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!

Today's post sets the record for the oldest car on the blog so far. It is also a very popular body style that I would usually dismiss as a "cookie cutter" example, but this one has a sleeper vibe that is unmistakably cool.

It is a 1955 Chevrolet sedan with a six cylinder motor and three speed column shifted transmission. While the seller doesn't specify, I would guess that it is a 210 model, but it may be the 150. These less-expensive models are rarely seen today, as the attention-hogging Bel Airs became the automobile of choice after being featured in countless motion pictures and becoming the poster child for the early phases of the "retro" fad. The four door Tri-Five Chevrolet is also less than common in the modern show scene, as most of these sturdy workhorses were sent to the proverbial glue factory to be remade as 1980s Camrys when their reliability began to fade. This one, however, was supposedly parked in 1972 and reads 47k on its odometer. Here's the link to the Chevy on Kansas City Craigslist:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4118922903.html

The car has just the right amount of patina to fit in with today's rat rod craze, and the pastel blue is just as 1950s as the Fonz. It seems to have retained all its chrome, and, aside from needing floor pans, the interior seems very restorable. While the seller claims that the original six cylinder turns over and should run, at only $2900, you would have the extra cash to swap in a more powerful motor to create a true Dr. Jeckle/ Mr. Hyde street and strip car. Just be sure to swap in something other than a 350 or LS engine- remember, there are lots of people with 1955 Chevrolets, and you don't want to get lost in the crowd. Leather jacket and hair slicking grease not included.

The time has come to admit something to you... even though I have written a few posts on them, I am really pretty unfamiliar with European cars. I knew about the Midget because, as a reader of Hemmings Motor News, I am well versed in British roadsters, and I knew of the Renault Gordini, which was the sports version of the R10 that I wrote my first post on. However, especially when it comes to Germans, I could stand to know more. All that to say that if you are a europhile and you see something inaccurate in this post (or if you have a memory or daydream related to this car or others like it), please feel free to click on the "comment" button and call me out. I am sure that, on the topic of Geman cars, there is a lot you can teach me.

Even though I am a newbie to the BMW scene, it dosen't take a bavaria historian to tell that this 530i is quite a steal at only $2500. It would actually amount to about $2650, as one of the rear tailights is cracked and a new one at Bavarian Autosport (www.bavauto.com, check it out if you have a beamer or mini cooper) is $149.95. Aside from that, the BMW is in excellent exterior condition. The interior leather is worn-in, but not abused, and the rest of the interior is well preserved. The car does have over 200,000 miles, but these were one of the most reliable luxury cars of their time and are known to very easily exceed 300k. Here's a link to the Beamer on Kansas City Craigslist:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4114551090.html

As far as I see it, this car is ready for some modification. I was wondering, and perhaps any BMW fans reading this post could tell me, if it could be made to run with a modern BMW V10 from a damaged S85 or a V8 from another late-model BMW? If so, it could well be the only 1994 530i with that engine installed- it would definetly be something to behold at a car show, and could pull off some autocross or drag racing on the side. If you can't tell, even though I would not consider myself a particular fan of BMW, or any luxury German automakers for that matter, I am starting to see some promise in their cars.  Es ist super!

Today's post strikes a particularly sentimental chord with me, as I was born the year that it was made and have always been a fan of...

...the Ford Mustang! Now, you may be thinking that this 1994 chile pepper red GT is just your run of the mill modular engined car (4.6L V8, for those of you who are not familiar with late model 'stangs)- but contrare, this rare early production model is packing a secret punch! Here's the link to the Mustang on Kansas City Craigslist:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4104669149.html

This car, being early in the production cycle of the SN-95 body style, was equipped with the glorious (in the minds of Mustang enthusiasts, anyway) 5.0 HO engine. Yes, that's right, the same engine that Vanilla Ice had in his convertible...I guess that makes this special 'stang sort of a classic late-model. The seller lists various performance upgrades, as do most late-model Mustang owners, including "underdrive pulleys, BBK cold air kit, adjustable clutch cable, king cobra clutch, 3.73 gears, lowering springs, and the interior has alot of the Bullit accessories". Sounds like quite a lot of car for only $3900.

To be fair, it does have a fair amount of miles (over 200k), and in a sea of SN-95 style 'stangs there won't be too much on this to make you stand out, but that may just be the point. While everyone else dismisses you as just another 23-year-old secretary in a V6, you can floor it and show them who's boss. 

Speaking of Boss, this is about the closest you'll get to a new one for under $10k. A Grabber Blue 1970 Boss was one of my early dream cars. But imagining the number of tickets that a 19-year-old would accumulate in either of those two cars, I think I'll stick with my V6 for now. 

Tonight's post is once again a departure from our common theme...

this time, it's a late model. A 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS to be precise, it appears to be in quite good condition on the outside, and it includes a host of high-cost performance parts. The car is listed for $1875, which raises concern considering the fact that so many performance parts were added, but then again, it could simply be a high-mileage example.

Here is the link to the Impala on Joplin Craigslist:

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/4118187924.html

Based on the Caprice, the Impala SS was one of few true muscle cars for the 1990s. It debuted to mostly positive reviews, and has since been crowned as one of the best performance bargains available today. I've always liked the 1990s "step down" Caprice, so this was a naturally tempting proposition for me. This car would be absolutely perfect for the person who's budget calls for a late model car but doesn't care for foreign cars and also wants a car that has some punch. If that description fits you, I suggest you pay up the two grand and join the left lane club.

Today's post includes the least expensive car on Cars Cars and More Cars to date-drumroll please...

And the honor goes to

...this 1979 MG Midget! I found this Midget on Joplin craigslist, here's the link:
http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/4088217673.html

Get ready for a shocker. This MG is a complete, "restorable" car for only: $700. That's right, a classic British roadster for less than a grand. Of course, being the hot rodder I am, I immediately thought about swapping the worn stock engine for a turbo'd Chevrolet powerplant out of a mid-2000s Chevrolet Cobalt SS. Those produce roughly 250 hp, around four times the amount of power that the stock engine in this car made. Considering that the asking price on the car is so low, I might not even break the bank doing it.

Unusual for a British Leyland product, the body looks remarkably rot-free and, while the interior looks pretty well thrashed, I would believe that the seller was correct in his assessment that it could be restored...or at least repaired enough to go to a few shows and generate some interest on the street. Best of all, you could pop down the lane to buy a paper in the morning in some vintage tin from the land on which the sun never sets. While you're at it, could you get me some tea and crumpets, gov'ner?

Get ready for a really wacky concept this time, but here it goes...

How about a classic tuner bodystyle with a classic US muscle car powertrain?

I hatched this plot while checking out this 1985 Corolla hatch (no pun intended) on Joplin, MO Craigslist.

At a $2250 asking price, it is reasonably affordable for what it is. For those readers who are unaware, this body style of Corolla is known as the AE86 (its internal chassis code at Toyota) and is revered as the end of an era for "old skool" tuner cars, as it was one of the last rear wheel drive Corollas that Toyota has made to date. As such, the price of such a car is usually quite high, and they are also usually already souped up with race suspensions and engines for autocross and drift events, which would make a possible V8 conversion difficult.

But this could be the perfect candidate. The seller says that the car has a bad clutch fan and a misfire which, along with its realtively high mileage, sounds like good encouragement for an engine swap. The most obvious would be to go with an LS (everyone seems to choose those nowadays), but in the interest of space preservation underhood, I would be more likely to go with a 5.0 Ford/ 5 speed combo out of an early 1990s Ford Mustang. You could even leave the rough exterior alone and go with a sort of "sleeper" appearance. 

Let me know what you think. 

I've noticed that most of my posts so far have been over relatively small cars, and while those are great, we all know that not everyone wants a small vehicle. Let's face it, our mindset on cars can sometimes become  "bigger is better", and today's car is perfect for someone with that mindset.

This is a 1975 Plymouth Grand Fury Custom that is listed on Kansas City Craigslist for $1800. Just stop and think about that for a second. $1800 for that much vintage Detroit metal! As an added bonus, this car is essentially the same car used by John Belushi and Dan Akyroyd in the 1980 cult classic "The Blues Brothers". Anyone that can't get excited about the possibility of scoring a full-size, vintage mopar for less than two grand that was featured in a famous car chase film is probably on the wrong site. Here's the link to the Fury on Craigslist:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4075576422.html

Of course, the car does seem to have a small rust problem and I'm sure that it isn't exactly  economical on gasoline, but, as Elwood Blues said of it "It was a steal...it has a 440 cube plant, and was a model made before catalytic converters so it runs good on regular gas." I would be willing to bet that this one even has a functional cigarette lighter!

Today's post is on a controversial topic, so let me know where you stand on this. O.K., here it goes...

Can a spinoff model of an unloved vehicle become a collector's item?
Case in point- this 1996 Chevrolet Beretta Z-26. Someone obviously thought that it was worth preserving, as it only has 61k and looks to be in spectacular condition. Dare I say that I felt a twinge of temptation upon seeing it?

Here's the link to the Beretta on SEK Craigslist :  http://tulsa.craigslist.org/ctd/4109769096.html

You must admit, an unrespected U.S. sports car of the 1990s (think also Ford Probe GT, Dodge Stealth, Eagle Talon TSi) would be unique in a collector car hobby full of cookie cutter 1970 Chargers and 1969 Camaros. The cars would also, being newer, be less likely to cause problems on long-distance road trips, although I'm not sure how much respect you would be given by traditional enthusiasts for taking a Beretta on the Powertour or to a Super Chevy meet.

However, who knows? The misfit American sports car might just become the next auto enthusiast fad... 

Hello and Welcome to Cars Cars and More Cars Southeast Kansas. This blog was created for the purpose of bringing together the automotive enthusiasts of Southeast Kansas. This blog is intended to be unbiased, however, if you notice that the cars that I post about are a little out of the ordinary, that is because I do tend to lean towards automobiles that are not the norm... and the car that I found for this post definitely meets that description!

The car this post is centered on is a 1969 Renault R10 that I found on Kansas City, MO Craigslist for $1900- that's chump change for a car this rare. According to the seller it's been parked since 1971 and needs a full restoration, but it is relatively straight and still holds most of its original parts. It's located in  Silver Lake, KS. Here's the link to the listing:

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4054480659.html

Check it out, it's definetly worth a look whether you are looking for a car or not.

Well, that's it for this post, hope you enjoyed it and I sincerely hope that you will stay along for the ride as I post more in the future. Until then, keep the pedal to the metal and the foot to the floor!