Most Expensive Cheap Car Ever: 2003 Land Rover HSE V8

A close child hood friend of mine has a teenage daughter who would literally rob a bank to drive any Land Rover.  A teenager or unsuspecting adult would not fully understand at which or appreciate the fact that the only person who makes out on a massively depreciated car is your local indy mechanic.  VW Phaetons, S-class Benz, numerous Bangle BMW's, all can be purchased for near pennies on the dollar from their original sticker., but may cost double or triple that amount to keep on the road for any length of time.  There is a phenomena that goes called ballin' on a budget where a cheap luxury car would be a de rigueur.  Today's feature appears to be a real ad as the area code matches the location.  Find this 2003 Land Rover HSE for sale in Somers, NY for $1,500 via craigslist.

OG Elise- 1986 Toyota MR2 2ZZ-GE Swap

First generation AW11 Toyota MR2's used to be a common sight on  the road, but in 2018 they are rarely seen (east coast observation).  The folded paper wedge styling is more distinctive now now that cars have window sills up to your ears.  Nothing says 1980's like a set of pop up headlights.  The original 4 cylinder 4A-GE was a hell of an engine back in the day as normal and most exotic cars from this era could not sniff a 7500 rpm redline.  Today's car has a resto-mod 2ZZ-GE 4 cylinder and 6 speed trans swap into it to liven things up.  This engine was fitted in the much lauded Lotus Elise and revs to a motorcycle like 8600 rpms while making the better part of 190 hp depending on the level of tune.  Find this 1986 Toyota MR2 for sale in Glens Falls, NY for $6,500 via craigslist.

Red Classic: 1988 Nissan Be-1

In the late 1980s Nissan released a series of retro-styled vehicles into the Japanese market built on what is called the Pike platform.  The wacky designs were penned by Naoki Sakai who was noted for bringing retro styling to Olympus brand cameras.  The limited production retro-minis included Be-1, K10-Micra, Pao, Figaro and snail styled S-Cargo.  Regrettably, Nissan did not export any of these little oddballs into the USA, but you can find examples that have migrated here over the years.  Yay for the grey market!  Find this 1988 Nissan Be-1 offered for $11570 near Atlanta, GA via craigslist. Tip from Matt C.

Hold On Here: 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Monza (mid-engine V8)

The term "oh pooh" handle is welcome addition to the passenger side a-pillar to many modern vehicles -- typically SUV's and the sort that might induce pants staining excitement near the edge of a cliff...but I've never seen a full BMX bike style handlebar setup for the passenger until this mid-engine Corvair hit our tips inbox.  Find this 1964 Corvair Monza (mid-engine V8) offered for $14000 in Las Vegas, NV via craigslist.  Tip from Rock On!

Copper Magic: 1980 Mazda RX-7

The original (SA or FB) generation Mazda RX-7 is a delicious modern classic for the budget car shopper who doesn't mind a 4-speed gearbox or a copper/goal paint job..  Prices are about as low as they will ever go and should be on the way up.  If you find a nice one, own/drive it for a few years, you might not lose a dime on it, even if you budget for a minor engine rebuild every 75k miles. Find this 1980 Mazda RX-7 offered for $3200 in North Dallas, TX via craigslist.  Tip from Sam.

Long Roof A-Body: 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass 2 Door Wagon

Oldsmobile never made a two door wagon ever so today's feature is a bit of a mystery.  In 1981, Oldsmobile did offer a four door wagon.  However, this wagon has a number of unique features that add up to a more questions than answers as to what and how this beast came to be.  You can see later style G-body Cutlass nose, either a Olds or Chevy 350 engine swap, and enough velour/suede material on the interior that it could pass as a hearse or flower car.  Find this 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme for sale in Laconia, NH for $8,500 via craigslist.

Long Time Owner: 1998 BMW 528i

This next car comes as a tip from Pushrod who writes: The owner has had this car posted for a while now.  The price has come down once so far.  Modifications appear very tasteful. Who doesn't like tasteful mods -- and a 6-speed late model BMW is just about perfect for daily driver use. Find this 1998 BMW 528i offered for $6600 near Richmond, VA via craigslist.

Late Model Powertrain: 1950 Willys Jeepster

This next car comes from Terry B who writes: Not much information here, but all things wrong with a jeepster has been replaced.  Do not think you could modify a jeepster for the asking price. Find this 1950 Willys Jeepster offered for $14000 in Sacramento, CA via craigslist.

Future Classic: 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo

The second generation Toyota MR2 is at the top of our list of depreciated modern classics and will be until prices jump to indicate they've become a collectors item.  The nimble rear drive chassis with excellent mid-engine handling works well and Toyota's turbo and naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engines are adequate in a straight line.  Find this 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo offered for $7000 in Pacifica, CA via craigslist. Tip from SafetyFast.

Whacha Lookin At Punk? 1941 Willys Custom....errr..Mobility Scooter

This next custom hot rod comes as a tip from SecondMouse who writes:  Why not go for a spin in your subcompact '41 Willys? Parking is rarely an issue, but this is not a great grocery-getter, unless you are willing to wear a backpack. Find this 1941 Willys Custom....errr..Mobility Scooter offered for $2200 near Houston, TX via craigslist.

Toyota-Benz: 1990 Lexus LS400

Do you want a car that will offer the style & class of a Mercedes-Benz but the reliability & cost of a Toyota?  Yes, there is only one answer -- an aged Lexus LS. Find this 1990 Lexus LS400 offered for $3750 in Hazlet, NJ via craigslist. From Cory.

What Am I? Blue Oval

DT E-i-C Vince: I really have to apologize to the readers out there in cyberspace, because I've been heinously busy these days and skipped a few weeks of the What Am I? puzzle, but here is a good one, ready for your guys to solve.  WHAT AM I???!!!

Somebody Lifted A Gremlin: 1981 AMC Eagle Kammback

The AMC Eagle was sold in a number of different body styles, but where things get confusing is when you transition from the 4-door sedan/wagon/coupe versions built on the AMC Concord chassis but the 2-door SX/4, Kammback, & Sundancer models were built on the AMC Spirit subcompact chassis.  However, there is nothing quite like combining the ungainly ride height of the Eagle with the Concord front end and a Gremlin rear end.  Find this 1981 AMC Eagle Kammback offered for $5000 in Edgewood, NM via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Wider Is Better: 1987 Alfa Romeo Milano Gold

The Alfa Romeo Milano was the last car fully developed before Fiat's takeover of the company from the Italian govt in 1986.  Milano sedans are known for their bizarre non symmetrical styling cues.  The Milano was the final iteration of the Alfa type 116 transaxle cars (last weeks Alfetta turbo).  They sell for pennies on the dollar compared to BMW E30's these days which is all the more reason to talk about them here.  Speaking of BMW, the Alfa Busso V6 and the M20 straight six both share the less than desirable 30k timing belt change intervals.  Today's car is not concours condition, but does have a unique flared body kit that would be near impossible to replace in any fender bender.  Find this 1987 Alfa Romeo Milano for sale in Newfield, NY for $2,300 via craigslist.

Fake Dino: 1985 Pontiac Fiero Carter Roma Kit

This next idea should appeal to the lazy person out there -- what is the best kind of car to drive around covered in a coat of dirt/dust?  A work truck is one logical answer, but I think the better idea is to drive a fake Ferrari Dino kit car...because covered in dust...this might be mistaken for the real deal. Find this 1985 Pontiac Fiero Carter Roma Kit offered for $15,000 in Azusa, CA via craigslist. Tip from Sean.

400hp Sleeper: 1993 Honda Accord

This next car comes as a tip from Matt C who writes: Only slightly less unexpected than the Spanish Inquisition. From the side, you wouldn't expect anything serious going on - just an old Honda with some cheap rims. Plenty of cars out there with a few cosmetic mods and not much money under the hood, and there's not much aftermarket for early '90s Accords. But then there's that big front mounted intercooler. And it doesn't lie - there's a turbo under the hood, all right. Could be an interesting sleeper if it's tuned right and making any boost. Find this 1993 Honda Accord Turbo offered for $2500 in Atlanta, GA via craigslist.

Pretty 'N' Rare: 2000 BMW Z3 Coupe

This next car comes as a tip from Pushrod who writes: I’ve been seeing more of these come up for sale lately in the $8-15k range.  The Z3 coupe is actually more rare (by production numbers) than the M variant.  Find this 2000 BMW Z3 Coupe offered for $15,000 in Washington, D.C. via craigslist.