I realize that my threshold for dealing with maintenance annoyances that occur when daily-driving an older car is higher than others. But one of the best parts about the experience is when said vehicle doesn’t cost me anything in a given month, a small victory over having a car payment for some Japanese runabout that loses value every day. It’s this train of thought that makes cars like this 1982 Lancia Beta Zagato here on craigslist for $4,900 so appealing: sure, it’s likely to have a few quirks and unexpected repairs, but I’d drive this any day of the week over a $15K Corolla. Read more »
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT: Missed Opportunity
Mar 24, 2015 6 Comments
When you look back at the ways oil crises have shaped the American automotive landscape, it’s rather amazing how often manufacturers squashed cars with endless potential in the interest of a knee-jerk reaction to selling fuel efficient vehicles. Or, the tendency to shove ill-conceived engines into a decent platform for the same goal – either way, the outcome is similar: good cars saddled by engineering shortcomings that tarnish their reputation for life. Enter the Pontiac Fiero, a mid-engined coupe that should have been a home run if not for its economy car roots. This 1987 Fiero GT here on craigslist in Pennsylvania is a great example of what might have been for $4,950. Read more »
1991 Audi 200 Quattro Avant: Heartbreaker
Mar 23, 2015 10 Comments
Every now and again, I like to stick my head into the auction site Copart for some hidden gems. Mostly, you expect to find a car or two that may be appealing on some level, but overall, you can understand how it ended up on a salvage auction site. Then, there are cars that have no right languishing in a salvage yard, even with some modest damage. At Barn Finds, we were left scratching our heads over a seemingly-clean Buick Grand National that looked mere inches away from being a daily driver; well, this next one made me wince even more: a 1991 Audi 200 Quattro turbo wagon that’s been poked in the rear and slapped with a salvage title. Will this rare beast survive the scrap heap? Read more »
1994 Ford F150 Lightning: Bring The Thunder
Mar 19, 2015 11 Comments
Of all the automotive trends that have emerged over the last 25 years, the fast pickup truck is among my favorites. Utterly pointless and completely counter to the point of a truck with a bed, these hot rod haulers thumb their noses at sensibility, and isn’t that the calling card of some of our favorite niche vehicles? No one ever said the Countach made sense, and the Ford F150 Lightning isn’t much further away on the silly scale. But then again, an F150 can make dump runs, which is more than be said for the Lambo. Check out this ’94 Lightning here on craigslist in Tennessee for $3,800. Read more »
1987 VW GTI 16V: Won’t Get Cheaper
Mar 19, 2015 4 Comments
There are some cars that seemingly have vanished from our roads, never to return again. It’s not as if a Consumer Reports expose took it out, or the rust-proofing agents failed to protect body panels. No, it just seems the world shifted enough that those cars were no longer needed, and they were unceremoniously scrapped from the earth. The MK2 GTI is one such a car, as are most of the models in Volkswagen’s second generation lineup. I don’t even see them in junkyards, but someone needs to save this 1987 16V on craigslist for $1,050 in California before it ends up in one. Read more »
1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z: No Respect
Mar 17, 2015 9 Comments
This is perhaps one of the most unloved muscle cars of the last 30 years. The third-generation Camaro didn’t come onto the scene with the greatest reputation, as the performance models from the Big 3 of this era were known for being poor imitations of the models from the ’60s and ’70s that gave these cars their beastly reputations. While the power was certainly down and raw numbers weren’t up to the levels of its ancestors, I’d still rock the T-tops and take a chance on an IROC-Z like this 1989 example listed here on eBay for $4,500. Read more »
1986 Volvo 240: Hobbyist Hauler
Mar 16, 2015 7 Comments
When Jesse sold his 1972 Volvo 145E rally wagon, I was a bit sad to see it go. Wagons are a fine way to enjoy classic ownership and add some versatility to your vehicle rotation in the process. That’s one disappointing aspect of both of my projects: lack of use beyond just driving them! Now, I don’t mind this predicament, but it would be nice if they could be used to help out with household tasks or other utilitarian duties. Hopefully, the bigger trunk on the 535is will be able to help out on occasion, but there’s also a modern reincarnation of Jesse’s 145E here on craigslist in San Diego and it’s a very clean 1986 Volvo 240 wagon with a manual for $2950. Read more »
1983 Porsche 944: Track Friendly
Mar 14, 2015 2 Comments
There was a time when autocrossing was a big part of my spring and summer routine. I loved it – getting up at the crack of dawn, walking the course, chatting with other drivers and the exhilaration of banging the car all over the course. I did grow a bit weary of it, however, largely due to wanting to keep my car a summer driver and put an actual interior in it. However, there are some vehicles that make me want to get back into it with vigor and attack some cones. This 1983 Porsche 944, found by Credit Card Classics reader Jim S, is an ideal candidate for track days and autocrosses, and it’s listed here on eBay for just $3,900. Read more »
1986 BMW 325E: Island Commuter
Mar 13, 2015 3 Comments
Although we just talked up the advantages to buying a higher-spec model of the venerable BMW E30 chassis, the more utilitarian version of the celebrated 3-Series offered a similarly entertaining driving experience with fewer frills bolted on. This 1986 325E here on eBay spotted by Credit Card Classics reader Jim S on Cape Cod in Massachusetts is listed for $3,000 or best offer by the car’s original owner, who used it on the mainland when visiting from Martha’s Vineyard. Thanks Jim! Read more »
1986 BMW 325ES: The Sensible E30
Mar 12, 2015 5 Comments
I’ve made it known on Barn Finds that I’m a bit of a fanatic about 80s BMWs. I own a 1987 325is and a 535is of the same year. I’ve always been partial to the early E30s for that reason, especially the higher-end models that set it apart from the every day 325E and 318I models. While examples like my IS were considered the poor man’s alternative to the M3, the ES was an option for consumers who wanted efficiency but didn’t want to miss out on the goodies that were unique to models with an “S” at the end. As prices for E30s have risen and the good ones get snatched up by bandwagon boyracers, cars like this 1986 325ES on Maryland’s craigslist for $3,900 are getting harder to find. Read more »