Coming or Going? 1948 Studebaker Commander Project

Sometimes I say I want a particular car...but I can't buy every car that crosses these pages, so it is without any hint of irony or other-y when I say that I am tempted to buy this next car.  Seriously, half of me wants to not post this for you guys and just go get it.  How magnificent would it be to put this together on the weekend instead of watching my kids play soccer?  Find this 1948 Studebaker Commander Project offered for $2000 (with a Ford 4.6 V8, 5-speed transmission, and 10-bolt rear end) located in Forest Ranch, CA via craigslist. Tip from Terry B.

Custom or Kuztom? 2000 BMW 540iT 6-Speed

There is an old Latin saying: de gustibus non est disputandum, which means "in matters of taste, there can be no disputes." Now, those old Latin dudes were good at building aqueducts, designing the calendar, and minting coins with their faces on them...but did they really expect us to believe that there isn't an objective perfect (a paradigm of beauty, perhaps) in this world? Ha!  And to prove it, I'm going to let you guys tell me if this next car is awesome or awful.  Find this 2000 BMW 540iT 6-Speed offered for an undisclosed chunk of cash somewhere near Chicago, IL via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Former Museum Car: 1962 Volvo PV544

I'm a sucker for a good museum quality car.  Actually, that isn't entirely true, because I don't like paying over-inflated Bring a Barrett-Jackson prices for my machines.  I guess, I should say that I'm sucker for museum quality cars offered for craigslist discount prices.  Like this 1962 Volvo PV544 here on eBay currently bidding for $6,223 with 4 days to go, located in Pittsburgh, PA.

Dead Clown Storage: 1957 Volkswagen Meyers Manx Style Kit

I've been leering drunkenly at Myers Manx style dune buggy kits for many years, and someday I'll buy one to tool around and enjoy the "beach" vibe, but I can tell you one thing for certain: My Manx won't have been used to store a creepy assed clown mannequin.  I guess it is never too late for Halloween around some parts of this country.  Find this 1957 Volkswagen Meyers Manx Style Kit here on eBay offered for $4,500 buy-it-now or make-offer.

PVC Fuel Line: 1974 Laser Porsche 917 Kit Car

I'm a fan of terrible cars, which is not so good for you guys because you've got to read this stuff and I write most of the articles, so you are going to need to suffer through some junk like this...crap, did I just say that out loud...double crap, did I just write that down.  Welp, the backspace button is broken on this keyboard, so you'll have to keep reading. Find this 1974 Laser Porsche 917 Kit Car offered for $16,500 near Tampa Bay, FL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Scotto Carcaine? 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro CS Lewis Edition

If you haven't gotten hooked on Hoonigan's YouTube videos yet, it could be for a variety of reasons. Maybe you think the incessant donuts and "scumbag" antics are tiring. Maybe you're not a 16 year old kid, and can see that their target demographic is someone who can't yet legally drive. I have to admit I wasn't the biggest fan of their brand of tomfoolery until I was a guest on the show, with our Black Iron Racing E36 Camper Lemons car...and I got to know these guys a bit... then I kinda got hooked. It has since become evident Hoonigan co-founder Brian Scotto has a thing for 5-cylinder Audis, which is a bit unexpected. Then I stumble across this craigslist ad for what is most likely one of his "someday" vehicles, since the photos are clearly from the Donut Garage parking lot. Check out this 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro CS for sale in Long Beach, CA for $2000 via craigslist.

Four Bye Four: 1986 AMC Eagle Wagon

Five hundred smackeroos doesn't get you much in a working vehicle these days...but as evidenced by the last posting, there are cars available for that price and some might even be cool.  Find this 1986 AMC Eagle Wagon here on eBay offered for $560 in Westlake, OH with 1 day to go.

Not Just Another Beater: 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 S/R Clone

There are beaters...and then there are cars that love to be beaten.  Some cars will tolerate being bangshifted and put away wet -- and other cars thrive on a severe drive cycle.  I'm thinking this next car will fall nicely into that latter category and the price is throw-me-away-if-something-breaks cheap. Find this 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 S/R Clone offered for $500 in Ann Arbor, MI via craiglist. Tip from Nicholas.

Some Assembly Required: 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

It has been a little over a year since I sold my daily driver STI and I have to admit that I miss some of it.  I don't miss the creeping feeling that some expensive mechanical failure will run me $3k for a new engine or transmission, or the feeling of every single piece of unperfect pavement being drilled into my backside, or the sensation of moderate understeer under every sporty driving condition except wide-open-throttle (the STI is a strangely fast beast, but you can't drive it carefully and with fine inputs, you've got to grab it by the scruff and mash things -- it is not unlike trying to ride a rhinoceros)....but I do miss the thrub-thrub exhaust note that is either love or hate.  Anyway, if I was to get back into an STI, I might be tempted to find an example that needs some work and turn up the boost a bit. Find this 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI offered for $5000 in Silver Spring, MD via craigslist. Tip from Jeff S.

Buggin Out: 1965 Bettlerschmitt vs 1970 BeetelCamino

The next two cars come from tipper Sean S who called them WTF bugs, but I think I know exactly TF was going on with these two cars.  It is a typical case of scope creep -- start out with a simple job like an oil change and two stripped threads later you are replacing the VW flat engine with a Toyota 4-cylinder grafting some kind of Honda Ridgeline rear end onto your Bug.  Happens all the time. First up is the 1970 Volkswagen Beetle custom pickup thing offered for $2100 in Grover Beach, CA via craigslist.

From The Pen of Giugiaro: 1972 Mazda 1800 Luce Sedan

The Mazda Luce isn't just another random Japanese classic from the early 70s...because it was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Bertone Design Group and looks more Lancia than Mazda. Unfortunately the car was a flop when it was new and only a few where imported and a smaller number have survived the rust over the years...so I'm pleasantly surprised the few remaining are so cheap. Find this 1972 Mazda 1800 Luce sedan offered for $2200 in Olympia, WA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Dolph's Ride: 1963 Volvo Laplander L3313

I was watching this sweet Volvo Excavators advertisement on the youtubes when I pointed out to a friend that Dolph is driving a sweet old Ford pickup and my pal brazenly stated it was because there was nothing old school cool from Volvo that Dolph could drive...which was a complete load of steaming moose pucky because I could pick 50 different old school Swedish rides for the Lundgrenader.  Here is a 1963 Volvo Laplander L3313 offered for $6000 in Albuquerque, NM via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Head Turner: 1980 Volvo 240 Custom

This next car comes as a tip from Tom C who writes: Just…it’s like…I don’t even…but…**?  This is a logical reaction to what can only be reasonably described as a Volvo that has been turned to a boat or perhaps a Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper.  I dunno.  I think that Dr Freud would have something to say about wish fulfillment or perhaps Oedipus complex, but I'm just spitballin here. Find this 1980 Volvo 240 Custom offered for $7,500 in Auburn, WA via craigslist.

Simple Pleasures: 1979 BMW 320i E21

The E21 generation BMW 3-series is sort of the forgotten big brother of the big cheese E30.  Perhaps it is because the E21 never had a hyper-popular fanboy-drool-inducing M version, or Turbo graphic covered version like the 2002, but the market for an E21 is affordable and they are simple machines...and that is a good thing.  Find this 1979 BMW 320i offered for $4400 in Pasadena, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Big Green: 1972 AMC Matador Wagon

The Matador replaced the Rebel in 1971 as American Motor Corp's plus sized muscle machine.  By 1973 the muscle-car era was on its way out and the later cars tended to be softer, slower and are generally less collectable today - but don't rule them out of your classic search as they are also considerably cheaper...and 72 model year cars are still old enough to make some horsepower without ugly rubber bumpers. Find this 1972 AMC Matador Wagon offered for $2950 in Brooklyn Park, MN via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

900T Engine Swapped: 1975 Saab 99

It is always Thorsday here at DT, but today is also All Saints Day, so you might expect the next car to be a Volvo P1800...but SURPRISE, it isn't.  It is, however, powered by a later model turbo engine and in serious need of a coat of paint that doesn't look like a used piece of chewing gum and a set of shoes with an appropriate offset. Find this 1975 Saab 99 here on eBay bidding for $2499 CAD ($1910 USD) with 4 days to go, located in North York, Ontario, Canada. Tip from Bill.

V8 Swapped Machine: 1987 Porsche 944

The Porsche 944 is one of the few affordable Porsches available on the open market that offers a decent amount of performance...but even the turbocharged later versions are still down on horsepower compared to a new Honda minivan.  In fact, a 2018 Honda Odyssey Elite hits 60mph in 6.9 seconds, while an '87 Porsche 944S takes 7.5 seconds to get to the same speed...nope..that won't due at all.  What you need is an injection of pushrod Corvette V8 horsepower to make the German coupe a properly quick.  Find this 1987 Porsche 944 offered for $13,500 in Seattle, WA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.