This next car comes from Erik202 who writes: I came across this car and it interested me so i did a little research and found that the automatic trans version of these B5 S4s is actually much more rare than the 6mt. I'm not sure that is proper justification for choosing it over the manual but hey, it's something. the price doesn't hurt on this one either ($4178 USD). Find this 2001 Audi S4 offered for $5750 CAD ($4178 USD) in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada via Kijiji.net.
The Infiniti G35 we posted the other day was well received because it combines the best characteristics of a reliable modern car with a nicely depreciated price curve. The only thing it was missing was the cool factor of a moderately rusty pickup truck exterior...oh...here we go, another horrorod. Find this 1972 Datsun 521 Pickup with G35X powertrain offered for $6900 in Denver, CO via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
There was a time when Mazda was just another entry into the world of cheap Japanese economy cars. Most Mazdas built in the '80s & '90s had all the reliability, charisma, and fun factor of a dollar store enema kit, but sometime in the early '00s (that's pronounced "oughts" like "I oughta smack you for buying an automatic transmission") the product planners at Mazda decided that they needed to create fast cars that looked good...what a concept!! Today you can find used turbo Mazdas for REALLY cheap. Find this 2006 Mazdaspeed6 offered for $5,600 in Gardena, CA via craigslist.
BMW built an astonishing 2.5 million E30s in coupe, sedan, estate & convertible trim from 1982 through 1994. The ursprünglicher gangster BMW 3-series was a successful yuppy-mobile when new and has generated a significant cult following as a cheap, fun & reliable sports sedan...but don't expect the prices of the sporty all-wheel-drive 325ix version with a manual gearbox to stay low for much longer. Find this 1989 BMW 325ix here on eBay bidding for $4,050 reserve-not-met with 6 days to go, located in Encino, CA.
The V8 powered B6 generation Audi S4 is something of a jack-of-all-trades in the world of late model performance super-sedans. It isn't as fast or viscerale as an STi or Evo, but it is far more refined. The S4 might not offer as much straight line punch as an E55 AMG, but it offers a manual gearbox and the safety of all-wheel-drive. If you want a well rounded sport sedan, this is your car, and it comes in the most incredible shade of blue you'll ever see. Find this 2004 Audi S4 6-Speed offered for $13,400 in Scottsdale, AZ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
The B5 generation Audi A4 was introduced in 1994 and featured a longitudinally mounted engine mated to a front transaxle with optional quattro all-wheel-drive. It is a good cheap used car, and the hottest version released to the US market was the twin-turbo equipped S4. Thankfully, the product planners at Audi decided to let the USA buyers get the Avant/Wagon version and was in this generation that Audi started to legitimately challenge BMW in the compact luxury sports-sedan/wagon wars. Find this 2001 Audi S4 Avant B5 offered on SecondDaily.com bidding for $1000 (buy-it-now of $7750) with 9 hours to go, located in New York.
I used to own a 2004 Subaru STI and can honestly say it was one of the most fun cars to drive on a daily basis for a reasonable price...so when someone sends in a nice looking example...I start to think I never should have sold it. Oh well. Many more cars before I've owned 'em all! Find this 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI here on eBay bidding for $16,100 with 3 days to go, located in Lynchburg, VA.
Somebody wiser than me once said: The odometer on this car is like the birth year of my last girlfriend...I know it was pushed back, but I just don't know how far. Today's next car probably isn't the victim of odometer fraud, but it sure looks nice for a 25 year old Mitsubishi. Find this 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 offered for $9,700 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
The nastiest thing that can happen when you are biting down into a submarine sandwich is to come out with a mouthful of drain hair -- that is seriously disgusting and probably the reason I don't eat at Subway anymore. But you know what is the automotive equivalent of a hair-sandwich -- finding an all-wheel-drive manual-transmission vehicle that ends up being a Plymouth Colt. Find this 1992 Plymouth Colt Vista offered for $2,200 in Montesano, WA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
The Toyota Corolla fell off the DT radar around the time that Toyota transferred it to front-wheel-drive, but there are a few notable exceptions, including the AE94 AllTrac Wagon version. Find this 1992 Toyota Corolla All-Trac Wagon here on eBay bidding for $4,000 buy-it-now or make-offer with 1 day to go, located in Elmo, MT.
The Alfa Romeo 164 was the last of the Type 4 Project cars developed jointly with FIAT, Lancia and SAAB. It was North America's first experience with a FWD Alfa, as the Alfasud was never sold here. Another Alfa never sold here was the all wheel drive version of the 164, the 164 Quadifoglio 4 or Q4 for short. Find this 1995 Alfa Romeo 164 Q4 sale in Victoria, BC for $24,000 via craigslist.
The 3000GT VR4 was Mitsubishi's entry into the Japanese supercar wars of the 1990s and it was a technological tour-de-force of turbochargers and traction. One turbo was not enough, so Mitsu used two, -- two wheels putting power to the pavement wasn't good enough, so they used four -- two wheels steering, hah, steer with all four! Find this 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Twin Turbo here on eBay
offered for $11,750 buy-it-now located in El Paso, TX.
The Mazdaspeed 6 is a souped up version of the pedestrian Mazda 6 sedan, an attempt by Mazda to create an EVO/STi competitor. Mazda, however, exercised restraint in the size of the rear wing, use of external pink emblems and silliness to create a much more grown up experience for the boy racer. It may have been a few tenths slower at the drag strip or on the track, but the Mazdaspeed6 is a surprisingly capable and fun late model that can be picked up for pennies on the original dollar. Find this 2006 Mazda Mazdaspeed 6 offered for $9,900 in Fremont, CA via craigslist. Tip from Kaibeezy.
Twenty years ago when I worked at a small Porsche repair shop, the advice from mechanic/owner was to try and get into the newest generation 911 you could afford as it offered the best performance and least maintenance per dollar. In the last two decades, the market has twisted to make that advice totally worthless, particularly the rapid ascension of the early 911 prices, a total lack of depreciation in 993 (1993-1998) prices, and rapid drop in watercooled 911 prices. An unexpected result is that the fastest used 911 you can buy is also one of the cheapest...specifically the 996 generation Porsche 911 Turbo. Find this 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo
currently bidding for $29,100 on ebay with less than 1 day to go, located in Salt Lake City, UT.
Still laboring under the assumption that only Subaru, Audi and Mitsubishi can make fun/sporty all-wheel-drive family sedans? It is often forgotten that BMW introduced an all-wheel-drive edition of the E30 platform called the 325ix back in 1985. Find this 1991 BMW 325ix for sale in Falmouth, MA for $7,500 via craigslist. Tip from Art C. 