1994 Alfa Romeo 164 Q4

The 164 split critics when it debuted and continues to polarize today. The main problem was drivetrain. Had it been another large, expensive rear-wheel drive sedan, it actually would have fit in with the competition and maybe even stood out a little on its own merits. But it was given a front-wheel drive platform that was shared with other European automakers like Lancia and Saab. In the US, the only similar cars in its high price range would have been a Cadillac. It didn't stand a chance against BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

It's a shame because the 164 was otherwise pretty neat. Its nearest relative, the 75/Milano, was a sharp, roomy, fast rear-wheel drive sport sedan. The 164 was given a similarly fresh design that contrasted with the more traditional German designs at the time. The body courtesy of Pininfarina is clean, simple and forward thinking. This example looks fine in black, though I prefer the classic red paint typically seen on others. The rare Q4 package adds ground effects and a rear spoiler that gives it a menacing, hunkered down look.

The real sweet spot of the 164 though is underneath the hood glistening in polished chrome: a 3.0-liter 24-valve 6-cylinder engine good for nearly 230 horsepower, really impressive for the day and still decent now. Just like Cadillac's maligned Allante, however, all the muscle was sadly directed to the front wheels, producing quite a bit of torque steer and dismissing it as a serious contender.

This example has just 126k on the clock. The seller says they are the second owner, have records available, did major maintenance and added new parts.

Here's the one saving grace about the 164. It makes for one of the most entertaining, stylish and still useful (with those four doors) second hand car out there, because most of them go for a fraction of what even the cheapest new car costs.

Available here on craigslist for $4,000.

1988 Saab 9000 Turbo

Coming from the pre-GM glory days of Saab is this early 9000 Turbo. The 9000 was one of the best cars Saab ever offered. While it shared a platform with Alfa Romeo and Lancia, the body was a totally new design by none other than the legendary Giugiaro. You can easily identify his trademark clean planes, crisp lines and sharp angles, especially in the brilliant glass-canopied rear hatchback.

This one is supplemented by what looks like a factory body kit from the era which added front, side and rear skirts, as well as plastic trim around the rear plate that mimicked the taillights but has since unfortunately sun faded (replacements are out there or it could easily be matched with the body or matte black). It's certainly lesser seen and rather interesting, giving this 9000 a alternate look to stand out from the other scraggly survivors left out there.

Inside occupants are made to feel like Swedish royalty, with enormous leather seats, headrests you can actually rest your head on and clear, thoughtful switches, buttons and gauges.

Underneath the hood is Saab's venerable 16-valve 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. Unfortunately it's mated to an automatic transmission. A stick will make it feel lively and even fun, an auto not so much and they weren't very reliable, either.

It would be neat to swap in a 5-speed and give it an eighties racing livery like the one below. The ground effects would have been the hardest parts to source, so with that out of the way just leaves a talented and well-planned paint job, new tires, different rims and lowered suspension. The seller says this has no rust, so it's a great piece to start with.

Available here on craigslist for $3,995.

59k-Mile 1991 Peugeot 405 Mi16

The 405 was not only the last Peugeot to be sold in the US, but the last French car as well. It's lack of success here must have come as a surprise to the company, because in Europe it was a hit with the press and consumers alike, winning a bunch of new car awards and selling millions of units. Just chalk it up to one of many differences between the two continents, I guess.

French cars did have a poor reputation this side of the Atlantic, but the 405 was intended to rectify that. It supplanted the smaller and less modern 305 in 1987 with an all-new body and range of engines. However it was only offered as a sedan with just three engines choices in the US from 1988-1991.

The styling was credited to famed design house Pininfarina and, if you love 80s Eurobox sedans as much as I do, you just 'get' the appeal: big greenhouse, clean flat planes, black plastic anti-dent trim all the way around, and a rear awash in red plastic. It's approachable, it's simple, and at this point it's classic. What's that saying about good design? That it is invisible? I wholeheartedly agree, and this car is an example of how subtle design is an art.

Inside, occupants are treated to a simple, functional layout, with clear gauges, manual climate controls and big cushy leather sport seats. Kind of reminds me of the third generation Jetta, and that's a compliment.

Now, the 405 was already a pleasant, capable front-wheel drive cruiser. But what makes this low-mileage survivor even more interesting is the Mi16 trim (VIN# VF3DB1332MS518585) which means that there is a 1.9-liter 16-valve 4-cylinder fuel-injected all-alloy engine under the hood, capable of producing 150 horsepower. Suddenly, an otherwise polite but sedate sedan with a modest curb weight of around 2,700 pounds was faster than Peugeot's own V6 engine.

There weren't many made, less were sold and very few survive. Practically none are in this remarkable condition. The dark green and black interior is a great combo, and the original 15" alloys are present. The chrome paneling below the belt line isn't preferred, but may have been an original factory option. The seller is a dealer who say the car has had just one previous owner and the 59k-miles are accurate. Things certainly look like that low of a mileage. Check for rust and maintenance history.

This is a rare edition of a historically important car. As of this year, there still hasn't been a French car here since the 405. The seller is asking a hefty $14.9k for car, about $9k more than the highest estimates I've read for a 406 Mi16, but they also have the Make Offer option. How do you put a price on this? Regardless, let's hope it ends up in an equally caring next home.

Available here on ebay.