Like A Heavyweight M100 Elan: 1987 Cadillac Allanté

The Cadillac Allante (Allanté) was another attempt by one of the big three cash in on the allure of the European import; think Chrysler TC by Maserati or AMC Eagle Premier -- but with an accent in the name causing grief for search features and web indexing in the future.  I also can't help but draw comparisons to the '90s Lotus Elan -- also a two-seat front-drive convertible with an engine built in a different continent from the body, but the Allante packed an extra 1600 lbs (approx the mass of a full Regardless, this next version is offered for some spare change...but would it be worth it? Find this 1987 Cadillac Allanté offered for $1995 (or $1595) in Port Charlotte, FL via craigslist. Tip from Dascpcu.

Mint Mojito: 1979 Bradley GT

If you want a color that'll make any car look happy -- this is it.  Lime green.  It is no small coincidence that the color of a mint mojito looks good on a car that would be perfect for a summer drive to your local beach spot.  Who's ready for summer?!?  Find this 1979 Bradley GT offered for $4500 in Tucson, AZ via craigslist.

Slice of Americana: 1959 Rambler American

The original Rambler American was launched as a low priced sub-compact under the direction of George Romney.  The junior Rambler was powered by a 195 cubic inch flathead-6 and sold for something in the range of $1800 when new...which adjusted for inflation is $16k in 2020 money.  Today's example looks decent for the asking price and will get you smiles everywhere you go. Find this 1959 Rambler American offered for $8800 in San Francisco, CA via craigslist.

A Little More Cowbell Doors: 1991 Toyota Sera

When I saw this next car come into our tips box I thought it might be too soon to post another one...but then I did a quick glace into the archives and found two things;  first, it has been almost a month since I posted the last one (where does the time go?) and second, there is no such thing as too much cow bell.  Because this is the cow bell of the automotive world and you should not fear the reaper.  Those scissors/lambo doors might be totally unnecessary, but they add an essential element to what would otherwise be a plain and lame.  Find this 1991 Toyota Sera offered for $5500 in Damascus, OR. Tip from Rock On!

A Skosh High: 1988 Honda Prelude Si 4WS

This next car has some sticker shock for your cheapskates in the crowd...because ten large for a 32 year old Honda seems a skosh high. But...BUT...this is a mighty clean example of the 3rd generation Prelude that is not only the desirable Si model but it is equipped with desirable options like a manual gearbox, 4-wheel-steering, and dramatic light flares in the photos...THIS is a seller who knows how bring some drama to velour seats. Find this 1988 Honda Prelude Si offered for $10,000 in Annapolis, MD via craigslist.  Tip from Vlad. 

Scion iQ Inside: 1974 Honda Z600

What a way to start a Monday! This next car had my scratching my head for a while.  I'm pretty sure there is a bald spot up there now...cause I'm still scratching.  Maybe somebody can explain to me how a car like a 2014 Scion iQ ended up being the donor chassis/drivetrain/interior for a '74 Honda Z600.  This really looks like one of the first model cars I tried to build with Testors model cement when I was about 8 years old...it looks great on the package but that glue melts everything and the end product is NEVER as good as it looked on the box or in store.  I dunno.  Somehow the seller's ALLCAPS SHOUTING DESCRIPTION ONLY ADDS TO THE ALLURE. You'll certainly get to say you are the only one on the block with this thing. Find this 1974 Honda Z600 built on a Scion iQ chassis offered for $5950 in Huntington Beach, CA via craigslist. Tip from Mike Jr.

100 Pony's Per Hole: 2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost

The 6th generation of the Ford Mustang was released for the 2015 model year with a new aggressive body style (it looks so much wider than the previous gen, but it was only 1.5 inches wider and 1.4 inches lower) and an independent rear end for the first time for the original pony car.  Ford also re-introduced a turbo 4-cylinder version known as the EcoBoost...but it is about as Eco as a Porsche Taycan is turbo...but the little 2.3 liter 4-cylinder engine in the Mustang was rated at 310 horsepower and can be tuned up to 400 horsepower (such as the car in this example).  Find this 2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost offered for $13,900 in Vail, AZ via craigslist.

Barn Found: 1967 Volvo 122S Amazon

This next car comes as a tip from Zach Z who writes: Pretty sure thats authentic barn-dust. But looks to be a great rolling resto candidate with a bunch of tasty. Parts on it already for a reasonable BIN.  Find this 1967 Volvo 122S Amazon here on eBay bidding for $900 reserve-not-met with buy-it-now of $3500 located in Sisters, OR with 2 days to go.

Basic Transport: 2006 Saab 9-2X Linear

The Subaru WRX was a suped up version of the standard base Subaru Impreza  -- the WRX added a turbocharger and some fun sometime in the 2001 model year.  In 2005 Saab got into the all-wheel-drive fun game and launched the 9-2X which was available in WRX-turbo Aero version and in the basic non-turbo Linear model.  This next car is the slow and steady non-turbo and slushbox equipped Linear, but the asking price is almost scrap value low. Find this 2006 Saab 9-2X Linear offered for $1800 in Maynard, MA via saabnet.com. Tip from BarbPaddles.

Carbage Collection: 1980s Porsche 928s...4 of 'em.

I've mentioned the phenomenon of the carbage collector before...but I'll give a refresh for the new kids in the class.  If you've ever wondered why certain cars seem to collect on your neighbors lawn like they are in a captive breeding program, it's because of the market dynamics for when parts availability is sketchy, used versions are expensive to fix, but an entirely pristine version is still worth some amount of money.  A parts car is worth considerably less than the sum of the parts...you just gotta have a barn, airport, lawn..think OG Saab 93, Triump Spitfire, Beetle, and then today's feature car...which isn't just a car...it is 4 of them.  Find these 4 1980s Porsche 928s offered for $31500 in Concord, CA via craigslist...which is less than $8k each.

Some Sorting Required: 1991 Lotus Elan M100

The Lotus Elan M100 was a wedge shaped convertible penned by Peter Stevens (Jaguar XJR-15, McLaren F1, Lotus Esprit, MG ZR, ZS, ZT & TF) and built in the UK from 1989 through 1995.  The Elan was later produced by Kia in South Korea under the name Kia Elan (and Kia Vigato).  The Elan was a pretty design and it used a lightweight chassis and a name borrowed from the historical Lotus archives...but it was powered by an Isuzu (and later Kia) 4-banger mated to the front wheels.  By all accounts it was one of the best handling front drive cars ever built...but it just seems wrong to suffer power-on understeer in a Lotus! Regardless, I find myself inexplicably attracted to the little two seater in red.  Find this 1991 Lotus Elan M100 here on eBay with zero bids and starting bid of $4500 in Citrus Heights, CA with 2 days to go.

Battle of the Rollers: 2007 Saturn Sky vs 1970 Jensen Interceptor

Picture this; you are stuck at home under stay-at-home orders and you need something to occupy your time since your internet connection is dead.  What you need is an engine and a vehicle that needs an engine.  Then you just need a few wrenches, some zip ties, a welder, and some fresh 5w30 oil.  The only question is -- which do you get, do you get a 2007 Saturn Sky setup for LS1 swap offered for $2500 or do you get an powertrain-less 1970 Jensen Interceptor offered for $3995, both are offered on Los Angeles craigslist.

Euro Stick: 1990 BMW 535i E34

I feel the need for a manual gearbox equipped European sport sedan...and I want it big enough for a family.  And don't give me some domesticated import that has had its European mystique neutered, I need something without airbags, that only shows kilometers on the speedo, is grey market and unregister-able in California.  Oh.  Here.  Find this 1990 BMW 535i E34 offered for $5900 in Pasadena, CA via craigslist.

Call Me Mondeo: 1999 Ford Contour SVT

The biggest complaint I have about this next car is the name.  Say it out loud: I drive a Contour.  An SVT Contour.  Yuck. Contour.  Blech.  SVT Contour sounds like something you'd lookup in a medical encyclopedia and recoil in horror at the associated illustration.  Ford should have kept the global name and called it the Mondeo...but at least we were able to get one in the USA with a 5-speed manual gearbox and some tuning from Ford's Special Vehicle Team. Find this 1999 Ford Contour SVT offered for $3950 in Altadena, CA via craigslist.

Great Taste, Less Torque: 2005 Mazda RX-8

They say less is more.  But who are they?  Does that apply to torque from an internal combustion engine? And have they ever driven a Mazda RX-8?  With 232 horsepower the 6-port Renesis has a decent amount of thrust at redline, but with only 159 ft-lbs of torque, this isn't exactly a tractor...but if you like your engines to be piston-free...the RX-8 was the last hurrah for Wankel's legendary rotary and they aren't getting any younger. Find this 2005 Mazda RX-8 offered for $5500 in Santa Clarita, CA via craigslist.

Thar She Goes: 1988 Mitsubishi Van LS

I love the classic Mitsubishi Van, even if it does have a Kirk Douglas chin.  But Kirk Douglas (God rest his soul) doesn't have a sweet velour interior, reclining/rotating captains chairs OR the ability take you and seven of your co-sheltering family/friends to somewhere you can stand 6-feet apart.  What a strange time we live in.  But there is nothing strange about wanting to own such a sweet van. Find this 1988 Mitsubishi Van LS offered for $3400 in San Mateo, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

1986 Ford F250 Diesel vs 1987 Chevrolet Corvette

This next double feature comes from DT tipper/reader/commenter Art who writes: Thinking about shuffling up the stable a bit in the next few months to shake off the COVID-19 Blues... selling my boat and truck, along with a motorcycle and at least one other car (yes I have issues).  $5k budget for the next fun car.... First up is this 1986 Ford F250 Lariat Diesel offered for $4200 in Preston, CT via craigslist.