For $12,000, Iran When Parked

Persians make some awesome stuff, like rugs and cats, but did you know they also built cars? Today's Paykan is comes from Iran, but will its price rock your casbah? If you've read the graphic novel , or seen its film adaptation, you probably get the idea that growing up...

May 2, 2026

For $14,000, Manet, Monet, Mazda

With the introduction of the 3 sedan and hatch, Mazda really brought back the art of fun driving to their small cars. Today's Mazda3 takes that one step further, bringing actual art to the car. The question will be however, does its price paint a pretty picture? I don't want...

May 2, 2026

For $1,200, Is This Scorpio Rising?

In the Simpsons episode Hank Scorpio is an evil genius who is hell bent on world domination, and equally obsessed with his employee's work-life balance. Today's Merkur Scorpio may never dominate anything, but will its price at least prove worth plotting its take over? Patrons of the arts you proved...

May 2, 2026

For $5,000, Get My Drift?

With all due respect to Alanis Morissette, being ironic does not include a traffic jam when you're already late, nor a no-smoking sign on your cigarette break. No, ironic - by definition - is today's W123 Diesel Drifter Wagon. The only question is — whether in a theater or not...

May 2, 2026

For $135,000, That’ll Leave A Mark III

When you think of James bond and Aston Martins, no doubt the iconic and gadget-laden DB5 comes to mind. Truth be told, when Ian Fleming wrote the novel Goldfinger, he drove a DB Mark III, just like today's contender. But the question is, will this one's price make it easy...

May 2, 2026

For $5,900, Get Your Stari-On!

When it comes to small sport coupes today's Mitsubishi Starion is a whole lot closer to Porsche's 944 Turbo in form than it is to its country-mates the Nissan 280ZX and Toyota Supra. That being said, is this one's price also in Porsche's league? You know what's the best thing...

May 2, 2026

For $12,500, VW Squareback Limo, That Is All

If the VW Vortex was a high school, and they had a prom, what would be the coolest way to get there? The answer may be today's Squareback limo, that is of course unless its price imeans the party's over. While it's a common admonition that you don't mess with...

May 2, 2026

For $700, Screw You OPEC!

As gas prices continue to climb, one might be compelled to switch to a mode of transportation that's both more basic and more frugal. You can't get much more basic and frugal than today's GoPed Scooter. But will its price make this a No-ped? Okay, so the audience for a...

May 2, 2026

For $4,500, Go Far From Fargo

Perhaps the most notorious offspring of the failed Renault-AMC marriage was the paper mache-like Alliance/Encore cars. Less well known, but also infinitely less frangible were cars like today's Renault diesel-powered Jeep Cherokee. This one has apparently stood the test of time, but will its price also pass muster? If it's...

May 2, 2026

For $1,400, This Is Why The Eagle Is Our National Bird

There's a trope going around politics these days regarding American Exceptionalism, the expected given that we are in some way better than everybody else on the planet. While that may be the ultimate in hubris, today's AMC Eagle Rock Hopper is evidence in its favor. The question is, will you...

May 2, 2026

For $12,500, Misery Loves Company

It may be hard to fathom, but during its 6-year dalliance here Yugo sold over one hundred and forty thousand cars in the U.S.. For today's contest we have eight Yugos - one for each side of an octagon. But will their package price prove a similarly shaped stop sign?...

May 2, 2026

For $18,000, Is This A 280ZX-15?

Lockheed's SR-71 was conceived at the company's Burbank California Skunkworks. Today's 1983 280ZX is similarly turbine-powered, but does its price simply stink? Speaking of stink, a field of slowly decaying Yugos must offer a pungent nose, and for an overwhelming 88% of you, spending nearly thirteen grand on was something...

May 2, 2026

For $1,500, You’re In The Army Now

In his seminal work on what humans find attractive about babies and juvenile animals - (pdf) - Stephen Jay Gould implies that it's the proportion of head to body size that is key. At the other end of the spectrum, today's custom combat caprice has cartoon-sized tires, but will its...

May 2, 2026

For $6,950, Have You Considered Every Benz But SECs?

The Grey Market isn't someplace your grandma picks up her Schnapps-Flavored Ensure and Active Sex Life Depends, it's a mechanism for bringing non-federalized cars into the U.S.. Today's Mercedes 500 SEC was just such a grey, but will its current price have you seeing red? Okay, I promise, no more...

May 2, 2026

For $3,000, Is This Bunny a Honey?

Volkswagen may not have invented the hot hatch, but with the introduction of the Rabbit-based GTI they certainly refined its execution. Today's '83 edition has seen further refinement with the addition of a 16V mill. Its price however, may not be so fine. If you have a half-way interesting car,...

May 2, 2026