15k: 2007 Subaru WRX Wagon

As a nice change of pace, today we decided to feature another car that appears like it doesn't need to be disinfected, serviced, repaired, straightened, de-scuzzified, or otherwise un-DB'd. This 2007 Subaru WRX looks sweet as a stocker in black and has managed to avoid the HellaFlush stanced-out scene so far. The seller wants $14,500 and it's traveled 83,500 miles. That's 17 cents per mile! Too good to be true? Grab a surfboard and a machaca burrito, and go see for yourself in Oceanside, CA (via cragslist).

15k: 1987 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am - Minty Clean

We at the daily turismo would like to apologize for the 1978 Firebird we posted the other day - it is a horrible car, slow, high miles, bad ad and non-numbers matching.  To make amends - we are proud to present this 1987 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am located in Glen Ellyn, IL, for sale at $13,900 buy-it-now on ebay.

5k: 1994 Nissan 300ZX TT

The Nissan Z car was originally a simple sports car with a small naturally aspirated inline 6 and lithe handling.  As previously noted by the daily turismo the Z pulled a bit of an 'Elvis' and the 300ZX marked the peak of the double chin and sequined cape.  This 1994 300ZX is located in Peekskill, NY and offered for $5500 or best offer via ebay was originally a base 300ZX non-turbo, but has recieved a "JDM" turbo-engine swap.

15k: 1978 Pontiac Firebird TA 'Thunder Chicken'

In the late 70s the gas crisis and EPA mandated emissions laws were throttling the power out of muscle cars. Ford had abandoned all rational thought the turned the Mustang into a Vega - and Pontiac needed a way to keep folks buying their Firebird - so they did the only logical thing:  decorate the hood with a gigantic decal of a winged bird - the "Thunder Chicken".  This 1978 Firebird Trans Am is for sale on ebay for $14,500 and located in Traer, IL.

15k: 2002 BMW M3

Not another BMW..you guys must be on the payroll...seriously...we are too busy cashing the big oil checks for throwing away the design for our gasless engine to bother getting sponsored from BMW - but we can tell you that they are the Ultimate Depreciating Machine.  This well depreciated 2002 BMW M3 is for sale in Scottsdale, AZ for $15k via craigslist.

15k: 2004 Cadillac CTS-V

The Cadillac CTS-V is based on GMs 'sigma' platform - sharing parts with Cadillac STS & SRX.  The base CTS is a good car to drive, but the V edition is fantastic.  This 2004 CTS-V is for sale on ebay for a buy-it-now price of $14,000 and located in Pembroke Pines, FL.

10k: 1974 Triumph TR6

Looking for a way to skin your knuckles fixing things that shouldn't have broken, in between brief periods of motoring terror as you try to dodge Suburbans and semi trucks while getting windburn and sunburn simultaneously? Don't want to look like a hairdresser or secretary while doing so? Then you need a Triumph TR6! Triumph is a brand that doesn't get much press anymore - and for good reason - they have been extinct since the early 1980s. However their last "normal" looking roadster, the TR6, is still relatively common in the US. If you're feeling a bit masochistic but are tired of cutting yourself with safety pins, check out this 1974 Triumph TR6 on craigslist in Santa Clarita, CA for $8500.

5k: 1993 Nissan 240sx w/V8 swap

The Nissan 240sx is a favorite of drifters and lunatics; loved for its rear drive layout and ability to accept power adders without grenading. This 1993 240sx doesn't need any turbochargers because its engine has been replaced by a Chevy V8 mated to a slushbox (but it comes with a t-5 manual ready to be installed) located in Laharpe, IL for $3000 (via craigslist).

5k: 1986 Dodge Conquest/Starion w/V8 swap

The Dodge Conquest/Mitsubishi Starion/Plymouth Conquest/Chrysler Conquest was a line of 4 cars built in the 80s by Mitsubishi in Japan - rebadged for Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler to confuse simpletons.  It was the Japanese version of a pony car and the stallion could run! Turbocharged front engine, manual trans, rear wheel drive and limited slip differentials made the car compared to Mustangs, Camaros, Porsche 944 & RX7s.  This 1986 Dodge Conquest  has received the full stallion package with a heart transplant from a Ford Mustang and is offered for sale in Fort Payne, AL for $7k.

15k: 2000 BMW M5

The E39 M5 was introduced in 1998 as the successor to two previous generations of fast BMW sedans.  The new M5 was faster and more powerful than the E55 AMG & Jaguar XJR and cost over $70k when new but today is a bargain for a used 5 person rocketship.  This silver 2000 M5 is for sale in Woodland Hills, CA for $12999 via craigslist might be the ticket for...well...tickets.

 

5k: 1980 Mercedes-Benz 240D

OK, let's get this out of the way...Ja, das ist Dieselwagen langsam. Yes, this Dieselmobile is slooow. Not just glacially slow like a non-turbo Volvo 242, not even disappointingly slow like a DeLorean. You should know what you're in for with this Stuttgarter. Molasses in January has been talking trash to it ever since they raced at a stoplight and Molasses won. What we are talking about here is akin to continental plate tectonics. But with that slowness comes heft & solidity. Gravitas. There is a certain charm in a vehicle that feels like it is better suited for use as a  fallout bunker or "safe room" than a mode of transportation. Which is why we're skipping the painfully obvious Slow badge and rating this oil burner as Zombie Proof instead. Assuming you haven't been swallowed up by the lithosphere, check out this 1980 Mercedes-Benz 240D in Canyon Country, CA for $3600 OBO.

10k: 2004 Acura TSX

The Acura TSX is based on the European Honda Accord - and is the spiritual successor to the Acura Integra.  This 2004 TSX is located at a dealer in Anaheim, CA at an asking price of $11499 (via craigslist).  We normally don't recommend buying from a dealer (especially the small car lot places with the salesman who has fat hairy fingers)- but the 6 speed manual trans car are difficult to find and this one looks clean for a reasonable price.

DT: Badges Explained

By now, readers should have a basic understanding of the badges related to vehicle advertised price:

$2500-$7499

10k: 2003 Nissan 350Z

The Nissan Z was introduced in 1969 as a lightweight, simple sports car (the 240Z)- not a rocket in a straight line, but excellent in the curves.  Unfortunately the Z car aged like Elvis - by the 1996 300ZX, it was fat, bloated, sporting tremendous sideburns and giant gold sunglasses - a far cry from the slim crooner it started out as and rightfully discontinued.  Six years later a revival of the original spirit of the Z came to reality with the 350Z.  This 2003 350Z is available in Lake Elsinore, CA and offered for $8500 via craigslist.

5k: 1989 Isuzu I Mark - "Lotus Edition'

If Colin Chapman were alive today he would not be caught dead in an Isuzu, but more likely if he were literally alive he would be clawing at the inside of his coffin and screaming for help (but I digress...).  When other companies were stretching 'badge engineering' to the limit, Lotus was stretching brand whoring to the limit aka 'The Lotus Position'.  This 1989 Isuzu I Mark RS Lotus Edition  is for sale in Hutto, TX for $1200 (via craigslist).

 

15k: 1981 DeLorean DMC-12

Tired of being ignored by the FBI? Have a briefcase full of "merchandise" that needs to be quickly converted into cash to save your ailing manufacturing business? Wish you could go back in time to set up your parents in high school, only to have your mom fall for you instead of your dorky dad-to-be? Yes, yes, yes? Then may we suggest the car that rust loves to hate, the 1981 DeLorean DMC-12. The market price for a nice example has hovered around $25k, seemingly since the car was released. However, a more dailyturismo-budget-friendly "seen better days" example is available on craigslist in Orange, CA at $12500 asking price.

15k: 1985 Porsche 911

Prices for air cooled Porsche 911s have been a bit of a roller coaster recently - decent running cars selling for as little as $10k or as much as $20k in the last 10 years.  Currently the trend has been to reverse some of the appreciation for 'daily driver' non rare examples as demonstrated by this 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera located in Quincy, Il and for sale on ebay with a buy-it-now of $15,950.

 

 Porsche owners have always been the butt of jokes with regards to all kinds of anatomy deficiencies - but there is no denying the beauty of a black 911.  The Carrera 3.2 generation (launched in 1984) heralded the 2nd major redesign of the 911 (the first being the 78 SC).  New engine, body kit, electronics and suspension all made the 911 faster, safer and better handling. 

5k: 1988 BMW 535is

BMW introduced its E28 generation 5-series in 1982 with a lineup of inline 6 engines, including a turbocharged diesel, a number of gasoline engines and a hopped up M-version.  This 1988 BMW 535is is equipped with the highest power non-M engine available, a 5 speed manual transmission and offered for sale on ebay with a current bid price of $4050 (reserve not met) -- this car could go for somewhere between $5-7k depending on number of bidders -anything more would be a surprise.

 

 This E28 has been upgraded with a few cosmetic pieces such as the 'french' style yellow head lights, 17 inch BBS "basket weave" wheels and tinted windows.  It has been lowered and rides on Bilstein shocks in all 4 corners.  It is the "is" model that includes a factory air dam, rear spoiler and sport seats - all shared with the M5.  The car has 263k miles on it - but it looks to have held remarkably well together over the years and miles.

10k: 2001 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG

The Mercedes-Benz W210 chassis was sold under the E-class name from 1995-2002.  Mercedes offered some pedestrian luxury barge versions with V6 engine- but the real car to get was the $70k "sledgehammer to a knife fight" E55 AMG.  Elegant comfort was replaced with menacing speed and this 2001 E55 AMG is available in Patterson, NJ for $11,750 (via ebay).

The E55 was a $20k upgrade cost to the standard E320 when new and included a brutish V8, stiffened and lowered suspension, big brakes, big wheels & an aerodynamic body kit.  There was a 6-speed manual transmission available in Europe - but it never made it to North America - and this car is equipped with a 5 speed slushbox automatic.