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.

White Fish: 1980 Chevrolet Chevette

Chevy's Chevette was a lightweight pipsqueak with two-digit horsepower and a big chip on its shoulder due to all the abuse it got in Jr High school. Chevette owners will say "just wait till the bad ones are gone and the good ones will be worth a fortune" but I'm not holding my breath on that one. But if you want a Chevette in your driveway...I think this next example is the way I'd go...clean...low miles...stock...and cheap. Find this 1980 Chevrolet Chevette offered for $3000 in Baltimore, MD via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Dave Ramsey Special: 2009 Toyota Yaris

This next car comes as a tip from Jeff who writes: For a first car or daily beater, this one is hard to beat.... unless you're over 6 ft. tall.  I agree on the daily driver or kids first car, and the ad is good...but my only question is -- who would put synthetic oil in a Yaris!?!?  That's like feeding duck liver pate to the pet pig.  Find this 2009 Toyota Yaris offered for $3495 in Houston, TX 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. 

Livin' Green: 1980 Ford Fiesta

Have you ever worn an outfit where you've simultaneously attempted to blend into the background, but be the best dressed person at the party? What you are trying to do is to be ignored by the masses, but get major respect from the few people "in-the-know" and this next car is the automotive equivalent because it will get blank stares from most of the appliance drivers on the road, but mad respect from people who read this site. Find this 1980 Ford Fiesta offered for $1750 in Warsaw, KY via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Ex-IMSA Racer: 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier

I like racing, and tried to watch a Formula 1 race the other day, but fell asleep once the first turn was sorted out.  There is something called NASCAR that some folks enjoy, but my own personal preference is for vintage racing, which is really great because you can buy the cars and race them yourself. Unfortunately, the desirable racers from the 50s/60s are monstrously expensive, but you can buy cheap ex-racer 80s econoboxes for next to nothing.  Find this 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier here on eBay bidding for $5,600 reserve-not-met with a few hours to go, located in Farmington, CT.

Pan de Molde: 2007 Mag International C-Mag

You know you've found something special when you can't even pronounce it's name correctly.  And you might be tempted to call this next beast by its 'Mericanized name, but it is a Hafei Zhongyi that was penned by Pininfarina and built by Hafei Motor Co in Heilongjiang province of China. Find this 2007 Mag International C-Mag offered for $4500 in Encinitas, CA via craigslist.

Amazing Condition: 1976 Pontiac Sunbird

You probably remember the Pontiac Sunbird as a terrible front drive subcompact econobox from the 80s, but there was a time when it was a terrible rear-drive subcompact econobox in the 70s...with a Buick V6 engine up front over Chevy Vega running gear.  Find this 1976 Pontiac Sunbird offered for $5000 in Deer Valley, AZ via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

660 Horsepower: 1975 Chevrolet Monza

The Chevrolet Monza was a small 2+2 built on Chevrolet's H-body, which was also the basis for such piles of crap like the Vega, Skylark and Starfire. It was the last of GM's rear-wheel-drive subcompacts and the end of an era for GM's rear drive crap boxes, BUT today's example has a meaty V8 under the hood.  Find this 1975 Chevrolet Monza offered for $8000 in North Branford, CT via craigslist.  From Cory.

Fear This: 1989 Geo Metro Van

The Geo Metro was the product of a joint venture between GM and Suzuki from back in the 1990s.  It wasn't the worst car ever built (cough cough L31 Nissan Altima...) but driving one isn't a good experience unless you are an automotive masochist (ahem...cough Kaibeezy...cough) so this next one has been modified to make it worth a second glance.  Find this 1989 Geo Metro Van offered for $5,500 in San Lorenzo, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

No Test Drives: 1980 Reliant Robin

The Reliant Robin was introduced in 1973 to a surprised and skeptical public, but the 70 miles per gallon fuel economy and affordable asking price were enough to sway a few folks who were not put off by a lack of sway bar.  Find this 1980 Reliant Robin offered for $2,500 in Downingtown, PA via craigslist.  Tip from Steven.

Pudełko Gówna: 1988 Fiat 126p

There is a joke about a Polish built Fiat that I could share, but it really isn't something fit for mixed company or people with weak stomachs...so instead I'll have to share this next car.  Find this 1988 Fiat 126p offered for $4,500 in Southern Maine. Tip from Ryan.

Trusty But Slow: 1984 Subaru GL Hatchback

The 2nd generation Subaru Leone was sold in the USA with the somewhat lame and confusing "GL/DL/STD" badge on the back, but it shared a chassis with the BRAT and was known for its longevity in the face of basic commuting.  An 80s Subaru won't be the fastest car on the block, but it will always get you to your destination, even if you have to stop and smack the top of a carb a few times. Find this 1984 Subaru GL Hatchback offered for $1750 in Alexandria, VA via craigslist.

Leone On Me: 1983 Subaru GL Convertible

The 2nd generation Subaru Leone was sold in the US market without the Leone badge on the back -- it was called the 1800 GL, DL, or STD, but it has the same basic Subaru ruggedness and Subaruness. Find this 1983 Subaru 1800 GL Convertible offered for $3,600 in Lewiston, ME via craigslist.

A Cite To Behold: 1982 Chevrolet Citation X-11

 If you don't remember the Citation, let me say that you didn't miss much, and if you do remember the Citation...then I'm sorry about that.  When GM renames its compact offerings (like it does every 5 years or so) it is a feeble attempt to wash the taste from the last pile of junk out of your mouth...and the Citation was no different...but the X-11 version just might have offered a hint of sweetness to offset the taste of bile.  Find this 1982 Chevrolet Citation X-11here on eBay bidding for $6,999 with a few hours to go, located in Cumberland, MD.

What The Bleep? 1984 Chevrolet Blazer

When someone shows photos of a horrible pile of parts and says "with great tires but the rest needs work" those had better be some nice new tires.  Looking at these tires, I'd hate to see what the seller considers bad tires, but just take a look for yourself.  Find this 1984 Chevrolet Blazer offered for $800 in Highlands, TX via craigslist.  Tip from Vance.

Down The Hatch: 1989 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo

The 3rd generation Mitsubishi Mirage was sold in North America starting in the 1989 model year at Mitsubishi dealers, but you could also get the same exact car (albeit with different badges) from Dodge/Plymouth dealers as the Colt, and over at Eagle as the Summit.  They should have imported the top of the line JDM version that was called the Cyborg, but at least you could get the hatchback version with a turbocharged engine.  Find this 1989 Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo offered for $3,800 in Moreno Valley, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.