Thar She Goes: 1988 Mitsubishi Van LS

I love the classic Mitsubishi Van, even if it does have a Kirk Douglas chin.  But Kirk Douglas (God rest his soul) doesn't have a sweet velour interior, reclining/rotating captains chairs OR the ability take you and seven of your co-sheltering family/friends to somewhere you can stand 6-feet apart.  What a strange time we live in.  But there is nothing strange about wanting to own such a sweet van. Find this 1988 Mitsubishi Van LS offered for $3400 in San Mateo, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Turbo Flatty: 1983 Mitsubishi Starion

The Mitsubishi Starion/Dodge Conquest/Plymouth Conquest/Chrysler Conquest was a line of 4 cars built in the 80s by Mitsubishi in Japan - rebadged for Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler to confuse everyone.  It was the Japanese version of a pony car and combined a turbocharged front engine, manual trans, rear wheel drive and limited slip differentials for classic fun.  Contrary to popular belief the name Starion was not an Engrish mispronunciation of Stallion, but it is a contraction of the words Star of Arion -- which was a mythical horse.  It would be easy to compare a nice version of the Starion to a Mustang, Camaro, Porsche 944 or RX7 and it is certainly a less common alternative to the other common 2+2s you see around on the road. Find this 1983 Mitsubishi Starion offered for $5500 in Rochester, NY WA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Who You Callin' a Pajero? 1992 Mitsubishi Montero 4X4

Mitsubishi is an oddity among the major Japanese automakers.  It doesn't have the "reliability" stamp of Honda/Toyota, but it doesn't make many "fun" cars like Subaru (except for the Evo and maybe the VR4 things...but that is a story for another time)...but you shouldn't overlook some of the 90s Bishis because they offer a surprising bang per your buck. Find this 1992 Mitsubishi Montero 4X4 offered for $5999 in Orlando, FL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

The Other Side: 1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4

It was only a matter of time.  Whenever I post a well priced Nissan Z32 300ZX Twin Turbo, someone always sends in a tip for a Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 (or a Dodge Stealth R/T)...or sometimes the other way around.  And I always fall for it...which isn't a bad thing because we could all use a little more turbo in our lives. Find this 1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 offered for $6699 in San Jose, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Twin Sticked: 1980 Dodge Colt

The Dodge Colt (technically an imported Mitsubishi Mirage with a Dodge emblem) is either a cool/interesting cheap classic if you never had to rely on one for daily driving use or a total pile of garbage if you needed drive one for many miles back in the day.  Personally I have no idea if the Colt is cool or crap, but I'd love to take the little "twin-stick" (it is a 4-speed gearbox with a 2-speed transfer case controlled by that dainty lever to the left of the stick) for a spin.  Find this 1980 Dodge Colt offered for $5100 in Prescott, AZ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Blue Monday: 1989 Chrysler Conquest TSI

This net car comes from Jeff who writes: When I was in high school, a friend's parents had one of these and since then I've always been a fan. My only gripe is the failed joint venture between Chrysler and Cadillac, as those seats should have never been in anything other than an Eldorado. #WTF  Find this 1989 Chrysler Conquest TSI offered for $9500 in South Florida via craigslist.

Lemon Meringue: 1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4

It is Pi-day today, time to enjoy a slice of lemon meringue. Tipper SecondMouse sent in the following car with some commments: Back in the day, this car, which Road and Track called "...too far ahead of its time.", was forced to stand in the shade of the Toyota Supra. The Mitsu 3000 was a technological tour de force for it's time, perhaps too much so for buyers in that era. If you have priced a running 90's- era Supra lately, you might be thinking that a car like this VR4 is a buy at this price point. You might be right, banana yellow and all. Find this 1994 Mitsubishi 3000gt VR4 offered for $7900 in Houston, TX via craigslist.

Convertible Pickup: 1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max

Do you know what kind of vehicle is lacking in showrooms today? Certainly not some kind of platforming whoring SUV/Crossover with too many doors to combine aesthetically with its fastbackish roofline and a vaguely sporty name...no there are far too many of those being built today -- NO, the kind of vehicle that is missing is the convertible pickup truck. Who says the folks who need to haul lumber on a Wednesday might not want to cruise to the beach on a Friday...because a convertible pickup truck makes more sense than a mildly lifted economy car with a completely worthless trunk. Find this 1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max offered for $2000 in Anniston, GA via craigslist. Tip from Matt C.

Pull The Cordia: 1988 Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo

You can lump 80s Japanese cars into two categories -- the first is the appliance machines that came from Toyota or Honda -- they are reliable and efficient, but not particularly exciting or cool.  The second category is the oddballs, the weirdos, the Subarus, Mitsubishis, and Nissans of the world, the interesting cars that offer a combination of interesting looks with dubious reliability with some excitement sprinkled on top. Find this 1988 Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo offered for $3,500 in Tampa Bay, FL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Strange Machine: 1991 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon

I'm pretty sure I saw one of these driving on the street the other day, but I can't be sure because I passed it like it was standing still in a soccer mom minivan because...well..yeah...these things are slow.  Anyway, find this 1991 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon offered for $6,500 in Albuquerque, NM via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

Super Aero Roof: 1991 Mitsubishi Minicab

Eat your heart out all you Volkswagen 21-window Samba Bus owners, Buick SportWagon/Olds Vista Cruiser owners, Buick Roadmaster owners, AND folks who love windows in the top of cars...because this next car has the best name EVER for a piece of glass above your head -- SUPER AERO ROOF. Find this 1991 Mitsubishi Minicab offered for $6950 in Jacksonville, FL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Eclipse of the Heart: 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster Outlaw Kit

The Porsche 356 was first built in Austria by a company called  Porsche Konstruktionen GesmbH in the smoldering ruins of WWII...but the little 356 isn't simply another inexpensive classic like its Beetle brother, but it is an expensive collectible that requires a leather tool case and a waxed mustache to properly drive...particularly in the Speedster version -- so it is no surprise that there are a number of kit-car versions that use Beetle components for the moving parts.  This next one..however..it is a real Bearded Spock universe weirdo that uses parts from a Mitsubishi to go forward.  Find this 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster Outlaw Kit offered for $12,500 in Port Hueneme, CA via craigslist. Tip from Sean.

Three Stars: 1988 Mitsubishi Starion

If you want a rear drive Japanese classic from the 1980s, the choice is usually between a Celica Supra, RX-7, or 240/280SX...but don't fret, because there is another Skywalker!!  And this 80s Japanese classic comes from the land of the three water chestnuts.  Find this 1988 Mitsubishi Starion offered for $5,500 in Chandler, AZ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Don't Call Me Mini: 1990 Mitsubishi Delica L300 Star Wagon

The Mitsubishi Delica was a compact Japanese van with unibody construction, a mid-engine RWD or 4WD drivetrain, and a smattering of engine options. These were sold in North America under the creative model names Van and Wagon, and only lasted a few years here (1987-1990)...but if you ask this guy (and you did...right?) I'd say they are as cool as a Volkswagen Vanagon and should be collectible in the future.  Find this 1990 Mitsubishi Delica L300 Star Wagon offered for $13,300 in Truckee, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

So Cute: 1992 Mitsubishi Minica Dangan ZZ

The Mitsubishi Minica was a kei car built by Mitsubishi Motors from 1962 through 2011, but you don't see many on this side of the world.  That is a darn shame, but this Dangan ZZ spec'd example will fix your kei-car woes with dose of 660cc engine and turbo power.  Find this 1992 Mitsubishi Minica Dangan ZZ offered for $5000 in Eugene, OR via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Dynamite Some Motors: 1991 Eagle Talon TSi AWD

This next car comes from tipper Safety Fast who writes: Haven't had one of these on the site for a while.  That sounds like a challenge to me, Mr Fast, if that is indeed your real name.  I'll start posting so many DSM classics that you'll think this site should be called Daily Talonismo...but let's start with this 1991 Eagle Talon TSi AWD offered for $6,450 in Chico, CA via craigslist.

Exponential: 1995 Mitsubishi Expo 4G63 Turbo Swap

The Mitsubishi Expo was a little crapbox mini-mini-van that doesn't excite many people except for maybe pug owners or die-hard junk lovers.  Driving one would be fun for a while, at least until your friends find out and then you could sell give it to the next person...BUT this next example is pushing 320 horsepower into the front wheels.  Yeah.  ExpoNENTIAL!  Find this 1995 Mitsubishi Expo 4G63 Turbo Swap offered for $4800 in Ft Myers, FL via craigslist.  Tip from Serge.