Original Gangster: 1980 Porsche 928

I know what you are thinking.  Forty-five hundred bones for a Porsche 928 that doesn't have a driver's seat...that's a lot of money.  But the seller does say it fires up and runs (despite the reputation, these things aren't that bad...and were well engineered from the factory) and the exterior paint/body looks amazing if it is original.  I like it, and I'd be much more concerned about a complete interior 928 with damaged paint and a borked engine.  Find this 1980 Porsche 928 offered for $4,500 in Sonoma, CA via craigslist.

Custom Wagon: 2007 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT

This next car comes as a tip from Jeff who writes: Never really been into the who Subaru thing, but this is super cool.  I have been was into the Subie thing...and it was something special -- all-wheel-drive grip mixed with a torquey turbo engine that farts out a raucous exhaust note as the tires scramble for grip.  This next car is offered for a price where you could get into a older Subaru STI...but if you are willing to live with the day-to-day realities of a custom/modified car...this could be your jam. Find this 2007 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT offered for $12,000 in Sacramento, CA via craigslist.

Burn It With Fire: 1984 Mercury Lynx

The lynx rufus (commonly known as the North American bobcat) is a medium sized wildcat that hits the scales at somewhere in the sub 40lbs range and can top 30 mph in sprint.  The Mercury Lynx is a small sized econobox that hits the scales at 2200 lbs and can hit about 86 mph...but I'd guess that having a real live bobcat in your garage would be far less dangerous than a Mercury Lynx.  Find this 1984 Mercury Lynx offered for $999 in Placida, FL via craigslist. Tip from Dascpcu.

Shingijutsu Jidai Wa Toyota: 1984 Toyota Corolla SR5 AE86 Hatchback

I've got to admit that I don't know why Toyota  two different cars with the AE86 platform in Japan, first the Corolla Levin that was sold at the Toyota Corolla Store  and then Sprinter Trueno that was sold at Toyota Auto Store...this setup is literally foreign to me...so I'll just start across the Pacific where Toyota dealers sold something called the Toyota Corolla DX, SR5, and GT-S...which was equally at home on a daily commute or doing Initial D style drifting. Find this 1984 Toyota Corolla AE86 Hatchback offered for $6000 in South Bay Los Angeles, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Diamond in the Rough: 1967 Ford Galaxie 500

This next car comes as a tip from SecondMouse who writes: This is about as cheap as it gets for a sixties era two door big block muscle car. This 1967 Ford Galaxie 390 runs and drives, and may just be the rat rod starting point you are looking for, with seller asking $4000. Find this 1967 Ford Galaxie offered for $4000 in Livingston TX via craigslist.

Who Does Mr 2 Work For? 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder

If you are in the market for a cheap ($5k-$7k) late model (MY 2000+) sports car (two seats...rag top...etc) there are a few obvious choices.  The Boxster makes a good case -- but potential maintenance issues will be huge.  The MX-5 Miata is ubiquitous and not special enough.  The Audi TT suffers the same potential pocket robbing action as the Boxster but with more understeer...so what car could offer a reliable platform with a focus on handling and fun.  Find this 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder offered for $6000 in Los Altos, CA via craigslist.

New Jersey Giant: 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3

I'm going to post this next car with a caveat that Brooklyn isn't a good place to buy a car...or probably much of anything.  The Big Apple is notorious for crappy roads, sketchy parking, bad weather, and well...New Yorkers.  Everybody who isn't trying to actually pick your pocket is probably trying to muscle something outta your bank account...not that there is anything wrong with that...but this next car seems to be a good deal and I have to admit that I would look past the zip code and consider this...wait...why does it have Jersey plates?  Is this the New York Giants of the car world? Find this 2008 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 offered for $4995 in Brooklyn, NY via craigslist. Tip from ME.

Casper The Friendly Ghosn: 1992 Nissan March

This next car has a mouth that is big enough to swallow a full grown man...like maybe an automotive executive and chairman who needs to maybe flee to his home country.  He could easily stow away in that gaping mouth and emerge once the cargo plane has cleared customs.  In theory.   And I would have saved this car for the Idles of March (et tu Nissan?)...but it'll probably be gone by then because it is sweeeeet! Find this 1992 Nissan March offered for $3000 in Seattle, WA via craigslist. Tip from JB1025.

Italian for Steal: 1988 Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio

This next tip comes from Erik202 who writes: Came across this cruising alfabb for sale listings. Seems like a great deal assuming the underside is even somewhat rust free. I had an 84 spider up until recently when I swapped it out for an e30 convertible (wanted the option of a rear seat for young kids) and absolutely LOVED it. This generation uses Bosch efi, are generally pretty simple mechanically and have awesome parts availability. I can't say enough about how much fun for the money these things are.  Find this 1988 Alfa Spider Quadrifoglio offered for $4000 in Chicago, IL via alfabb.com.

Too Good To Be True? 1972 MGB GT

The MGB GT was a fixed roof version of Morris Garage's iconic MGB roadster, introduced in 1965 and built through 1980 for various markets.  When first released, the GT used the same BMC B-series inline-4 cylinder engine, but added small back seats for kids and a gorgeous Pininfarina designed greenhouse with a fastback lift-gate and storage area.  Prices for most classic European cars have graduated info crazy territory, but the MGB GT has remained surprisingly affordable for whatever reason, but I wouldn't expect that to last forever.  Find this 1972 MGB GT offered for $6,100 in San Francisco, CA via craigslist.

V8 Powered Mutant: 1961 Chevrolet Corvair

Is a V8 powered, front engine Corvair an abomination or an upgrade?  I'm sorta torn on that question, but I guess it is better to put a Chevy V8 powering the rear wheels than a transverse Buick V6 pushing power to the front...now that would be a real weirdo.  Still...I can't help but think this thing needs some sorta pancake shaped enough hanging out back.  Find this 1961 Chevrolet Corvair offered for $8,500 in Harrison, AR via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Schneewittchensarg: 1973 Volvo 1800ES

The Volvo 1800ES was a shooting brake version of Volvo's aging P1800/1800S/1800E platform, meant to breath new life in the old parts.  The frameless glass tailgate equipped version only sold 8,000 units for the '72 & '73 model years, but the prices don't really reflect that level of exclusivity...yet.  As long as the Coronapocalypse doesn't cause wholesale classic car values to plunge, this thing should be on its way up. Find this 1973 Volvo 1800ES offered for $13,750 in Morgan Hill, CA via craigslist.

All About Those Lights, No Trouble: 1988 Nissan Pulsar NX

The Nissan Pulsar NX was this oddball mutant from the 80s that could be configured as a coupe, hatchback/wagon or open top...and that was all in the same vehicle.  The only thing constant about the Pulsar is its radical tailights and the fact that you don't see them on the road anymore.  Shame. I miss those lights. Find this 1988 Nissan Pulsar NX offered for $7500 in the Santa Ynez Valley, CA via craigslist.

Another Day, Another Stroker: 1976 Ford Maverick V8

This next car comes as a tip from JB1025 who writes: Younger Sister car to the Comet on 3/2/20; The other Phony Pony car from the Blue Oval.. Yes, this is indeed the other white meat from Ford...but it looks oddly appealing for the price. Find this 1976 Ford Maverick V8 offered for $6,300 in Portland, OR via craiglist.

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!

4 Liters of Desert Fun: 1995 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

The last few years has been an interesting time for cheap car lovers (like me, the other DT writers...and you) -- and mostly unfavorable.  Classics have jumped up across the board, late model interesting things have gotten serious interest and overhyped prices and the last decade of cars have not depreciated in the manner you would expect (I plan a full diatribe post on that later...) but it always makes me happy when I stumble on a car that is interesting, fun, well preserved, and cheap. It doesn't happen as often as it should, but they are still out there.  Find this 1995 Jeep Wrangler Sahara offered for $6,400 in Alameda, CA via craigslist.

Built Stroker: 1973 Mercury Comet GT

If the Ford Maverick is the little known step brother of the Mustang, then it's cousin the Mercury Comet is even more obscure.  The Comet GT trim level was the muscle car trim package that upped the ante with the 302 V8 engine.  These cars were originally conceived as import fighters, but in reality duked it out for sales with the Chevy Nova and Dodge Dart...and they make a nice platform for a V8 cruiser today. Find this 1973 Mercury Comet GT offered for $13,200 in Tampa Bay, FL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!