After Mr. Shafer so rudely pillaged my town’s crop of used cars the other day, I got to thinking…Imagine, if you will, that you had a spare $2000 and needed (or in true CC baller style, just wanted) another vehicle. Further, you had a week of spare time and wanted to see some of this wonderful country. Perhaps you’d like to breathe some fresh mountain air and enjoy a nice drive home?
The question is easy: Which of the below eight choices, all to be had for under $2000, would you choose to purchase and drive all the way home and why? (for those from distant lands, assume you would drive to a deepwater port on one of our coasts and ship it home for all of your friends and family to admire.) If you can or want, let us know how far of a trip that would be too; you’d be starting near Denver.
I have virtually previewed all of them for you by closely reading the ad copy and studying the pictures and have every confidence that each one will at least drive far enough for the seller to get back in his or her house and lock the door before anything noticeable needs repairing.. All cars sold for cash only “As Is, Where Is” with no warranty either expressed or implied. You’ll be fine.
Consider what you like in a vehicle, the likelihood of your journey actually being successful without major maladies, as well as the potential future usefulness and your enjoyment of the vehicle once in your own driveway. All vehicles are located within an hour of Denver International Airport and conform to the unofficial CC guideline of being at least twenty years of age. Just remember: They don’t build ’em like they used to, so here you go!
Our opening contender is the above 1991 Chrysler New Yorker. Is any K-Car worth $2000? Well, this one might be, it seems like the creampuffiest of all Chrysler creampuffs. Garage kept with only about 76,000 miles, this 1991 Chrysler New Yorker could be yours for $2000 before you try to haggle. Judging by its appearance, someone’s grandparents really took care of this car.
While we were planning the Detroit Meetup earlier this year, Mr. Shafer and I did discuss the possibility of me potentially buying something to arrive in true Detroit style with. While due to various reasons (mainly time) that plan never came to fruition, had something like this been available, it certainly would have been a contender.
Here’s the ad: “This car is in great shape!!.. Older but runs good, has been kept in the garage for a long time, low original miles!!!… Please call or text with any questions!!.. ”
Those seats look VERY comfortable to me. And while the dash looks very similar (OK, too similar) to what you’d get in a Dodge Spirit, the little touches of plastic timber do perk things up a lot. I love the interior color although it’s completely impractical for our local climate and sometimes sloppy conditions, what’s it called?
It even has the Gold Package. Or maybe they all did, I’m not sure. Being a 1991, it’s a “Salon”model as the “Landau” version was dropped. Still, the Salon got more equipment that year as well as the hidden headlights. And wire wheel hubcaps I guess. My biggest gripe with these is they look too narrow, just like everyone complains about a lot of Japanese cars. Still, those seats, the back bench looks just as good if not even better.
In case the New Yorker doesn’t float your boat, here’s a beautiful example of Buick’s midsize LeSabre. Dating to 1996, this one has apparently just successfully driven to California and back, so it is likely to not present too much difficulty on another journey. Sporting Buick’s excellent 3800 V-6, this will likely be such a smooth and quiet ride, you’ll fall asleep while driving.
Here’s the ad itself with all the details:
“1996 Buick LeSabre Limited, Runs excellent. 141k miles. Brand new tires and brakes. Power everything. Family owned since new. The car was parked for almost 5 years. Clean title. Passed inspection.
Drove it to California and back for Thanksgiving holiday with no problems. Very reliable car. $1750 or best reasonable offer.”
This Buick actually looks to be in very good condition and while the paint might be looking a little faded, could easily provide years more of faithful service.
Here’s Colorado’s favorite car and top seller, a Subaru Outback. With standard AWD this might be a good option for anyone heading straight north from here. Sure, the miles are up there at 266,000 but if the head gaskets were going to leak, they have either done so by now or they never will. The interior looks like new (almost), but at any rate better than most with this kind of mileage. For $1250 how can you go wrong?
Here’s the details on this one, I’ll bet you could haggle the price down even further:
“1996 Subaru outback. Automatic. Power windows and doors. CD player. Good tires. Reliable AWD that is great in the snow.
266,000 miles.
* New starter installed just a couple of weeks ago. New fuel filter.
* 1 year ago : New battery, CV axle and rear brakes.
* 2 years ago: New ball joints.
* 3 yrs ago: New alternator and battery cables. New front brakes and rotors.
* 4 yrs ago: New catalytic converter. New tie-rods. New struts.
I have most all of the maintenance records.
A few things to note. The paint on the hood is faded very badly, otherwise the outside is in good shape with no rust. Has never been in an accident. Like all of the older Subarus, this one burns some oil. I always topped it off every other tank of gas. If you keep a check on the oil, this car should keep going for a long time. The check engine light has intermittently come on and off but has always passed emissions.”
It’s an automatic so that’s Subaru’s venerable 2.5liter H-4 right there, producing the power of 155 thrumming little ponies. At least you know if it breaks down, anybody within at least 500 miles of here in any direction (except maybe east) can fix it.
Yeah, baby, here we go! For only $1550, you can cruise along the interstate in true comfort and style. This one’s down near Denver, but just look at it. A 1993 Lincoln Town Car Cartier. This is my own personal favorite generation of Town Car and this color combination is fairly rare but works. It does have 229,000 miles on it but that just means that unlike your average older Audi, the odometer apparently seems to actually work.
Check out those seats! All-day comfort right there. Here’s the ad copy:
“1993 Lincoln Town Car Cartier Designer Sedan 4 Door.
What a pampered car! Words cannot describe how comfortable this car is.
This wonderful car has been very well maintained. Replacement Jasper engine V8, 4.6 Liter, Re manufactured four speed overdrive automatic transmission, Replacement Air Conditioning Compressor. Working Climate Control, it has Great Heat. Working Air Suspension. Very reliable, and a pleasure to drive.
It is so much more comfortable than most other cars on the road.” It is so quiet, you have a hard time believing that the engine is running. Grandma was too old to drive this car and gave it up. Rust Free! Wonderful Leather Seats! True Factory Dual Exhaust. 25 + MPG on the road.”
Did these really get 25mpg on the highway? Impressive if so. Looks like all the breakable stuff has been replaces, but no details on exactly when…
Still, the engine looks good in this picture, and I can think of worse ways to spend $1550…You’d better get it quick, otherwise Tom Klockau might beat you to the punch!
If you want to be the Mopar version of Jason Shafer then this Plymouth Belvedere is for you. You can meet up somewhere in America on the way to the next CC Meetup in your dueling ’63’s. This is so far before my time I have no idea if this was a competitor to his Galaxie in the showroom or not. I’m sure you all know though.
The chrome all looks pretty good and the hubcaps are in place too. Apparently this guy rarely sells stuff on Craigslist as he actually says he welcomes any and all questions (well, as long as they are in writing)! Here’s the ad:
“I’m selling my beloved Belvedere. 1963 with a V8 318 and push-button automatic torqueflite transmission. The transmission was rebuilt 3 years ago. Mechanically the car is very strong, but it is a project. It needs body and interior to be complete. It’s a pure joy to drive and a wonderful car overall. I’m asking $1800 OR BEST OFFER. Ask me questions, I have the answers. Text or email only please.”
The keys are in it, and that pushbutton transmission on the left is cool. That speedometer looks as big as one you’d find on a new MINI, and overall this seems like a comfy place to spend hours and hours and hours…The front seats are little torn up, but nothing a blanket won’t fix while the back seat looked to be in very good condition. All the car really needs is a wash and a wax (while avoiding the patinated areas) and you can rock your skinny jeans and black framed glasses all the way to the martini bar.
Ooh, how about a Mustang with the 5.0 for only $1,800? Well ok, it’s really only a 4.9 but 5.0 sounds better, right? Holy crap, only 84k miles, a V8, AND a convertible, and it’s the special anniversary year GT350 edition? What’s the catch? Well, there is one but it won’t stop you from jumping in to that almost immaculate interior and driving home so read on.
White on red just works for convertibles, and especially this one. Back in ’84 this was the epitome of cool, and sounded great. So what’s the catch you say? Well, scroll down but it’s not that bad, really.
You have a cousin that works at a body shop, right? Yeah, that won’t just buff out but doesn’t look THAT bad. The seller is even including a new quarter panel. Here’s the somewhat skimpy ad:
“1984 GT350 convertable, 5.0,Auto,aprox 84k. This is a nice driver that needs some restoration work. Nice interior, newer top, original Wheels, damaged right rear 1/4 panel. Have replacement included. $1,800”
But maybe you want something a little more, shall we say, “continental”. Well, for just $1500 or best offer you can have this gorgeous 1992 Alfa Romeo 164L. Sporting Alfa’s lovely V6 with a manual transmission, this’d certainly be a car you wouldn’t be seeing another one of at every interstate rest stop.
And guess what? No touch screen, just more buttons than the Space Shuttle as God and his main man down here, the Pope, intended. I think the engine is on in this picture and there are only three warning lights on, one of which is probably the parking brake, so that’s not bad at all, right?
But even if it does all go wrong and you find yourself at the side of the road, it’d be worth it to be able to just look at that absolutely gorgeous V-6. Could this be the most beautiful transversely installed engine of all time? Yes, yes it could. Those runners are pure porn (the good kind, nothing kinky.). It even tells you it takes the special “0170” formula of oil right there on the filler cap! (smiley face emoji would go here, heh, heh).
Here’s the ad:
“Selling my Alfa Romeo. I got it for myself but have acquired a e30 iv set my sights on and the Alfa been sitting awhile. The Romeo starts right up the first time, every time. Runs & drives very good. Excellent condition minus the clear coat which is fading. Everything original. Nothing is missing. Needs front brake pads to be daily driven. I have ordered them and they will be here by Friday. Manual transmission. Firm clutch. 190k miles. Clean Co title. 1500obo maybe trade”
See? He says it all works. You could change the pads yourself since it’s already after Friday, so they should be there by now. It’s ready. It made it 190k miles, it’ll make it back to your house. Alfas just need to be driven.
Alright, maybe you’re a little nervous about an Alfa, I hear you. Or you’re Mdlaughlin, our current COALer with all the Toyotas. In which case, how about America’s favorite car in every auto enthusiast’s favorite body style? This quite attractive second generation 1991 Camry wagon with only 119,000 miles from way back when Toyota still styled cars sensibly can be yours for $1800.
Those seats look brand new and I know they do not make cloth seats that feel like this cloth anymore. The dash has a little cracking going on but otherwise the interior looks mint. Slap that auto into Drive and you should be good to go for as long as you need, everyone knows these cars are pretty much unburstable and with those miles the 2.0 liter 4cylinder is just starting to get broken in. As a bonus you can even sleep in the back on your trip!
Here’s the ad which unfortunately is a little on the skimpy side but hey, it’s a Camry, what could possibly be a problem?
“For sale is 1991Toyota Camry station wagon. 4 cylinder automatic in good running condition. The interior is clean. Please call or text Kerry. I do not respond to email.”
OK, so the back bumper needs a little paint but at least there’s no dent, right?
So, that was the last of our eight contenders. The question was which one would you spend your money on and drive home and why (and how far)?
Oh, hang on a minute, let’s channel Billy Mays and say “BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!” (All caps since that’s how he talked, may he rest in peace.) While searching for these I came across our first CC For Sale again, the 1993 Pontiac Sunbird from a month ago. It is still available which surprised me as a lot of you guys seemed to like it, I thought someone would have jumped on it! The price has been reduced to $700 (was $750) and it still needs the clutch repaired. Budget a couple of days for that and you’ll still be way under budget. So that one’s still an option too as our bonus 9th contender. Happy deciding!
(Author’s note: All vehicles above were still active on Colorado’s Craigslists as of midnight prior to posting.)
Plymouth! Who cares about the interior?
Either that or the New Yorker. Everything about them seems not quite right and it’s somehow tantalising. Plus I imagine few people will bother to preserve them.
after a quick scroll, Lincoln Town Car (with the Camry not far behind). Sorry to you 5th Avenue 🙁
(yes I know it’s a New Yorker, but that didn’t rhyme, plus Google images confirms that shape as a 5th Ave.)
Belvedere and Alfa both look tasty. So much car for so little spend.
Of course ongoing expenses are expected, it’d be naive to hope otherwise. Now I really want to take a roadtrip.
Plymouth of course. I might want to wear one of those white disposable coverall suits for the trip though.
It’s a 2,400 km trip to my house from Denver though. I predict lengthy R&R (rest and repair) stops in Jefferson City and Indianapolis…
The distance is less in miles. 🙂 Makes it more palatable…
Come on by.
If I’m after a car for under two kilobucks, I probably also don’t have a lot of money to spend on repairs after the purchase. So:
The Chrysler (A604 ProbleMatic transaxle) and the Alfa (everything from bumper to bumper) are right out of the question; they’re both ticking time bombs set to destroy the owner’s wallet.
The Camry might be worth a pounce, if Canada/rest-of-world front seat belts could easily be retrofitted in place of the unsafe motorised front shoulder belts. It or the Buick are probably the two solid picks of the bunch for minimal chance of costly surprises.
The Plymouth would surely serve reliably, but it’s an unsafe car despite its many charms—pushbutton Torqueflite, an excellent instrument cluster, terrific outward visibility for the driver as long as it’s not cold or wet outside, etc. Too, it probably needs a great deal more mechanical work than the owner acknowledges or understands. The front end, the U-joints (including the costly-to-fix-or-convert front ball and trunnion item), the rear springs, the brakes, and a fair amount of other stuff probably is overdue.
The Subaru: Too much of a crapshoot: too many miles, too much likelihood of costly repairs.
The Stinkoln Clown Car: No, sir. Been bitten too hard by the mediocre, primitive engineering, the crap driving dynamics, and the unreliable, fire-prone electrical systems on Panther cars.
The Mustang: No, thanks; I’m a grownup.
The Stunbird: Eff no. Life is too short to voluntarily spend time in penalty boxes.
I’d have to agree. Sub-$2K used cars are not a smart place to shop for something interesting or exciting — you’ll just end up paying five times the price of entry or else dumping the neglected project car on some other sucker. The Camry and the LeSabre are dull, dull, dull, but you could probably get a reasonable amount of use out of it until something breaks that’s not worth fixing.
With all due respect, retrofitting a collapsible steering column, 3-point seat belts and front disk brakes on that Plymouth is not THAT difficult or expensive to do. I’ll stick my neck out and say that car would cost less to sort out here in _Europe_ than any of the others (yes, including the Alfa. I know the guys who are into them and that V6 really is a mini Ferrari (that is not a good thing, in case anyone asks)).
With all due respect (whatever you meant by that), one cannot make a ’63 car safe by any amount of bolting-on. One can make it somewhat less abjectly dangerous, but nowhere near as safe as even the least-safe ’80 or ’90 or ’00 car. The safety engineering that does the bulk of the job of protecting occupants has to be designed and built in from the start, and cannot be retrofitted.
All over the map here, but my picks:
1) Plymouth Belvedere
2) Camry Wagon
3) Mustang Convertible
The Toyota is no doubt the most practical cheapo car in this list. I would however take the Chrysler. Low mileage, and it’s a wacky mini-limo. The most gilded and gussied up K Car ever. Plus fake wire wheels and pointless covered headlights. It’s almost awesome.
Somewhere along the line Alpha redid the center stack wall of buttons.
OK, so I think any and all of them COULD be OK. Will agree that the Town car would have to be the most comfortable for what for me would be a 1300 mile trip back. But just not exactly what I want or need to drive once I’m back here. The Buick with the 3.8L would be another safe bet, but again not exactly right for me. The Toyota wagon would be another reasonably safe bet, and I really can’t recall the last time I saw a Toyota of this vintage. The wagon aspect has some appeal, and being so clean and well-kept there might be times someone in the rust belt would offer me more than I paid for it; but I think not. Now some aspects of the Mustang are cool, but maybe not so ideal for a road trip. Again, the Subaru would likely work OK, and it certainly looks decent for it’s age, but I’ll pass. Even the Sunbird isn’t bad for the money, but I think not. Have mentioned that I learned to drive on a 1963 Dodge, and my first car was a 1963 Chrysler Three Hundred (as in NOT a letter-car), so a 1963 Plymouth with the push-button automatic transmission would be cool to drive and own. Just a bit less than ideal for a road trip, though. The seemingly clean and well-kept appears as pretty awesome for the money. With the v6 and manual transmission it is sort of a temptress! Would really like to find out what it’s like. But, sadly, again might not be the most practical for a road trip. That clean, low miles Chrysler Fifth Avenue would be JUST RIGHT!! My father had a similar looking one 20 plus years ago and I know it makes a good road trip car as I went to a car swap meet and show to Charlotte and back in it years ago. Was very smooth and comfortable on the highway. My father’s car had the cloth interior, but I really have always liked the looks and feel of the leather, too.
Of all these cars, I’m longing most for the Sunbird. In fact, I’m feeling a little sorry for it, having been for sale for a month now. Even with a new clutch, it was still undercut the price of many of the other cars, and it would be reasonably enjoyable to drive, and less likely than many of these cars to leave me stranded.
Many have mentioned the Daily Driver vs Fun Car dilemma:
DD: Though I’m a Ford guy, the demonstrably reliable Buick sorta ties with the Toyota (though the latter being a wagon tips the balance for me).
Fun Car: Lincoln or Chrysler at my present age; a younger me would grab the Mustang.
Fun column, fun choices!
No one opts for the Subaru, eh? I had an Outback of that generation and it was my favorite car of all time. I’d guess that the intermittent check engine light followed by the comment about it passing smog means there are catalytic converter problems. Even if one had been replaced, there’s possibly two or even three cats on that car. That’s an expensive repair. I also had an ’05 Outback that had an aftermarket cat installed by the prior owner. When it came time for me to register it, every shop failed it visually on the smog test.
Gonna have to be the ‘Stang, then. But if the owner has the replacement panel, why hasn’t he installed it? What else would you find if you started disassembling it?
Failed cats on a Subie can also imply that both they and the oxygen sensors are being contaminated by an upstream issue: leaking head gaskets.
as a prior owner of both a 93 Grand Marquis and a 94 Town Car i can confirm that , YES! these do very easily get 25 MPG on the highway. my Town Car had the factory (stainless!) dual exhausts and it would get 21.7 – 22.2 MPG like clockwork in mixed driving… on road trips when i could keep her at a steady 70 MPH i saw 27-28 MPG with ease… on my normal 80 MPH blasts i saw 25 all the time… Not Bad for a $600 car that i put 50,000 miles on with the only expense being a blown heater hose and a set of replacement (used) tires… oh and i swapped the front seats for a set of 50,000 mile pillowtops out of an 80s grand marquis…. amazingly comfortable….
Love that 4.6 motor… i fed it used motor oil form my nicer cars exclusively… added a quart every 1000 miles and drained the whole pan every 5000, new oil filter every 10,000 miles…. i bought it with 180,000 and scrapped it with 234000, after the brake lines blew out and the cost of new lines was more than the car was worth! lol
As much as that Alfa probably cost when new, you would think that they might have come out with their own radio instead of raiding Chrysler’s radio bin. Other then the Alfa branding the radio is the same one that you could get in half a dozen Mopar cars of the same era.
I would take the 93 Sunbird. Those manual transmission V6 J cars are pretty quick and are fun to drive.
I like the color of the pain(whats left of it) also
Gotta make it back to Jacksonville, Florida you say? That pretty much narrows it down to the Lesabre, and I’ve got a soft spot for Buicks. Roomy, dependable, and unlikely to attract the attention of tourist-seeking highway patrolmen.
The Lincoln sounds tempting, but with such high mileage, if the air suspension blows, it’ll be a rough ride home.
The Camry gets high marks, too; if only for just being a wagon.
Mustang? The old man I bought my ’71 Impala hardtop from 36 years ago said, “Everyone should own a convertible. Once.” Based upon that sage advice, I’ll pass.
The ’63 Plymouth? I can’t grow a decent beard, so I won’t fit in at the hipster martini bar. Pass.
Subaru? Those miles might be acceptable on a Suburban, but not a Subaru. Besides, the “Subaru image” isn’t my cup of tea. Pass.
The “bonus” Sunbird? Define “bonus”. Pass.
Then there’s the initial offering of the New Yorker? No “New Yorker” I know of (and I grew up in western NY) would want to be caught dead driving that POS. Or rather pushing it. So…pass.
That leaves us with the Alfa. One notch below the Chysler on the dependability scale. My dream car is a late 70s Sprint Veloce, so it has some appeal. But I am a pragmatic, and as Jason said earlier in this thread, that motor would make a bitchin’ coffee table stand! Now, if I could fit the motor inside of the trunk of the LeSabre, then I’m all aces. If not, I know it’ll fit inside the Town Car’s trunk. I’m still golden!
Its 1200 miles back to Mid-Michigan, so the LeSabre is an easy pick. Since I assume it has seen plenty of road salt, going to want to check the subframe bushings though, those rusting out seems to be one of the common endings for C/H bodies around here.
If it was local, I’d definitely take a look at the ’63 Plymouth, but just from the pictures that dash looks really awful…
1,300 miles from Denver to North Alabama, huh?
For me, it’s a tie between the Camry and the LeSabre. Both have reliable drivetrains and both can last a very long time with the proper amount of care, but the Camry’s practical wagon body and its better fit and finish puts it over the LeSabre, despite it’s boulevard smooth ride and spacious interior.
The Town Car runs a very close third. It’s a proper American luxury car that eats up highway miles and asks for seconds, but that replacement engine has me concerned. On the other hand, at least it’s had its fair share of work done recently.
The Mustang’s tempting, but ultimately out. I dream of wedging a Coyote 5.0 motor into one of these boxy Fox bodies, but it’s still a dream at this point.
The Subaru’s out. AWD isn’t necessary for Deep South duty and I’m wary of that flat-4’s appetite for head gaskets.
The Alfa’s out. My bank account is nowhere near big enough to tend to that temptress.
The Sunbird’s definitely out. I just can’t stand J-cars, plus I know it’ll put me on the side of the road before I reach St. Louis.
The Belvedere’s sadly out. No space to store it while it gets the loving restoration it deserves.
The New Yorker? That’s out, too. That interior looks just as comfortable and inviting as your great-grandmother’s living room, but the mechanicals underneath aren’t known for being all that durable.
I’m right there with you. Camry and Lesabre for top candidates, based primarily on predicted reliability (both should have good parts availability as well should I need to get something in some small town). Maybe I’m playing this game wrong and thinking too seriously/literally. On a $2k car that needs to make it across the US, reliability is hands down my biggest priority. I’ve actually played in this space in Indianapolis no less, for my last 4 cars in the last several years (I fix them up drive them for a while, get bored and flip).
In order:
2000 Nissan Maxima SE 142k miles $1600: CEL on for leaky y-pipe and coil resistance fault (no misfires), totally blown out struts, and a scrape on the rear quarter panel and some rust starting on the body. But it had fairly new tires, and a strong and smooth running VQ30. This was a bit of an impulse buy to be honest, should have inspected it closer. Ended up having a pretty rotten core support. Did some quick body work, put new struts/shocks/brakes on it, ended up selling for $2350.
1996 Lexus ES300 203k miles $1600: this one was a winner. Long term owner since it came off lease in ’98, decently maintained with fluid changes. Also somewhat tired struts but still rode decent, and dry rotted and worn michelin tires. But all the suspension bushings were original and still tight, body was very clean as was the interior, engine and transmission were flawless. I threw some junkyard steelies and snow tires on this one, and spent the money on a t-belt job at my brother’s place. Sold in the spring for $2200 during tax-refund season
1997 Ford Ranger XLT 127k miles $1700: perfect truck for my landscaping projects this summer. Cleaned up great with no visible rust on the exterior, but it turned out to have an entirely rotted apart core support at the front body mounts. A lot of neglected maintenance but I drove it as-is all summer hauling gravel, pavers, lumber, rental equipment, commuting in it, etc. Finally decided to put some money into fixing a bunch of the issues, intended to weld in a new core support. Parts cost peanuts for these, but I quickly ran up a bill on labor that ultimately put me fairly deep in the red on this thing (Sold for $2500, total spent was near $3500).
Brings me to my current steed, this is “cheating” in that it wasn’t bought on CL but through a work friend:
2003 Honda Pilot EX 176k miles $500: clean single owner car with an immaculate interior, good Michelin tires, very nice accident and rust free body. BUT: some scary looking rust on the unibody where one of the rear subframe bushings bolted up. Had a local welder repair it very professionally for $500. Put new struts assemblies, rear shocks, rear rotors and pads, and a front lower control arm for another $500. So $1500 total invested in what is approximately a $5k car on the open market.
Hmmmm… decisions, decisions. For me it’s a three-way tie between the Town Car, the Belvedere, and the Mustang. What the hell, I’ll take all three of them 😀 !
Camry all the way, these are rare now in Chi-land, due to rust. So would be nice to have a ‘haven’t seen one in awhile’ car, but also not have to worry about break downs.
LeSabres were full size cars, not mid size, by the way.
I’d go with the Mustang – I always liked that red and white color scheme, and the Subaru wagon.
The ’91 New Yorker. I love those buttoned seats.
I’d definitely go with the Camry wagon. I think it’s even eligible for antique plates. I had a Buick LeSabre in college and they are fantastic long distance cruisers. Put good snow tires on it and it punches above it’s weight class in the white and fluffy. I can find Buicks all day long locally. Camry wagons are much more rare.
I’d pick the Lincoln, although the Camry is very tempting. My first car was a Park Avenue Ultra the same year and color as the Buick.
Here in the SF Bay Area People’s Republic, the New Yorker would be a rare bird indeed. There are probably more Ferraris than New Yorkers here. Just the thing for a cruise to Palo Alto.
Truth be told, I wouldn’t trust any of these old cars on a long road trip except for the Camry. They’d all make good seccond cars, though. I guess it just depends on your patience, taste and bank account. American cars aren’t at all my taste (despite inheriting a 2000 LeSabre), the Subaru doesn’t knock my my socks off, I like the Camry wagon, and the Alfa is a piece of art.
About the Alfa: What many people don’t know about the 164 is, they only suffer 3 common issues. One is the frequent timing belt service schedule (5 years or 30k miles), HVAC stepper motor (similar to a blend door actuator which is actually out in my 2000 LeSabre as we speak), and the suspension stuck in sport mode on S models. If those belts at maintained, they will give long, relatively reliable service (for its age). The mileage is no anomaly. I’d say the timing belt intervals are the BIGGEST Achilles heel for that car besides the cost of *some* and availability of indie mechanics.