List price when new: ~28,000 (?)
Price now: ~$7,000
Engine/transmission: 2.0L DOHC 16V turbocharged transverse inline-4; 200hp, 200 tq (stock) 5sp MT full-time AWD
Options on test car: Power Adjustable Driver Seat, Leather Seats, Double Adjustable Sunroof, 10 Speaker Live Sound System
Configuration: 2-door coupe
Size: ~3300 lbs
Stock performance: 0-60 7.2 seconds
Current performance: Sloooooow
Fuel economy (EPA): 17 city, 22 highway
Current fuel economy: 23 combined
Modifications: GReddy Profec B Spec 2 EBC, Aussie downpipe, Aussie midpipe, Aussie high-flow cat, HKS Sport cat-back, KVR slotted rotors, Porterfield R4S pads, Tein SS-P coilover suspension with pillowball mounts, 5Zigen 17x8 FN01RC in bronze, Falken Azenis RT-615, GTFour badges, TRD knob!
A great winter beater that simply does not get stuck in any kind of weather, but at the same time is small and maneuverable. I laugh at SUVs on snowy highways, at least until the snow gets 6 inches deep or so. Not the fastest thing out there, but quick enough to keep up with most cars on the road, and with coilovers, body roll is non-existent, though dental fillings are at risk over rough roads. Vestigial back seats, but more than enough room to hold my road bike for jaunts around town. A beautiful (IMHO) functional homologation special from Toyota, relatively unknown to the US car community who love to focus their love on WRXs and Evolutions, and one of only 81 1993s imported to the US. (License plate is “ONEOF81”)
Cooool… I mean, oh yeah? We get to put in another? Check out this one:
1955 DeSoto Firedome Special Coupe
List price when new: $2541
Price now: ?
Engine/transmission: 185 horsepower 291 cubic inch OHV V8 hemi; Powerflite fully automatic 2-speed transmission
Options on test car: in-dash radio, heater
Configuration: 2-door coupe
Size: shipping weight: 3810 lbs/wheelbase: 126"
Stock performance: slow
Current performance: slower
Fuel economy: ha ha ha, you’re kidding me, right? maybe 11 mpg downhill, with a tailwind
Modifications: it’s a rusto-rod, featuring remnants of the original pink and salmon two-tone paint, the replacement beige and brown two-tone paint, and a lot of mostly beige epoxy primer after rusted metal was cut out and replaced. Dual exhaust with glasspacks (this is my LOUD car). Chrome reverse wheels and baby moons all around with 215-70R15’s in front and 265-60R15’s in back.
Review: I’ve had it since about 1992. What can I say? It’s just another fun old beater. Two tons of metal with manual steering, manual drum brakes, no air conditioning, and half the time you have to run the heater full blast to keep the engine from boiling over. Any time you want to drive it, you have to fix whatever was wrong with it, first. But, you haven’t had fun in life till you’ve parallel-parked this thing.
Original price: About $15,092 according to the internets. Have window sticker for mine at home. Current Value A low-mileage pristine GT should bring $9,500 or so. Engine/transmission: 5.0L EFI V-8 225hp (HO), 5-speed manual Options: Not sure what was standard, but has power locks and windows, center armrest, A/C. Added Magnaflow stainless cat-back exhaust. Configuration: 2-door hatchback coupe Performance: 0-60 probably 7 or 8 seconds Fuel economy: About 25 mpg overall
Review: The car looks good and is still nice to drive despite being 17 years old. Definitely a head-turner when the ultra-blue paint is nice and shiny. Garage-dweller, doesn’t get driven too much, has about 80,000 miles on it. Stock other than the exhaust and K&N panel filter. Isn’t incredibly fast but nice torque and sounds great. Comfortable and roomy (except for the back seat) and a surprising amount of room in the back with the seats folded down.
Original price: About $22,000
Current Value: Maybe $1000 on a good day.
Engine/transmission: 5.7L V-8 285hp (HO), 6-speed manual
Options: Power Windows/locks/AC
Configuration: 2-door hatchback coupe
Performance: Bitchin!!!
Fuel economy: Maybe 20 mpg overall, premium gas only
Review: I have about 150,000 miles on this car and it looks like it. I’ve hit two deer with it and have lots of scratches and small dents from those experiences. The first deer messed up the hood, so I threw a hood in primer I got off Ebay onto it. I’ve added a cat back, 4.10 rear gears and cold air intake over the years. I’ve had to replace both window motors and the AC has a slow leak now, but otherwise it’s a great car that’s a blast to drive. Gas mileage on the highway can reach 25 mpg if I keep my foot out of it, but also a genuine 13 second car in the 1/4.
