So much better than the specs would indicate:
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Loved mine, and owned it for 12 years. But when I sort-of replaced it with a BMW E30 325i I realized the Bimmer was possibly one of the best, most balanced cars I'd ever driven.
A few suspension bits and they shine as a driver's car. And you won't even care if you get the crew cab version.
Isuzu Vehicross is the bazaar suv. Cool but cult following
87-88 Thunderbird TurboCoupe. I owned one and they drive really really well. I'd enjoy revisiting this ownership, great car.
87 Shelby Charger. Also owned one and it was far worse than the Thunderbird but it did shout 80's with it's black and silver paint job.
Mazda 323
Mitsubishi Cordia or Tredia or Sapparo
I'm definitely biased, but $8k buys a lot of 5 cylinder Audi!
I'd suggest a Saab 900 turbo, but I see you already ruled those out. Maybe a turbo Probe or MX-6? The F2T is a lot of fun.
And I'll put another vote in for the Thunderbird Turbocoupe. The only one I've driven was in rough shape, but it was still a really cool car
Scirocco, bonus points if it's still a stock 8v since alot of those got modified.
Samurai?
A Sterling?
Probably out of the price range. But turbo Mopar minivan, even better if it's a 5sp.
People are importing the Accord Aerodeck (all are going to RHD) , but the regular 3rd gen Accord sedan is also very 80s.
Volvo 780
As much as I mourn the death/decline of Craigslist, this shopping will be very hard without Facebook
For that budget you could get a very nice Jaguar XJS V12. Want to add unique? Get a Hess and Eisenhart convertible. From about 1987-1990 They were the factories conversion.
Most feel their work was nicer than the factories. In that when lowered their top was nearly flush compared to the factories big bulge.
The factory also produced a T top convertible about then as well.
That V12 is the finest built engine I've ever seen topped by a stupid EFI that was basically 3 VW Rabbit units ganged together.. Face it, any EFI of that era is a problem. Knowledge and parts will be a problem. But the ignition is GM stocked in parts stores all across the country. ( about $15-20 unless you want the plastic housing around it then its $1400.00+
It's also the most powerful engine of anything in that era. Capable of an honest 150 mph right off the assembly line.
One of four known remaining lapis blue neon acr's that has undergone full restoration.
Complete with numbers matching engine and trans, all parts to return to stone stock, and many many period correct speed parts.
Celebrity eurosport wagon
Eurosport VR is even better...if you can find one. I also loved the 6000STE
SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) said:I also loved the 6000STE
The 6000SUX is my favorite
Early honda prelude
Supercoupe/Supercharged XR7/Mark VIII
SHO
Can you get a Z32 for that price?
You've already poopooed my top suggestion (Saab 900), so I'll say first generation RX-7.
Turbo Sprint.
In reply to iansane :
Nice!!!
Swift GTi
Hyundai Tiburon.... almost all have vaporized around here....
Could the Mustang SVO be found under 8 grand?
Now that I think about it, wasn't there a SVO version of the Contour?
Nissan 200SX SE V6
Infiniti M30
Mazda 929
I'm going to continue my reign of decrying StarQuest: please don't go Starion/Conquest unless you're also ready for rebuilding a turd of a motor or swapping in a new one. That guy with the $10k Quest knows some desperate owner who needs fuel injectors (probably) will at least try to meet him halfway. That thing is worth maybe $4k and you cand spend the rest fixing all the problems.
Okay, enough of that.
Sundance Turbo?
I too was thinking that Conquests were hard to make reliable enough to daily drive 20 years ago. I cant imagine its gotten better and now its really rare to even occasionally drive one. I agree they are a great body but they're let down by not the best engine and certainly let down by good parts sourcing.
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