Here's a list of 9 random affordable fun/pretty cars.

"Jim Spanfeller" (awesomeaustinv) 04/14/2020 at 10:00 • Filed to: I'm Bored

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This list was originally going to go into much more detail, but then I accidentaly deleted it after hours of work, sooooo.... I don’t care anymore. But screw it, I’m gonna post my stupid list anyways.

1. VW Karmann Ghia. Arguably one of the prettiest cars ever made, and still relatively affordable.

2. Fourth-gen Ford Thunderbird. In my opinion, a seriously underrated classic car. I have one, I love it, and you could love one too.

3. Corvair. It’s an American Porsche and most definitely NOT a deathtrap. They are frickin’ awesome and pretty, too.

4. Almost a ny classic car with four doors. Collectors tend to prefer coupes over sedans, which is stupid. The sedans are plenty cool too, and look almost if not just as good as their coupe counterparts. But the collectors’ loss is your gain, since these things tend to be dirt cheap compared to coupes.

5. ‘78 Plymouth Fury police car. The malaise appearance and specs make it initially sound deceptively slow. However, with the police-spec 440 V8, these were capable of going well over 130 mph. They’re brutal muscle cars in disguise.

6. Saab 93/96 . These are delightfully weird in all the best ways. Plus, rally history!

7. PT Cruiser. Fight me.

8. Siata S 50 van. All I know about these rare, obscure Spanishh vans is that they’re adorable , based on the Seat 600's drivetrain, cheap when they do pop up for sale, and I want one. Siata Is Always The Answer.

9. Long live the Miata!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 10:11

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I could not agree more about the Corvair. Such pretty cars. And the sedan and wagon variants are usually even cheaper. You might want to go with the revised second generation though for the better handling and other tweaks that made them more livable.

The Saab 96 is also delightful in every possible way.

As for the Siata, that is obscure even for me.

W ith the PT the rose tint is not quite strong enough ye.

The Ghia? I think it might be one of the prettiest cars ever for the price level they sold for new. But then again there are also people out there who think classic E types are ugly. Even the convertibles.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 10:12

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I’m not sure what you consider “relatively affordable”, have you looked at Karmann Ghia prices lately? I guess you can still get one for under $20k, and a rolling project/rust pile can com in around $5000... But really nice ones are trading near at $40k-$60k.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 10:13

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7. PT Cruiser. Fight me.

Just as a reminder, they never made a PT Cruiser ACR so your point is immediately invalidated by the neon. I applaud the effort, but you missed the mark by a wide margin here, and I will indeed fight you. Please consider the following left and right hooks:

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ranwhenparked > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 10:14

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The Karmann Ghia is one of the best examples of design within reach ever. Styled by one of the leading Italian design houses, based on a Chrysler show car, and mostly handbuilt by a West German coachbuilder, but sold at a traditional Volkswagen price point.

Like pre-1968 Beetles, the materials (carpet, convertible top, etc) were a lot nicer than you'd expect for the money, too.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 10:18

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This one is debatable, but it would go in my list. 1st gen TT.

Maybe not classically pretty, but I think it’s design has aged Very  well, and nice ones can be had for 6-8k. It’s also available in a range of colors so that’s nice.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 10:25

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130 mph in a malaise era cars with most likely drum brakes and no steering feel sounds terrible.

Future next gen S2000 owner > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 04/14/2020 at 10:27

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The 1st Gen TT is a looker. Subtle, understated, timeless lines. It has aged exceedingly well.

TheRealBicycleBuck > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/14/2020 at 10:31

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We owned a 2002 Neon SXT. If it weren’t for the smell of spoiled milk (it was the kid hauler when they were little), I would probably be driving that little car as a commuter. It was fairly gutless, but it was still a lot of fun to drive through the twisties.

Jim Spanfeller > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 04/14/2020 at 10:31

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Yeah, the Siata is something I stumbled upon one day and decided I had to know more about. But it’s super obscure outside of Spain, which makes researching it rather difficult. I do know they were available in a few different configurations, with both comm ercial van and people-hauling bus versions around. The Corvair is a car I really want to buy someday... On the one hand, it’s good that they’re finally starting to be recognized as good cars, but on the o ther hand, that means prices will start going up. So I’m guessing now is the best time to buy a Corvair before they start getting pricey!

Jim Spanfeller > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 04/14/2020 at 10:34

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They may be selling for that much on BaT, but prices there are always insane. Elsewhere, I’ve seen decent examples go for $12,000-$16,000. It’s still the most expensive car on this list, but not too crazy.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 10:37

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I like this PT driven by a local high school kid.

Jim Spanfeller > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/14/2020 at 10:37

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The PT Cruiser was a bold, imaginative, and yes, good-looking  design. Plus, there was a version of the PT Cruiser called the GT that had the engine from the Neon SRT4. And it could be had with a manual. 

Jim Spanfeller > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 04/14/2020 at 10:39

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Definitely! I agree, the design has aged very well. That’s a good inexpensive fun car.

Darkbrador > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 10:43

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Fight me

ranwhenparked > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 04/14/2020 at 10:44

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The mk1 TT is absolutely a future classic. Fantastic looking car, too bad the following generations didn't quite live up to it, but that kind of happens when you do something iconic.

Jim Spanfeller > Future next gen S2000 owner 04/14/2020 at 10:44

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Cops at the time said that although the steering was lacking in feel, it was actually quite responsive. Plus, with the cop suspension, they handled better than you would expect , and the cop brakes would’ve been a bit better as well . These were built for cruising at high speed, and were said to be quite stable while doing so.

Jim Spanfeller > Darkbrador 04/14/2020 at 10:48

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I will not fight you, I like Porsches.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 10:52

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WilliamsSW > Future next gen S2000 owner 04/14/2020 at 10:56

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Most bigger  American cars had front discs by then, I’m sure the popo version of this car did.  And steering feel was better than 60s cars at least. 

Jim Spanfeller > Future next gen S2000 owner 04/14/2020 at 10:57

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Exactly.

WilliamsSW > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 11:00

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X10 on the Corvair. It handles well for the era, is dirt cheap, and the biggest bonus is that they have a strong network of support and good parts availability- critical if you’re going to drive the car.

Also, on 4 doors - I highly recommend 4 door hardtops. They’re generally much better looking than sedans, but still way cheaper than any coupe.

This:

Over this:

4 door hardtops are a premium over sedans, but it’s not large.  

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 11:01

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All the cheap ones are still being crushed, sadly. Prices probably will never rise too much with them because they were just too common and too niche to modern audiences. The Greenbrier vans always seem to be way more  expensive for some reason.

Jim Spanfeller > WilliamsSW 04/14/2020 at 11:03

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Also, I think the ‘57 Chevy actually looks better as a four-door. The coupe looks proportionally a tad too short in my opinion, but the sedan (or four-door hardtop) fixes that.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 11:04

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Well of course I have to say...

Everything but the Series 1 (“boat tail”) Spider trades well under $10k, with those needing TLC being had for well under $3k. The one pictured is from BAT and went for just over $9k.

IMO everything after 1986 is a pretty good deal as they have modern injection (L-Jet) and 86 or 87 is the year they switched from bullet fuses to standard ATO.

JeepJeremy > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 11:05

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I want that Corvair in a bad way!

JeepJeremy > Darkbrador 04/14/2020 at 11:05

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Awesome car!

WilliamsSW > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 11:06

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The 57 Chevy isn’t the best example, because even 4 door hardtops are pricey, but I think the 4 door hardtop might actually be the best looking body style of the lineup (other than the Nomad and convertible duh).  The evening orchid car just needs to lose the skirts. 

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 11:07

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It had the engine, but lacked the same level of chassis and suspension upgrades as the SRT. I’m sure the GT is more fun than the PT, but the neon was always a hoot, even on non SRT or ACR packages.

And the cruiser would’ve been innocent enough of a design had they not beaten that “nostalgia” into the ground with crap like this:

I like the idea, but the execution was poor. The prowler did that design idea much more justice despite being an ostensibly “worse” car.

Jim Spanfeller > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 04/14/2020 at 11:09

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I dunno, the fact that cheap ones are being crushed, although tragic, means they are going to get more rare, which gets collectors interested. I know some younger enthusiasts like me are starting to take interest in cars like that, which have been so far underappreciated but are actually really good. The Greenbrier vans make decent substitutes for VW Camper Vans, which is probably why they’re worth more.

Jim Spanfeller > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/14/2020 at 11:17

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Oh I’m sure the Neon is way more fun, there’s no questioning that. And the GT Cruiser was definitely more Cruiser than GT. But I will still defend the PT Cruiser, because dagnabbit, it’s interesting. Even the fake woody version doesn’t look that bad (if a bit tacky) if you ask me. Car companies nowadays rarely make interesting-looking affordable cars, so I hav e to like it when a company at least tries.

Jim Spanfeller > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 04/14/2020 at 11:23

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Ah, yes. They were built to be the best car that a car could be... briefly ;)

I like those, though I imagine maintenance costs would start offsetting the low purchase price...

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 11:24

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Yes plus they are frickin awesome and unique. 60s van trucks are pretty awesome, though I haven’t seen many at all. I just want to score a cheap but solid Corvair before they get too out of hand. 

fintail > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 12:43

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That low light Ghia is the most desired variant, I suspect mint ones aren’t affordable. But late run cars aren’t bad.

I don’t know what is “affordable”, but these days 15K can still find a pretty cool car, maybe two.

AlfaCorse > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 12:44

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I have an 88, it’s been pretty low maintenance considering the age , the drive trains are pretty solid.

Jim Spanfeller > AlfaCorse 04/14/2020 at 13:19

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Really? I wouldn’t have expected that. Huh.

AlfaCorse > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 13:52

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Yeah most of what I have done is upgrade/replace worn out suspension, fix a few vacuum leaks, replace some weathered interior parts.  It’s not uncommon to see spiders with pretty high mileage.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 14:42

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As AlfaCorse said, they’re not as bad as you’d think. I’d put mine solidly as the 2nd or 3rd most reliable car I own and unlike every car I have it has never not started in the 5 years I’ve had it. (Though obviously it is far from my daily driver. )

Jim Spanfeller > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 04/14/2020 at 14:54

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Wow. Well now those look a lot more tempting...

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Jim Spanfeller 04/14/2020 at 15:02

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They’re good cars and the exhaust noise is intoxicating. Plus you get to laugh at Honda and MOPAR people when you point out that Alfa was doing DOHC, VVT, and hemispherical combustion chambers in the 80s. (70s?)

Jim Spanfeller > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 04/14/2020 at 15:11

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So... Are you saying Miata may not always be the answer?

pip bip - choose Corrour > Jim Spanfeller 04/15/2020 at 03:13

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Plymouth please.