Good morning! It’s Christmas this week, and we all know that the best part of the holiday season is getting new toys. So that’s what we’re going to look at this week: shiny, brightly-colored toys, of all types, and in all price ranges. They won’t be perfect, because that wouldn’t be any fun, but one of them might be perfect for you.
We finished up last week with a thought experiment: if you have $1,500 and need a car right now, are you better off shopping for an old clunker, or putting that money down on something newer and nicer? For the vast majority of you, this wasn’t even a question; you chose the cheapo PT Cruiser by an overwhelming margin.
This is, of course, the correct answer. If you wanted to put that money towards a down payment, that’s fine, but don’t do it at one of those awful buy-here-pay-here places. Get a loan from a credit union. Ask your Grandma to co-sign if you have to. But really, a good, cheap car like that PT Cruiser is the way to go in this scenario.
Now, let’s look at some fun stuff.
1973 Porsche 914 1.7 – $12,500
Engine/drivetrain: 1.7-liter OHV flat 4, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Odometer reading: unknown
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Prices of classic cars are nuts these days. We all know that. But nowhere are they more nuts than in the world of air-cooled VWs and Porsches. Cars that used to cost a few grand are now highly sought after by collectors, and sadly, speculators. This car, the Porsche 914, was derided by snobbish enthusiasts for decades as not being a “real Porsche,” but these days it is riding the coattails of its 911 and 912 relatives, and values for good ones are climbing.
914s came in a few flavors; this is the lowest-horsepower version. It’s powered by a 1.7-liter fuel-injected version of VW’s flat 4 engine, mounted just behind the seats instead of hanging out behind the rear wheels like in a Beetle. It drives the rear wheels through a five-speed transaxle. It’s not a particularly fast car, especially by Porsche standards, but it is a lot of fun to drive. The seller of this one says it runs and drives well, and calls it a “complete car – not a project.”
It is a little scruffy inside. The seats could use reupholstering, and the steering wheel rim is worn. But neither of those things will stop you from enjoying it on sunny days. And remember – the 914 is a targa, so fresh air isn’t hard to come by.
It looks good outside, too. Orange is a good color for ’70s sports cars. The seller says the paint isn’t perfect, but the car is rust-free and straight. Underside photos in the ad confirm the “rust-free” part. For someone who got used to seeing good 914s in the classifieds for $3,000, the price is a little hard to swallow, but I guess if you have your heart set on an air-cooled Porsche these days, this is what you pay.
2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4 – $10,900
Engine/drivetrain: Turbocharged 2.4-liter DOHC inline 4, five-speed manual, FWD
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Odometer reading: 81,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
In the mood for something a little spicier? I’ve got you covered. Here we have the hottest version of Dodge’s delightful Neon compact sedan, the SRT-4. It’s not what you’d call refined, but if you want refinement, go buy a Lexus. But it won’t run 14-second quarter miles, or make you giggle like this will.
The heart of the SRT-4 is a turbocharged version of Chrysler’s 2.4-liter inline four, making 215 horsepower in this model year, and a five-speed manual transmission. Helping to control that power are a heavy-duty clutch, stiffer suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and some other upgrades over the basic Neon. Because these cars were inexpensive, a lot of them ended up getting either modified beyond recognition, or thrashed within an inch of their lives, or both, but this one is essentially stock, low-mileage, and in excellent mechanical shape. It has new brakes, new tires, and a new battery, and it runs great.
Inside, there are a few nods to the tuner culture that Dodge was trying to draw in with this car, such as an aluminum shift knob and pedals, and some carbon-fiber trim bits. It also has seats with some serious bolsters on them, to hold you in place while you’re having fun. The vinyl on the driver’s seat is cracked, but otherwise it looks like it’s in good shape. And—importantly for Vegas—the air conditioning works just fine.
You can tell an SRT-4 from a standard Neon by the giant basket-handle wing on the back, and the one giant nostril on the hood. An outlandish car deserves an outlandish color; you could get these in silver or black, but this bright yellow suits it better. It’s in good shape, and any weird panel gaps or misalignments you see were probably there from the factory. One thing puzzles me about this car, though: Nevada doesn’t require front license plates. Why, at some point in the past 22 years, has no one taken that hideous front plate bracket off it?
We all have a different definition of “fun,” so I’m going to try to get a good mix of cars this week. These two don’t have much in common, and definitely appeal to different demographics, but personally, I like ’em both. Which one would you rather have as a new toy?
Top graphic image: Craigslist
If it’s under the tree, the Porsche’s more likely to light the fire.
But the Neon would make me smile every time I get behind the wheel.
Chassis is decent, and mileage seems low.
Fast cars are common as dirt, air cooled mid engined cars are not. If it’s a fun goofy gift to myself, I will go Kraut.
Angry Skittle for me please!
I love that metaphor.
I’m okay with the 914, but having spent some time with a hot-rod Neon, I have to opt for playing Dodgeball.
They may not be the highest-quality vehicles around, but Neons are an absolute ball to drive. I’ll bet parts are less expensive than those a 914 will need, even if some of the latter’s are actually from VW
Wish we had a “both” button today.
That 914 had me charmed, but the SRT-4 is a fun little front wheel drive beast. I suspect this would bring out my nostalgia for thrashing my SHO through the twisties, but with less weight. Neon for me!
I currently have two cars, but I am becoming disillusioned with the hassle, and today I yearn for a time when I had a daily that did everything. SRT4 Neon for me, I don’t fit in the 914 very well, and it would be less usable than my Boxster.
I would take the Porsche just because it’s not a Dodge.
Yeah, this is no contest. That Neon is stupid clean (as least for someone in the rust belt like myself), and it’s a Neon with over 200 horsepower. I’d love driving that thing!
914 all the way. I briefly “owned” one when a friend got it in a package deal and it ended up in my field. As much as I liked it it was badly rusted and had a broken hood latch cable so I couldn’t even access the engine. Ended up selling it for parts to a guy who drove over 300 miles to fetch it.
I can’t believe I’m voting for a Neon over a Porsche but here we are. The Porsche will obviously increase in value, albeit slower than a normal Porsche. The Neon however is a wicked bit of fun that can’t be discounted.
Without reading a damned thing, gimme the Neon! Used to love watching these perform at the Lake Superior Pro Rally in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Too bad my pickup truck will outrun it, but it would still be fun to sling around.
I’ll take the Porsche, it would look great parked alongside my orange Super Beetle. Those Neons are pretty damn cool but I’ve never felt compelled to own one. I’ve seen a couple at track days though, they can really move.
Wow, TWO crack pipes today.
My Fiesta ST has cured me of any illusions that I can look respectable climbing out of a juiced-up piece of crap econobox with a wing and bright paint. So I’m OK with the aesthetics of the Neon. I’d rather have its power and crash safety vs the ancient Porsche.
I think I’d go for an older Miata if I wanted a small RWD roadster. Seems likely to provide far fewer headaches and I don’t have any big Porsche infatuation.
My social media feeds have been serving up used Fiesta ST’s lately. Cute little shoeboxes.
They’re a riot. Really light, nimble, and immediate. The shifter feels expensive and the little turbo pulls surprising hard in 2nd and 3rd. Five minutes behind the wheel had me impulse-buying a low mileage but very branded title example during the 2020 pandemic slump in car prices. Seemed wiser than a motorcycle.
Terrible ride quality, though, there’s no magnetorheological magic going on–it handles well because there’s no compliance. And it’s a Ford so exterior trim is just kind of disintegrating everywhere. And the HVAC blend door is going out. And we are on the third seat of axle seals…but hey, 40mpg on the interstate.
“if you want refinement, go buy a Lexus. But it won’t run 14-second quarter miles”
You sure about that?
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a15388382/2005-acura-tl-vs-2005-audi-a4-2006-bmw-330i-and-five-more-sport-sedans-comparison-test/
Yeah, I was also going to say that the is350, is500, LC350, LC500, and LFA will have a word with you.
In general, he is correct. I’m sure their new EV vehicles will get there.
No need to include the V8 and V10. The Toyota 3.5 has a top end, even the ES and Camry hit low-14s with it and there’s a lot of those on the road. If Granny has an attitude at the light in her champagne creampuff decade-old ES350, the Neon driver had better get the launch correct.
My two cars are a Scion FR-S, and a ’71 Beetle. Gimme the ACVW/Porsche crossover that won’t run me near as much as a 912E.
It gives up flexibility, economy, utility and lots of other things ending in -y but I’ll take the
VolkswagenPorsche all day.I live in Las Vegas and I won’t be buying either of these. But if you force me to pick, I’m taking the 914. If it lacks the typical 914 rust due to a life in The Land That Rust Forgot™, it’s worth every penny of the asking price. You can fix everything else, but fixing rust is a fight I don’t want to pick.
PORSCHE for the win today.
After all it’s Christmas time.
Neon looks like it’s been the victim of a boy racer-hot lap mentality.
Glad the 914 is far from me today.
The damn dentist wants all my money today….Shit
Well remember, dentistry ISN’T healthcare so they can charge whatever you might be able to afford. Eventually.
8K so far in 2025…who needs to eat right? /s
At least I have a spare set of 914 seats waiting in the attic for a car to stuff em into…
Only half that for me this year, and I’m looking at something akin to that in 2026 because of course I delayed some of this maintenance.
I’m sure there’ll be no health/financial repercussions from delaying the inevitable.
(also /s.)
Always been a sucker for the 914. I remember back in HS there was one for sale for $500 by my friend’s house. That thing sat there for years and no one bought it, I always thought it looked fun but my own car kept me too broke to consider it. I can’t believe what they’re going for now.
I would prefer the Neon, as I had one of those when I lived in the US. But the 914 is going to appreciate in value a lot quicker.
Definitely the 914 — it’s a cool old car, in decent shape. Lots of them have rusted away or been engine swapped at this point too.
Still plenty of SRT4s around, but this seems overpriced to me? I find Cobalt SSs pretty commonly between 4-6k which were always kinda ballpark to this.
Geez. Air-cooled VW (well, it was gonna be, until they passed) vs HILARIOUS Neon SRT….
I’d probably go with the 914 because aircooled VWs were my entry point.
The Neon SRT is no joke (well, its transmission is a terrible farce). More Cheap Thrills than that R Crumb album cover.
I’m sure the Neon’s the better daily driver, but I can’t resist the cool of a Rockford Files 914. The classic sports interior looks better than the contempo Fast N Furious style of the Neon any day, and the work needed seems doable.
I’d rather have a Boxster than a 914 for that price, but between these two, I’ll take the 914. I’m not into high performance driving anymore and the 914 really just looks better, even though it needs work.
Whoa! I just checked your homework and there are some nice looking Boxsters available for under $13K! I wholly agree with you.
Besides, how expensive can a 20-year-old Porsche really be?
My brother has a Boxster he’d like to sell and has been complaining about the market.