PopMech: 8 Hot Used Cars on Sale for Pennies on the Dollar

[onager]

:rofl:

There are good reasons why most of these wallet-swallowers go for pennies on the dollar.

I live in L.A., where old Ferraris, Jags and Porsches are pretty common. But not quite as common as people who "always wanted a Ferrari/Jag/Porsche." So seeing old "exotic" cars broken down on the side of the freeway is an even more common sight. And no, the landlord WON'T believe that rusty old Mercedes under your apartment window is an art/media project.

And on to the article...

Ferrari 308/328 (1975 to 1989) - Why It's Cool: It's a midengine Ferrari for the price of a family sedan... Oh good grief. Repairs and maintenance will cost about as much as 5 family sedans...assuming your family sedan is a Bentley Continental.

Porsche 944 (1983 to 1991) - 911 owners will point, laugh and say: "Nice Audi!"

Mazda Miata (1990 to 1997) - Almost any Miata made before 1997 will be well thrashed. These are big favorites in the 24 Hours Of LeMons. No, that's not a typo: http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/

BMW 3 Series (1984 to 1991) - A 20-yr-old Beemer? A newer one with a warranty will cost less in the long run.

Cadillac STS (1992 to 1997) - Why It's Cool: Big, fast and gifted with GM's trick overhead-cam Northstar V8... - And one of the Northstar's best tricks was eating itself. Earlier engines were famous for catastrophic head gasket failure and a love/hate relationship with oil, which the Northstar simultaneously leaked, used excessively and burned.

Jaguar XJR (1995 to 1997) - no, no, just no, for the love of Jos. "Prince of Darkness" Lucas. If you want an exclusive, hand-built, British car with an interior full of felled trees and dead cows, just go all out and buy an old Aston-Martin. Twice the cachet of the Jag, and you'll look even more fabulous driving to the poorhouse. Assuming you can get the Aston started.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class (1986 to 1995) - remember that you bought this thing for "pennies on the dollar" when you limp into a Mercedes repair shop. With most old American cars, even a ten-thumbed wrencher like me can go to the local Pick-Ur-Part and find everything from a sun visor to a transmission. Not so much with a Mercedes. For a 1986-95 car, by now most parts are made of Unobtainium. And it's a long drive to the famous junkyards of Stuttgart.

Volvo 240 Sedan (1982 to 1993) - yes, they're dead safe and run forever. Until they don't. Ah well, that nice boxy shape already resembles a giant planter, so it can have a second life as a non-moving yard decoration. Or yank the original engine and build a "Volvette." Just make sure your insurance is paid up first - that's car AND life insurance.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/fuel-economy/8-hot-used-cars-on-sale-for-pennies-on-the-dollar?src=soc_fcbk#fbIndex1

[hunter]

1. Our 1984 Volvo 240 is awesome.

It's not really expensive since I can usually scrounge up junkyard parts and fix stuff myself.

Last time I took it to my mechanic (for work that required a lift) he asked me to pay for the parts up front and promise I'd return for it. He's had similar cars abandoned on his lot.

[JCMach1]

2. Mazda would be OK... and not so expensive to fix

[dimbear]

3. I bought my first Jaguar for 375 dollars.

Wish I still had it. Few little problems, like that broken overhead valve timing chain.