$25,000 Challenge Results
We had some fantastic responses to the $25,000 Challenge last week; I shouldn't be surprised by the number and quality of responses we get to these classifieds challenges, yet I still am. Given the current value of most of the cars we discuss on this blog, it's not a huge surprise that $25,000 paid for quite a bit. Is it wrong that I'd rather spend the average cost of a new family car on an old Citroen? If so, I don't want to be right.
These cars are certainly much nicer than the ones we found in the $5,000 Challenge (challenge, results). Unfortunately, because I gave this a little longer than a week to run, most of the Craigs List links are dead. So, I'll do my best to sum up, breaking things up this time into various categories and awards. I'll work in my finds where it makes sense, but your choices destroyed mine this time around.
The Siren Award/Best In Show
My personal favorite of all the finds was Gavin's inspired choice of a 1972 Citroen SM for $11,500. As the award implies, this Citroen has a seductive call, but once ensnared you are likely to find your doom. In the case of this gorgeous SM, I'm not entirely sure I'd mind.
Gavin said:
"I'll take this, then use the remaining $11,500 for one year's worth of maintenance. Every drive would be worth it, though."
Most sane people would probably look at an $11.5K price tag for a 1970s Citroen as highway robbery, but those people just don't get it. That's a fantastic price for such an immaculate SM. Just look at it! I lust for this car in the same way Wile E. Coyote covets the Road Runner.
The Smartest Buy Award
Shawn had an excellent response to the challenge--why buy one $25K car when you can buy two all-world German cars for less than the price limit? Shawn found a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E--the factory analogue to the infamous AMG Hammer--and a 1989 Porsche 928GT, both of which could theoretically be had for less than $25K. He cheated a little, since the Porsche's Buy It Now price was nearly $24K and we never got to see the reserve. Still, I'm stunned that a 500E--one of the best sedans on the planet in the early 1990s--can be had for less than $10,000.
With 16 cylinders, 64 valves, a mountain of torque, and top-flight engineering, these two paragons of smooth, restrained German butt-kicking performance would fill out a two-car garage quite nicely. If you had $25,000 to spend would you rather have an average new family car--say, a nicely optioned four-cylinder Camry--or a world-class sports sedan and a world-class performance GT? That's not a difficult decision--just make sure you're able to pay for the maintenance.
The Living Vicariously Award
John Bono nailed the "very cool, but I wouldn't actually buy it" niche with this 1990 Pontiac Firebird with the full interior/exterior Knight Rider treatment. As much as I loved KITT as a kid--and who am I fooling by using the past tense here?--and as nice as this conversion is, I can't quite see buying and driving this car.
The real killer here is the engine--this would-be fast car has the base V-6. Sure, people understand that a replica KITT won't have artificial intelligence, but for it to be slow is a bit of an insult.
Still, check out that interior. Not great for the night vision, perhaps, but the eight-year-old in me thinks that is just too cool.
The Eight-Year-Old Award
So, what's e
ven more attractive to my eight-year-old mentality than a replica KITT? This is a stretch for this challenge, but this package deal of an industrial excavator, a logging truck, and logging skidder makes the heavy equipment lover in me grin. I could use the truck for transportation--in theory, anyway--and playing around in the tractors would be a blast. All three are likely in horrific shape or they wouldn't be available at these prices, but it's not as if I'd need them for anything other than entertainment.
Now, not only are these not cars, not only is this a blindingly impractical idea, but the package blows through the price cap--all together they cost $40K. But choose either the $23K excavator or the combination of the $7K skidder and the $6.5K truck, and you'd have some good cheap fun that fits under the price limit.
Again I ask--what's more fun, a new four-cylinder Camry, or some adult-size Tonka toys?
The "Holy Smokes, I Can't Believe These Are So Cheap" Award
Mochi Mochi hit on the Lotus theme this time around, and in the process he found some stunningly cheap Loti. Lotus Esprits are the forgotten members of the 1980s and early 1990s exotic car fraternity, but they shouldn't be. They shared that era's quirks--not reliable, cramped, uncomfortable--but were thrilling performers and drop-dead gorgeous.
Mochi found an award-winning 1989 turbo for only $18,000, and a few others (including an early model, a '77!) for less than $20,000. For good measure, he also found an immaculate Lotus Europa S2 for $14,500 (pictured)
Obviously, if you're interested in discount Loti, check out southern California.
The downside? As Mochi and Cookie the Dog's Owner commented:
Mochi: "I had no idea that Lotii were so affordable - I wonder if there's a catch? :)"
Cookie the Dog's Owner: "Yes. You either take up auto mechanics as a secondary hobby incidental to Lotus ownership or fund a private annuity for your local garage."
The Fedora Award
This award recognizes high fashion from a bygone era--outdated, perhaps, but the passage of time provides even more cachet. Caddy Jeff, true to his name, found a wonderfully swank, completely restored, award-winning 1947 Cadillac right at the $25,000 limit. He said:
"I think the pictures speak for themselves, and yes, I would daily drive that..."
I'm not sure I could bring myself to drive it everyday, but I'd sure want to. You remember how I said the Ford Tempo was anti-style, destroying stylishness on impact? Well, this Cadillac is the exact opposite. Put Screech from Saved by the Bell, in this car, and his entire body of work would suddenly look a lot more legitimate.
Runner-up honors go to the 1947 Ford Tudor found by David Colborne.
The Serve and Protect Award
John Bono, who picked out the KITT replica above, struck again with this fantastic 1972 Dodge Polara Pursuit cruiser. Only 23,000 miles, stored in climate-controlled indoor storage for 30 years. Oh, and it has the 440 Magnum pursuit big-block engine that I lionized in this post on the Polara's descendant.
The listing isn't completely clear on whether this was a civilian police-package car owned by a law enforcement official, or whether it was actually in law enforcement briefly, but it doesn't really matter. I have always loved these Polaras--they'll be featured here once I get around to it--and a perfect, original, 440 police cruiser in unobtrusive white is an incredible find. And it went for only $14K!
The battle for Best in Show honors came down to this Polara and the Citroen SM, and it was neck-and-neck. The real answer, of course, is to buy both of them--they totaled $25,500. Challenge solved, done and done. And along those lines ...
Best Comment:
Slick: "Remember, sometimes the best car is a lot of cars."
--Chris H.
Mochi Mochi on September 25, 2008 at 08:44 PM
What a striking range of cars. They almost all make me drool. The Citroen, the Polara, the Lotus, and Giant Tonka Toys. My head spins. But the little Lotus... she calls to me... I can hear the echo "buy me... buy meeee"
Mochi Mochi on September 25, 2008 at 11:11 PM
You know... the Lotus Europa with a Honda engine - that would be sweet. Pull the Renault engine, drop in a nice little EF engine, with fuel injection and proper electrical system. The engine could be completely maxed out - the car is so old that no emissions regulations would apply to it. That would be reliable and very very hot. As long as the frame and suspension are sound we'd be good. Maybe I would not have to pay my mechanic's annuity?
Cookie the Dog's Owner on September 26, 2008 at 05:58 AM
A Lotus with a Honda engine and drivetrain and a non-Lucas electrical system? Sweet.
on September 26, 2008 at 08:03 AM
So what do I win?
on September 26, 2008 at 08:04 AM
So what do I win?
Rob the SVX guy on September 26, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Yeah, I've been thinking about dropping Honda B series engines in all sorts of things. They're fantastic powerplants.... easy to upgrade, reliable, sip fuel, and most importantly, they almost enjoy being abused. I've seen mini coopers with them, but a Citroen DS with about 170hp would be fantastic. Anyway... this was a cool challenge, but I didn't take part in it because I can't fathom ever spending 25 grand on a car. Ever. I know, I'm weird...but for some reason I feel like there's so much cool stuff under 10 I'd never want to spend more.
Steaming Pile on September 26, 2008 at 11:03 AM
@Rob - why not put it in the '47 Caddy? That big sucker probably had something like 140 HP under the hood, tops.
Rob the SVX guy on September 26, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Yeah, but Honda engines lack the torque to motivate something that heavy. An SVX engine would probably work pretty well though! :)
Anthony Cagle on September 26, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I would TOTALLY buy that Polara. I love this place.
OTOH, who knows, if this whole Car Lust thing takes off all these cheap cars will end up costing a fortune.
Gavin on September 26, 2008 at 06:35 PM
Thanks for the kind words. This has truly made my day & I feel honoured! One modification I'd make to this car is to convert those ugly U.S. spec front lights for the delightful Euro lights that swivel into the turn with the front wheels.
Mochi Mochi, that's a lovely Europa...
Like I said before, do I win anything?
Mochi Mochi on September 26, 2008 at 06:37 PM
I like the radar pod on the polara - nice touch.
charlie on September 28, 2008 at 07:35 AM
I've fantasized about owning an Sm since I was 10 and continue to believe I will some day. With that said, this particular SM has been for sale at the same dealership for over a year. If this isn't a red flag, I don't know what is.
Caddy Jeff on October 01, 2008 at 05:13 PM
Awesome! I loved the 'Fedora' category, I couldn't imagine it any more perfect. I may only be in my mid 20s but I would love nothing more than to get a 3 piece suit, wingtip shoes (black and white of course), and a Fedora, have my wife dress 1930's and cruise around, just because we could.
See it's people on this blog who care as much about the 'experience' and soul of a car as much as it's performance or looks.
My favorite quote from the comments is still Gavin's: "I'll take this, then use the remaining $11,500 for one year's worth of maintenance. Every drive would be worth it, though."
Amen man, Amen...
Jason Carpp on December 02, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I love the Citroen SM. I've never seen one up close and personal, but I love the styling and everything that went into the car. It's too bad not many of them made it into the US. I've always hated the US govt for deciding what comes into the US and what doesn't. Another favourite of mine is the Lotus Europa. I've only seen one up close and drivable. I wish I knew who the driver was. I would've loved to go for a ride in it. Beautiful car. Better looking (I think) than the Esprit.