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Month: December 2016

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1979 Porsche 911SC Coupe

Yesterday’s post was a bit concerned with finding certain diamonds in the rough; finding those 911s that won’t break the bank but should still stand to deliver a good deal of joy over the life of the car. The one we see here makes a good argument for inclusion in such a group, though in a much different way than the Carrera 4 did. That this is a 911SC in many cases already would keep it in the reasonable price group, but there is more. For one, this one is pretty high mileage having seen 232,284 miles over the course of its 37 years. But the owners weren’t content to leave it be and (presumably) rather than rebuild the original 3.0 liter flat-six with which it left the factory they chose to fit a slightly more modern 3.2 liter engine from an ’87 Carrera. The original 915 5-speed transmission remains with the car, making this a little bit of a hybrid drivertrain, but the suspension was also redone at the time it received its new engine. All together it should make for a nice driver and one that should be had for pretty reasonable cost.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1979 Porsche 911SC Coupe on eBay

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1991 Volkswagen Golf Country Chrome Edition

Though it was never available in the U.S. until this coming model year, all-wheel drive in a standard Golf is nothing new. In fact, it’s been around since 1986.

If you follow me around the internet, and I don’t expect you to, you might have caught my article for The Truth About Cars about all-wheel drive Golfs which predated the R32. Though the idea sounds simple enough since parent company Audi had an all-wheel drive system that was ever so popular, mounting that longitudinal transmission and drivetrain into the transverse engine Golf was impossible. Instead, Volkswagen contracted Steyr-Daimler-Puch to design a viscous coupling setup for the Golf with a new independent suspended rear. Like the contemporary Quantum and Vanagon setups, it was dubbed “Syncro”, though outside of all-wheels being driven the three systems shared almost nothing.

The result was a few fan-favorite models. Performance types love the Quattro-inspired Golf Rallye, Golf G60 Syncro and Golf Limited models. But undoubtedly the most recognizable Golf to wear the Syncro badge was the jacked-up Golf Country. Utilizing an already heavily modified Golf Syncro, Daimler-Steyr-Puch installed some 438 unique pieces to create the light offroading Golf way before the Outback was conquered by Subaru:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1991 Volkswagen Golf Country Chrome Edition on eBay

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2013 BMW 135iS

I don’t usually post newer cars, preferring to write about 80s and 90s machinery instead. That’s because I think many new cars are bloated in looks and overburdened with technologies that blunt the driving experience. But there are a few modern cars for which I’m willing to make an exception, like the E82 135iS. Offered in the US for the 2013 model year only (to make up for the absence of the recently departed, limited edition 1M coupe), the “iS” package added M-sport suspension and bumpers to the 135i, while a tune to the 3.0 liter N55 twin-turbo engine bumped power output to 320 hp (an increase of 20 hp over the standard car). Though some find the E82 a bit stubby, I love the look of the car, with its short wheelbase and squat, compact styling, while the hydraulic steering setup offers a relatively old school, connected driving experience. Sure, it’s not quite the unadulterated formula of BMWs of yore (6 naturally-aspirated cylinders, 5 speeds, 3 pedals) but it comes pretty close, and I think the E82 is a closer spiritual successor to the E30 than any contemporary 3-series.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2013 BMW 135iS on eBay

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1989 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe

Our search constantly has us on the lookout for rare models, rare colors, and rare combinations of both. In the world of 911s that usually means something very expensive.

There is another type of search.

A search for the more frequently seen models, but still ones that seem to stand above the rest of the crowd. Since 911s are expensive full stop they’re not cheap, but for those shopping for one in the first place we’re at least delving into more reasonable territory. Sometimes we find subtle combinations of these factors, typically less common color combinations on otherwise common models with higher mileage that helps keeps prices down. That seems to be the case here. This Silver Metallic 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe fits the bill of a standard 911 that appears in nice shape given its age and mileage. However, step into the interior and we find Burgundy leather carpets and seating that we do not see often on the 964. We frequently come across a Burgundy interior in the 3.2 Carrera and perhaps it is this model year’s close proximity and overlap with those outgoing Carreras that made it possible for Burgundy to find its way into this early Carrera 4.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe on eBay

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1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Wagon

The W124 wagon is a Mercedes-Benz ‘young classic’ that is loved by many near and far. Wonderful build quality, handsome styling and a very reasonable to live with everyday car are the highlights everyone knows and have made the W124 a perennial favorite. But now that the youngest W124 is over 20 years old, finding a nice one for sale is becoming a little more difficult. When you do, be prepared to pay a premium over the sedans. Today’s 1995 E320 Wagon for sale in Florida is a great example of that – but is surprisingly more affordable than you might think.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Wagon on eBay

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