Suspension by Lotus: 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS

The Isuzu I-Mark (I Mark, you Jane!) is part of the GM '80s compact car family, built by Isuzu but marked by GM, known as the Gemini.  The styling was started by noted Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro noted for such designs as the DeTomaso Mangusta, Iso Griffo, 'the' Delorean, Ferrari 250GT. The little I-Mark wasn't a bad looking design for the maestro, but late changes demanded by the bottom line driven bean counters at GM caused such a tiff with the Italian that he disavowed any relationship with the car. Regardless, they make for an interesting cheap classic that anybody could drive. Find this 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS offered for $4,500 in Rocklin, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

The Hard Way: 2001 Chevrolet Camaro Tom Henry RS

When given a choice, most people pick the easy way.  Lemme give you an example.  If you want to build a hot-rod late model F-body, start with a V8-6-speed Camero and start with some bolt on parts.  Go fast.  Have fun.  Or....you could chose door number two and end up being eaten by a lion buying a V6 version and modding the daylights out of it so it is only marginally slower than a stock V8.  Find this 2001 Chevrolet Camaro Tom Henry RS offered for $3995 in Goleta, CA via craigslist. Tip from Sean S.

Fender Flared: 1977 Mercury Capri RS

The Capri was a sporty coupe built by Ford of Europe (in Germany) and imported to the USA under the Mercury brand.  Power came from a variety of V4, I4 and V6 engines mated to the rear wheels via manual transmissions for a proper driving experience.  Find this 1977 Mercury Capri RS offered for $3,250 in Middleburg, PA via craigslist. Tip from Cory.

Tuned by Lotus: 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS

The Isuzu I Mark is part of the GM '80s compact car family, built by Isuzu but sold by GM with the name Gemini.  The 2nd generation styling (1985-1990) was started by noted Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro (known for such designs as the DeTomaso Mangusta, Iso Griffo, 'the' Delorean, Ferrari 250GT) but changes demanded by the bottom line driven bean counters at GM caused such a tiff with the Italian master of design that he disavowed any relationship with the car.  Find this 1988 Isuzu I-Mark RS here on eBay bidding for $1,750 with 3 days to go, located in Knoxville, TN.

Das Pony: 1984 Mercury Capri RS

The Mercury Capri followed the career arc of any modern pop diva singing prodigy -- think Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, or Miley Cyrus.  A cute and compact version (1970-1977 German Ford) for the first few years gives way to a meatier and more aggressive second generation (1979-1986 Fox Body) followed by a complete and total disaster (1991-1994 Mazda front-drive convertible). Stick to the middle years before the breakdown to shaved head insanity...like this 1984 Mercury Capri RS  here on eBay bidding for $4,995 reserve-not-met with $7,395 buy-it-now located in Torrance, CA.

White Rabbit: 1989 Acura Integra RS

This next car has me wondering just how many cars built in 1989 still have less than 65,000 miles on the their odometers?  With an average of just over 2300 miles per year, you've got to admit that this car has had a pampered life, but not so pampered that you wouldn't want to drive it (like that silly 6,000 mile MX-5 that will bounce around the internet via car carriers till the end of the gasoline era). Find this 1989 Acura Integra RS offered for $6,000 in Hudsonville, MI via craigslist.  Tip from Michael.

Previous Reader Ride: 1983 Porsche 928RS Carrera

Happy Valentine's Day: This next car was originally featured as a reader ride back in May of 2015, and it appears as thoroughly wicked as the first time I saw it.  It can be described as the Porsche 928 Carrera RS that Porsche should have built, and features an incredible collection of small details done by a meticulous builder.  Find this 1983 Porsche 928RS Carrera offered for $15,000 or best offer, located in Philadelphia via pelicanparts classifieds.

Fox Based: 1983 Mercury Capri RS 5.0

The Mercury Capri was sold in three distinct generations which are commonly known as the German Capri (1970-1977), Mustang Capri (1979-1986) and finally the Crapi (1991-1994).  Obviously the German Capri is the coolest of the breed, but for day-to-day driving, I think the Fox Mustang based Capri is going to be the easy winner.  Find this 1983 Mercury Capri RS 5.0 offered for $10,000 in Dublin, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Belief in Lotus Suspended: 1988 Isuzu I-Mark RS Turbo

The Isuzu I Mark (I Mark, you Jane!) is part of the GM '80s compact car family, built by Isuzu but marked by GM, known as the Gemini.  The styling was started by noted Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiario noted for such designs as the DeTomaso Mangusta, Iso Griffo, 'the' Delorean, Ferrari 250GT, but changes demanded by the bottom line driven bean counters at GM caused such a tiff with the Italian master of design that he disavowed any relationship with the car.  Find this 1988 Isuzu I-Mark RS Turbo here on eBay bidding for $4,450 with less than one day to go, located in Temecula, CA. As seen on Oddimotive.

1k: Seller Submission: 1989 Isuzu I-Mark RS

Here at the offices of DT, we are often apprehensive with seller submissions.  Sometimes the cars are overpriced, or just not right for the site.  Other times we feel bad as we rip into the submitters ability to hold a camera, write sentences, or paint his car with chop sticks.  The next seller submission, however, is not at all horrible.  It is an interesting car offered at a fair price.  Not only that, but it is a Giorgetto Giugiaro designed 3-door hatch with a peppy DOHC engine mated to a 5-speed.  Find this 1989 Isuzu I-Mark offered here on craigslist for $1,500 in Boston, MA.  Seller submission from I.N. 

5k: Black Magic: 1982 Mercury Capri RS

 The second generation Mercury Capri was no longer a European import like the first generation version, and it was built from 1979 thru 1986 on the Fox platform.  The Capri was 99% Mustang in the flesh, but a few odd Capri related items remained like the German built Cologne V6 and those obscene metric sized TRX wheels.  Find this 1982 Mercury Capri RS currently bidding on ebay for $3,550 reserve-not-met with 2 days to go.

5k: What Am I Looking At? 1979 Mercury Capri RS Turbo With V8 Swap

People put the darnedest things in ebay ads and then act surprised when people ask all kinds of questions about their item.  For instance - if you had a Mercury Capri, would you list it as a Ford Mustang?  And if the original 2.3 turbo 4-banger had been sold years ago and it was powered by a 373 ci V8 would you mention the 403 ci stroker sitting in your garage as a potential separate deal?  This guy did all of that and then some...and I still can't figure out what is for sale.  Find this 1979 Mercury Capri RS Turbo that is maybe V8 powered located in Howell, MI, currently bidding for $1,429 reserve-not-met on ebay with 2 days to go and listed for $4,900 on craigslist.

Unicorn hUnters: Posted! The Great Isuzu Impulse Roundup

For the final segment of our three part series, Unicorn hUnters: Ask, Find, Post, we've got a selection of classy DT appropriate Isuzu Impulses, a few of the later '91 RS AWD models and some of the earlier "Handling By Lotus" turbo RWD versions.  This has been a successful first experience with the Unicorn hUnters feature (33 comments on the first post alone!) and we will repeat this style of feature on a regular basis (weekly, monthly?).  Find this 1991 Isuzu Impulse RS for $4000 located in Scranton, PA (home of the reality TV show "The Office!!") via craigslist.  Tip from John.

5k: Foxy Body: 1979 Mercury Capri RS

In 1979 the Capri nameplate in the US switched from being a Ford of Germany import to a Fox-platform re-badged Mustang for Mercury dealerships. Oddly enough the German built Cologne V6 and odd sized TRX wheels & tires persisted in the Capri for a few years before production ended in 1986.  Find this 1979 Mercury Capri RS for sale in Chardon, OH by the original owners.  This RS has a few upgrades to the engine and should be good for some fun.