German Built: 1972 Mercury Capri V6

I seriously hate to post another German Capri on the site because the first generation Capri is one of those hidden gems of the vintage automotive world.  It offers a unique combination of driveability, fun, coolness, price, and ...well...uniqueness that is hard to beat for the market price.  Shhhhhhhhhh. Don't tell anyone.  We don't want price on these things to pull an aircooled Porsche. Pleeeeeeeeeease stay cheap Mr Capri! Find this 1972 Mercury Capri V6 offered for $10,500 in Lompoc, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Track Rat: 1986 Pontiac Fiero GT V6

The Pontiac Fiero is a litmus test for car guys. If you like Fiero, you can probably be grouped into the group of people that constantly quote the original Star Trek TV Show and like telling time from analog clocks, but if you don't like the Fiero, you are probably some freedom hating public transit lover.  Find this 1986 Pontiac Fiero GT V6 here on eBay offered for $6,300 buy-it-now or make-offer located in Atascadero, CA with 6 days to go.

Blown GM V6: 1971 Datsun 510

The Datsun 510 is one of those classics that needs little introduction -- it combines simple Japanese styling with a rugged chassis and rock-solid Nissan 4-cylinder power...but it could use a few more cubes hood. This next one has been given some more cubes with a GM V6 swap and some more ZOOM-ZOOM with a supercharged.  Find this 1971 Datsun 510 offered for $10,000 in Oak Harbor, WA via craigslist. Tip from JB1025.

Ford GT-40 Replica: 1969 FT Bonito Kit Car by Fiberfab

The world of GT-40 replicars runs the gambit from atrocity to travesty, but in this next car we might have found a bit of a gem.  The FT Bonito was sold as a kit by Fiberfab and sold mostly in Germany and the Netherlands according to various furrin language websites. The FT used a VW Beetle chassis and a polyester body styled to look 2 parts GT-40 and one part Opel Manta.  Find this 1969 Ford GT-40 FT Bonito Replica by Fiberfab offered for $10,000 in Rancho Cordova, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

T-Top, Bottoms-Up: 1988 Pontiac Fiero Formula

It is almost the 4th of July, so let's celebrate the spirit of American awesomeness...with none other than the most famous American mid-engine 80s classic -- the Pontiac Fiero.  And we've got a special Fiero today, the limited "Formula T-Top" version.  Find this 1988 Pontiac Fiero Formula offered for $5950 in Olympia, WA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

#FAKE NEWS: 1957 Volkswagen Beetle

The term "custom car" is bandied about (like the term "fake news") nowadays to include all manner of cars with a few Pep Boys trinkets superglued to the hood.  Fortunately, there are people who put time and effort into building a colossally insane custom.  The end product it isn't just a few fudged statistics, it's more like the Onion.  Find this 1957 Volkswagen Beetle custom offered for $24,900 in Winlock, WA via craigslist.  Tip from JB1025.

A Challenger Appears: 2007 Cadillac CTS Performance

BMW's infamous 3 Series (that is currently inexplicably also badged as a 4 Series) is the benchmark for sport-luxury sedans across the automotive world...and for good reasons.  So when a competitor says they've built a 3 Series beater, all of the automotive press rolls their collective eyes (or "i"s..heh!) and gets ready to defend the crowd favorite. But I had a chance to drive a competitor from Detroit back-to-back with the 3er about a decade ago...and I liked the CTS better. Does the Caddy withstand the test of time, or was it just a fluke? Find this 2007 Cadillac CTS Performance here on eBay bidding for $3,300 with 1 day to go, located in Cookeville, TN. Tip from DM.

Clean Swap: 1980 MG MGB V6

The MGB was a fantastic car when first introduced in 1962 and through the late 1960s...but it was getting long in the tooth by the 1980s when it was fitted with some awful looking rubber bumpers, and a smog restricted engine...but that shouldn't stop you from upping the power/fun with a Chevy V6 engine swap.  Find this 1980 MG MGB V6 offered for $9500 in Kansas City, KS via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

V6, 2WD, NICE!: 1989 Toyota Pickup

The classic 80's Toyota Pickup is one of those cars you usually see covered in ladders, lawn equipment, or guerrilla fighters.  It may be slow and ugly, but it is a reliable and rugged workhorse that is the logical choice of vehicle for impromptu militias and lawn car professionals around the globe. Find this 1989 Toyota Pickup offered for $4000 in Liverpool, NY via craigslist.  Tip from kennymac.

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.

Yamahahahaha! 1989 Ford Taurus SHO

The Taurus SHO (Super High Output) was a limited edition sports sedan built by Ford's Special Vehicle Team, yup the same guys who developed the SVO Mustang, Mustang Cobra, etc.  A first generation SHO may feel slow in comparison to today's big DOHC V6s mounted in every economy sedan (or the twin turbo 3.5 V6 SHO), but back in 1989 when it was new, there weren't many 4-door cars capable of 6.6 second to 60mph and a 143 mph top speed. Find this 1989 Ford Taurus SHO offered for $2,500 in Colorado Springs, CO via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

Museum Ad nauseam: 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Base

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The only low mile & reasonably priced examples of any cars are always going to be equipped with the most undesirable of engine /transmission /trim /options.  I think if the car had been remotely fun or interesting to drive, the owner would have found some time to cruise around...but not today. .  Find this 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Base with 8,000 miles on the odometer offered for $6,500 in Cape Coral, FL via craigslist.  Tip from Dascpcu.

Buf'd Turbo: 1985 Buick Riviera T-Type

The Buick Riviera appeared on the automotive landscape in 1963 as a personal luxury coupe on the E-body platform (later shared with the Eldorado and Toronado), but in rear-drive only configuration. A few decades later and somehow the Riviera managed to avoid the front wheel drive fate that destroyed its friends and there was even a turbocharged V6 version for the ultimate in personalized luxury something.  Find this 1985 Buick Riviera T-Type offered for $6,700 in New Haven, CT via craigslist.

Thursday Twister: Tax Return Car

For this week's Thursday Twister, it is time to start thinking about taxes -- not paying them, but what are you going to do with that juicy return.  According to some article I read on the world wild web, the average US return for the 2015 tax year was $2,860, so that is your budget.  What do you get?

A Better Five: 2008 Cadillac CTS 3.6 6-Speed

BMW is just about the last company on the planet to offer a clutch shifted manual gearbox in its executive class sedan -- and that is a good thing if driving isn't just an A-to-B exercise for you.  However, I'm going to let you into a little secret, if you want the best BMW 5-series from a few years ago, you should get a Cadillac. Find 2008 Cadillac CTS 3.6 6-Speed offered for $8,999 in San Diego, CA.

Appliance Racing Grey: 1993 Acura Legend

 The 2nd generation Acura Legend was released in 1991 and likely ignored by the clueless US based auto manufacturers (I can't imagine any of the bean counter driven big 3 would have looked twice at this car and seen a threat).  However, there were likely a few German horseless carriage builders who did a collective freak out (and you should see German engineers freak out...it ain't pretty) when they discovered the fit-finish-and-finesse of the Acura Legend.  Find this 1993 Acura Legend offered for $3,350 in Forest Grove, OR via GroveAutoCenter. Tip from Kendall.

Low Miles AutoBox: 1994 Alfa Romeo 164

Nineteen Ninety-four was a good year for cars. You could get a Buick Roadmaster Estate with the LT1 V8, or a Mk IV Supra with the 2JZ-GTE, or an NA MX-5 Miata with the bigger 1.8 liter BP-ZE inline-4 -- but for some unknown reason I find myself inexplicably drawn to this next Alfa like a moth to a hadron collider.  Find this 1994 Alfa Romeo 164 here on eBay bidding for $3,550 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go, located in Fairfield, NJ.