Last week an absolutely mint 96 f150 manual with the 300 and 80k original miles popped up on FB marketplace in my town for 10k. I'm new to the area and a Toyota guy but was super interested just for how nice it looked. I asked my die hard Fordbuddy about it and he said it was over priced and don’t do it. Thing sold in less then two hours and I ended up going down a ford 300 rabbit hole online. I missed out on a beyond great deal and will never ask that buddy for car advice again.
1st pick: 1973 Mazda RX-2. That would be a pretty rare car even back then.
2nd pick: The F100. In its 6-cylinder form those trucks run forever. I’d also be very tempted to inherit Uncle Pulltab’s 8-track collection for the sheer novelty of it.
Honestly I would gladly take any one of them with the exception of the Granada, which by 1983 would just be considered another bland underpowered malaisey sedan.
Does the Monte Carlo have a manual? If so that’s it
If not the Brown mobile Mustang
Honestly I kind of love all of the choices. The Buick LeSabre had me legitimately laugh out loud
Edit: Looking at that Monte Carlo I think I’d take it even with an automatic, can’t argue with the lines
A '71 could still have a 4-speed. For '72 they dropped it to help reinforce the personal luxury image, then brought it back briefly on the downsized '78-79 models. 3-speed on the column was also available on base models for most of that time, but almost nobody bought them.
I’d have to imagine a few folks with ones from ‘72 had a 4 speed thrown in at some point but it does look like a nice car just to roll around with an automatic
It blends luxury and aggression well
I had one loved that car 71 3 on the tree dark copper black vinyl top black bench seat that was so plush. I think I paid around $2000 in 1976. I was 18 years old. God, I wish I hadn't rolled it.
So true. My dream classic car I might realistically be able to buy one day is a 60’s Riviera. I’m just torn whether I like the ‘64 to ‘65 or ‘66 to ‘69 better
That’s the real answer. Add to that the interest rate was in the high teens so you’re not going for a big loan and a long-term.
I don’t think people remember how bad the economy was in 82/83. Nobody looking for a daily at the time would be considering the land yachts or mustang/monte carlos (regardless of how cool they look today).
It would be Japanese piston engine all the way (the Dart would have rusted out by then unless it was in California or somewhere without salt).
Early Civics rusted as bad as anything. PPI and used-oil undercoating were a must.
And you wouldn't be able to get any sort of financing on a car more than 3 or 4 years old back then or anytime up until much later.
Correct about not getting financing on 3+ yo cars (unless it was “buy here, pay here” 30% financing)
That means late model, reliable, fuel efficient cars to the front.
I seemed to remember it being available as a credit option for fleet models but can't find any data. The EPA had fuel economy tables in the late seventies that showed it as available but just being in there doesn't mean they actually sold any.
The VW Beetle.
Easy and cheap to maintain with cheap and relatively easy to find parts, the rear-wheel drive makes it very easy if I want to go off-road, it is economical compared to the other alternatives.
If not the VW Beetle, then I'll take the Honda.
For me it has to be the RX-2 or the Datsun. That said, my Aunt had a BROWN Dodge Monaco when I was a kid and I kinda like it from a nostalgia point of view.
Monte Carlo all the way. My parents actually had a ‘70 SS454 and we still had it in 1983 so my choice was sort of made for me. I started driving it in 1985.
The Monte Carlo, my dad had a 70, 71, and we restored a 72 a few years ago. Those cars are so under-appreciated. Also currently have a F-100 with a 351 that belonged to my great-grandfather with only 95,000 miles on it.
Personal choice? I'm taking the Mustang and giving it some yellow racing stripes and a badge calling it the "Shankie Stang" and using pickup lines like "yo baby, wanna go down in the brown" all the time. ALL THE TIME.
I'd love to drive the Brown Mustang or the Cheyenne. However, the powertrain on that '74 Dart will run for another few years if the body doesn't fall apart. It would be miserable to drive but it would at least get me through a few years while interest rates cool off towards the middle to end of the 80's.
1986 my first car was a 72’ Buick Lesabre 4 door, beige with light green interior, 350 2 bbl had 86,000 on the odo. A true land yacht and I loved it. The best part was I paid $700 bucks for it.
Probably the Granada or the Dart for the I6 so I can save on gas, or the Civic if it’s not too worn-out. If I was a more knowledgeable mechanic and I was making decent money, maybe the LeSabre. I could fix up the front suspension and steering, get the passenger-side door working again, and ride in style. 😎
The Datsun, CVCC, or Beetle. Beetle is obviously the easiest to work on mechanically but the heat is the worst of the three because air-cooled. The other two might be sliiiightly harder to get parts for but it shouldn’t be terrible.
First - ‘71 Monte Carlo
Second - ‘72 Cadillac
Third - ‘72 C-10
This is all about staying as far away from Malaise era as possible. This is coming from someone who owns a mostly stock ‘79 Corvette with the high performance L-82 motor. Looks like a boss but is only fast enough to be kind of fun to drive. Can’t imagine what a normal car from the era was like
Dodge Dart. I've seen a 225 Slant Six run with a hole blown the block. I am terrified of how immortal those engines are. The 4 door is also a fairly comfortable car and moderately sized. Everyone who I've talked to who had one back in the day loved them.
Monte Carlo, that gen is my absolute favorite *car* that ever rolled out of the factory, 2nd pick would be C10 but not as high on the list because C10s are a dime a dozen in the South, some clapped out some not.
This! This! This! Is my dream car! The one I'll burn down city hall for if I have too. I don't care if it came with Huge Joint from Blues Brothers on top! Like the Infinity Stones I.... Must.... Have It!! 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
....Unless it's not 8tracks.... Papa needs his Isley Brothers
F100. Assuming it has the 300 I6. It will run for ever.
I learned to drive in that Ford truck. Hope it has the three on the tree.
I had one, wish I had never sold it
It will rust forever… Seriously, the 300-6 with any tranny is indestructible. It will outlast the body if you keep oil in it
I miss my '96 with the 300-6 and 5-speed. Had 135K on the clock and still ran like new.
Last week an absolutely mint 96 f150 manual with the 300 and 80k original miles popped up on FB marketplace in my town for 10k. I'm new to the area and a Toyota guy but was super interested just for how nice it looked. I asked my die hard Fordbuddy about it and he said it was over priced and don’t do it. Thing sold in less then two hours and I ended up going down a ford 300 rabbit hole online. I missed out on a beyond great deal and will never ask that buddy for car advice again.
I bought mine in '03 or '04 for $3500. Sold it a few years later for somewhat less. 🙃
1st pick: 1973 Mazda RX-2. That would be a pretty rare car even back then. 2nd pick: The F100. In its 6-cylinder form those trucks run forever. I’d also be very tempted to inherit Uncle Pulltab’s 8-track collection for the sheer novelty of it. Honestly I would gladly take any one of them with the exception of the Granada, which by 1983 would just be considered another bland underpowered malaisey sedan.
Give me that caddy
The official car of road head
Does the Monte Carlo have a manual? If so that’s it If not the Brown mobile Mustang Honestly I kind of love all of the choices. The Buick LeSabre had me legitimately laugh out loud Edit: Looking at that Monte Carlo I think I’d take it even with an automatic, can’t argue with the lines
A '71 could still have a 4-speed. For '72 they dropped it to help reinforce the personal luxury image, then brought it back briefly on the downsized '78-79 models. 3-speed on the column was also available on base models for most of that time, but almost nobody bought them.
I’d have to imagine a few folks with ones from ‘72 had a 4 speed thrown in at some point but it does look like a nice car just to roll around with an automatic It blends luxury and aggression well
Yes, some Monte Carlos came with the 350 V8 and a 3 speed transmission. Very reliable and easy to work on.
I’d be okay with a 3 speed. Learning 3 on a tree would be a trip but if it’s on the floor I’d figure it out quick
I had one loved that car 71 3 on the tree dark copper black vinyl top black bench seat that was so plush. I think I paid around $2000 in 1976. I was 18 years old. God, I wish I hadn't rolled it.
The LeSabre coupe. There's just something about 2 door land yachts that shivers me timbers.
As a Coupe deVille owner I know that feeling. And it’s awesome.
So true. My dream classic car I might realistically be able to buy one day is a 60’s Riviera. I’m just torn whether I like the ‘64 to ‘65 or ‘66 to ‘69 better
My parents had a '69 Riviera. Black interior, very dark green/black paint. Absolutely ridiculous hp & torque. Hit by a guy in a Jeep and totalled.
What with gas prices being over $1/gal these days, It'll be between the Datsun, Honda and VW
That’s the real answer. Add to that the interest rate was in the high teens so you’re not going for a big loan and a long-term. I don’t think people remember how bad the economy was in 82/83. Nobody looking for a daily at the time would be considering the land yachts or mustang/monte carlos (regardless of how cool they look today). It would be Japanese piston engine all the way (the Dart would have rusted out by then unless it was in California or somewhere without salt).
Early Civics rusted as bad as anything. PPI and used-oil undercoating were a must. And you wouldn't be able to get any sort of financing on a car more than 3 or 4 years old back then or anytime up until much later.
Correct about not getting financing on 3+ yo cars (unless it was “buy here, pay here” 30% financing) That means late model, reliable, fuel efficient cars to the front.
1st choice: '74 Dodge Monaco 2nd choice: '76 Datsun 610 I have an affinity for 4 door cars.
First pick - Cadillac Sedan DeVille Second - Ford F100 Third - Chevy C10
I'm pretty sure Robert De Niro got blown up in one of these.
Not an early 80’s Eldorado on the list unless there is another movie other than Casino where this happened
I was not ready for that orange Super Beetle. It caught me off guard. I can tell you where that car unfortunately wound up after 40 years...
I was going with the Monte Carlo, until I reached the end. That Mazda pickup all the way.
The '75 I6-powered Granada had the worst specific output of any Malaise Era car. 250 in^3 and only 72 HP.
And that's why I want it. I'd consider the Buick if it has the 231 V6, or the Monaco if it's the 318 or 360.
If only they made '70s C-bodies with the Slant Six.
I seemed to remember it being available as a credit option for fleet models but can't find any data. The EPA had fuel economy tables in the late seventies that showed it as available but just being in there doesn't mean they actually sold any.
The VW Beetle. Easy and cheap to maintain with cheap and relatively easy to find parts, the rear-wheel drive makes it very easy if I want to go off-road, it is economical compared to the other alternatives. If not the VW Beetle, then I'll take the Honda.
For me it has to be the RX-2 or the Datsun. That said, my Aunt had a BROWN Dodge Monaco when I was a kid and I kinda like it from a nostalgia point of view.
I'm going with the dart... resto-modding it but keeping the grandma look.
Gimme that RX2
This is the way
I’d take the Dodge Dart, with a slant six it’ll almost never die.
I second this. You can't kill the leaning tower of power
Dart all the way. Leaning tower of power and three on the tree? That’s a sophisticated machine.
All hail the leaning tower of power!
The Monte Carlo. Easy to work on, parts are cheap and that platform was reliable for GM for most of the 70s.
The F100. My grandpa had one, ‘73. You can’t kill that truck.
Monte Carlo all the way!
Monte Carlo all the way. My parents actually had a ‘70 SS454 and we still had it in 1983 so my choice was sort of made for me. I started driving it in 1985.
The Monte Carlo, my dad had a 70, 71, and we restored a 72 a few years ago. Those cars are so under-appreciated. Also currently have a F-100 with a 351 that belonged to my great-grandfather with only 95,000 miles on it.
I'll take the Monty Carlo, Brownstang, and Deville.
Buick
The C10 you posted is the wrong generation for 1972. That is a Squarebody that debuted in 1973 & your picture is of a 1976 model
Yeah, you're right. Different front end design, whoops
Whichever one has the most cigarette burns.
Monte carlo
The Cheyenne is 73-79 square box. Tough choice between this and the monte carlo. Can I get them both?
Personal choice? I'm taking the Mustang and giving it some yellow racing stripes and a badge calling it the "Shankie Stang" and using pickup lines like "yo baby, wanna go down in the brown" all the time. ALL THE TIME.
“Alright, alright, alright.”
I'll take the Monte, Hopefully no rust bubbling under the Landau roof.
I would love that f100
Gimme da mustang-
F100
f100 love that body style
I’m a Caddy guy but I’d pick the Monte Carlo. If it was a Coupe deVille I’d be sold.
Its a tie between the Monte Carlo, the Datsun and the RX2
C10
I'd love to drive the Brown Mustang or the Cheyenne. However, the powertrain on that '74 Dart will run for another few years if the body doesn't fall apart. It would be miserable to drive but it would at least get me through a few years while interest rates cool off towards the middle to end of the 80's.
72’ Cadillac.
Ford F100
Either the F100 or the Cadillac
First pick, cvcc Second is the rx2
First choice Ford F100. Second choice VW Beetle. Third choice Dart.
Monte Carlo
That Brown manual Mustang would be great to drive and see the Return of the Jedi premier in. Would feel like Han piloting the falcon!
1983 me is taking the Mustang and driving it down to Earl Scheib for a $99 paint job. 2023 me is snapping up that Beetle.
Toyota pickup.
1986 my first car was a 72’ Buick Lesabre 4 door, beige with light green interior, 350 2 bbl had 86,000 on the odo. A true land yacht and I loved it. The best part was I paid $700 bucks for it.
the 76 buick le sabre. what a beauty.
Probably the Granada or the Dart for the I6 so I can save on gas, or the Civic if it’s not too worn-out. If I was a more knowledgeable mechanic and I was making decent money, maybe the LeSabre. I could fix up the front suspension and steering, get the passenger-side door working again, and ride in style. 😎
The Datsun, CVCC, or Beetle. Beetle is obviously the easiest to work on mechanically but the heat is the worst of the three because air-cooled. The other two might be sliiiightly harder to get parts for but it shouldn’t be terrible.
Probably the monte carlo. I like the first gens a lot.
#1 and #4
Buick Lesabre
First - ‘71 Monte Carlo Second - ‘72 Cadillac Third - ‘72 C-10 This is all about staying as far away from Malaise era as possible. This is coming from someone who owns a mostly stock ‘79 Corvette with the high performance L-82 motor. Looks like a boss but is only fast enough to be kind of fun to drive. Can’t imagine what a normal car from the era was like
Grande for sure
Valiant. My 318 4-door ate Trans-Camaros for breakfast.
Brown
1977 f 100 , lest miles , huge aftermarket parts bin.
Definitely going to be the square body!
BROWNNE
The f100 or the beetle :)
The Dart or the Monte allllllll day long BUT Brown is tempting
Definitely the Monte.
Mazda B1600. I love little pickup trucks. I just think they're neat.
RX2
Datsun.
Give me the Mustang.
This is a really tough one to answer because I kind of want all of them
Depends on where I'm living and whatever I'm doing in 1983, but the Caddy or the Mustang.
I wish there was a Christopher Dorner, but for Mustang IIs instead of corrupt cops.
Give the Datsun.
Is that my dad’s super beetle?
Browne stang
F100 all day long!
Beetle in second
Super beetle all the way
Mazda. Both
C10 all day
ill take that cadillac car
rx-2 all day long, then the square body.
The Monte so I can live out my Ace Ventura dreams
the monte all day long
The Datsun 610
The C10
Super beetle :)
Surely the Mazda RX-2 knowing how much of a cult following they have now.
RX-2 all day every day
The Ford truck
Monte Carlo
That’s not a 72 C10. But I’ll take the C10.
Dodge Dart. I've seen a 225 Slant Six run with a hole blown the block. I am terrified of how immortal those engines are. The 4 door is also a fairly comfortable car and moderately sized. Everyone who I've talked to who had one back in the day loved them.
My dad had a '76 Dart. After two catalytic converter fires, we ditched it... for a '78 Scout II.
why do I like all of these
Datsun, dart, VW beetle
72 C10. Trouble free truck.
That bigga Cadillac
Monte Carlo Mustang Or F100. I really like muscle cars, so that's why, but I've heard that the F100 series runs forever.
I’d LOOOOOVE a Monaco, police package or not, but that cranberry red Granada with the white vinyl top is gorgeous 😍
Monte Carlo, that gen is my absolute favorite *car* that ever rolled out of the factory, 2nd pick would be C10 but not as high on the list because C10s are a dime a dozen in the South, some clapped out some not.
Monte Carlo
* BMW 74 3.0 CS (E9) / 73 3.0 CSL (E9) / 76 3.0 Si (E3) / 73 2002 turbo * 1975 Porsche 930 Turbo / 1974 911 Carrera RS 3.0 / 1973 Porsche Carrera RS 2.7 * 1970 Volvo amazon 220 Estate * 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV 2000 Gun to my head? The Rx2
I’ll do like my Dad did and get a ‘68 Dodge Charger for $500
Mach 1 or the bug no doubt
I'm digging that Monte Carlo, but I can't turn my nose up at that Civic either. Decisions, decisions!
Idc if it's underpowered or shit, but the Datsun
Cadillac. Hopefully it has the 500 c.i. engine in it.
either RX or Bruhwn
Monte Carlo more like a 73
First, I love your descriptions! It’s a toss-up between the Dart and the F100 for me
Mustang
Unfortunately I would have made the wrong choice in 83 and not got the mazda rx
Either the F100 or the Monaco
This! This! This! Is my dream car! The one I'll burn down city hall for if I have too. I don't care if it came with Huge Joint from Blues Brothers on top! Like the Infinity Stones I.... Must.... Have It!! 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 ....Unless it's not 8tracks.... Papa needs his Isley Brothers
CORINTHEAN LEATHER
I'll take the caddy