I was looking back over the week’s winners, trying to decide whether to do a runoff or not, and I started looking at that Mazda 626 Touring Sedan from Monday. That really is a great design and a great idea. Why haven’t more four-door sedans over the years been available with a rear hatch instead of a trunk? As I was pondering that, without even trying, two low-mileage examples of such cars practically fell into my lap, so I decided to show them to you.
Yesterday, we looked at a couple of fun Toyotas (more or less). From the sound of it, a lot of you had a hard time deciding between them, and there were many calls for a “both” option in the poll. And by the way, I apologize for the weirdness with the poll; I don’t know if I did something wrong or if something happened on Crowdsignal’s end, but it’s all better now, and the votes got counted.
When all was said and done, the ’89 Corolla GT-S emerged as a pretty clear winner, and I think I agree. That Vibe will make a great inexpensive used car for someone, but the Corolla is something to take care of and cherish. (Words never spoken about a Toyota Corolla before, I would imagine.) You just don’t see cars like that anymore, and that makes it special. It would be my choice, too.
I have a car-guy confession to make: I’ve never actually owned a station wagon. I’ve come close a couple of times, but never ended up with one. I have, however, had a couple of four-door fastback hatchbacks, and I have a huge appreciation for that bodystyle. These days, I guess the closest thing to them is a Prius, though it isn’t available as a traditional sedan. Come to think of it, one of today’s choices wasn’t either. Anyway, the point is that hatchbacks rule, and we’re going to look at a couple of examples that don’t even have eighty thousand miles between them.
1986 Chrysler LeBaron GTS – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: 2.5-liter OHC inline 4, three-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Greeneville, TN
Odometer reading: 43,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
The original Chrysler K cars were many things, but stylish wasn’t one of them. Chrysler seemed to know this, and in 1985, it tried to rectify the situation with the LeBaron GTS and Dodge Lancer models, with tighter suspension tuning and styling that was almost European if you squint hard. More importantly, while they looked like sedans, these cars actually had a hatchback, a design that would carry over to the Dodge Shadow and Plymouth Sundance models a couple of years later.
Under the skin, this car is all garden-variety K car, though. You could get the GTS with a turbocharged 2.2-liter engine, but this one has the non-turbo 2.5-liter. The transmission is Chrysler’s strong A413 Torqueflite automatic, not the most refined unit around, but it’s durable and reliable. This one has a scant 43,000 miles on it – and yes, it has a six-digit odometer, so it hasn’t rolled over – and the seller says it runs and drives well.
It’s as clean inside as you’d expect from a car with only 43,000 miles, and as sloppy as you’d expect from a mid-’80s Chrysler. Don’t get me wrong; I love these cars, but I don’t delude myself about their build quality. Look past the misaligned trim, though, and it’s a pretty comfy car. This is a basic Highline model, with crank windows and no frills, but it does have air conditioning, and the seller says it works fine.
It’s a little faded outside, and there are some paint blemishes, but it’s rust-free. It also appears to be missing all the badges on the back, which makes it look like one of those generic cars used in ads. I always liked the looks of these, though, and they’re definitely more practical than the average K-car.
1990 Geo Prizm Liftback – $3,700
Engine/drivetrain: 1.6-liter DOHC inline 4, three-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Cumberland, MD
Odometer reading: 33,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
The NUMMI plant I mentioned yesterday started out building the fifth-generation Chevrolet Nova, a badge-engineered Toyota Sprinter. The Nova was available as either a four-door sedan or a five-door “Liftback.” I had a Nova liftback for a while, and it was an excellent little car. In 1989, when GM created the Geo brand for Chevy’s captive imports, the Nova was replaced by the Geo Prizm, based on the next-generation Sprinter. These cars were absolutely everywhere one day, and almost completely gone the next. I haven’t seen a Prizm sedan in many years, and I can’t even remember the last time I saw a liftback.
The base engine in the Prizm was Toyota’s 4A-FE four-cylinder. It’s not the most powerful thing in the world, but it’s reliable and efficient. It drives the front wheels through a basic three-speed automatic. Hey, it gets the job done. We don’t get a lot of details about this one, only that it was well-maintained by an elderly owner. I guess that explains the low mileage.
We also don’t get any photos of the interior, so I can’t tell you anything about its condition. I would hope, with only 33,000 miles on the clock, that it’s pretty much immaculate. Based on the fact that it’s a base model, it’s also probably pretty plain-jane. I can’t even guarantee that it has air conditioning.
It’s clean and shiny outside; I think this car was kept in a garage. I don’t see any signs of rust, but again, the photos aren’t great. The Prizm hatchback isn’t what I’d call a handsome car, but at least it’s more interesting-looking than the sedan. And if it’s anything like my old Nova, there is a ton of room in the back.
Super-low-mileage rare cars like these exist in kind of a weird place in the market. They could be collector’s items, if anybody cared to collect them, but they’re also inexpensive enough that you wouldn’t feel guilty just using them as regular old cars. And with the practicality of the hatchbacks, that wouldn’t be a bad way to go. Which one interests you more? And would you use it as a daily driver, or save it as a classic? I’m giving you four poll options below to make your choice.
As much as I coveted my neighbor’s LeBaron GTS as a kid in the 80’s, I’d have to go with the Prizm. The 80’s chryslers were plagued with lots of defects (like the digital dash that would randomly go blank).
I bought a Prizm 5-spd hatchback with 60k for about the same price back in ’95. It was brilliant, practical, roomy (for an econobox) but the motor was a bit wimpy, even with the stick. I really loved the look and the way it handled.
I would love a captive import brand to make a comeback, especially as small cars keep disappearing from US shores. I don’t know the economics of it and I’m sure tarrifs would mess with it, but I want to be able to buy a small, boring, practical car.
Oh not even remotely a question, the Prizm. I had the Sprinter Cielo when I lived in the caribbeans for a bit which is basically the Prizm GSi with the 4A-GE red top engine. Paired with the 5 speed the thing was an absolute riot of a tiny car.
I’ve actually never seen a GSi liftback in the states, so this is bringing back some heavy nostalgia.
I had never noticed that the LeBaron was a hatchback until now.
It certainly is the opposite of a “look at me” car.
A friend of mine had a couple of LeBarons, one a GTS that looked much like this one but with the turbo engine and a stick shift. The other was the older “Jon Voight” type LeBaron White wood paneled convertible, Mark Cross (NOT Corinthian..so disappointed was I) leather interior and an anemic Mitsubishi 2.6 with a 3AT.
The convertible was just OK for its intended purpose, driving at less than freeway speeds on a quiet street with the top down on a nice day…but that’s about it. Thankfully the fancy but not Corinthian Mark Cross leather was tan, not black. The turbo LeBaron was (by the standards of the 80’s) fast, fun in a turbo lag and torque steer way, comfortable and useful.
Were I in the market for a LeBaron I’d hold out for something with a turbo and MT. On this one I’ll pass.
No and no.
“I’ve never actually owned a station wagon. […] I have, however, had a couple of four-door fastback hatchbacks, and I have a huge appreciation for that bodystyle.”
As a five-time owner of Saab 9000s, I resemble that remark. Such a good bodystyle. Unless the wagon’s tailgate glass is nearly vertical like a Volvo, the tradeoff’s not too bad.
I consider both of these to be collectors rather than dailies. The Radwood cred is roughly even with these, and the Prizm is without question the better car.
However, I want the LeBaron GTS. My dad wanted one of these bad in the late ’80s and I went with him to test drive several examples. He never got one, but those are great memories. He did later get a 1988 LeBaron coupe which is another car I’d love to get my hands on.
’80s Chrysler build quality just gives the survivors more character. It’ll build character in the owner, too. Struggle tends to do that.
The LeBaron GTS is gonna lose, but having owned an 85 GTS with all the bells and whistles, turbo, leather, competition 1 suspension with the awesome aluminum wheels, digital dashboard and console trip computer, basically every option except sunroof, that I bought from my parents who purchased it new in 1985, it was a very reliable example for my parents and me. The styling still looks fresh and I thought aged very well. While this GTS is the highline model, the seats are comfortable and the hatch allows much better loading space compared to a trunk. For the price and the fact it’s the balanced shaft 2.5, and the simplicity of repairs, it would be an excellent daily driver. Not a great 80mph highway cruiser due to the gearing being set for the 55mph highway speed limit , but would be a great city/secondary roads car.
My wife had a 90 Geo Prizm when I met her so experience tells me it’s an excellent appliance. The hatch gives it some character.
Are we certain that Prizm only has a 3-speed auto?
99% certain, yes. I have driven more than a few base-model Prizms of this era, and they were all 3 speeds. I think you had to step up to the LSi to get overdrive.