Fastest for the Cash: 2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z51 2LZ

If you had asked me a few weeks ago, which model of Corvette offers the best bang for your buck? -- I'd have quickly and confidently replied C5...but the new C8 Corvette has dropped and the C7 owners are looking to upgrade...and C6 owners are looking at C7s...so now the C6 (2005-2013) has taken the mantle of the fastest machine on the planet for the cash. Even the automatic powered version is stupid fast...and the C6 interior is much upgraded from the C5.  Find this 2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z51 2LZ here on eBay offered for $15,500 buy-it-now or make-offer located in Cincinnati, OH.

Drag Queen: 1982 Citroën CX Pallas IE Automatic

Any aged Citroen is such a thoroughly exotic car that you'll be thrilled to hear the engine sputter to life each time you turn the ignition and you'll probably only worry about the carburetors if they start leaking out of the side...unless you've got the later fuel injected version...so now you've got yet ANOTHER single point of failure that depends on ancient French electronics.  Great.  Find this 1982 Citroën CX Pallas IE Automatic offered for $4,800 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

HP Sauce: 1980 Porsche 924

People ask me why I'm such a freak when it comes to cars.  I don't have a good answer, but my mom always says that I wasn't dropped on my head and that I was obsessed with cars at a young age, but for whatever reason...I like them odd.  Wierd.  Brown.  Slow.  Horrible.  Yup...winner, winner, liver & onions dinner.  Find this 1980 Porsche 924 offered for $2000 in Ventura, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Sean S.

Slushbox: 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco

In a typical DT post we complain about how you can't find nice manual transmission versions of certain cars because most were sold with autos when new (lookin at you Corvette buyers!) but today the situation is flipped.  Most Sciroccos came from the factory with manual gearboxes, and it is very strange to see one with a slushbox.  Find this 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco offered for $7,995 in Baton Rouge, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Appliance Racing Grey: 1993 Acura Legend

 The 2nd generation Acura Legend was released in 1991 and likely ignored by the clueless US based auto manufacturers (I can't imagine any of the bean counter driven big 3 would have looked twice at this car and seen a threat).  However, there were likely a few German horseless carriage builders who did a collective freak out (and you should see German engineers freak out...it ain't pretty) when they discovered the fit-finish-and-finesse of the Acura Legend.  Find this 1993 Acura Legend offered for $3,350 in Forest Grove, OR via GroveAutoCenter. Tip from Kendall.

Green Machine: 1996 Ford Taurus SHO

For the 1996 model year, the Ford Taurus SHO was completely re-envisioned by the madmen at Ford's Special Vehicles Team.  Gone was the revv happy Yamaha tuned V6 mated to an optional 5-speed and in its place was a 3.4 liter V8 attached to a 4-speed automatic.  If you are willing to live with an automatic gearbox, the third generation SHO is certainly a more refined and slightly faster car than the previous generation.  Find this 1996 Ford Taurus SHO offered for $3,295 in La Mesa, CA via craigslist. Tip from Steven.

Rust In Pieces: 1973 Datsun 240Z

As a typical spoiled California used car shopper, I abhor rust.  The slightest hint of oxidized metal will send me running for a mojito and my surfboard. But the reality of life is that we still get some rust around here in these parts, particularly if you just let paint flake off the drive around in a car with bare exposed metal.  Like this 1973 Datsun 240Z offered for $2,500 in Merced, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Automatic for the People: 1978 Honda CB400A

Nowadays about 4% of new cars sold in the U.S. come with manuals; the rest are two pedal-ers.  Even snooty Europe is seeing a greater preference for shiftless cars.  On two wheels the facts are much the opposite; manual bikes make up about 99.9% of the market.  Some manufacturers have tried to sell automatic bikes, but so far, no one has been successful.  Find this 1978 Honda CB400A Hondamatic for sale in Mountlake Terrace, WA for $2,000 via craigslist.

A Bright Star: 1989 Subaru XT6

There is a certain niche in late model classics cars that aren't particularly fast or engaging to drive, but they are interesting nonetheless.  Think Audi Quattro, Ford EXP, Cadillac Allante, Chevrolet Fiero...but one of my favorites (from an aesthetic point of view) has got to be Subaru's XT/XT6 which was a predecessor to the Subaru SVX and went by the name Alcyone in Japan. Find this 1989 Subaru XT6 here on eBay bidding for $1,500 reserve-not-met with 2 days to go, located in Middleburg, FL.

Button Pusher: 1959 Rambler Ambassador Custom

By Matt -- While paying Collier AMC a quick visit this weekend, the overgrown Matadors, Javelins, and Fuegos amongst the copperheads and poison ivy brought the urge to own another AMC back fiercely. And what better way to get into American Motors ownership than one of the first models to launch under the AMC banner? Find this 1959 Rambler Ambassador Custom with everything but brakes on craigslist in Atlanta, GA for only $2,000.

Excellent Shape: 1992 Acura Legend

Another minty clean Honda/Acura with an automatic?  Sure, why not -- it isn't like you find mint condition cars from 1992 with only 45k miles on the odometer everyday...so I think the slushbox can be forgiven.  Find this 1992 Acura Legend offered for $13,000 in Fremont, CA via craigslist.  Tip from KBZ.

Black Sheep: 1994 Subaru SVX LSi

You know what, I don't care your what people will think of me after I say this...but I like the Subaru SVX.  It is easy for a car enthusiast to profess his love of cars of legend, who doesn't love an NSX, Testarossa, 911 -- and easier still to claim you don't like certain overly-popular cars like the E30 M3, Countach, 911...but it is difficult to admit you like the cars where the concept was awesome and the execution was meh.  These are the cars that magazines raved about at press release, a few were snapped up, but buyer enthusiasm dropped off soon after. The Pontiac Fiero is one of those cars (nope, not admitting I like those...), same with Scionbaru BRZ/FRS, but to me the ultimate black sheep car is the Giorgetto Giugiaro designed SVX and is my secret crush.  Find this 1994 Subaru SVX LSi here on eBay offered for $5,500 buy-it-now located in Wallingford, CT with 10 days to go.

Slambox Shifted: 2008 Lexus IS F

In 2008 Lexus released a sportified version of their BMW-challenging IS compact luxury sedan simply called the IS F.  It was allegedly the byproduct of a skunk works team lead by Yukihiko Yaguchi (known for his work on the Mk IV Supra) and it positively blew the doors off all prior Lexus "sports" cars (such as the oatmeal inspired SC430).  Find this 2008 Lexus IS F here on eBay bidding for $12,000 with 4 days to go, located in Rancho Cordova, CA.

Seller Submission: 2003 Audi A4 Avant

This next car comes as a seller submission from Chris who writes: if you decide that you must berate, belittle or badger me, i would ask that you please choose badger as i cant even remember the last time i had a good badgering.  Find this 2003 Audi A4 Avant with 1.8T and slushbox tiptronic transmission offered for $4,300 in San Jose, CA via craigslist.

5k: Slushbox Shifted: 1992 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

The Z32 generation Nissan 300ZX was built at the height of the Japanese supercar madness, when typical Japanese caution was thrown out the window and cutting edge technology was king.  By the time it was discontinued (1996 for US market) the 300ZX was a $50k monster, but today they are as cheap and common as measles at Disneyland.  Find this 1992 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo here on eBay currently bidding for $5,627 with 3 days to go located in Dallas, TX.

5k: Cheap Classic: 1972 BMW 2002

I've had this theory in the past few years that if you can pickup a running, driving classic that isn't rusted out for less than $4,000, you are gonna do fine when you sell it.  It doesn't matter if it is a Borgward Isabella, SVO Mustang, VW Beetle, or BMW 2002 -- there is certain market level where a car isn't worth less than the sum of its parts...and I propose it is around $3-4k.  Find this 1972 BMW 2002 automatic offered for $3,700 in Chula Vista, CA via craigslist.