My roommate and his bride-to-be are buying a house, thanks in part to the proceeds from the sale of his beloved 1972 Ford LTD, which sold to a German man who read this article. The first, and ongoing, task before moving in is, well, moving the late owner’s possessions out. Ever seen those “reality” shows about hoarders?
Most of the “collection” of stuff in the house and storage unit has been dealt with by taking it to the dump or taking it to Goodwill. One item of interest I found amongst the rubbish was an entire Register Guard newspaper from the day Operation Desert Storm began against Iraq. I got to the classified section and was immediately interested in the car ads, and knew a CC post was is the making, so here goes.
I’ve mentioned before how little of a true car nut I am compared to probably all the readers and writers on this site. Here’s a perfect illustration: I searched Eugene Craigslist for an 86 Yugo 98 Regency before realizing the error of this ad. I couldn’t wait to see a two-tone Yugo with an all leather interior. Anyway, there are currently no Yugos on local Craigslists.
Of the six Dodge cars listed, five were Daytonas. Like the Yugo, there are no Daytonas on local Craigslists.
Pretty aggressive ad campaign by Dodge. To see how successful Dodge was, I will turn to Craigslist.
There are currently five Shadows for sale on surrounding Craigslists. Since the Shadow was available from 87 thru 94, searching comparable Civics turns up dozens and dozens. Look here if you wish.
*snert*
No contact info, so I googled “GR’s auto Eugene Oregon” and nothing relevant was found, so they’re long gone.
Just one year older and $10,795 cheaper than the Official CC Project Jag!
I had no idea the Sonata name went back so far. Lots of recent ones turn up for sale but no old ones, and not a single Excel was to be found. I remember test driving an Excel at Paul’s (no relation) Auto Sales in Coos Bay, Oregon when my dad and I were shopping for my first car. There was standing water on floor of the front passenger seat, and numerous other problems. Dad’s mechanic strongly advised against anything Hyundai, and we wisely followed that advice (he said nearly the same thing about a K-car we took to him).
Now HERE is something up my alley. I’ve had a thing for old Celicas since I drove a 76 GT for three years in the late ’90s. The prices in this ad aren’t far off, if at all, from current market values on well-kept Celicas.
Here’s a 79 Mark V in Monroe for $4,995. Perhaps the same one? I could try calling that number…
Here are the complete scans. Click for full size and shop away!
An ex girl friends father bought a 90 Sonata $31,000 new in Sydney he got $1,000 rebate as it was a 89 built and he wanted 90, but V6 Mitsu engine all the fruit except for sunroof and the hated leather seats it ran and drove ok but the roadholding was rubbish, He was pleased as it was better equipped and 11k cheaper than the equivalent Holden Calais.
Sigh. I used to love reading the newspaper classifieds. But in reality, there were no pictures and when shopping, you could waste hours and hours trying to get someone on the phone to get honest descriptions.
Several intriguing cars here, like the red 80 Granada with a six cylinder and a 4 speed. And my heavens, 70 Barracudas were even expensive in 1991!
You used to be able to get a heckuva nice car for $2500-3500 around that time. That price range is more challenging than it used to be.
Somewhere I have an old newspaper or two from around 1961 or so that I recall reading classifieds from. The sweet spot was under $500 back then.
Using the Westegg Inflation Calculator $2500-3500 in 1991 is 4213-5898 in 2013 Money.
Still between cash for clunkers and the great recession used car prices are lofty right now and will take a few more years to return to a more normal range.
The two Benzes are right up my alley. (A 280SL with a stick–when’s the last time you saw one of those?) And a Sterling!!!
I wouldn’t be surprised if both of those Benzes are still here and being used. This area is crawling with old German cars, mostly Mercedes, IMO.
Lets see 91 I was driving a 74 Valiant Ranger wagon Goerge Bush went on his oil war and pushed the price of gas in far north QLD up to 80c per litre just in time for my trip back to Sydney NSW several thousand kms away, things like Valiants became very cheap and un sellable so naturally I bought a smaller one a Centura but with a bigger engine had I been in Oregon I’d have gone for the 81 Caprice in the bargain section, cheap, roomy,and if it broke disposable just leave it where it stopped.
Next time you go to the dump or Goodwill, check for Yugos.
Here is one spotted at the local junk yard(aka dump). This was taken a couple of months ago and by the expression on my brother’s face, he is saying “What the F#$K is this turd?”
Interior with nasty seats and 4 speed manual trans. Though it did have a digital factory radio.
Does anybody else think about using a time travel machine in order to go back and get that car you always wanted before it became a rust bucket in need of a full restoration?
Better still, why bring cash – just find a time machine big enough to fit whatever “low mileage, undesirable model” case you might have laying around, then sell it and bring back your preferred vehicle. ($7900 for an ’86 98? Considering they’ve depreciated about 90% since then, I’d take that all day!)
If you timed it right, chances are you’d still have cash left over at the end of your transactions. Wonder if the time machine can adjust for inflation on the return trip…?
On second thought, that might not be the best plan. I’d hate to end up in jail in 1991 when the original owner of that 98 shows up and accuses me of ‘slapping his VIN on this imposter-mobile’. 🙁
The very last page upper left corner under Chevrolet. 88 Sprint Turbo, Pocket Rocket,Red $4951. Hmmmm? You don’t suppose that is the one that was pictured here just a couple of weeks ago, do you?
Not the one I was thinking of http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/10/curbside-classic-1987-chevrolet-turbo-sprint/
I wonder what is up with all the prices ending in $1?
Depending on condition, the ’63 Chevy wagon for $2450 might be the best buy there, at least compared to today’s values. On the other hand, the $3500 ’62 Greenbrier has barely appreciated at all, and is in fact likely to be worth significantly less taking inflation into account.
What’s shocking to me (considering I was barely a developing fetus when this paper was printed and thus never experienced this) is that used cars, well… ACTUALLY DEPRECIATED back then.
Lots of 1990-1991 models listed around $10,000 with 1985-1986 versions of the SAME car for $3,000-$5,000. (see the Honda section and look at the Civics, for instance). There’s like 50-70 percent depreciation here in RETAIL value… on a Honda no less!!
Shop for used cars now, and a car that costs $15,000 new still costs WELL over $10,000 after 4-5 years. It’s hard to find a late model much cheaper than brand new versions unless it’s a luxury brand or something (Lincoln, etc).
I’m really shocked at how cheap late model cars used to be, even compared to their prices when new. Granted, a 4 year old car was probably a lot further into it’s usable life back then… but still. Different world.
These are from a 1972 Road and Track classified. Remember that a 72 Chevelle SS cost $5000.
Shelby GT500 convertible. So yes, I so wish I had a time machine and I have a long list of cars I would buy.
I like the Camaro ad. It even gives the pronunciation in the subhead.
OK, the world is full of apocryphal Goodwill stories, but here’s a true one I heard the other day. The grandmother matriarch of a wealthy family passed recently. Grand-daughter is a friend of my sister. They went through the GM’s stuff, putting the unwanted crap aside for Goodwill. The silver, however, had been appraised and was earmarked for auction at a very reputable establishment. For some reason, the sister of grand-daughter (bear with me) put the the boxes (clearly marked with auction house name) out on the pavement with the Goodwill stuff. Before the rest of the family realised what had happened, the boxes were gone. If you knew this family, you would believe this story.
that is a super buy on the ’73 Camaro with the 396, thanks for sharing the ad with us, I miss reading old classifieds of automobiles
It wouldn’t be the car classifieds without at least one “Camero”. Or a “Volkswagon”.
“Camery” is a very common mondegreen on Craigslists. I understand ca-MEH-ro, but it’s CAM-ree, not ca-MEH-ry.
That is a motherlode of Daytonas! I love those cars…There are a few that look promising but the money shot is the last one: ’86 Turbo Z with T-tops and manual trans. If that were dark blue or red with black leather interior….a dream car!
If you really want to get sick then look at some of my early 80’s Mustang Monthly magazines when they had a decent classified ad for cars. The prices for Shelby’s, Cobra Jets, GTs and convertibles almost all under $5000. Ah, the days before BJ took over and decided that the hobby needed to be taken over and directed for their benefit.
These are great! I think an ’81 Accord 5-speed with 55k miles would STILL go for $2500+ today.