Here's a fun game:
Go to your local CL / feeBay / nickel trader, etc and search for cars that are less than $12,780 (the cost of a new 2013 Nissan Versa 1.6S, the cheapest new car in the US). Get as close to that number as you can, with the coolest car.
Examples:
2002 Mercedes CLK55 AMG for $12,500
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2000 Porsche Boxster S for $10,000
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2004 Pontiac GTO for $12,495
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I kinda like this ...
http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1964-Rambler-Americian-W0QQAdIdZ470721744
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This is Grand Junction, all the cool cars are $2500. But if I have to spend a bunch more, this is the best of the bunch. Which isn't saying much.
Ford Galaxie 500
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'69 C-10
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1981-Porsche-911-930S-Turbo-look-Wide-body-Slant-nose-Red-Tan-/321118292482?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4ac4244a02
1981 911 Turbo $11k
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1954 Lincoln Cosmopolitan
That's the only thing remotely cool
There are two 70s stingrays on there for over 12K and then this:
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Custom truck, 1988 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton
Charlottesville, VA:
Race car. Set up for slalom track racing. Full roll cage. 1977 BMW 2002. Fully worked engine 165 HP. Racing modified suspension. 5 speed racing gearbox. Many other extra's.TMTL. $ 6,500 as is.OBO. Fully (mothballed) longterm stored condition.
Solo cross antique race car. 1966 2002 BMW. full racing suspension. No roll cage. New racing slicks and rims. Fully worked engine. $ 5,000 or OBO.
Lots more information available on cars.
$10,000 for both or OBO..
'70 Monte
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If $12,500 is the cap I'd spend the rest sourcing a 5 or 6 speed gear box set up and suspension then, sell off the intake, dual carbs, butterfly scoop, trans and converter. I'd graft on a small cowl induction hump to cover the hole in the hood, plop on a dual plane intake, stab in a more streetable cam and mount fatties at all 4 corners.
Yeah...that'll do it. 
1964 Chevy Nova SS
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$12,500 must be a popular price for cool, old stuff.
1979 L82 Corvette
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I have minimum at 11k, max at 12,780. Yet, anything I find is $12,500
I have nothing to add, but what a great idea for a thread!
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http://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/3760551420.html
$12000
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http://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/3792311385.html
$12000
kanaric
New Reader
5/18/13 5:01 a.m.
http://www.thewedgeshop.com/fstr8pg.html
Restored TR8 $11500
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Wedge shop have 4 that would fit this budget it seems.
Not much around here, but here are a few...
59 Studebaker Hawk: http://eastky.craigslist.org/cto/3811582864.html
50 Desoto: http://eastky.craigslist.org/cto/3799381172.html
69 Buuu-ick Skylark: http://eastky.craigslist.org/cto/3788589425.html
65 Chevelle: http://eastky.craigslist.org/cto/3772664910.html
76 Fiat "Spider": http://eastky.craigslist.org/cto/3804539085.html
JoeyM
MegaDork
5/18/13 7:31 a.m.
http://lakeland.craigslist.org/cto/3812062886.html <$4k
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http://images.craigslist.org/3Ee3F83M95Ec5K95Hcd5hae91049f314d1df0.jpg $1500
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http://lakeland.craigslist.org/cto/3811441754.html $3500
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Cool idea
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/3811356043.html STi
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/3798849755.html 6sp gto
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/3805252087.html T bucket
http://pensacola.craigslist.org/cto/3793581318.html sunbeam alpine
Dang I'm going to change my CL search to just this. How cool is this?
While I'm unlikely to drop this kind of coin on a car, I would do it on this car lonnnng before doing it on a Versa:
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/3789426063.html
2008 Volvo C30 T5 R-design, sadly an auto, but still better than a Versa.
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And also way more fun and not likely to break:
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/3808943663.html
2004 S2000
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And if you just wanted an appliance but this is a much better and more fun appliance:
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/3789143216.html
2009 Honda fit sport with a manual
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In other words, there's no reason you should ever, ever, EVER buy a versa.