic platform has been around for a while!
The GMT800 is an amazing platform. I own two of these trucks myself. I'm a shop owner and don't like owning things I hate to work on or are always broken down. GMT800 trucks are dead reliable, especially when well cared for. They are super easy to work on and parts are cheap.
4.2L for 110 hp. The good old days.
It's all good. The AMC 304 (5.0L) in its base trim wheezed out about 115.
My uncle had an AMC Eagle for the longest time then he replaced it with a late 90s Plymouth Voyager. What can I say, he's cheap
I almost forgot he also had a Gremlin
Your uncle sounds like a cool cat
My first car was an 81 Eagle (Golden Eagle version) sedan. A lot of fun as a teen.
I literally saw an eagle in person for the first time yesterday October 25th and then this video gets released 😂😂
Good pair of guys to host this series
wow, I absolutely love all three of those. I'd have paid more for each of them than they went for. Then again I don't have a dealers license, so... irrelevant....
Speaking of the auction.. You drove past a sweet looking gen 3 Lincoln Town car each time.. please tell me you did a walk around and review on it! Those big luxo barges are quite possibly the coolest things ever made... and they will never be made again.
I actually wanted to buy that one! It was the extended wheel base version and if I had the cash at the time of filming, it would be in my fleet. Good catch!
I would not buy any of those.
Great memories riding in the AMC Eagle as a kid in Alaska. Save the wagons.
1500 for the Datsun is a steal, depending on any rust. Had an 82 and loved that underpowered truck
I can't believe you didn't mention that the Eagle is what Jennifer's dad drove in Back to the Future!!
First thing I thought of!
The Hornet wagon was a great looking car.
Good luck finding an AMC Eagle that is not a clapped out junker. I live in Wisconsin where they were once very popular, and even when I was in college 20 years ago they were almost a curiosity even at that point because so few had survived.
The AMC Eagle was a colossal pile of crap. We had one as kids. It was an alternative for cheap dads that didn't want to pay for a Wagoneer. Please donate any remaining to be scrapped and turned into cell phones.
I don’t care how bad the Eagle was running, I’d buy it immediately
subaru did it first in 71
i like you guys buy dang chase is picky its a 42 year old car! its in decent shape just needs a tune up probably a timing chain.
only issue with the yukon gmt800 is fuel consumption a dodge dakota with a miss and 335k miles gets better mileage than a 5.3 with all that weight.
Kase* his name is Kase, not chase
I owned a brand new '81 Eagle wagon...let's just say it spent more time in the dealer garage than in my garage.
That Yukon is way too new to be a "classic". IMO, nothing newer than an '89 is a classic. That AMC Eagle isn't really worthy of restoration, but I think with a little work it could be a great daily driver. Especially for a teenager. They're tanks. @4:00... Sorry, the AMC Eagle wasn't the first 4x4 passenger car in the US. The 4wd Subaru wagon was introduced in 1975. @8:50... I had one of those when I first moved the Vegas. I was a Local 12 apprentice and wasn't making a lot yet. I drove it until the front diff exploded while I was hauling ass up a muddy dirt road. I removed the front driveshaft and drove it another year before selling it for what I paid for it. My mother had an '87 Hardbody SE-V6 manual that she bought new. I still have that Hardbody and it has 465k miles on it.
your right about the Hardbody trucks, i have a few buddies here in Canada that still have them, i think 1990 model he bought it new a year before he got married , it had every Heavy Duty 4WD option available at the time and i think it included a rear locker , not sure about the front though, we had one helluva snowstorm that year and it never came close to getting stuck and we sure pulled allot of other vehicles out that were stuck and it had the best heater in it out of any small truck sold new at the time, it was the best truck sold in its class, Toyota was behind it then, even S10 or S15's were pretty junky compared to them, I know i worked for a Chev-Olds dealer then, the only thing better was the 4.3 V6 tons of power , the Hardbody was still the better truck, built quality, features, fit and finish, better steel than any domestic truck and vastly superior paint finish and the best shifting 5 speed transmissions 👍
In the early 2000s, I was looking for a budget classic 4x4 while I was in high school. Ended up picking up 72 Bronco for $500. Cut the fenders out, added a cheap lift, and 33s. Was a pretty cool trail rig for the time. I'm gathering parts now to V8 swap it and put a better suspension in it. I like the Eagle the best out of those 3. I could see myself with one of those.
I have a neighbor who has used an Eagle as a daily driver for the past 20 years.
Dodge Durango can be purchased very cheap and are solid vehicles.
Hey Brenden, aren’t you the guy in the cheez it commercial sliding down the mountain in your underwear? Love this series!
Lol I have no idea what you are talking about.
Sure, you could find a *nice* AMC Eagle wagon, but would you really get the whole experience that the one in the video offers?
Nice flatbed Cateye at 16:39 y’all drove past
Man, that AMC Eagle was almost as majestic as Brendan’s red beard. Almost.
Thank you, Brendon and Kase. Great review/discussion. I like to keep one Nice car as a primary driver, and one beater (Audi) for Minnesota winters
When I lived in Austria I kept seeing an AMC Eagle over there. Crazy! The Town Car with Austrian plates on my channel is what I drove back then.
'Murica: We got a 8.1 litre V8 producing 150 horsepower - F*CK YEAH!
Europe: We got a 2.0 litre I4 producing 170 horsepower
'Murica: V8 F*CK YEAH!
Love it 😂
Gmt 800, the easiest choice of all 3
The 5.3lv8 from that era is very reliable. It's pretty common to see them with over 300k miles. Once in a while one will roll in with over 500k miles.
My 02 Sierra has 316k. Daily driven around 90 miles 5 days a week now.
@@richkar1127 Awesome to hear! I've put 130k miles on my 06 in 8 years. I purchased with 30k miles and I'm up to 160k now. It's been a great truck and the 5.3l has been reliable the entire time.
I’ve wanted a 5speed eagle for awhile.
Yall never even MENTIONED the AMC Eagle Hatchback! The COUPE/HATCHBACK was awesome :)
Very cool to see different members of the team take their turns at the game!
I'd buy that Datsun for sure. And at that $1100 price, even with the unknown mileage and broken odometer, I'd buy the GMC too. The Eagle...only if it went for less than $1k would I consider possibly trying to buy and fix it. I do have a soft spot for '80s 4WD wagons ever since my parents got their '82 Subaru wagon as a family car when I was a kid.
Subaru built 4wd cars before this car was built.
But they weren't built in the US. The Eagle was the first built in the US.
Excellent team up. My first car was an un-killable Datsun B210 so I’ve got a bit a a soft spot for the brand.
Those old B210’s went head on with the Corolla/Celica on un-killable reliability.
B 210 Sundowner...
I like this video series.
That Datsun was great
I'd definitely buy the Eagle while always avoiding any and all Garbage Motors manufactured chevy junk....
That Eagle styling has aged better than I would've thought back when they were new. That said, I can't believe dealers paid that much for that example in the poor condition it was in.
The Datsun pickup was a vehicle I really wanted back in the day, though. I'd still much rather have that than the Eagle.
That Eagle may be tired, but considering it's the same engine they were using in Jeeps up until maybe a decade or so ago, they're easy to work on and to get parts for. Besides, you just don't SEE AMC Eagles these days, I really wanted one of these as my first car here in Michigan because I wanted a classic that could be driven in the snow and not a Jeep Wrangler or a bigger 4X4, just couldn't find one. These AMC Eagles are definitely a slept-on classic that one day will become rather desirable, so should definitely get one while you still can!
Edit: My guess about why the Yukon went for so little was BECAUSE the odometer was broken, not knowing the exact mileage of the vehicle can be a bit of a red flag to a lot of bidders.
You should buy that AMC Eagle ALL DAY LONG. It's a thousand bucks, Those engines were stupid simple to work on, A COMPLETE rebuild kit for that 258 is $430 from Summit and that comes with EVERYTHING to rebuild the engine, the rear bumper is easy to find, that body damage in the rear sin;t hard to fix, fix all that and throw a good but cheap paint job on it, I would paint it a updated but different color and now you've spent a couple thousand dollars at most more into it and you have a car that you will be able to drive for the next 40 years for 3 grand or you can sell it and get 10-12k for. Classic cars like this are getting VERY VERY popular because they are cheap to buy and cheap to build, someone would scoop this car up QUICKLY, $1800 is STILL a great buy for that, it's not just about "whats wrong with it" now, it's how cheaply it can be fixed and these AMC's can be fixed cheaply and are simple to work on.
Eagle is very cool. However it is extremely underpowered gas gazzling, tight inside, even decent sized from outside, very much unreliable. 20 years later automakers learned to squeeze more power from an inline4 than V8 in this case.
Dealers so inept, do not buy from a dealer or auction.
On street right now in colorado where this filmed you can get off facebook market and craigslist a 2003 tahoe 160k miles $2500, 2005 yukon xl/suburban 125k miles $4200, 2002 suburban 6.0L 2500 110k miles $4800. 1992 Nissan harbody pickup $700.
All that Eagle needed was a junkyard 4.0 from a Jeep. Even better if the 4.2 crank is still good. Rebuild the 4.0 with the 4.2 crank and maybe a small cam and it's a 250hp 300lbft super reliable family wagon. Will get you anywhere and a 3 inch lift(add a leaf and a spacer maybe $150)to fit some 30x9.50r15 tires. Also s10 or fwd caddy front CV axle handle articulation better. Wouldn't cost a good mechanic another $2000 to make it a nice off-road cruiser. You can go wild with coilovers and 4 links, subframe connectors, np231 tcase, Ford 8.8 axles, and a turbo. Still would be under $15,000 to build something that rides like a roomier Bronco Sport and wheels like a non Squatch full size Bronco. Add a locker to the rear and solid axle swap the front with a long arm XJ kit and you are still way under $20k unless you blow it on rims.
They also have muscle car lineage from the AMC Hornet as well as Baja and Rally credentials.
Mannn, wagons are so cool, 4WD and lifted? This is what we need to bring back. That steering column and dash tho, that is death on wheels lol. But in a world of subcompact crossover utility turbo-4 CVT bulls***, be an AMC Eagle.
A Eagle SX-4 two door hatchback was the second car I ever owned in the late 80’s .258 straight six with a 4 speed stick. Fun car , ahead of its time. The first crossover and actually good off road. Would love to get another someday.
hopefully, TFLclassics can find a 1983 AMC Eagle Sport SX/4 4x4 Car in excellent shape to review
There are people putting SR-20 DET engines in those 720 trucks making them really powerful! You let it go for $1500? Bad move I just sold my 1985 for $6500 prices have gone up on them should have baught that 720 it appeared to be in good enough condition to clean up. Add some after market rims polish it up and add a Webber Carb to it and you would have easily made your money back and some:P
The AMC isn't retro, it's an OG. Also, crossover, not CUV. The 5.3 Suburban/Yukon XL is a beast with the tow package. Pulls 6-7k lbs in the flat Midwest all day long. If you haul in the mountains the 6 litre is the way to go.
Shocking ! 145,600 miles on the OD ? Thats actually impressive as are the seats durability.
I would buy that AMC Eagle Wagon. First thing I will do, find a wrecked Ram, Jeep Commander or Grand Cherokee, Durango, Charger, 300 or Challenger that has the 5.7 Hemi. Snatch the motor and Delete the MDS and drop it in. Then later, I would do cosmetics or I might just leave it like it is.
The difference between CUV and SUV is just dumb and vans they're all pretty much the same thing I like older cars that just work and take you where you need to go I don't like the new b*******
Good picks on this one!
3:55 Not the first passenger car in the US with 4WD. It's the first one with FULL TIME 4WD. Subaru beat them with a part-time 4WD system (by 5 years) in 1975.
Eagle was Komplete Junk. Friend who was a Specialist /old skool Jaguars mechanic... found a Vibration (driving) in his New Eagle.
After months of fruitless dicking around with the dealer and the factory shill.. he took out the rear axles and found that they were Eccentric.
Being Machined that way... Intentionally ...by some disgruntled Worker.
This being the Manufacturers reps' opinion....on finally seeing the problem with his own Eyes.
Junk quality cars is an Honest descriptor.
The Eagle was built in the days of 55 mph speed limits, so its lack of horsepower was not unique. On the plus side, the 258 inline 6 was a long-lived engine. If I recall, the automatic transmission was a Chrysler Torque Flite. AMC's in that era had Chrysler, Ford, and GM parts on them from the factory.
A much nicer example fir sale in Phippsburg, CO. A 1984 sedan version. They are asking 4,500.
I believe Dennis Collins purchased the exact same car, color and all, a while back. It was basically MINT condition!! It SHITS on Subaru’s!! 😂
I’m not really in tune with the industry, but don’t know that $1800 was a terrible price for an AMC Eagle. They probably sold for that in private party transactions when they were 4-5 years old. The six cylinder is reliable and can be fixed. The 4x4 would be what concerned me. The quadra trac system AMC was offering in that era had its issues. An uncle had a Wagoneer that lost the QT a couple of times, and it wasn’t going off road much at all. I’d go with the Datsun.
Datsun pickup?
Buy one from the US, send it for sale to Canada and you'll triple your money. This generation of Datsun pickup does not exist in Canada as they ALL rotted out with road salt. I love these trucks, I had 2 of them, both died of brown body cancer. There are those of us here who would love to steal one again for that giveaway price of $2,300 Canadian bucks.
I want an AMC Eagle that's also a Cadillac El Dorado and a '69 Camaro. Maybe a pickup bed in that mix somehow if at all possible. Take my money...
It really stinks that you called the vid ”These Classic 4x4s” and you didn’t go into the 4 wheel drive differences and benefits, only they all happen to be 4wheel drive and from there how “practical” and “normalish” they were. I was hoping to see different/interesting 4x4s (I did get 2/3 there to your credit) and it ended with Buy or Bust “Soccer Mom/Tow Rig” that would struggle in a tight dirt road scenario let alone as a wheeler. As much as I hate to say it since I don’t like GM stuff, I would have jumped on that Yukon because it could be a money maker,. A good scan tool can find the mileage and if it’s silly high it could be parted out easily, if not high the clusters are inexpensive as far as they go and very readily available.
The Eagle was a level of cool that those of us who had or grew up with one in the '80s just didn't appreciate until it was too late. First my dad traded in his '85 Cherokee, and then my mother traded in her Eagle wagon (complete with "wood") side panels. 30 years later, I'm STILL not cool with that lol
I recall when Idaho Springs had a few Eagle Wagons. I used to work at Midas on West Colfax at the time. Those were the most beat up, POS cars imaginable for driving around IS and over the OMG Road, etc. Yes, the powertrain was brilliant, for the time. However, the vehicle was not up to the duty for which it was being used. Just another case of people with no experience being placed in charge of a government service.
Nissan 720 was a great truck. Had one back in the day and loved it. Rust took it out. The GMC was a steal, amazing trucks and the Eagle was over priced but always wanted one. Really cool.
I know two guys who purchased Eagles in the late 1980s with the intent, right out of the gate, of utilizing them for off road use as hunting and fishing trip "SUVs". Both vehicles are still on the road in 2023 and have undergone numerous suspension and interior changes, not to mention camo paint jobs, etc. etc. We are in the middle of hunting season here in South Carolina but if I can get in contact with either Eagle owner, I will ask them for permission to photograph their vehicles and send them to you. To this day I miss the early model 4X4 Hardbody I purchased used in 1999.
GMT800's were good, as long as you stayed away from the 1/2 tons with the 4L60E's. There are still plenty of 3/4 ton's and 1 tons on the road, as the 4L80E was a much better transmission for the era.
I would look at Touaregs & Cayennes. Cayenne Turbos with 500hp are going for $5,000 - 10,000 with low miles.
The Eagle brand was created by Chrysler for former AMC dealers to have a label to sell cars under, in addition to the Jeep brand which had always been separate from the AMC brand. Jeep/Eagle dealers had Americanized Renault cars (Medallion and Premier) that Chrysler was contractually obligated to build and sell for a while. They had a/some Mitsubishis (Talon...?). And some Chryslers too after the Renault cars were retired.
I'd bought the AMC for that price, with some work it would be a cool car. The Datsun is a nice tough little truck, my buddy had one very similar to that one.
And the GMC I wouldn't have for any price.
My GMT800 Silverado was easily the-most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.
Really liked the GMC and the Datsun. Would have bought the GMC at that price all day long.
My first car was a 1985 eagle wagon, same color to. I got so many zero chick's with that turd lmao... I bought it summer of 1995 and I would drive it more than to school, never the freeway.
Best series of videos
The 720 i had was supposed to have 5 something gears had 3in lift 32-11.50x15 super swamper on i-10 i think 75 to 80 was top speed
Is there a 1974 Subaru DL 4WD Wagon still surviving anywhere to go with that AMC Eagle wagon?
I love you guys and the delivery of your content. Just got to Go with the Datsun on this one. ( I am a Ford guy.) But I agree with everything that you guys do. Keep the content coming.
WARNING dont buy an Eagle , simply because of parts availability.
LS swap anyone?