Good morning! I’m raiding the Facebook Underappreciated Survivors group again today, and I’ve found two cheap vehicles with manual transmissions for your consideration. They’re both beat-up and ugly, but they both seem to run fine. Just how I like ’em.
Yesterday’s European executive cars ended up in an almost even vote. As of this writing, only one vote separates the two cars, and since the one I prefer is winning by that one vote, I’m going to call it right there. It’s the Audi, by a nose. Not even by its nose, really, more like by its front license plate bracket.
The idea of an ultra-low-mileage Sterling appealed to a lot of you, primarily for the weirdness factor, it sounds like. But for my money, it has to be the Audi. Nostalgia is a big part of it, I have to admit; certain cars are just like comfort food. Sometimes you’re nostalgic for a terrible car that was with you through some good times; in this case it’s a wonderful car that made some terrible times less bad. That Sterling would be fun to show off, it’s true, but so would the Audi, and it means more to me.
I don’t get the Jeep obsession, and I’d never pay thirty grand for an electric BMW, but there is one place in which I am in complete agreement with our fearless Editor-In-Chief: the best inexpensive used cars are “ugly sticks.” Find a car that is a bit cosmetically challenged, either by design or condition, add in a manual transmission to make it more reliable but less desirable, and you can often drive away for a song. The vehicles I’ve found today are both definitely ugly in spots, and they’re getting a little old, but they both still have some miles in them – as long as you are willing and able to drive a stickshift. Let’s check them out.
1989 Plymouth Voyager – $2,150
Engine/drivetrain: 2.5 liter OHC inline 4, five-speed manual transmission, FWD
Location: Perryville, MO
Odometer reading: 139,000 miles
Operational status: “Drives nice”
Yep, that’s right – for those too young to remember, the first couple of generations of Chrysler minivan came standard with a standard. You didn’t see them too often; most folks checked the box for an A413 Torqueflite automatic, along with a host of other options. But a certain type of buyer, the type who likes their cars lean and mean, ordered vans equipped like this one: crank windows, no rearmost row of seats, and a manual transmission. I’m actually surprised this one has air conditioning.
If you went with a manual, you were limited to a four-cylinder engine, with or without a turbo. I have never seen a turbocharged manual Caravan or Voyager in person; I think they sold about five of them, and they’ve been traded around among Mopar weirdos ever since. This one has a 2.5 liter engine without the turbo, but with balance shafts and throttle-body fuel injection, so it’s a little more refined than the old K-car engine. The seller says this one runs and drives well, and “Comes with a sizeable pile of brand new parts that it doesn’t yet need.”
The driving experience in these isn’t great; the shifter is in an awkward spot, and it’s the same vague, wobbly mess you remember from your buddy’s Omni. But I imagine you get used to it after a while. Like all old Chrysler minivans, though, the seats are comfy, and the outward visibility is superb. It looks like it’s in good condition inside, and the seller says the air conditioner works fine.
It’s a little rough outside. The paint is coming off the hood and roof in sheets, and it looks like there has been some rust repair done here and there, especially on the rear wheel arches. But who cares? It’s cheap, it’s practical, and it’s inexpensive to insure.
1997 Ford Probe SE – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: 2.0 liter DOHC inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Clermont, FL
Odometer reading: 149,000 miles
Operational status: “Reliable and daily driven”
The second-generation Ford Probe is one of those cars folks tend to forget about. The original is famous for almost being a Mustang, and for its funky interior design, but when anyone remembers the second generation at all, it’s usually the GT model, with its lively 2.5 liter V6. But the lesser models, like this SE, are worthy of our time as well. You lose the ground effects, fat tires, and rear disc brakes, but most people won’t miss them.
You also lose the V6; in its place is Mazda’s “FS” four-cylinder, displacing 2.0 liters. It’s a bit weak-sauce with an automatic, but this one has a five-speed manual, which livens things up a bit. This one is currently being daily-driven, but the seller would prefer an automatic, and is willing to trade this car for the right car so equipped. It does need a little work on the suspension, but they don’t specify exactly what. Ball joints, tie rods, and bushings, I would guess; all inexpensive parts that just take some elbow grease to change out.
Inside, it needs some work; the door panels are off, because the power windows are inoperable and the seller was trying to fix them. The headliner is also shot. But the air conditioning works, and it has a new stereo with Apple CarPlay, so that’s something.
The good news is that it’s in good shape outside. The paint is shiny, in a nice shade of green, and the only damage I see is a little ding in the tailgate. I don’t think the wheels are original; they look like Mustang wheels, somewhat ironic given this model’s history.
Finding a car this cheap, in drivable condition, with working air conditioning is a rare thing. And here you have two to choose from. One needs nothing, but is in ugly shape on the outside, and the other needs some help, but will be an arguably nicer and more fun vehicle once it’s done. Which way are you leaning?
Minivan looks better, cheaper, and does more jobs
I like both, but when push comes to shove, I’ll go with the car. Fordza this time.
You had me at Pop Up Headlights.
V’ger is already gone. Shame, that might have been fun in an odd sort of way.
Yay! That Sterling deserved to lose- those are junk (besides the Honda engine) This one was actually kinda difficult but have to go w/ the Fix Or Repair Daily/Found On Road Dead Probe. Despite the name, my friend had one in high school and it was a fun car. The styling is pretty sleek too. At least it’s a stick and has a Mazda engine! I’ll fix it up good and enjoy cruising in it. One of our family cars growing up was a Dodge Grand Caravan like this in blue, and it was pretty great. Normally, I’d go Mopar but don’t need a “VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!”
Remember when cars like these would maybe be asking $1,000? Ah, good times.
The Probe, if only for the name and color.
Probe. Possibly not fair, but I cannot get past the “Voyager=dismal life” thing.
I can’t get over the dichotomy that is the inside and outside of that Voyager.
Since my Mazda5 5 speed is coming off the road tomorrow due to rust and too many pending repairs, that Minivan will take its place in a “my life is going backwards and down the shitter” sort of way…