Special Feels: 1986 Oldsmobile Toronado Brougham

The Oldsmobile corporate slogan in early 1986 was "There's a special feel in an Oldsmobile"...which is ironic because that "special feel" wasn't necessarily a good thing...but the corporate goons at Olds changed it in late 1986 to "Oldsmobile Quality. Feel it!"...also...funny in an ironic sorta way...but I have to admit that this Toronado has a certain charm to the entire hearing aide beige package...from the hidden headlights to the odd proportions of the truncated rear window..it's almost nostalgic.  Find this 1986 Oldsmobile Toronado Brougham here on eBay bidding for $4150 with a few hours to go, located in Palm Harbor, FL.

Sports Addition: 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix

This next car comes as a tip from Jeff who writes: By the pictures, it looks like the owners are doing quite well so it makes you wonder how "Sports Addition" made the cut. That being said, this looks to be a great cash car for daily or first car for a teen.  Find this 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix offered for $3650 in Houston, TX via craigslist.

Grandpa's Sedan: 1971 Ford Torino 500

The Torino was an intermediate sized sedan, coupe, fastback or convertible available from Ford starting in 1968...but the history of the Torino (named for the Italian city of Turin) is slightly complicated.  The Torino name was firstly applied to an upscale version of the intermediate Fairlane sedan, but in 1968 the Torino was a lower option model compared to the Fairlane, and then in 1970 the Torino became the basic name for Ford's midsize beast and the Fairlane was a designation for lower spec models, until 1971 when they were all called the Torino.  Confused?  Don't be.  Just buy this 4-door Torino sedan and enjoy this yellow (or light gold) classic machine for cheap. Find this 1971 Ford Torino 500 offered for $5000 in Eugene, OR via craigslist.

Grandpa's Car: 1988 Toyota Tercel Hatchback

"Cool" car guys aren't supposed to admit that they like basic economy cars from yesteryear, but I'm not cool, so I guess I'll just go out and admit that I do a double take when a clean Toyota Tercel rolls by and I'm a sucker for the hatchback version that hasn't been hacked up by some Pimp My Ride wannabe.  Find this 1988 Toyota Tercel offered for $3300 in San Jose, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

?k: Don't Call It A Turd2Sell: 1981 Toyota Tercel

Only Toyota would have the nerve to offer three different subcompact cars at the same time in the early 1980s, the E70 Corolla, 1st gen Starlet, and 1st gen Tercel.  The Tercel was the first of the Toyota lineup to go front-wheel-drive, but it was also the lightest and cheapest.  Find this 1981 Toyota Tercel offered for "make an offer" in Duluth, MN via craigslist.

5k: Brown on Brown: 1979 Plymouth Volaré Duster

This next feature isn't going to be big if you (a) can't remember the '70s, (b) didn't like the '70s, (c) don't enjoy driving slow/horrible cars, or (d) actually owned one of these cars in the '70s.   Not only did the Dodge Aspen/ Plymouth Volaré win the 1976  Motor Trend "Car of the Year" prize, but it was so totally plagued by quality defects (and recalls) that it almost caused Chrysler to go bankrupt. Find this 1979 Plymouth Volaré Duster offered for $3,900 in San Dimas, CA via craigslist.

5k: It Ain't Easy Being Green: 1970 Pontiac Firebird Esprit

In the mid '60s Pontiac (with John Z DeLorean at the helm) was in the process of designing its own radical pony car called the Banshee. GM upper management was afraid that the Banshee would cannibalize sales from the Corvette (which was likely given its performance specs), so they pulled the plug on the Banshee and offered Pontiac the opportunity to sell a pony car on a platform shared with the Camaro...which became known as the Firebird.  Find this 1970 Pontiac Firebird offered here on eBay currently bidding for $5,500 with 3 days to go, located in Gardena, CA.

10k: Ultra Low Miles: 1990 Lincoln Town Car

The Lincoln Town Car was a favorite of octogenarians, cabbies, chauffeurs...and...welll...that is about it.  It wasn't a bad car per se...it had just lived well past the expiration date on Ford's aging design guidelines.  In spite of all that, it sold surprisingly well for a luxury car, with over 100k units during most years during the second generation (1990-1997).  Most for sale today were originally sold as fleet cars that now have 1/2 a million miles on the clock, but this one is almost new.  Find this 1990 Lincoln Town Car with 9500 miles on the odometer for $10,900 in Bozeman, MT.  Tip from Oldsmobuick.