Lost Wedge: 1987 Subaru XT Turbo

The XT is an up and coming classic. This is a car that was boldly designed, came with an intriguing array of engines and drivetrains and is unlike anything Subaru has offered since.

Perhaps the most striking feature is the styling, some sort of mod-primordial sculpture that looks like a leftover set prop from Blade Runner. With hidden headlights, blacked out pillars and a thin taillight strip it meant business, though. It also belied an extremely low drag coefficient of .29, resulting in good gas mileage and low wind noise. I really can't imagine what kind of person bought these new but they might have been funky, outside-the-box thinkers.

The mechanicals were just as intriguing, ranging from naturally aspirated and FWD to turbo and all-wheel drive. This survivor is half way between, with FWD but a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that produced 15 horsepower.

Inside, drivers became more like pilots. The dashboard was inspired by fighter jets with a bizarre asymmetrical steering wheel, pods of buttons, and instrumental cluster that moved with the wheel when it tilted and telescoped.

The seller says the odometer is accurate, but they bought the car from a Subaru specialist who freshened the engine and put in a new transmission. They say it runs and drives fine, a/c blows cold and power windows work.

These cars are endangered. Few were sold and even fewer remain due. It's beyond time we rescue these and start giving them proper recognition as a classic Japanese car.

Available here on ebay.

67k-Mile 1993 Honda Del Sol SI

The Del Sol was almost a stroke of genius by Honda in their glory days of the early 90s. Hot off the heels of breaking through the US market in the 80s, their strategy for the next decade was to expand the lineup and take on Toyota. For a while, it seemed possible.

In 1992 they debuted the Del Sol, just in time for a Gen-Xer's job promotion or a Baby Boomer's midlife crisis. The styling is pretty clever in that it recalls the mid-engine cars of the 70s or early 80s like the Fiat X1/9, but was in fact just another front-wheel four banger. What made it different than their other cars of the time was a removable targa top. This filled in a gap of customers pining for a Civic-like driving experience but with open-air fun.

Honda wrapped that concept in what turned out to be a body that has aged surprisingly well, even in the exotic colors they offered. The whole thing is classic 90s rising sun, all smooth yet taut planes, bubbly shaped lights and hidden-lug alloys. I particularly like the rear taillights, reminiscent of the BMW Z1.

Inside is equally successful with spartan plastic that is simple, clear and functional. For a touch of excitement, they seem to have color-matched the seats and floor with the exterior.

Purists will scoff at this one's automatic transmission, but to make up for it is the SI trim, which included a 1.6-liter SOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder VTEC engine, power side mirrors, cruise control, rear disc brakes, anti-sway bars and wider tires. Frankly, if you're going to track down a Del Sol, you really might as well only get the SI.

Mechanically, the seller says its been serviced by Honda and runs well. Cosmetically they say it has normal dings and dents but thankfully no rust.

Targa tops were never really in fashion and are rarely offered on any cars anymore, although that could change with Porsche's hi-tech new reworking of the whole thing. Regardless, this can easily be a fun daily driver. Honda stopped making the Del Sol in 1998 and haven't made anything like it since.

Available here on ebay for $7,995 and the Make Offer option.

1967 BMW 2000 Ti-Lux

The BMW 2000 was part of their "Neue Klasse" of coupes and sedans of the 60s and 70s. These are classics now, but also represented over a decade of experimentation, growth and change for the brand.

The 2000 was intended to be a more upscale version of the 1800 sedan. It featured different taillights and headlights, although the front lamps were changed on US models. This one happily features the original square Euro lamps.

The styling is pretty sweet. They look like exactly what they are: an early BMW. The forward leaning front is truly a sign of a bygone design era, as is the whole "bathtub" shape, but the lights and simple slab sides are surprisingly clean and modern. I don't care for red in general and especially not on German cars but it actually works really well on this and helps brighten it tremendously. The seller seems to have spray painted the grilles, bumpers and wheels black, which, while unnecessary, isn't terrible either and certainly isn't worth the effort reversing. The front fog lamps are a cool add-on and together everything gives the car a subtle rally vibe.

Inside, the interior looks remarkably clean, although it's hard to see the entire dash. The seller says the seats were recovered, which explains why they look so good, and black is a great color and saves the next owner the hassle. Thumbs up.

Mechanically, the 2000 was available with a 1,990 cc 4-cylinder engine powering the rear wheels. The seller says that this is a "Ti" version, however, so it originally had the more desirable twin-Solex side carburetors boosting to to a decent 120 horsepower. The seller says this now has dual Weber carbs instead and mated to a 4-speed manual transmission. The "Lux" version added leather seats, wood trim and other assorted high grade interior bits and accessories.

This is a rare car that has clearly been given some recent love. The seller says it has almost no rust and have the original steel rims and hubcaps. The asking price is high given the age and that it had the paint and interior re-done, but those are also plusses. The extent of the rust will have to be checked out as well as full ownership and maintenance history, if any. Otherwise, this seems like it's ready to be a driver.

Available here for $8,900.

JDM in the US: 1988 Toyota Celica Convertible

Now that every auto year of the 80s is exempt from the federal government's 25-year and older rule on importing used cars, all sorts of quirky new classics have been flooding in. One huge market in the making are Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) cars in the US. These were cars made for Japan and were either never imported here or were imported with changes ranging from subtle to major.

The Celia of course made it to North America and was very popular. But this is a JDM right-hand drive version. It's an odd choice of car to be worth the hassle of importing but it's definitely fascinating to see.

For one, I can't remember the last time I saw this era Celia, much less the convertible. These were among the first front-wheel drive Celica, and for what they scarified in glorious ability to drift they gained in better styling and greater efficiency.

It helps this one is in black-on-black, never a bad combo. The smoked indicators and amber-cornered taillights are tell-tale JDM-spec. Overall, the body looks remarkably clean, straight and free of dents and dings.

Underneath the hood is a 2.0-liter 16-valve 4-cylinder engine. It won't set your hair on fire, but it will get you to where you need to go, and without emptying the gas tank, too.

The seller says they brought this over in July 2013. They say everything is working except the cruise control and there is no rust. The also think the paint could be original.

The right-hand drive will take some getting used to (as will the Japanese waveband radio!) but this seems to be a neat little car in unusually good shape. It will be a hit at the JDM shows.

Available here on ebay with bidding starting at $5k and a Buy It Now of $7,200.

The Case For Replicas: 1987 Fiero-Ferrari

Replicas are the Rodney Dangerfield of the auto world: they don't get any respect. But I like them. In fact, I think in some cases they make more sense than owning the original.

Take Ferrari replicas. Real Ferraris are expensive to start with. Then there's the cost of parts, repairs, worrying about getting a scratch in it, heck, even an oil change on some models requires the engine to come out of the bay! It's not for the faint of heart, or wallet.

However, a replica gives you that classic Pininfarina styling without all the headaches of the real thing. The best Ferrari replicas were either the Corvette-based McBurnie Daytona or the Pontiac Fiero-based 308/328. This is a Fiero-based 328. Pontiac actually liked the idea of a replica so much they allowed dealers to sell a 308 body as an option called the Mera. This was quickly shutdown after threats of lawsuits, but it got enough gears turning for people to be interested.

The Mera was based on the 308. I've never seen a 328 replica, although it could be easily done since the basic body is the same as the 308. It looks pretty good, especially with the post-'86 lights.

The seller confirms this is indeed based on a Fiero. Unfortunately, it will not have Ferrari-like performance, as it's a 4-cylinder version, a shame since the 6-cylinders are readily available. They also say it has an auto transmission. On the upside, they list the mileage as 69k and say the seats are leather.

This is a mostly show-and-no-go car, but the details and spirit are in the right place.  I would remove the Corvette side mirrors and rear spoiler and then just have a good laugh driving around. Also, if I were a b-movie director I'd totally want one of my characters to drive one and not worry if they crash it in a chase.

Available here on craigslist for $9,999.

2002 Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon

The Impreza is the gem in Subaru's lineup. It's smaller and lighter than the Legacy but it benefits from the same all-wheel drive system. It also looks cooler. Imagine all the good things you liked about a Honda Civic in addition to all the things you wished the Civic had and you end up with the Impreza. Efficiency, space, traction, power, reliability.

The first generation arrived in 1993. This is a second generation model. They were longer but also wider for even better handling and road control. The styling was pretty much more the same, smooth corners, big lights. Bland and unartful but functional and inoffensive. The wagon looked the best and made the most sense, too.

The real beauty to the Impreza is the action going on underneath the skin. First there's Subaru's patented all-wheel drive system. While makes like Suzuki, Isuzu and Mitsubishi have fallen to the wayside from failure to distinguish themselves from other Japanese brands, Subaru leaped right ahead of the pack with their all-wheel system in the 80s at a time when the only other automakers who were offering that were Mercedes-Benz and Audi for a huge premium. Subaru's cars were affordable. If you live anywhere where there is rain or snow (which is probably 90% of continental US in the winter season), you'll appreciate all-wheel drive.

The second This WRX trim includes a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that puts out around a very impressive 227 horsepower in stock form.  The seller says hey have additionally boosted it to 287 horsepower. Being used to pretty slow Japanese four bangers all my life I can't imagine how this puppy accelerates.

Perhaps the only downside to the Impreza are some of their owners, who often thrash, hack and modify their cars until they become unrecognizable. To their defense, the Imprezas are easily modifiable and once performance fever hits it's hard to break. Fortunately, this car has had just one prior elderly owner and the current owner seems to have done a rather commendable job of updating and enhancing the car subtly and tastefully which is detailed in a long list. They say they regret selling but are doing so because of their personal life.

Cosmetically, they mention a couple scratches, rock chips and fogged headlights. Mechanically, they say they the suspension is set up just right, steering has been aligned and they have maintenance records to prove overall care.

The Impreza has more or less continued to this day, but gotten fancier and more expensive. This is a pretty nice car that has obviously been cared for in addition to receiving some nice upgrades. At 139 miles, it's been around but definitely has a lot of fun life ahead.

Available here on ebay with reserve bidding starting at $8k and a $10k Buy It Now.

Mint 1983 Skoda 105L

Cars from the former Soviet Bloc don't get much respect, if any at all. For starters, not many got through to North America. And the few that did, like the Yugo, were mocked. Fortunately, with the cold war and its politics over, Eastern European cars are finally getting some appreciation on this side of the world, because what they had to offer sometimes was actually pretty nifty.

One such car would be Czech-made Skoda 105. It was a compact rear-engine, rear-wheel drive four door sedan. Skoda's long line of rear engine sedans started with the 1000MB back in 1964 and gradually evolved into the 105, which debuted in 1976. Almost 2 million were made until 1990, when it was replaced by a front-engine, front-wheel drive layout, making the 105 Skoda's last rear engine car.

Skoda's rear engine cars were always rather charmingly styled, and the 105 is in keeping with that tradition, but with a twist of late 70s modernism. Styling is simple, taught and no-frills. In an era like today when cars keep getting larger and rounder to meet stringent saftey requirements, the sparse, lean sheet metal of the Skoda is a revelation.

This particular example is a 105 "L" for Luxury and looks great in period flat orange. The black-centered wheels, mud flaps and rear spoiler are all nice and likely original touches.

The interior looks immaculate, in part helped by simple round gauges, pre-airbag steering wheel and small, flat seats.

Underneath the hood is the base 1046cc 4-cylinder engine producing just 44 horsepower. The 105 improved upon its predecessor however by mounting a radiator at the front to help cooling, hence the air slots in-between the front lights. The fuel tank was also moved to under the rear seats. The front suspension was independent and the rear was a swing-axle.

The seller says the car runs and drives great and has just 7,400 kilometers on the clock, which is about 4,500 miles, astonishingly low for cars that were often driven hard on rough rural roads. This one has either been restored or was basically never used, and it looks it, too.

Parts should be in ready supply given the popularity of these in Czech Republic. There aren't many here, so that makes this one pretty unique, and a cool alternative to rear engine Volkswagens.

Available here on craigslist for $6,500.

Project 1962 Karmann Ghia Convertible

With that famous other rear engine four banger from Germany reaching the stratosphere in prices a nice alternative is the very similar Karmann Ghia convertible.

Almost half a million Karmann Ghia were built from 1955-1974, but only about 80,000 were convertibles, and probably a fraction of that survive today.

Mechanically, they were really no different from the Beetle, both being 4-cylinder rear engines. But the Karmann Ghia was smaller, lower and sleeker. They "look" sportier, even if they really aren't. But sometimes looks are enough. It also helped the convertibles looked good with the top down and up, too.

This one is a "barn find", that over-used cliche in the classic car world. But there it is, sitting in a "barn", er garage, and appropriately well worn and needing work.

The seller doesn't say much except that the floor pans are good, the cloth top and seats are fair and that it's a "driver" (I thought barn finds weren't supposed to be drivers). The fact that it's driving is good news though. The engine looks ok enough in the photos. Rust is another issue however. There is obvious surface rusting all over the underside. The main concern is anything that has developed a hole, which the seller seems to imply hasn't happened yet by saying no "rot". That said, if you expect to use this regularly or want to keep it for a while, the body and undercarriage will need tending to. There also seems to be some front end damage.

It wears some strange mayor plates in the photos.

Available here on craiglist for $6,500.

JDM: 1998 Nissan March Bolero Edition

The Nissan March aka Micra was never imported into North America. In fact, it was only available in Japan as part of Nissan's Cherry Store network until 1999, when it was sold elsewhere.

What were we missing out on? The March was pretty basic, economical transportation.

Styling wise, it's a classic two-box mini-car shape. Two doors, big windows and a rear hatchback. This one however has the rather comically-named "Bolero" Edition trim (I can't confirm whether it has anything to do with Bo Derek's 1984 erotic epic). Apparently it was sold briefly in the late 90s and early 2000s as a special luxury package. The kicker is that it adds this rather gaudy and un-cool grille and chrome trim that makes the car look more like a Stutz Blackhawk than sleek Japanese microcar.

Underneath the hood however is a less-than-epic 1.3-liter 16-valve 4-cyldiner engine good for about 54 horsepower to the front wheels. It won't set the street on fire, but you can be you'll be getting damn good gas mileage. The downside is it's mated to an automatic transmission.

This example seems to have been imported from Japan to Canada. I've never seen one before. It is puzzling why someone would shuffle this thing across the Pacific. It's not particularly rare or desirable. It's a slow econobox with a weird front end. To each his own, though. I like the rear design at least, it resembles a Mini Cooper, and the owner also seems to have added aftermarket alloys, always a sign of love.

The seller says there is no rust but some dings and the paint isn't perfect. They do say there seems to be no sign of accident damage and the glass is good. Mechanically, they say it runs.

Hey, someone though it was special enough to bring over to this continent.

Available here on ebay with a auction and a $5,000 Buy It Now.

Lost Giugiaro: 1984 Isuzu Impulse

I love the Impulse! This is a forgotten chapter in Isuzu history. Today, the company has been reduced to selling commercial diesel trucks in the US. But during the Japanese Invasion of the 80s, Isuzu was striving to stand out against a crowded field of competitors like Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Subaru.

I give them a lot of credit for trying. They specialized in small, efficient cars but weren't afraid to take design risks. One such was the Impulse, otherwise known as the Piazza outside of North America.

Isuzu commissioned legendary designer Giorgio Giugiaro to style a new sporty coupe for them in the late 70s. The result was the Piazza/Impulse. It was classic Giugiaro: simple two-box design, long hood, sloping rear hatchback, flat simple planes, sharp edges and square shapes. If you appreciate modern design, you appreciate Giugiaro and the Impulse.

The car debuted in 1980 but wasn't available in the US until 1983. Unfortunately by that point, the entry level two door rear wheel drive segment was very competitive. The Impulse was initially only offered with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, then gained a turbocharger and fancy Lotus suspension in later years. Production ended around 1990.

This is a nice early example with the basic 4-cylinder engine mated to an automatic transmission. The seller doesn't say much about the condition except it runs and drives. The car was obviously used a lot. A photo of the odometer shows it reading 140,636. The engine compartment, accessible through a cool front-hinged hood, looks decent and tidy enough. The exterior clear coat and rubber look worn, although what appear to be the sweet original alloys are a huge plus.

Inside, the cloth seats are torn, but the dash looks intact. These had cool adjustable steering wheels that moved the instrument cluster with them for maximum visibility.

The seller does say they have lowered the price down to $2,500, which is a good deal provided the car runs ok, has some maintenance history and no rust. This could become a daily driver, but would be nice to restore sooner or later, with fresh paint, mechanical going over and fixed upholstery. Japanese cars of the 80s and early 90s are the new up and coming classics, and mean a lot to the twenty and thirty-something crowd today. This car is a cool, easily obtainable new classic that can function as transportation and a piece of auto history. Not bad.

Available here on craigslist.

1989 Dodge Caravan Turbo 5-Speed

The Caravan was a bright spot in Dodge/Chrysler's 80s lineup. Under Lee Iacocca, it debuted in 1984 as a combination of car and truck: the space and roominess of a van and the ride and handling of a car. It was an instant hit with families and the market has never been the same since.

The mechanicals are less innovative, with front engine and front wheel drive. Fortunately, Dodge was also an another kick in the 80s: turbocharging. I guess they figured the way to beat the front wheel blues was add a turbo boost to everything they sold. As a marketing schtick, turbocharging always looks and seems great. I actuality, it can be a mixed blessing.

So it's perhaps not surprising that a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine found its way into some early Caravans. Even more rare is to find it mated to a stick shift. The engine was good for about 150 horsepower, not bad for the time. In fact, it felt quicker than some of the heavier rear-wheel drive Dodges of the time. Unfortunately the turbo was overshadowed by the more sensible and powerful V6. Sales dropped and 1990 was the last year for the turbo Caravan.

Early Caravans sold in huge numbers but were always driven into the ground, understandably. That means they're hard to find nowadays. The turbo version is even more obscure, but this one survived.

The seller says this one has minor dings, no rust, no roof racks, a new clutch, struts, shocks, tires, windshield, fuel pump, radiator and more. The say it runs good and was being driven 50 miles a day, but don't mention the odometer reading. They do say it needs paint, headliner and a cooling fan.

This is a fun alternative to your usual dull vans and wagons. It's under the collector radar but with some fresh black paint, armor-all and elbow grease this could make a quirky contender at Mopar shows.

Available here on craigslist in Pemberton, New Jersey for $3,200 firm.

43k-Mile 1990 Nissan 240SX 5-Speed

Japanese cars of the 80s and 90s don't get much respect on the fancier car blogs, but they are near and dear to Check Out This Car's heart. When American cars of the Reagan Bush era fell short of the grand promises made in the 50s and 60s, the Japanese happily stepped in with their products. They were built better, drove better and looked better than most things Detroit offered at the time. That's the spirit of free enterprise after all, right? Competition. And so the Japanese proceeded to compete.

The 240SX debuted in 1988 and replaced the outgoing S12 200SX. The body was completely new, with smooth flat planes, rounded corners and a larger greenhouse.

Underneath the hood were either 4 or 6 cylinders that directed power to the rear wheels. The aerodynamic shape, low weight, rear wheel bias and zippy engines have made these popular and sought after in the second hand market. These days, the entry ticked to rear wheel drive runs you about $35k at a minimum. The 240SX was $13k new. You just don't find cars that combine thrift with style and sport like the 240SX anymore.

Unfortunately, all of that also means they usually get used and abused and are therefore very difficult to find in good condition. This '90 example however seems to defy the odds.

It's a basic 4-cylinder model but has only accrued a remarkably low 43,984 miles on the clock. The seller is a well known power ebay seller and have obviously acquired the car with the intention to flip it. The upside is that it's possibly been saved from being junked or modded. The downside is an added premium on the price.

That said, it's amazing to see this car in like-new shape. The seller says it's a 1-owner (technically 2 owners, now that they have it) car that's been garaged and never smoked in. The paint looks glossy with plenty of clear coat left. Even all four original factory hubcaps are intact.

The interior is a revelation in today's world of increasingly tech and screen-oriented dashboards. Nissan one ups the Germans with an interior that is just as business-like and no-nonsense but simple, uncluttered and pleasing to the eye and touch. Note the pre-airbag wheel and the cloth-wrapped glove box.

The engine bay looks equally clean. While it's unfortunate it isn't the 6-cylinder (most of those have been wrecked or trashed by now anyways), the smaller engine will spare you gas and still feel responsive thanks to the 5-speed manual.

The asking price is high, but then what are the chances you'll find another one like this? You really have to love this. With simple and proper upkeep it could easily be on the road for another decade or two.

Available here on ebay for $9,950.

1984 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3 5-Speed

The Mercedes-Benz 190 (chassis code W201) is one of my favorite cars of all time, and easily one of the best, if not the best sedan Mercedes-Benz has ever produced.

The W201 was launched as an all-new small class of car in 1982 (interestingly, the same year as BMW's similar E30). Some aspects were classic Mercedes-Benz: four doors, rear-wheel drive, radiator-grille, three-pointed star on the hood. Other aspects were totally new, including the compact size, sleek aerodynamic body, utilitarian unpainted bumpers, and a new range of efficient gas and diesel engines. It was a bold new statement for the decade.

It says a lot that the sharp, slab-sided styling is the designer Bruno Sacco's favorite work ever. I remember reading he especially loved the way the side lines meld into the rear tail trunk, likening it to the bevels of a diamond. You, Mr. Sacco, were truly a diamond of a designer yourself. He took all the styling cues previous Mercedes designers of the 60s and 70s had employed and cut, chiseled and refined them down into one definitive statement that summed up the whole brand. It's also an important stepping stone as it paved the way for the look of the 1986 W124.

Interestingly, the 'baby benz' never really took off. It was popular in Europe, but buyers in the US who could afford a Mercedes in the first place sprung for the larger W124 and W126. That's a shame, because the W201 offered remarkable thrift without any sacrifices.

As such, they aren't too many left but they do pop up. What you don't see anymore are low mileage survivors. Fortunately, these cars are from the golden era of Mercedes-Benz, when their products peaked in terms quality, durability and reliability, so high mileage that would be avoided on other used cars is normal and in some aspects even desirable. These cars are what the term "bank vault-like" was originally associated with.

This particular example has racked up 188,000, which isn't that high given the year. The seller is a dealer or collected and say they acquired it from the original owner. Everything seems to be original except an aftermarket radio, but even the original radio is included.

It's the 2.3 version, so it has a 4-cylinder engine. Lucky for enthusiasts, it's mated to a rare 5-speed transmission. This should transform the car from a capable cruiser into a fun little sports sedan, while just sipping gas (what looks like the original window sticker shows a respectable 23 mpg rating). The economy-enjoyment levels aren't easily found in today's entry level sedan market and definitely not under $20k.

The seller says the oil and filter were changed along with the air cleaner and rear shocks. It seems ready to go. The only other areas of concern would be the clutch, electronics, and body rust. I'd also ask for maintenance records, which, if it was just one previous owner who took care of it, should be available.

If it all checks out, this is a sweet commuter car. Since the mileage isn't anywhere near low, this thing deserves to be driven until it dies. Which might be a long time.

Available here on craigslist for $3,500.