In my continuing exploration of the extremes of the Westfalia spectrum, today we have an extremely inexpensive aircooled model with a recently rebuilt engine and transmission highlighting its plausibility as a great starting point for an enthusiastic but frugal Vanagon enthusiast. The refrigerator and the stove don’t work, but for just $6,500 you get a decent looking, strong-running van and can improve the camping functionality as you go. Compared to most of the Westies out there, the buckets of money you’ll save on this one should leave plenty for the fix-it fund – or for a nice cooler and kerosene camping stove.
Month: April 2015
There’s something I can appreciate about the 320is versus the M3. On the surface, the M3 with its iconic boxflares and big wing is the DTM star you want, right? But if you’re a connoisseur and you’re looking for the driving experience, the narrow body 320is offered nearly the same experience. Sure, it was down a bit on power thanks to the destroked 2.0 S14 compared to its more illustrious brother. But it was lighter too, being a base model. The same thing happened in the Audi Coupe world in the 1980s; on paper, the Quattro was the model you wanted. However, if you were an enthusiast, the last of the 1987 Coupe GTs offered the same performance as the Quattro did thanks to their lighter weight and upgraded engine over earlier models. The result is that these narrow-body cars offer discrete performance in a less showy package for those in the know. aSo that means that the 320is is a lot cheaper than a normal M3, right? Not so fast….
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 BMW 320is on eBay
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The 993 frequently finds itself on our pages due to its mix of beauty, refinement, and collectability. One of its persistent faults, if we can call it that, is that the 993 has never really become much of a value on the 911 market. Without being in pretty poor condition you won’t find one for less than $20K, as used to be the norm for the 911SC and 3.2 Carrera. Perusing ads it can be difficult to find examples below $40K for even the most standard Carrera Coupe. Thus, while the asking price for this 993 of $35,000 isn’t inexpensive it does stand as something of a value in the 993 range. So for someone who really wants to have a chance to experience one of these cars a higher-mileage example like the one seen here might be the way to go. Here we have an Arena Red 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe, located in Massachusetts, with 111,737 miles on it.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe on eBay
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For those of you who read GCFSB daily, you are no doubt familiar with the E30 BMW M3. In the last few years, this DTM car for the street has seen a steep rise in price, especially in light of the fact that the M3 badge was retired for the two-door, 3 series M car. The first M3 was a very different beast from its 3 series brethren, with a race-bred 2.3 liter twin cam four cylinder engine, bespoke bodywork and upgraded brakes and suspension. While some prefer the power and torque of the six-cylinder E30s, there is something magical about driving a car that was strongly connected to its racing roots. This M3 for sale in Miami has slightly under 70,000 miles on the clock and had a respray a few years back.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 BMW M3 on eBay
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My one main complaint with my 1981 Rabbit Pickup was that the passenger compartment was a pretty tight squeeze between the low roof and too-close rear wall – beyond that, it was a hilarious, competent, unique, and fun-to-drive car. Today’s oddball Frankenstein monster fixes my one gripe by melding a Rabbit Hatchback with a Pickup, creating a Crew Cab Caddy reminiscent of Rutledge Wood’s limo on Top Gear America (I don’t blame you if you haven’t seen it). While the extra legroom and seating for four are nice additions and it allegedly runs and drives, this is clearly a half-baked project with many, many needs. The seller thinks its rarity makes it as valuable as a top-notch Caddy, but it would take a lot of time and money to make it even presentable.