Like A Heavyweight M100 Elan: 1987 Cadillac Allanté

The Cadillac Allante (Allanté) was another attempt by one of the big three cash in on the allure of the European import; think Chrysler TC by Maserati or AMC Eagle Premier -- but with an accent in the name causing grief for search features and web indexing in the future.  I also can't help but draw comparisons to the '90s Lotus Elan -- also a two-seat front-drive convertible with an engine built in a different continent from the body, but the Allante packed an extra 1600 lbs (approx the mass of a full Regardless, this next version is offered for some spare change...but would it be worth it? Find this 1987 Cadillac Allanté offered for $1995 (or $1595) in Port Charlotte, FL via craigslist. Tip from Dascpcu.

Some Sorting Required: 1991 Lotus Elan M100

The Lotus Elan M100 was a wedge shaped convertible penned by Peter Stevens (Jaguar XJR-15, McLaren F1, Lotus Esprit, MG ZR, ZS, ZT & TF) and built in the UK from 1989 through 1995.  The Elan was later produced by Kia in South Korea under the name Kia Elan (and Kia Vigato).  The Elan was a pretty design and it used a lightweight chassis and a name borrowed from the historical Lotus archives...but it was powered by an Isuzu (and later Kia) 4-banger mated to the front wheels.  By all accounts it was one of the best handling front drive cars ever built...but it just seems wrong to suffer power-on understeer in a Lotus! Regardless, I find myself inexplicably attracted to the little two seater in red.  Find this 1991 Lotus Elan M100 here on eBay with zero bids and starting bid of $4500 in Citrus Heights, CA with 2 days to go.

Twin Spark: 1996 Alfa Romeo Spider Tipo 916

The Alfa Romeo Spider built from 1995-2006 was a replacement for the aging Alfa Spider Giulia (1966-1993).  The Pininfarina designed exterior was a radical step forward in looks, but regrettably the car moved onto a transverse longitudinal front drive set up shaped with the contemporary GTV. The tipo 916 Spider was never sold new in the US of A, but you could get one in Canada...so now that they are 25 years old, import one yourself today. Find this 1996 Alfa Romeo Spider Tipo 916 here on eBay offered for $17,900 CAD ($12,811 USD) in Toronto, Canada.

Could Be Trendy: 1991 Subaru Justy

Random fact of the day: The 1990 Subaru Justy was the last car sold in the US to have a carburetor...but this is a 1991 Justy so it should have some kinda fancified fuel injection setup feeding the 3-cylinder lump under the hood (which conflicts with the seller's statement that the car needs a CA legal carb to pass smog...hmmm).  A 5-speed equipped Subaru Justy isn't a car that will get bidders fired up into a 6-figure frenzy at the next Barrett-Jackson live auction or get mad respect at a BaT auction, but it might put a smile on the face of an average Joe for a small pile 'o' cash. Find this 1991 Subaru Justy offered for $2100 in Oakland, CA via craigslist. Tip from Matt.

350 Horsepower: 1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R Turbo

The B13 generation Nissan Sentra isn't a particularly memorable car in basic spec, but the factory hod rod SE-R offers an oddly fun package.  The combination of a robust and torquey inline-4, good brakes, light curb weight, and limited slip differential puts the SE-R into the ugly-but-good category of used cars....but you'll never find a stock example that hasn't been thrashed into the ground.  Today's next example has been fitted with a humongous turbocharger...so that's either good or bad depending on how you feel about torque steer or passing state mandated emissions tests.  Find this 1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R Turbo offered for $5500 in South Jersey, NJ via craigslist. Tip from Jeff.

Don't Be Zelas: 2011 Scion tC 6-Speed

Classic depreciation curves too a strange turn in the 2010 decade and cars that are 3 years old command about the same price as cars that are 10 years old.  This is especially the case with cheapo mass market economy cars, but this next car seems appropriately cheap for 10 year old Scion. Find this 2011 Scion tC 6-Speed offered for $6,400 in San Jose, CA via craigslist.

6 Speed Manual: 2003 Ford Focus SVT

Four thousand smackeroos doesn't buy you much in a late model performance car these days, but you can get a Mini Cooper S or a Fiat 500 Abarth if you find something with a questionable title status or high miles...but if hot hatches are your jam, I suggest checking out a high mile SVT Ford with a manual box. Find this 2003 Ford Focus SVT offered for $3999 in San Diego, CA via craigslist.

Boosted D16: 1998 Honda Civic EX Turbo

This next car comes from tipper Jeff who writes: To borrow an analogy, putting this much boost through a SOHC is like eating 6 Taco Bell burritos and trusting a fart... it's only a matter of time. That being said, if it's built right and the seller has the sheet/receipts to prove it, talk about a wicked sleeper.  Find this 1998 Honda Civic EX Turbo offered for $6,200 in St Helens, OR via craigslist.

Only in Florida: 1980 Buick Skylark Limited

I'm not ashamed of my love of the Buick Skylark. It is such a piece of automotive history -- from the beginning when it shared a platform with the Pontiac Tempest and Olds F-85, and then when it was another piece of the GM A-body arsenal -- it has always been such a badass piece of American iron...except...wait.  What sort of unholy beast have we summoned from the depths of the 10th circle of X-body haides have we found?  Why...just why...did the post fuel crisis corporate bean counters at GM try and convince a single Buick buyer that this was a Skylark?  They may have well put a Corvette badge on a Chevette and lipstick on an anteater. Find this 1980 Buick Skylark Limited offered for $1000 in Port Charlotte, FL via craiglsist. Tip from Dascpcu. 

B18 Swapped: 1988 Honda CRX

The Honda CRX was an interesting two-seat front-drive economy sports car that really shook up the market when it was introduced in 1983.  There were few other cars on the road that could be optioned to get 40mpg city/50mpg highway (in the CRX HF) or provide an exhilarating driving experience (CRX Si).  Today's example has the volume turned up to 11 with a "teggy" swap...which is the B18 non-VTEC equipped 4-banger from a '95 Integra good for around 140 horsepower.  While we'd prefer the zippy VTEC zoom factor of a B18C, this thing is a considerable torque upgrade from the original and should be very lively.  Find this 1988 Honda CRX offered for $3700 in San Jose, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Centennial Blues: 1952 Citroën Traction Avant

It was 100 years this past March when French industrialist André Citroën launched his Type A 8CV "Torpedo".  It was a simple machine without the complex solutions to automotive problems that Citroen became known for in later years -- hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension in 1954, the first mass market disc brakes in 1955 and swiveling headlights in 1967...but first Citroën pioneered a few basic ideas that are in use with most mass production cars today, namely; unibody construction, 4-wheel independent suspension, and front-wheel-drive in a car called the Traction Avant. It might not have been made by Honda...but it is the Accord's French great grand-uncle. Find this 1952 Citroën Traction Avant here on eBay bidding for $11,100 in Vancleave, MS with a few hours to go.

567 HP 2.0T Tire Shredder: 2004 Audi A4

Everybody needs at least two cars.  One of them needs to be a project that'll keep your fingers dirty and the other should be a late model reliable car that is fast and fun to drive.  Maybe one of those cars should haul more than two people...but I think this next car could handle daily driver duties AND your family AND keep your fingers dirty on the weekend. Find this 2004 Audi A4 offered for $9000 in Queens, NY via craigslist. Tip from Jeff.

Love Solving Puzzles? 1991 Lotus Elan M100 SE

A challenge...you say? The Lotus Elan M100 was a wedge shaped convertible penned by Peter Stevens (Jaguar XJR-15, McLaren F1, Lotus Esprit, MG ZR, ZS, ZT & TF) and built in the UK from 1989 through 1995...and later produced by Kia in South Korea under the name Kia Elan (and Kia Vigato).  The Elan used a lightweight chassis and a name borrowed from the historical Lotus archives...but it was powered by an Isuzu (and later Kia) 4-banger mated to the front wheels.  The only problem with this next example is when the seller states: "Will need someone who is handy and loves hunting for parts, solving puzzles." Yikes! Or sweet!  Find this 1991 Lotus Elan M100 SE offered for $6,200 in Castro Valley, OR via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Storm Tracker Live Now: 1991 Geo Storm GSi

This next car comes from John M who writes: Geo Storm GSI. Looks pretty! Claimed 280,000 miles and "Lotus Elan suspension." Seller appears to have a Geo Tracker in the background... Good sign, or an indication of possible mental health conditions?  Find this 1991 Geo Storm GSI offered for $1500 in Richmond, VA via craigslist.

This 1984 Buick Century Olympic Edition Could Be Your Ticket to FWD Glory

If you're not watching the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, then you're missing out. There has been plenty of action and drama, like a Czech snowboarder winning the women's Super-G skiing competition, Russia and various atheletes from Russia being banned from the games due to the huge doping scandal, photo-finish Biathlons and of course some gnarly crashes into fences and subsequent face fulls of snow. Marketing people at the automakers are getting in on the millions of viewers, with Toyota seemingly the main sponsor. But back in 1984, Los Angeles hosted the Summer Olympics, and the automotive excitement is still vaguely palpable today. I regularly see 1984 commemorative license plates running around on older cars here, but can't recall ever seeing a special edition '84 Buick... until now. Find this 1984 Buick Century Olympic Edition for sale in Wildomar, CA for $6,000 via craigslist.

Epic Project: 1973 Saab 99 Rally Build

We get a lot of tips of rad cars for sale here in the DT inbox, all of which are amazing to receive, but some of which stand out from others. When we get the same car tipped on the same day from two different readers, and opening the ad produces an audible "ooooh!" reaction, then we know it's gooood. Underneath the patinated yellow exterior of this one lies the yet-to-be jumpstarted heart of a future rally monster. Find this 1973 Saab 99 Notchback project car for sale in Monrovia, CA for $6,000 via craigslist. Simultaneous tips from Sean S. and Rock On!

Will Trade for NEW Golf Cart: 1996 Cadillac DeVille Concours Edition

Redundancy is a funny thing in the car industry. As a carmaker you may have one product doing well, so you decide hey, why don't we make all of them look and feel like this one? The D-Body Fleetwood was Cadillac's last big RWD traditional body-on-frame sedan, made from the bones of the aerotastic 1991 Chevy Caprice. That smooth low drag shape translated so well to Big Caddy language, the product planners couldn't resist spreading that feeling around and so the front-drive Deville was next to get the smooth treatment.  Find this 1996 Cadillac DeVille Concours Edition for sale in Tucson, AZ for $9,000 via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!