Surviviorlet: 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio

Most cars have a bell shaped popularity curve, but have you ever noticed that some cars have almost a step function of popularity -- one minute they are all over the road and then suddenly they all just up and vanish.  This seems to have been the case for the legendary Volkswagen Mk 3.5 Cabrio -- which was styled to look like the Mk IV Golf (97-05), but used mechanical bits from the older Mk 3 Golf (91-98).  Maybe that's why they dropped off the face of the earth...15 year old parts when they were brand new...regardless, you don't see them very often and you certainly don't see them in this nice condition. Find this 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio offered for $2500 in Houston, TX via craigslist. Tip from Jeff.

Twin Spark: 1996 Alfa Romeo Spider Tipo 916

The Alfa Romeo Spider built from 1995-2006 was a replacement for the aging Alfa Spider Giulia (1966-1993).  The Pininfarina designed exterior was a radical step forward in looks, but regrettably the car moved onto a transverse longitudinal front drive set up shaped with the contemporary GTV. The tipo 916 Spider was never sold new in the US of A, but you could get one in Canada...so now that they are 25 years old, import one yourself today. Find this 1996 Alfa Romeo Spider Tipo 916 here on eBay offered for $17,900 CAD ($12,811 USD) in Toronto, Canada.

Uncommonly Odd: 2000 Mercury Cougar Roush Edition

Roush Performance was launched in 1995 as a way for NASCAR legend Jack "Panama Hat" Roush to provide power to the people.  Roush Performance got a reputation for making fast 'n' loud Mustangs, but they also dabbled in other Fords like the Focus and F-150...but for two years in the early millennium, they built about 100 examples of something called the Mercury Cougar Roush Edition.  It appears to have been strictly a cosmetic appearance upgrade package, but if you are going to drive a Cougar, this is the one to get. Find this 2000 Mercury Cougar Roush Edition here on eBay bidding for $1000 reserve-not-met located in La Vergne, TN with 1 day to go.

Sem Potência 2: 1973 Volkswagen SP2

Up until the 1990s Brazil (the world's fifth largest country by population and geography) did not allow imported automobiles -- and as a result, major OEMs around the world set up local manufacturing centers.  In the beginning, the local plants built vehicles designed and engineered from the parent company's home country, but eventually the locals starting building unique vehicles, particularly Volkswagen of Brazil. The SP2 was built on the Type 3 chassis from 1972 through 1976, during which time VW do Brasil assembled about 10,000 of the sporty looking coupes.  The lack of sales was blamed on the poor performance of the steel bodied SP2 and the nickname Sem Potência (Portuguese for without power) became common.  This next one looks good at first glance...but the seller mentions something about "full rust beyond layers and layers of bondo" ...errrr...tread carefully. Find this 1973 Volkswagen SP2 offered for $10,000 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Tip from Rock On!

Dual Overhead Cam Classic: 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The C4 generation Corvette ZR1 was the result of a project between GM and Lotus Engineering, which resulted in a 375 horsepower DOHC V8 engine, big brakes, heavy duty suspension and active ride control.  It was really ahead of its time for a GM product from the early 1990s but a hefty price tag (twice the cost of a standard Vette at $60k) and special assembly plant limited production to 6900 units over 6 years.  Thankfully the magic of depreciation has dropped them into el cheapo territory and you can get one for the price of a 10 year old Camry.  Seriously. Find this 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 offered for $12,000 near Cincinnati, OH via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Pure European Allroader: 1994 Nissan Mistral Type X Turbo

This next car comes as a submission from JB1025 who writes: Kind of an Odd Fellow er Duck here.. Odd is an understatement here, this thing is from another planet, a bearded Spock dimension Nissan Pathfinder if you ask me.  It is a Spanish assembled Nissan that was exported to Japan where it was sold new and has finally made its way to Seattle.  Strange times. Find this 1994 Nissan Mistral Type X Turbo offered for $14000 in Seattle, WA via craigslist.

An Rover..An Acura...errr...A 1991 Sterling 827si

Sterling owners will tell you with a wide smile that they've got an Acura Legend with a cool badge, but what they won't mention is the Rover connection. Because, from 1987 through 1991 ARCONA (Austin Rover Cars Of North America) imported a rebadged version of the Rover 800 series as the Sterling 825/827 for the US market.  Under the skin are the bones of an Acura Legend, which means the Sterling used Honda V6 engine mated to the front wheels...but the cars were still assembled in Oxford and electrified with Lucas electrics.  That means that the part that falls off in your lap during a spirited turn may or may not expose a faulty piece of wiring. If you don't know how to use a multimeter and "Permatex Pit Crew's Choice Adhesive"...you will soon. Find this 1991 Sterling 827Si offered for $5950 in Southfield, MI via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Brazilian Kit Car: 1971 L'Automobile Ventura

The Ventura was a fiberglass rebody of a Volkswagen from Brazil --- similar in concept, spirit, and styling to the awesome Puma.  If Volkswagen made a rear-drive GT car that preceded the Scirocco and Corrado, and it looked half as good as this does, they would be everywhere. Instead, the Ventura got the "just another kit car" label and is largely forgotten. Information and comparable examples are hard to come by, but we know it was made from 1978 until at least 1992 using mostly VW parts, and most were shipped to America sans engine.  Find this 1971 L'Automobile Ventura offered for $7900 in Arroyo Grande, CA via craigslist.

13B Powered Oddball: 1990 Maxton Rollerskate

This next car is for the guy/gal who thinks that the Autozam AZ1 is too big, the Lotus Europa is too common, the Caterham 7 is too safe, and the Bugeye Sprite is too pretty.  It is also, in the words of tipper Hugh, "unobtanium" -- but offered for a basic price. Find this 1990 Maxton Rollerskate offered for $16,500 in Longmont, CO via craigslist. Tip from Hugh.

Orange You Glad I Found This? 1973 BMW 2002 Touring

The BMW 2002 was only sold in two door sedan configuration in the USA - while Europeans and others could purchase the cool looking Touring edition.  The 2002 Touring was more of a hatch-back and less of a station wagon, but it ads a lot more headroom and a functional rear hatch to the diminutive BMW 2002.  In an extraordinary coincidence, I spotted one roaming the wild streets of Southern California just yesterday and then tipper Erik202 sent in this super cheap example. Find this 1973 BMW 2002 Touring offered for $6,800 CAD ($5155 USD) located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada via Kijiji.

5-Speed Uticorn: 2005 Subaru Baja Turbo

Are you a fan of the utility of El Camino style 4-door car-based pickup trucks?  What about 5-speed equipped, turbo, all-wheel-drive versions? Down under they call them utes, but up here in right-side-up world we call them uticorns because they are all but non-existent -- and if it wasn't for a little Japanese company called Subaru, we wouldn't have them at all.  Find this 2005 Subaru Baja Turbo offered for $9,500 in Pittsburgh, PA via craigslist. Tip from Jeff.

Supercharged Green Machine: 1997 Aston Martin DB7 3.2

Aston Martin is a small boutique British car builder who only built a handful of fast vehicles for the 1%...at least until 1994 when they released the Jaguar inline-6 powered DB7.  At $140k USD it still was an expensive car, but Aston sold a remarkable 7,000 examples and depreciation has worked its magic so that you can afford one today for about the price of a nicely equipped new Civic. Find this 1997 Aston Martin DB7 3.2 here on eBay offered for $26,998 buy-it-now located in Lauderdale Lakes, FL.

1983 Bremen Sebring

This next car comes from tipper John who writes:  I found one of these in the DT archives but it's been a while. Certainly never seen one on dubs with the owner posing in the lead photo!  TBH the price doesn't seem crazy in light of what appears to be excellent condition. I'd find some 16" turbine style wheels, see if I could bring down the ride height in the rear, and then enjoy it!  Find this 1983 Bremen Sebring offered for $7800 in Chesterfield, VA via craigslist.

Ultimate Survivor: 1998 Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Diesel Manual

This next car is less about what it is and more about what is ISN'T.  It isn't another late 90s Volkswagen with faded paint and oxidized plastic.  It isn't another diesel VW that doesn't run because the cost to repair is greater than its worth.  And it isn't another super slow diesel equipped with a slow shifting slushbox.  This car isn't a unicorn because of its original production volume or crazy option configuration, it is a unicorn because it survived the ravages of time with nary or door ding or hint of bumper rash.  The salvage title is the only thing holding this car back from being a $10k trailer queen.  Find this 1998 Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Diesel Manual offered for $4200 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.

A What? 1977 Datsun F10 Sports Wagon

What in the blazes is a Datsun F10? If your memories of the late 1970s are as hazy as mine (no...not haze like Cheech and Chong, more like the haze of being a little thumb sucker) then you probably don't remember the Datsun F10 because they didn't make many when new and most rotted into the earth or were swapped onto Dodge Powerwagon chassis and turned into snowplows...but somebody has a complete example and is asking a crazy amount of money for one...but it isn't like you'll find many comps around. Find this 1977 Datsun F10 offered for $9000 in Torrance, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck. 

Underappreciated Classic: 1981 BMW 633CSi

When will the E24 generation BMW 6-series get the market attention and love it deserves?  Oh...I'm not supposed to say that?  I'm just supposed to keep my mouth shut and let all the sheeple go and spend their money on Porsche 911s and over restored Camaros?  Okay.  Right.  Nothing to see here. Not a fantastic piece of machinery with a manual gearbox that desparately needs some Singer style restorations for the wealthy buyer to scoop up like popcorn.  Find this 1981 BMW 633CSi here on eBay offered for $8,100 buy-it-now or make offer located in Sugar Land, TX with 3 days to go.

Born in Quebec: 2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am NHRA Edition

The fourth generation (1993-2002) Pontiac Firebird TransAm was an LS1 powered machine that combined one part GM F-Body chassis with two parts Pontiac "Banshee" styling and 0.5 parts Canadian assembly.  Production ended in 2002, but not before they made a "NHRA" edition that included a 1SH code on the build sheet, a power steering cooler, 3.88 gears, and some badges.  Find this 2002 Pontiac Firebird TransAm NHRA Edition offered for $5900 in San Antonio, TX via craigslist. Tip from Jeff.