It’s the end of another week, and that means it’s time to pit our four weekly winners against each other. Except I’m not going to do that, because I disagree with nearly all of your choices for the week. Instead, I’m going to make you pick a winner from my favorites.
I didn’t expect that little Plymouth Sundance Duster to win yesterday, but it put up a better fight than I expected. And if the plucky underdog can come close to beating the “obvious” choice, it’s still a loss, but an honorable loss. It’s like playing “Horse” against Michael Jordan; you get one basket, and you feel like a hero.
You’re all wrong, of course; that Alfa is a terrible idea, and it will cause its next owner nothing but heartache and misery. Been there, done that. I wouldn’t date another art major, I wouldn’t install another bamboo hardwood floor, and I wouldn’t buy another known-unreliable classic car. Some things just aren’t worth the trouble. But if you have to find that out the hard way, then you do you, I guess. Just don’t call me when you need a ride.
Now then, let’s review my choices from the week, and I’ll plead my case for each of them and see if I can’t persuade some of you to see things my way.
1987 Honda Civic CRX HF – $1,500
This little CRX needs some help. It will start, its seller says, but it won’t stay idling, which means there’s a vacuum leak or something wrong with the choke or some other malady to which old carbureted cars so often fall victim. Also, it’s the gutless, tall-geared HF model, with a non-CVCC engine, which gets great mileage, but isn’t as much fun to toss around as its sportier siblings. That fact alone cost it some votes on Monday, I believe.
But a CRX is a CRX, and just like Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers albums, even the weakest one (Turbo Ocho, by the way) is still pretty damn good. Besides, this car may not be very special in California, but fix it up and bring it to the Midwest, triple the price, and someone will snap it up in an instant. No one there has seen a rust-free first-generation CRX since Greg The Bunny was on the air. It’d be a hit – unlike Greg The Bunny.
1983 Toyota Cressida Wagon – $3,000
It occurs to me that I didn’t actually state my own preference about Tuesday’s Toyotas. I can’t say I exactly like either of them, but the Cressida has less offensive wheels and more practicality, so I’ll go with it. Also, the aforementioned art major’s mom drove a Cressida wagon, and I remember it being a really nice car. (Oh crap – or was it a Datsun/Nissan Maxima? I forget.)
Six in a row makes the Cressida go, and it’s a much smoother way to get around than the buzzy four-cylinder under the hood of that Camry. Does the rust worry me? A little, but you don’t expect a $3,000 car to live forever. If it’s still structurally sound, you can probably get a couple years out of it.
1992 Lexus SC 400 – $4,750
This big, classy Lexus coupe was a favorite of a lot of you, despite having suffered the indignity of a rebuilt title. And no wonder – Lexus has never made a better-looking coupe than this, and it’s built like a tank. A list of repairs and maintenance a mile long instills confidence in its condition as well. Add V8 power to the mix, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a nicer used car for less than five grand.
If this car, or any Lexus, has a fault, it’s that it lacks emotion. Look at this interior: it’s exceptionally well-made, and very comfortable, but it doesn’t have the sense of grandeur that a Jaguar interior has, or the drama you’d find inside a Maserati. Lexus’s slogan is “The Relentless Pursuit Of Perfection,” and that pursuit sometimes misses the point of a luxury car, which is to make you feel special. It’s a very nice car, and I’d be happy to drive it, but I don’t want it, if you know what I mean.
1992 Plymouth Sundance Duster – $2,300
I’ll be honest: I actually, unironically like this car. It’s simple, tough, unpretentious, and more fun to drive than you think it is. Yeah, it’s coarse and unrefined, but if you want refinement, scroll back up to that Lexus. But it won’t put a smile on your face when you rev it up and bang through the gears like this one will. Just let yourself enjoy it, and don’t take it seriously.
Somebody in the comments called this a “pony car,” and despite what I’m sure are howls of protestation from purists, that’s exactly what it is. It’s a hopped-up version of a small, economical car, exactly like the original Ford Mustang was – or, for that matter, the original Plymouth Duster. So what if it’s front-wheel-drive? That’s how cars were when this car was built. It’s a small car with the engine from a bigger car, because it’s more fun that way. It’s not rocket science.
I’m not expecting to change anyone’s mind about any of these cars (except maybe the Plymouth). Everybody likes what they like, and that’s what makes the car universe cool. But if you did have to choose one of these – and you do, because that’s how the game is played – which one would it be?
Y’all are too reasonable. Plus, apparently $2k richer than me. Plymouth, again.
The Lexus is undoubtably a nicer car in every way. It’s also practically invisible. People will talk to you about the Duster at gas stations.
Most people want the SC. I can’t blame them. It looks great with a Vertex body kit. But the siren song of 8-spokes on the long roof calls out to me…
I had to let logic win and I went with the SC. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the demented mind that put Watanabes (real or fake) on a brown 80’s Toyota wagon. Too bad it isn’t a manual to complete the old Oppo trifecta (IYKYK)…
If the Cressida had a manual, it would have swayed me to pick it. But with an autotragic, I’ll take the cushy, if a bit generic, luxury of the Lexus. That thing is road-tripping dream machine that the future owner should easily add 100’s of 1000’s of miles onto.
Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers albums, even the weakest one (Turbo Ocho, by the way) is still pretty damn good
OH YES! His first band was pretty good, too (The Refreshments). Their first record was brand new when I was in my first semester at college with a radio show. I was in charge of 110 watts of effective radiated power! (at about 60 feet above area terrain, in a very hilly area, so we didn’t make it too far out of the valley). Banditos was one of the first things I played on-air.
Met the band at the Paradise in BOS – it was the era of gold metallic Les Pauls through Matchless AC30 clones. They were cool. Signed the setlist (I swiped the original from the guitar tech station).
I voted for the Cressida because Toyota wagon 😀
I had to go back and re-read the info on the Lexus for the rebuilt title.
I’d guess probably the passenger rear quarter and was totalled due to damage to the filler neck with no parts available. Likely rebought and fixed with donor parts. Given it sounds like it was done a long time ago, any problems would likely have already shown themselves.
The SC400’s V8 is one of the best engines ever made, IMO, smooth as silk, seemingly endless power/torque and even squeezes out 20+ MPG. I’d rock that car anytime.
Almost any other Friday the Plymouth would get my vote but the Lexus is so nice for that price.
Easy win for the Lex
Didn’t the Lexus have some kind of title issue?
Anyway, the Cressida is just too rare these days, and is a snapshot of automotive history as the “Proto-Lexus”. I remember them feeling like fine jewels, so I’ll grab that.
Even with the rust holes it’s a nice thing, for sure.
The fanciest Toyota for me. Much as I love wagons, the SC is just so pretty.
That Lexus is in great shape for the price, rebuilt title be damned
Lexus all the way. Not close today.
The Lexus is a no-brainer
Bold take when the LC500 (and for that matter the LFA) exists, but I voted Lexus anyways.
Not bold at all – I think both of those more modern cars are rather ugly. The world certainly seemed to agree with me about the LFA, given how long it took them to sell the handful of them they made, despite the very good mechanicals. Nothing with predator-face is ever going to be all that appealing to the masses.
The SC is a pinnacle of 90s good taste.
I have a 400 mile highway trip to do tomorrow.
The Honda is questionable from a reliability standpoint (won’t stay running), has a gutless engine, and the seats…well…look at them.
The ‘Duster’ would make it (probably), but it’s been smoked in. One of the best things about the last 20 years is that things are so delightfully smoke-free. I am not revisiting the ’70s via smell for hours upon end, even if it does have a ’70s vintage badge on it.
The Cressida would probably be fine, but 1983 was 42 years ago, and ’83 vintage Toyota parts are long off the shelf of local parts stores. I’d want some time puttering around town to trust it.
Give me the keys to the Lexus.
Rusty Longroof > The Obvious Answer
Making us pick from your choices? What type of monarchy is this?
Anyway, I’ll go with the Lexus
I know it’s a shitbox showdown, but I had to vote for the one that is NOT a complete shitbox. Lexus will take this one quite easily.
The Lexus is the right choice. The CRX was my choice.
My thoughts exactly.
Lexus is the right answer here, though I do understand those willing to K-Car it to get a Mitsu V-6 with a manual trans.
I didn’t even have to re-read. That Lexus is clean. I want it.
I still covet a CRX. But the Sundance looks like my second choice, especially if I needed something right now.
I picked the Lexus. I really, really, REALLY wanted to vote for the Cressida, but if I bought it and sank $1500 into it, it still wouldn’t be as nice as the SC400, even with the branded title.
This was my logic as well. The Lexus is nice from the get-go, and the cost difference between the Lexus and Cressida wouldn’t get the Cressida anywhere near the quality the Lexus starts at. I love the Cressida, but it would need that SC400 to not be in the competition to have a chance at winning my vote.
I predict the Luscious Lexus will be victorious over the disgusting trio of the Pepto-Plymouth, the Crusty Cressida and the Horrific Honda. (Ok, the Cressida isn’t too bad, but the others are gross)
I’m with you on the Lexus Mark. The front 3/4 shot is exactly how that car would look to me as I walk by with a nod of appreciation and then peel out in the Duster with a smile and never think about the Lexus again.