Posts Tagged ‘Feature’

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Mister Who? 1986 Toyota MR2

June 23, 2009

Here’s another mid-engined car that’s captured my fascination. Yes, it’s Japanese, and yes, it’s relatively modern, and yes, it did with the X1/9 what the Miata did with the Elan, but that makes it no less of a candidate for budget fun on wheels. When I was 19, I had been in my Alfa for 3 years and looked down on most Japanese cars. That is, until I started working part-time as an office assistant for a local tech journalist who had a spare early light-metallic blue AW11 MR2, which I got to use from time to time to run errands for her. And that’s around the time I learned this car, with its Yamaha-designed 4-cylinder 112hp 16v twincam four and fantastic tossability was more than I’d ever expected.

So that brings us to today’s subject, a red 1986 in Lakewood, CA for $2000:

1986 Toyota MR2 front

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Say Porsh-uh – 1971 Porsche 914 1.7

June 11, 2009

Since we just recently talked about mid-engine cars, let’s also touch on the Porsche 914. I’m sure if you’re reading this, there’s probably nothing much I can tell you about these that’s surprising. I do have memories of not being particularly fond of these as a kid, and of my parents referring to them as Volkswagen-Porsches (something that’s most noticeable when they have Beetle-style hubcaps or the later VW pressed-steel wheels). However, I’m finding that nostalgia or increasing rarity is making me appreciate the 914’s simple, clean design more than I used to. Much like the Fiat X1/9 is its power-to-weight ratio (80hp and slightly lighter at just over 2000 lbs.). Much like the X1/9, it also has many power upgrade options, including bigger 914 engines, 911 engines, and Subaru boxers to name just a few. Hmm… a 227-hp flat four from a WRX in a 2000-lb. car could be entertaining!

Anyway, let’s move on to the example for today – a 1971 914 1.7 in bright yellow with PORSCHE decals down the side in true 70s style. It’s listed on craigslist in Woodinville, WA at $2750.

1971 Porsche 914 side

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Fee-yats #2 – 1973 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe plus bonus

June 8, 2009

In a search that ended up with me buying my Beta, I seriously considered buying a 124 coupe. It’s a great un-2002 that has many of the good qualities of that car, with a more elegant design and competitive performance from that great twincam engine and 5-speed transmission. I’m a big fan of the early single headlight AC coupes, find the twin-headlight BC coupes reasonably attractive, and am not at all a fan of the later CC coupes with their weird grill and either clunky chrome bumpers or seventies-safety-era rubber units, although their rear-end treatment is cleaner. Unfortunately, I was unable to find any affordable 124 coupes in my area that were clean enough to be usable without serious clean-up inside and out.

That brings us to the subject of today’s writing – a 1973 one-family coupe with 240,000 miles listed in Cupertino, CA for $2600.

1973 Fiat 124 coupe side

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