Well, we’ve reached the end of the first full week of 2025. And that means it’s time for a four-way shootout, but this time, we’re going to take a look at my favorites, not yours. Yes, that means you have to see that rusty Focus again. And the motorhome, too.
I didn’t expect the vote to go in favor of that Nissan motorhome yesterday, but what surprised me was how passionate its supporters were in defending it. Talk about a love-it-or-hate-it vehicle. That little Fiat is way cool as well, and a good value, but it’s not an uncommon sight – except in yellow with a five-speed stick.
I can’t fault anyone for voting Fiat, but I had to go with the camper. It’s just too interesting to pass up, and if the seller is being honest about the condition, it’s a good deal if you want a small RV, too. Besides, I can’t say no to any 720, and not just because I used to own one. It’s also the inspiration for the best/worst RC monster truck of the 1980s: the Marui Big Bear. One of these years I’ll find the right one of those to add to my collection. Maybe I’ll even convert it to an RV.
All right; we’ll keep this simple. No games, no scenarios; just a simple four-way shootout. We’ll recap my choices for the week, and then you can tell me which one I was most right about.
1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SL – $3,900
I’m terrible with slang and vernacular terms, and it’s not just because I’m in my fifties – I was hopeless with slang terms in the ’80s, too. So I am only peripherally aware of the term “baller,” but as far as I know, someone who drives this car is aspiring to be seen as one. I also am given to understand that this car falls short of such aspirations by quite a lot.
It’s not that it’s that bad of a car, or in that bad of condition. But it has had some questionable modifications, and it is in desperate need of a paint job. If you’re willing to undo a few things and do a few others, however, you could end up with a pretty cool classic German car for not much money.
2005 Ford Focus ZXW SE – $1,600
Let’s be clear: I’m not suggesting that anyone would probably want this car for any purpose other than just a cheap way to get around in shitty weather. But for that purpose, it’s ideal. It’s already ugly, it’s dirt-cheap, and it should get through nearly all but the nastiest snow.
Then again, it’s a small station wagon, and those are always handy. Yeah, it has almost 300,000 miles on the clock, but apart from the rust, it doesn’t look it. And if it has been maintained mechanically, it should have some life left in it. With new car payments now hitting four figures in a lot of cases, a little runabout for less than two grand starts to look appealing, even if it isn’t very appealing-looking.
1996 Nissan Pathfinder SE – $4,900
At the other end of the condition spectrum, we have this strikingly clean Pathfinder. You don’t hear the term “cream puff” used to describe really clean used cars much anymore, but if ever it applied to a car, it’s this one. It’s shiny, well-kept inside, low miles for its age, and just looks like it has been really well taken care of.
Now, it’s important to point out that this car is being sold by a dealership, and it was obviously detailed prior to being photographed. I don’t know how much Armor-All they used on the inside, but a good guess would be “all of it.” Still, it’s obviously not rusty or beat-up, the interior hasn’t been trashed by kids or dogs, and as long as the timing belt is up to date, it should be just fine mechanically.
1984 Nissan-Datsun 720 Motorhome – $2,800
It seems to me, after featuring a few of these things, that you’re either an RV person or you’re not, and if you’re not, there’s nothing that will convince you to even consider one of these. So I’m not going to try. Instead, to the RV people, I say this: Have you seen the prices they’re asking for Dolphins or Chinooks these days? It’s getting ridiculous. Yeah, they’re cool, but there’s also a hefty amount of “Toyota tax” in that price.
This little Nissan is, in my opinion, a better truck anyway. Having owned both a NAPS-Z-powered Nissan and a 22R-powered Toyota, I’ll take the Nissan every time. No, it’s not going to be fast, but the acceleration shouldn’t be awful; Nissan likes to put really deep axle gears in its trucks, and I doubt this weighs all that much more than a normal pickup with a fiberglass cap on it. It’s not that big of a camper.
I think I already know which one is going to win, but I’ll let you all decide. And I’ll see you back here next week, with some new choices. Have a good weekend!
(Image credits: sellers)
My first choice is the Pathfinder because it’s the best kept one of the bunch,although a bit boring. It should last forever though.
At second place is the SL as it also would turn into a decent car after some un-fucking and a bit of polish. Then the camper and the Ford last because I hate it.
I think that excellent looking Pathfinder is the best option. And with the manual, it’s a bit of a unicorn.
Pathfinder, but the Mercedes is a very close second. Wouldn’t be a bad two car garage, imo.
Had to go shiny blue Pathfinder…it’s the best of the bunch to me. 2nd would actually be the RV but I prefer the classic Toyota RV’s like the Dolphin, Chinook, etc. Then the Merc was at least built like a tank and can be made more original again, and the rusty Fix Or Repair Daily Focus is TRASH and not even a consideration
Also, yeah have been looking at Toyota RV listings for a while and they are all over the place but there are still deals out there- if you go the route of throwing some $ at it just to make it work- fixing main problems and getting everything going and then over time improving other things to make it ideal. That’s just a long term dream of mine and just think they’re unique. It’s worth it to me even w/ the Toyota tax. I’ve seen ones that are completely gone through/remodeled for $10K and a lot are more than that not gone through. Then you have a good one that will last a long while…and can fit in a regular parking spot!
Pathfinder for the win here, though I can see the appeal of each choice, except maybe the Merc.
The Nissan RV would be ideal for someone cosplaying Walter White, the Benz could be cool if the dumb mods were removed, and the Focus is useful as a winter beater, but the Pathfinder is cool (manual transmission and transfer case) and useful in any application as it sits, no illegal activity required.