A Dash of Power: 1980 Volkswagen Dasher Diesel Wagon

Your dear Aunt Hilda's hand-written recipe that calls for "a dash of" salt refers to a lost art of cooking. By assigning a calculable measurement (1/8 tsp) to it, modern cooking websites have inadequately quantified what was intended to be an experiential learning method. For all the science within and throughout food production, it is and always will be an art. Just like piloting a medium-sized wagon with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder diesel engine. Modern automotive experts will tell you that 49 measurable horsepower isn't enough in a 2,400-lb car. But the best way to learn this isn't from a spreadsheet. It's from getting messy (or nearly killed) a few times during the learning process. Find this 1980 Volkswagen Dasher diesel wagon for sale in Redlands, CA for $1,500 via craigslist.  

2k: Rust, White, and Blue: 1977 Chevy Monza Mirage

Named after an Italian town and originally intended to bear a Wankel rotary by NSU, a German company, the Chevrolet Monza isn't the American car you expect to see in an Evel Knievel jumpsuit. Yet here it is adorned in stickers and polyurethane aero bits comprising the rare (and very American-themed) Mirage appearance package. Built during a time when it wasn't in vogue to sport the typically American formula of "big engine in front, big smokey burnout in the back," celebrating the Monza Mirage today is paradoxically patriotic. Find this 1977 Chevy Monza Mirage for sale in Oconomowoc, WI for $1,900 via craigslist.

2k: You're About To Want A Geo: 1990 Geo Prizm GSi

The car you're looking at is the best kept secret in the used car market. If you scrolled past this post without clicking, you have proven my point. Actually, if you scrolled past this, you're no longer with us and I can say without fear of repercussion that your mother is a woman of ill repute. Unlike other Geos of similar vintage leaving oil stains at the Salvation Army parking lot, this one revs to 7,600 RPM like a puppy earnestly tugging at its leash. You see, this generation Geo Prizm was the only four-door sedan or hatchback ever sold in the U.S. with the venerable 4AGE twin-cam engine. Find this 1990 Geo Prizm GSi hatchback for sale in Vancleave, MS for $1,650 via craigslist.

2k: In Good Company: 1986 Honda Civic hatchback

The showroom pictures in this ad surely must document a fairy tale story. Some penny pincher put up with an old three-door Japanese appliance for years, slavishly scrimping to save enough money for the 3 Series they had always dreamed of. But you would be in error to heap praise on the owner while neglecting the true hero of that story: the loyal four-pot Civic that faithfully reported for duty every day for the past 29 years. Find this 1986 Honda Civic hatchback for sale in Portland, OR for $1,999 via craigslist.

2k: Smitten and Frostbitten: 1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R B13

Surviving 23 years in the North for 218,000 miles isn't supposed to look this good. You have to look closely at this squeaky clean B13 SE-R to see its age. It's all in the interior wear points: worn pedal surfaces, thin driver's side floor mat, and squished seat bolsters - and that's nitpicking. Otherwise, the aftermarket steering wheel and head unit are the only two deviations from a circa-1990 catalog. This will not last long. Find this 1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R in Olympia, WA for $2,000 via craigslist. 

2k: Adorable Snow Monster: 1991 Ford Festiva, BP-powered

Of the three Festivas taking up space in the Daily Turismo archives (next to budget Corvettes and a Miata with an insufferable identity crisis), all have had engine swaps. This is because the stock 1.3-liter Mazda-sourced engine was worth only 58 horsepower. That's torture even Dick Cheney wouldn't approve of. Once you double that output and add supporting modifications, though, you have our attention. Find this 1991 Ford Festiva with BP 1.8-liter swap in Spokane, WA for $2,000 here on craigslist.

2k Flash: TwoK Tan Teuton: 1986 BMW 535i E28 5-spd

The E28 BMW 535i is one of those classic 1980s sedans that can be picked up for cheap, run forever and can be a blast to drive.  In 1981 BMW combined a large inline-6, rear wheel drive, optional limited slip diff and manual transmission to create the first in a long line of luxury 5-series sedans.  Find this 1986 BMW 535i e28 5-spd for sale in Willow Glen, CA for $1,800 via craigslist.  Big thanks to tip from Jeffrey L.

2k Flash: 1988 Mercedes-Benz 300TE W124 Wagon

The W124 generation Mercedes-Benz is one of our favorites at the Daily Turismo, so it's only natural that we would jump at the chance to feature a W124 wagon offered for the price of timing belt change.  This 1988 Mercedes-Benz 300TE W124 wagon is for sale in Los Angeles, CA for $1975 from a seller named BIG ROB (CAPSLOCK IS HIS NOT OURS!).

2k: 1960 Studebaker Lark VIII Wagon; Road kill!

 The Studebaker Lark was a compact car initially released in 1959 by oddball make Studebaker, assembled at their South Bend, Indiana manufacturing plant.  The numerical designation (VI or VIII) on the side of a Lark doesn't refer to model generation as is typical of similar era cars, it actually designates the number of engine cylinders (I6 or V8).  This DT writer was driving down the street near King Harbor in Redondo Beach, CA and stumbled upon this orange/white 1960 Studebaker Lark VIII for sale by owner for $2200.

2k: 1976 Bricklin SV-1

The Bricklin SV-1 was a short lived Canadian built 'sports-car,' the creation of a millionaire dreamer Malcolm Bricklin and designed by noted 60's Batmobile designer Herb Grasse.  The story of the SV-1 sounds a lot like the DeLorean - motivated rich/famous dude thinks he can build a car better than 1000s of engineers at major automotive company and the resulting car is lauded by the press as visionary but ultimately a tremendous flop...hey, did someone just mention Tesla...how cruel...This 1976 Bricklin SV-1 (the name means Safety Vehicle One) is  for sale in the Big Easy for the bargain price of $1999 via craigslist.