I gave myself a challenge- to find a project car for less than $1000 that had potential. So, here it is...

...it's a 1977 Chevrolet Monza, and don't let the picture fool you- it has loads of potential. The motor has already been swapped for a 305 cubic inch small block V8, which is the best engine for a monza. Being the town sedan version, this car would be quite the "sleeper", especially if no cosmetic work was done. While it is rough, I would imagine that it could be turned into a hot cuiser for a little less than $1500- quite a bit less than most of the cars of the previous posts on this blog. Here's the link to the Monza on Southeast Kansas Craigslist-

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/4133692150.html

I also would like to apologize for the lack of pictures on some of my other posts- I am having problems with keeping them up. Hopefully, you can see the beauty in this Monza even if you can't see the picture- at only $500, it truly is a hot rod just waiting to happen.

To follow up on the last post, it's obvious that a convertible like the Saab would need some work and inevitably would't, therefore, make sensible everyday transportation. So what would I recommend for a topless auto that you could even drive in January? I think that your best bet would be...

this 1993 Mazda Miata. At only 72k and listed for as little as $4000, this might be a tad more expensive than the Saab, but it is a much more sound investment, too. Remember, auto critics have praised the Miata as being the MG that wan't always followed by a tow truck, the Triumph that wasn't  forced to live in fear of inevitable mechanical failure. In that accord, it really is a remarkable deal. Here's the link to the Miata (or MX-5 if you're a stickler on model names):

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4084582814.html

Now, for the prevalent issues with Miatas: first of all, they can be seen as a sort of safe option. Lots were made and they are not old enough yet to have been slain by the wraith of the crusher, so many of them are still in circulation. The other issue is far larger of a problem in some circumstances; the Miata is seen as a definite "chick car". The best advice to the men out there who are looking at a Miata (or a New Beetle, or a Fiat 500, or a Mini Cooper, etc.) is to use the same technique as the "real men wear pink" set. You could also say that it takes someone driving a chick car to understand women, portraying yourself as a sort of "lady's man". Either way, the Miata really isn't about what others think of it- it's about open air fun without compromising reliability or gas mileage or depriciation. On an open road, however, the Miata is best summed up by its infamous slogan- "Zoom Zoom". Because Miatas are no longer in production, they seem destined for collector car status in the next few decades, so if you are buying one, set on it for a while and watch it appreciate. In the mean time, you'll probably become so in love with the way that it drives that you will surely decide not to part with it. 

In the meantime, you can cruise around in your late model classic thinking about the thousands you've saved over other iconic convertibles. You may want to hold on to that peice of paper with the towing companies' phone numbers that you keep in your glovebox, however; you never know the next time you'll need to stop to help a mid-1960s Lotus or Alfa Romeo Spyder in distress- proving that just because you drive the most reliable sports car I know of that you'll still be on the side of the road from time to time. 

Today' post is on one of the biggest sleepers that the world has ever seen...

...the Ford Taurus SHO! The old SHO, like the new one, can be difficult to distinguish from the average Taurus at a quick glance, but underneath that mundane plastic body is a true beast of a V6. That takes this wolf in sheep's clothing from zero to sixty in 7.3 seconds and up to a theoretical top speed of 144. That may not sound impressive in a world of car companies advertising 300 horsepower V6s, but for the mid 1990s it was the absolute cutting edge. This model is better regareded in general than, say, the Beretta Z-26 that I made an earlier post on, so I can't call it unusual that an enthusiast would buy one, but it is unusual to find one in prestine condition, as is this one. It's a 1995 model, and aside from a slightly worn front seat and an aftermarket cd player, it is totally original and preserved. It's listed for $2500 on Kansas City Craigslist, here's the link:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4091671346.html

This happens to be one of the most talked-about models of the 1990s, and so therefore it is somewhat safe to say that these stand a chance to become real collectors' items in a few years. And until then, you can throw on a pancho and head down to the local parking lot for a day of inline skating in true 1990s fashion- just so long as you can still remeber how to use inline skates...

I set a goal for today's post...to take our minds off of the declining temperatures, I decided to try and find a low-priced yet drivable convertible I could on Kansas City Craigslist. I came up with...

...this 1988 Saab 900 Turbo Cabriolet! It appears to have no rust and, being swedish, is sure to be built like a clock- reliable while also somewhat intricate and fragile. The car seems to be in working order, the only thing needing repair being the rear window (plastic is in place, which is fine, but for better presentation the owner recommends putting in a new glass replacement). The price for all of this Swedish fresh air-just $1850. Here's the link to the 900 Turbo:

http://joplin.craigslist.org/cto/4113507777.html

Having never owned a Saab, I am having difficulty determining how reliable the cars generally are. Some reviews praise them as reaching 400k and more, and others curse them as completely failing at 90k. If there are any Saab owners (current or former)  in the audience, I would love to be informed on your opinions related to the cars' reliability. This car was designed before Saab became a mismanaged side marque in the General Motors heirarchy, and as such I am led to believe the development of this model was more in-depth than that of later Saabs. Of course, the most important thing about my choice of this car is its removable top- which really does make a huge difference on this model. The sedans and coupes are fine, if a little vanilla, wheras the Cabriolet just makes such a dramatic entrance. Who ever thought you could be cruising in a drop-top luxury Euro crusier for less than $2k?

You can't judge a book by it's cover, and today's car is running and driving proof of that old saying...

It is a 1976 Pontiac Grand Prix listed on Kansas City Craigslist for $4500. That may at first seem a little steep, but there is something that makes this car special- it was ordered with the rare and desirable Golden Anniversary package. That means the car has power windows, T-Tops, power locks, power seats, and a special paint job and vinyl roof. All this adds up to just one thing- a car that belongs valet parked at the nearest disco. 

On the more modern end of its life, the car seems to have been babied and appears prestine. It's just begging to be used as one of those smooth-riding personal luxury cruisers that you occasionally see at a cruise night. This is one car that is in such good shape I could't stand to hot rod it. I would simply recommend busting out the bellbottoms, popping the "Very Best of the Bee Gees" into the 8 Track player and cruising off into the sunset. 

Today's post is a car that I never could quite understand...

the Subaru SVX. You see, this Subaru had all the outstanding handling characteristics of the STI WRX Imprezza, except with a naturally aspirated engine- meaning you could use regular rather than premuim fuel. Also, it had an amazing, sleek asthetic that the hot-rod compact sedan Impreza can't, in my mind, match. True, it could benefit from a STI-style hood scoop and bright blue or red paint job, but otherwise it seems to be an excellent car. I could excuse the man that probably passed by this very car in 1992, as no one knew how excellent the Subaru all wheel drive system was in performance driving. But today, when the infamous WRX starts at nearly $26,000 and even the most used versions of that car fetch $10,000 easy, how can this spiritual predecessor sell for only $2400?! Here's the link to the SVX on Kansas City Craigslist:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3989545594.html

If you were thinking about buying a used WRX and find they are out of your price range, buy this. But don't just take my word for it...watch the "Cult Classics" episode of US Top Gear and listen to the famous Rutledge Wood extoll the virtues of this capable sportster. There is one huge advantage of this versus the WRX or the Mistubishi Evo, and it is simply this...you can drive it without wearing your ball cap sideways and still get noticed. 

Do to technical difficulties beyond my control, yeterday I was unable to post, so today there will be a double posting comparing two great sports cars at great prices in Southeast Kansas. The first continder, representing Japan, is...

a 1981 Datsun 280ZX! Now, I know what you are thinking-that the 280 was just a minor revamp of the iconic 240Z that made it slower and more cliche...kind of like when a remix of a favorite song of the 1970s comes out...it loses its comforting retro-ness while still failing to be ultimately contemporary...just sort of wishy-washy. While the 280ZX may never overcome its older brothers the 240 and 260Z, it is still a nimble, glamourous, and powerful sports car of a byegone era...something we all can appreciate.

This one, listed on Kansas City Craigslist,  is in unusually good repair, as these early Datsuns had a reputation for terminal rust problems. This one is also in running condition, rare as these cars came with one of the first Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) systems and were therefore sometimes sacrificed at a young age by flightly and uneducated owners who feared massive repair builds- some thought it just easier to junk the car, especially if it was beginning to develop rust. Today, however, some 280ZXs are receiveing the loving enthusiast ownership that they have long deserved. This car appears to fit in that catagory, but is only priced at $3200. Here's the link to the 280ZX:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4050278326.html

So, will the 280ZX be able to compete with its competition from Germany, which is this 1984 Porsche 944?

WIth its distinctive paint job and revered badge, the 944 wins almost immedaitely on the topic of curb appeal, but not so fast...while a new Porsche may last a long time, this one has 29 years worth of use, and Porsche is a luxury brand and therefore charges a relatively high price for parts and repairs. Also, you won't get much love from the Porsche purists, who regard the 944 about like Shelby enthusiasts regard the 1978 King Cobras...not pleasantly. Still, for pure street cred, it would work so much better to tell your blind date about your Porshce setting in the parking lot as opposed to your Datsun-just be prepared for some skepticism when she finally sees it, as it does not fall under many of the stereotypical Porsche styling cues. This one does cost more than the Datsun at $5250, but it is still about the most snob appeal you can buy for less than $7500. Here's the link to the 944:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4045707878.html

So, which would I have? I would most definetly go for the Datsun, and I would use the extra money left over from the purchase for a snazzy new paint job, a pair of lambo doors, and some Countach badges...you have to admit that looks wise, the 280Z looks just as much like a Lambroghini as the 944 does to a 911. Don't agree with my descision? Leave your opinion in the comment box and we'll see which one the readers picked. Until then, keep your foot to the floor and drive on!