Archive for the ‘Feature’ Category

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Round 2: 1982 Renault LeCar

December 11, 2009

Well, after eating my shorts on the last auction for one of these (which ended at $3500!!), or at least having a nibble, I’m back in the game with another car. While the 2-doors have their own charms, I do think if you’re going to get a “practical” car, you might as well get it with 4 doors so you can take your long-suffering friends and family along for the ride. Beyond that, since I’ve just said about all I can say on these cars, I’ll skip straight to the juice on this specific car.

This example, while originally sold in Kentucky, must have made it to San Diego fairly soon in its life since it shows the expected signs of being there – little rust and paint oxidation. According to the original Monroney sticker, this is a deluxe model, with some stick-on rally stripes and extra chrome trim. The lighter color does seem more flattering of this car, which is available on eBay with 5 bids currently at $1526. I’m not going to offer to eat my shorts if this goes above $3,000 again, since apparently there is some untapped market for LeCars (plus the shorts really weren’t that tasty). The seller lists the car as having 52,416 miles, while the AutoCheck report says the car was last reported to have 152,599 miles in 1998. While probably not a big deal, it’s something to consider while looking the car over.

1982 Renault LeCar front

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Bargain BMW – 1979 E12 528i

December 11, 2009

Some of my earliest car memories are of riding in the back seat of a 1975 530i automatic, dark blue with a black vinyl interior (and a black vinyl roof, apparently to cover up roll-over damage). The car was equipped with steel wheels with hubcaps instead of the common turbine-style wheels you see on late 1970s BMWs, thermal reactors to clean the exhaust, and had a center-mount fuel-filler next to the license plate. It was apparently a bit of a pig to drive and went through brakes or tires fairly quickly. After 5 years of Montreal winters, it was succumbing to the salt, was given a quickie respray, and sold on to someone who planned to drive it cross-country.

This car is arguably a better evolution of the E12 – it has a manual 4-speed, normal exhaust system with catalytic converter, and while it has 7 fewer horsepower, the later engine was not subject to the reliability issues of the earlier one (admittedly, if the car’s still alive by now, it’s probably been resolved). It does still come in the very appropriate dark blue, with a blue cloth interior that should make riding in a car with weak or no a/c tolerable. It’s also a California car that’s now in Las Vegas, so rust should not be an issue. Most importantly, it’s on eBay with no reserve and an opening bid of $1500, with no bids and just over a day left to go as of this writing.

1979 BMW 528i front

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Pimp My Pug – 1989 Peugeot 405 Mi16

December 4, 2009

These have always been relatively obscure cars in the US, which is too bad, since these came out just as Peugeot was moving on to its next (much more attractive) design generation. They look much like a compact Alfa 164 or Peugeot 605, and have a cracking 160bhp 1.9-liter four. That sounds weak now, but compares favorably to other cars of the time, such as the BMW M3, Alfa Milano, and Mercedes 190E 2.3-16. Less exciting is the fact that they’re front-wheel-drive, but Peugeot had a good reputation for building fun front-drivers, starting with the 205. What’s more is, the car has racing heritage, with the car being run in touring car races and rallies.

This example seems to be fairly well-cared-for, and has some unusual (for the US market) factory wheels. The owner admits to some defects, including a failing power steering pump, missing passenger outer mirror, and broken sunroof, and says the car needs some cosmetic attention. However, he’s added a sports exhaust, upgraded brakes, HID headlights and a spiffy stereo. Find it on craigslist in Peabody, MA, just north of Boston.

1989 Peugeot 405 Mi16

Like with many other Peugeots, it wouldn’t be going out on a limb to say this is a durable car. Parts should be readily available – a quick search turned up a wrecker in Vermont, and there are other sources out there. What’s more is, this car is still being built by Iran Khodros, and was still for sale in many countries through the late 90s. Have you driven one? Is it as fun as Peugeot’s reputation would lead you to believe?

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