Good morning! Today’s Showdown is brought to you by the letters J and K. Why? Because I can. I don’t imagine I’m going to win over any converts among you – lord knows I’ve tried – but there’s nothing stopping me from subjecting you to them. These both come to us courtesy of the Underappreciated Survivors Facebook group.
We looked at two little egg-shaped economy cars yesterday, and I was afraid that if I made it a Toyota versus anything else, whatever the other car was wouldn’t stand a chance. And it looks like I was right. The little Hyundai Accent didn’t get even half as many votes.
I get it; Toyota looms large over the conversation whenever reliability and durability are brought up. But having owned a few old Toyotas, I can tell you they are not invincible. Neglect and deferred maintenance can do a number on them just like any other car. And this one comes from one of those fly-by-night dealerships along Southeast 82nd Avenue in Portland. I’ve had dealings with those hucksters before, and I’m not in any hurry to do so again. The Accent, on the other hand, has some maintenance records and comes from a private seller, which feels much safer to me.
Now then: The RADwood phenomenon, and 1980s nostalgia in general, is still going strong – to a combination of joy and horror to those of us who lived through that flashy decade. Sure, the music was great, and some of the movies were fun (though personally I prefer John Carpenter to John Hughes), but the fashions were appalling. But it’s the cars we’re here to talk about, and love them or hate them, two platforms were ubiquitous in mall parking lots throughout the ’80s: the General Motors J platform, and the Chrysler K platform. Against all odds, I found two that aren’t obscenely overpriced like so many are these days. Let’s take a look at them now (see what I did there?).
1988 Pontiac Sunbird GT Turbo Convertible – $1,500
Engine/drivetrain: Turbocharged 1.8-liter OHC inline 4, three-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Eau Claire, WI
Odometer reading: 76,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well, but needs a few little things
Throughout most of the 1980s, if you wanted to tell GM cars from different divisions apart, you had to look at the trim. Chevies, Pontiacs, Buicks, Oldsmobiles, and even Cadillacs all shared sheetmetal, so the differences were in the details. Each division did what it could to distinguish its models, and Pontiac was more successful than some of the others, with its trademark directional five-spoke wheel design (there’s a nickname for these, but I can’t remember what it is) and blacked-out trim. This Sunbird GT had another trick up its sleeve: a turbocharged engine.
The Sunbird’s 1.8-liter turbo engine came from Opel, was built in Brazil, and was shared only with Buick, for its Skyhawk T-Type. It makes 150 horsepower, quite a lot for a small car in the ’80s. This one feeds the front wheels through a TH125C three-speed automatic, which is a bit of a letdown, but it’s suitable for a convertible cruiser like this. As you might expect from a convertible in the upper Midwest, it doesn’t have many miles on it. This isn’t a winter car for Wisconsin. The seller says it runs fine, but it needs “a few little things.”
Like so many convertibles over the years, this Sunbird started out as a two-door coupe, and was beheaded and stiffened by ASC. You lose quite a lot of back seat room if you opt for the convertible, but hey, if you don’t call “shotgun” fast enough, that’s your problem. This one is in good condition outside, but the seller says it needs a new top. Or, I suppose, you could just leave it in the garage if it’s going to rain. The heater core started leaking recently and has been bypassed, but it’s actually very easy to get to on these old J-bodies, so there’s no reason not to replace it.
The upside of not having been driven in the winter is that it’s rust-free, something you can’t say about very many cars in Wisconsin. It’s not perfect; there is some paint flaking off the plastic front bumper, and a little wrinkle in the bottom of the driver’s side door, but it’s a $1,500 convertible that runs well. Ignore the flaws, and just go drive it.
1985 Plymouth Reliant – $2,000
Engine/drivetrain: 2.2-liter OHC inline 4, three-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Goshen, NY
Odometer reading: 92,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well, but needs a few little things
If there’s a more generic, stereotypical 1980s car than the Plymouth Reliant, I don’t know what it is. The savior of Chrysler Corporation along with its twin the Dodge Aries, the Reliant is a car nobody loved, but lots of people liked enough to buy. Chrysler sold two million of these things over its nine-year run, and a shocking number of them are still around today. Part of that could be due to their popularity with older drivers who didn’t put many miles on them, but survivor Reliants like this are a lot more common than you’d guess. This one is just a lot more reasonably priced than most.
One year after this car was built the Reliant’s standard 2.2-liter engine would receive throttle-body electronic fuel injection, which gave it a big improvement in drivability and a small horsepower bump, but these old carbureted 2.2s run well enough, certainly better than the optional Mitsubishi-built 2.6 liter. This one has received an elecric fuel pump to give the old mechanical pump a little help. It probably wasn’t necessary; my guess is that the mechanical pump was just worn, but whatever. It has a leaking valve cover gasket, but so does every other 2.2 I have ever seen. It’s easy enough to do; just don’t skimp on the RTV sealant, especially in the corners.
This is a base model K car, which means a one-piece bench seat, a column-mounted shifter, and no center console. The seller has compensated with one of those parts-store consoles with the spikes on the bottom to grip the carpet. Hey, it’s better than no cupholders at all. The interior is in good shape apart from a droopy headliner, but sadly, the air conditioning doesn’t work.
I have long believed that round Hella driving lights can improve the looks of any car, and I was pleased to see that this car advances that theory. I guess you could call this the “Rally Edition” Reliant. Actually, you could lean into that and put some Martini stripes on it. Why not? It’s a K car; have some fun with it.
Most of you scoff whenever I feature cars like these, but this time, they’re not stupidly overpriced. They’re not perfect, either, but what old car doesn’t need some tinkering? So what do you think – is it the drop-top Sunbird that needs a top, or the two-door Reliant with driving lights?
Sunbird all day long.
I don’t have a million dollars, so I will not be buying a K-car for anyone I love.
God that Reliant has to be one of the most boring cars ever built.
Right?! That upright rear window and bench seat gives this coupe all of the 2-door sedan’s looks without the bonus rear seat space. I’d call it Ethel or some other old timey church going name.
The structure of that J convertible is probably as loose and creaky as you could possibly imagine. Not that the Reliant is likely to be rock solid, but I’ve driven the convertible Cavalier of this era, and despite it being a babied example, felt like it was going to fall apart at any moment. Also, I want nothing to do with what I assume is a relatively rare GM powertrain from the 80’s.
So it’s K-car for me.
Mr. Taargus, may I call your attention to the fact that the doors of the Reliant are already sagging? I guess the creaks and wobbles on both of these cars resemble those of a caffeinated pig on rollers.
I did nearly mention the misaligned window trim between the door and the rear window, asking the question “has this trim ever aligned on a K-car?”.
I’m not saying the Reliant is going to feel “good” or even “ok”. I just know that the J-car convertible is going to feel awful.
Welcome to the fine ’80s build quality of late malaise era ‘Murican iron!
My first car was a 2nd Gen J bodied cavalier coupe and a couple friends had varying forms of sedans, coupes and convertibles. They all felt like driving cooked pasta, just some more al dente than others.
Ain’t that the truth.
I would bet this convertible Sunbird in the year 2025 is more like angel hair pasta cooked in an Instant Pot on high for half an hour.
I always assumed these convertibles would remind me of the noodles in Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup. Can’t tell where the noodle ends and the broth begins.
I’ve got a 95 Opel convertible and yeah I thought it was just me. It just feels jiggly
If Anton Chigurh were a car, he’d be that Reliant.
You lost me at no A/C on the Plymouth. Add one vote for the Sunbird and its horrific orange gages.
K-Car has not had a roof-ostomy. Win. Ever been in a J-body convertible? Noodles.
That late Reliant is also from a FWD Mopar family – see the Acclaim/Spirit parked in front of it?
Those turbo pontiacs were surprisingly quick! Even with the auto, there’s some fun to be had, and it’s nice and clean too. A replacement top is about $500 from my quick googling, which still keeps that thing solidly in the “good deal” category.
Both good deals but I’d go with the sunbird.
I’m not a convertible guy, and not really a J-car fan, but that Plymouth is just too boring. I’ll Ride, Pontiac Ride!
I voted Sunbird, but for the price, it sounds like you can’t go wrong with either. I would get a firebird decal for the Sunbird’s hood and take it out on nice days. Buy the Reliant too and you’re set for whatever the weather.
If I had a million dollars…
I’d be rich.
But the K-Car would be for me.
I’ve owned both a convertible J and a two door K, and well the K didn’t eat its own engine, all things being equal (and they are staggeringly close on these platforms) the K managed double the mileage of he J.
Nice BNL reference!
I’m trusting the 2.2 and Chrysler build quality over a boosted 1.8 I didn’t even know GM built.
On a different timeline, I’d buy both and put the Pontiac out for display in my own personal museum, because when’s the next time you’ll see that one?
…honestly, Pontiac-Oakland museum In Pontiac, IL, might rotate one in. Sooooo….
I’ve left NY about 10 times in my life, and about 7 of those was just going to college in Williamsport PA.
The probability I’ll go to Illinois to see a Pontiac-Oakland museum, is so low I’ll more than likely win the Mega Millions, Powerball, NYSL, and Cash-4-Life at the same time lol.
Fair enough, but you did say “when is the next time YOU’LL see one” and I had a convenient possibility for me. Also maybe Crazy 80s museum in Dwight, too.
Right back at you for the “fair enough”! Being very specific is not my forte, to be honest.
I could vote K with no hesitation if the Sunbird weren’t an even better proposition. Even with the automatic, it’s a durable, not-unattractive convertible that would make sunny days more fun–for $1500!
Sunbird, the top going down is the only interesting thing about either car. If the K were a wagon it’d be a bit more even.
Friend had a j wagon. Worst piece of shit on planet earth. And Pontiac builds excitement? Pontiac builds excrement. Still I voted for the convertible. 2 reasons. It’s a convertible and how it has no rust coming from Eau Claire is a miracle. Even our dog is giving me the side eye for this choice.
I’d rather walk.
I’ve driven J and K cars. J all day. They couldn’t match their Japanese competition, and they’re pretty sad by today’s standards, but they showed an honest effort by GM to step things up from the previous generation. The K cars were just sad from the start.
When I went looking for my first car, I was ready to nab a 1987 (I think) Sunbird GT Turbo. But then I saw an 87 Acura Integra, and tested it. It was leaps and bounds better than the Sunbird. Like, not close at all. Yes, the Integra was theoretically upmarket, but it was mostly Civic parts, and it handled better, and just felt better.
On top of that, it was cheaper than the Sunbird.
Yes, but today you won’t find an Integra for close to this.
In my neck of the woods, Integras are rare due to rust. Heck, mine rotted out while I owned it.
Same, in fact all of these cars are scarce these days due to the tinworm of time. But, if you were to find a nice integra it will have extra zeros on the end of the price; no one is paying that for most of it’s peers.
The top replacement on the Sunbird would cost considerably more than the asking price for the car. It’s an okay deal if you have a garage with an extra spot and can just leave the top tucked away.
I was kind of hoping from that first pic of the Hellas on that K-car that it would be a turbo’d sleeper rally beast. I wonder if the owner was thinking about going that direction before coming to his senses.
A waterproof car cover for emergencies would serve this car just fine.
Top, schmop.
I had the same thought about the K car, and I have seen a turbo’d drag Reliant 2 door, but apparently it’s much easier to start with an EFI car, because the wiring harness is completely different with a carb.
I’ll go with the sunbird for the price it looks to be in really nice shape for the turd that is.
That Sunbird seems an actual good deal – might not be the best car around but I’d say you got plenty for your money. Fifteen Benjamins for a turbo convertible in great condition would be great deal for anything!
Sunbird for sure. BTW I don’t think it’s the actual nickname, but I usually refer to those wheels with the era-appropriate term of “salad shooter” wheels.
“Salad Shooters” is the actual nickname those wheels have always had.
See, that’s what I thought, but the only references I could find to that nickname were about C4 Corvette wheels.
Not a convertible fan (except Miatas and even then I barely put the top down on my old NA) and a big Hell fan, guess I’m voting for a K car??
Oh… K. Just looking at that miserable K car makes me sad. Gimme that sunny bird and I’ll cruise around with the top down and enjoy every one of the ponies I can coax through the slush box.
These were new when I was a new driver and teenager. It was not a good time to grow in to a car person. I would rather go for the Sunbird because the K-cars corner like grain barges and 1980s electronic controlled carburetors were the worse.
Gimme the boosted ‘bird! It’s a cheap convertible. What could possibly go wrong?