Mars Attacks: 1970ish Volkswagen Lazer 49er by Elite

You might look at this car and ask "what is it?"  But the better question is -- "what isn't it?" and "why wouldn't you daily drive it?" Because the world doesn't need yet another new crossover almost-wagon/almost-car with a perplexing name like the BMW X2 M235i...(which I spotted on the road today and had to pull over and re-organize my list of top 10 ugliest cars on the road -- it was a breakthru into 7th place, yowza!)  but the world does need another Lazer 49er on the road.  Find this 1970ish Volkswagen Lazer 49er by Elite offered for $2,300 via the Samba forums in Millington, MI. Tip from MunkyKing

BuY ThiS cAR oR eLSE: 1976 Lotus Elite

Have you ever sat in your driveway and looked at two cars and thought...what would it look like if I combined these two?  Yeah, me too.  And probably the designer of this next car..who clearly was inspired to combine the front end of a Triumph TR7 with rear end of an AMC Gremlin...which really isn't as bad as it sounds once you get the throw-up taste out of your mouth properly prepared...I suggest bourbon.  Find this 1976 Lotus Elite offered for $5000 somewhere near Atlanta, GA via craigslist. Tip from Hugh.

2k: Front-Engined Funk: 1976 Lotus Elite

In the 1970s, Lotus combined door-wedge styling and hatchback versatility around classic Lotus bones to create the nerd-chic Elite. Unlike a Lotus, it was quite usable, and the glass-reinforced fiberglass body was way ahead of the Europa's. But typical for a Lotus, rust and electrical failure tend to ruin the experience. Besides having wheels that look like Corvette salad shooters with a canine Elizabethan collar around the lug nuts, this particular Elite is said to only need bumpers and paint. And light electrical work. Find this 1976 Lotus Elite here on eBay offered for $2,125 reserve not met, or $7,000 buy it now, located in San Jose, CA.

5k: V8 Swapped: 1976 Lotus Elite

The Lotus Elite was a shooting brake style beast that was the world's most expensive 4-cylinder car when launched and is now traded on the weekends for a sizable Beanie Baby collection.  Swap in a Chevrolet V8, slap some nasty customized trim and scare the neighbors with one like this. Find this 1976 Lotus Elite with V8 swap here on eBay currently bidding for $200 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go.  Tip from Spiderbill.

5k: Acceptable Elitism: 1980 Lotus Elite 504

Are you searching for an oddball weekend car that won't cost you a fortune to buy or maintain, but want others to think it does?  Look no further than the Lotus Elite, a shooting brake style beast that was the world's most expensive 4-cylinder car when launched and is now traded on the weekends for a sizable Beanie Baby collection. Find this 1980 Lotus Elite 504 offered for $4,500 in Middletown, NJ via craigslist.  Tip from David K.