6-Speed Unicorn: 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

The Pontiac G8 was a Holden Commodore covered in Pontiac badges (and body cladding) imported to the US market from Australia for only two years, 2008 and 2009.  There was a base V6, a V8 powered GT model, but the good stuff was saved for the GXP, a MY2009 only LS3 powered brute available with a 6-speed manual or auto gearbox.  Pontiac only imported 1,800 of the GXP sedans, which maintained most of their original cost for many years, but this next car is either the best deal in town or a crafty scammer...because the price is crazy. Find this 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP offered for $13,500 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

LS3 V8 Powered: 1985 Pontiac Fiero SE

The Pontiac Fiero was a redheaded step child living in the shadow of GM's favorite son -- the Chevrolet Corvette.  This meant that the little perky mid-engine runabout only got a small V6 and never the V8 or the performance it deserved.  Not today.  Today, the Fiero gets to fly...FLY AWAY FREE FIERO FLY AWAY!  Find this 1985 Pontiac Fiero SE offered for $13,900 near Chicago, IL. Tip from Matt C.

480 Horsepower V8 Powered; 2000 Porsche Boxster S

The first generation Boxster was Porsche's first road-going mid engine car since the 914 and as such was bestowed with fantastic handling, grip, steering, controls; truly a sublime car to drive with gusto, particularly in the faster "S" trim.  This next example takes the excellent chassis and shoves an all-alloy 'Murican V8 behind the rear seats.  Expect excitement.  Find this 2000 Porsche Boxster S  here on eBay offered for $35,000 buy-it-now or make-offer located in Marietta, GA.

10k: Corviata: 2006 Mazda MX-5 LS3 V8 Power

The Mazda MX-5 Miata was launched in 1989 just as the classic two seat European roadster market was imploding.  Sales of the MGB, Fiat Spider and Alfa Romeo Spider were either on their way down the drain or just heaping portion of Indian food away from splashdown.  At the time it may have looked foolish from the outside to release a car into a market that was drying up, but the folks at Mazda knew they had the recipe right.  The only complain you could level at the little apex carver was that it was light on power, but if we know anything...it is that GM's LS series engines can fit anywhere.  Find this 2006 Mazda MX-5 with LS3 V8 Power currently bidding for $9,350 reserve-not-met on ebay in Syosset, NY with 5 days to go.

15k DT Flash: 1997 BMW M3 with Corvette LS3/T56

We at the Daily Turismo continue to profess our love of the E36 M3 for its handling, speed and low entry cost.  This DT Flash entry stretches those assumptions a bit but we can't help but be impressed by this car.  Some creative lunatic took a 1997 BMW M3 and added a Corvette LS3 V8 and T56 manual transmission and is now selling it in Orlando, FL via craigslist for $22,500 asking.  (editor's note: Before you jump up and down screaming its too expensive and is above our self imposed $17.5k price limit, please note that we think it is over priced at the current asking and at $17.5k would still be a high price for a 200k mile chassis E36 with V8.) Thanks to tip from DT reader DanG.

This E36 has been lowered, tinted, and has aftermarket wheels, front lip, blacked out grill - but still manages to look good- not too riced out.