Home » Buy In Bulk And Save: Two 1989 Chrysler TCs vs Two 1990 Nissan Paos

Buy In Bulk And Save: Two 1989 Chrysler TCs vs Two 1990 Nissan Paos

Sbsd 8 23 2024
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Good morning! It’s Friday, which means it’s time for something special, and today we’re seeing double, with two pairs of cars offered for sale. There’s a surprising amount of similarity between the pairs, as well: colors, equipment, and conditions all line up almost too well. It’s like they were tailor-made for a showdown.

Yesterday’s cars weren’t so nice, but they amassed a lot of comments and sparked some good discussions, and that’s exactly what they were supposed to do. The Volkswagen “won,” but most of you weren’t terribly happy with either choice.

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I think I would have to drive them both to see which one I preferred. The VW feels like a more honest deal, and a dealer that won’t tell you anything about a car and just says “As is – no warranty” doesn’t inspire much confidence in that Dodge. My gut feeling says VW, but the proof is in the driving.

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There’s an old joke about Jaguar automobiles that you shouldn’t buy one unless you’re wealthy enough to afford two, so you can drive one while the other is broken. But it’s not uncommon for enthusiasts to own more than one of the same car, no matter what they are; you like what you like, and if you already have one and a “better” one comes along, what are you supposed to do, ignore it? Of course not.

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And I’m just as bad, albeit on a smaller scale. Right now on my hobby workbench are two Futaba FX-10 RC buggies that I’m restoring at the same time: one stock, and one modified. One was meant to be a “parts car,” but you know how that goes.

These two pairs of cars can put you ahead of the game from the start. Both are pairs of similarly-equipped, rare vehicles in nice condition, the perfect start to a collection. Let’s check them out.

Two 1989 Chryslers TC By Maserati – $4,500

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Engine/drivetrain: Turbocharged 2.2-liter overhead cam inline 4, three-speed automatic, FWD

Location: Redmond, WA

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Odometer readings: unknown

Operational statuses: Both run and drive but need a little work

The Chrysler TC by Maserati is no stranger to us here on Shitbox Showdown, of course. If memory serves, Thomas featured one in the very first Showdown, the day before I took over. And we’ve looked at a couple of them since. These Italian-built LeBarons with delusions of grandeur can often be found for sale cheap. They seem like they should be more collectible than they are, but for some reason, they have never come into their own.

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These two TCs came from an estate sale, and are being offered either as a package deal or individually. Both of them are said to run and drive, but are in need of a little tinkering before they’re truly roadworthy. That seems to be the case with a lot of estate-sale cars; maintenance gets deferred as more important concerns take over. That’s as it should be, of course, but one would hope that the cars find new homes that will care for them as much as their previous owners did. These cars come with shop manuals and some spare parts to get you started.

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As 1989 models, both of these cars are powered by Chrysler’s 2.2 liter Turbo II four-cylinder, coupled to a Torqueflite automatic. It’s not the coolest powertrain combination offered in the TC; that would be the rare 16-valve twin-cam turbo four, which came with a five-speed manual. But they only made 500 of those, and you won’t find one this cheap. The Turbo II is better if you actually want to enjoy the cars anyway, because you can actually get parts for it.

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The interior of these cars is the most Maserati thing about them. Every surface is covered in leather or wood, and it’s way more comfortable than any old LeBaron ever was. They’re both in pretty good shape, though the yellow car seems to have a little more wear inside. It may have more miles on it. One important difference between them is that the red car has air conditioning, while the yellow one does not.

Two 1990 Nissans Pao – $7,200

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Engine/drivetrain: 1.0 liter overhead cam inline 4, three-speed automatic, FWD

Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada

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Odometer readings: 126,000 kilometers and 115,000 kilometers

Operational statuses: Both start and run, haven’t been driven in a while, need some work

The Nissan Pao needs no introduction around here, of course. The one and only Jason Torchinsky has one that he loves, and drives the hell out of, no matter how many deer he hits with it. The Pao is one of the legendary “Pike Factory” cars, along with the Be-1, Figaro, and S-Cargo, four charming and adorable little runabouts built by Nissan back when they were a force to be reckoned with instead of a punchline. These cars were never sold in the US, but quite a few of them have found their way across the Pacific since they aged out of the 25-year import embargo.

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These two Paos were brought over by an importer in British Columbia. Plans have changed, the dealership is moving in a new direction, and the Paos have to go, and pretty cheaply, actually. It sounds like both of them needed some work when they were imported. They both run, but start hard, and the seller says they’ll both need some suspension work and other miscellaneous tinkering.

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Unlike Jason’s Pao, these two are both equipped with automatic transmissions. Automatics are common in Japan from what I hear, especially in small city cars like these, so it’s not surprising. It does take some of the fun out of driving them, but it does nothing to decrease their charm. I just love the minimalist interior of these things. And they both have the big canvas sunroof, which is cool as hell. The red (sorry, “terracotta”) one’s top leaks and needs to be replaced, but the white one is new. These are both in good shape inside, but the seller says they need a good cleaning.

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The Pao’s mechanicals, including its tiny 987 CC engine, are based on the Nissan March and Micra, which were also never sold here, but were available in Canada, so parts should be at least broadly available. The seller says that both cars have a record of their last timing belt changes, which is a good sign.

Having two of the same car makes sense if you really like them; you can mix and match parts and create one “good” one for special occasions and one “beater” to drive the snot out of. And if you have to dig into a big repair on one, you have the other car there as a reference. Of course, it means you have to have room to park two cars instead of one, but who are we kidding? If we want another car, we find room. Which one of these twosomes would you find a spot for?

(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)

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MaximillianMeen
MaximillianMeen
25 days ago

Jeez, not many people here appreciate variety in life. Give me the red TC and Terracotta Pao. I’ll drive the Pao to the junk yard to get parts for the TC and then drive the TC while waiting for Pao parts to ship from Japan.

Voeltzwagen
Voeltzwagen
24 days ago

Ditto!

Canopysaurus
Canopysaurus
25 days ago

I’m going with the two Lido Shufflers today to avoid a Torchinsky Trampling.

Dead Elvis, Inc.
Dead Elvis, Inc.
25 days ago
Reply to  Canopysaurus

How very Boz of you!

Shooting Brake
Shooting Brake
25 days ago

I think we need to get Jason the Paos to keep his running.

Michael Beranek
Michael Beranek
25 days ago

TWO Maseratis for under 5 grand? SOLD!

Mike Harrell
Mike Harrell
25 days ago

Counterpoint: TWO Maseratis for under 5 grand? RUN AWAY!

Dead Elvis, Inc.
Dead Elvis, Inc.
25 days ago
Reply to  Mike Harrell

A purposeful stride is probably enough to put some safe distance there.

They’re not actively on fire, yet.

Mike Harrell
Mike Harrell
25 days ago

The sense of haste is more due to concerns over my own weaknesses than it is due to those of the cars, although both sets are substantial.

Rollin Hand
Rollin Hand
25 days ago

Paos for me.

Or is the plural of Pao a comPaond?

EastbayLoc
EastbayLoc
25 days ago

Ok ok, I’ll get the Pao Pao platter. No way in hell I’m buying those Chryslers. Plus, if I need to sell one of the Paos, I know a certain Autopian who’ll gladly pay.

Last edited 25 days ago by EastbayLoc
IRegertNothing, Esq.
IRegertNothing, Esq.
25 days ago

Give me those Maseratis. I can’t say no to the final boss form of the K car. The beige one can supply parts for the red one. I would never, NEVER get tired of asking people if they want to take a ride in my Italian-imported luxury sports car and then seeing the bewildered look on their faces as I pull up in a Chrysler that’s wearing a fake droopy mustache and making Italian hand gestures.

Michael Beranek
Michael Beranek
25 days ago

I would say that the apex of K is not this, but the final Imperial.

Baja_Engineer
Baja_Engineer
25 days ago

I’d go with the Spirit R/T

Pneumatic Tool
Pneumatic Tool
25 days ago

By using the name “Maserati”, the TC is probably the poster child of automotive dishonesty – perhaps even moreso than the Cimarron.

Normally something like a Pao wouldn’t be my thing, but they look so darned honest, simple, and down-to-earth…it’s like they’re the absolute antithesis of what car companies make currently.

Cheap Bastard
Cheap Bastard
25 days ago

“According to Bob Lutz, a Chrysler executive, the partnership with Alejandro de Tomaso resulted in only the TC, a “misadventure” that wound up costing Chrysler “close to $600 million.”That is, the cost to produce each of the 7,300 TCs was about $80,000 in 1990 dollars ($186,572 in 2023 dollars)”

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_TC_by_Maserati

So here’s your chance to show up all those fancy Ferrari/Lamborghini/whatever owners at Pebble Beach with their fancy sold-at-a-profit cars.

THIS my friends is how you squander money PROPERLY!!!

Data
Data
25 days ago
Reply to  Cheap Bastard

I suppose a cheap bastard would know. 🙂

Cheap Bastard
Cheap Bastard
25 days ago
Reply to  Data

Value is everything!

Squandering money on that scale is such taboo for certified Cheap Bastards it’s nigh physically impossible, even with other people’s money.

Cloud Shouter
Cloud Shouter
25 days ago

I’m not a deer hunter so I’ll take the TCs.

SAABstory
SAABstory
25 days ago

Passed an old guy driving a perfect brown-ish TC the other day. Clean as hell.

still no way I’d ever buy a K-car. Pao all the way.

Paul E
Paul E
25 days ago

Jason should buy the Pao-Pao package. He can then try that one weird trick to save on car insurance: Multiple Paos = comprehensive AND collision coverage!

Mechjaz
Mechjaz
25 days ago

Because somehow voting still isn’t enabled on mobile:

Paos. It’s the first (only) car my girlfriend ever looked at and wanted specifically, rather than struggling to remember which Ford with an E she has.

Dead Elvis, Inc.
Dead Elvis, Inc.
25 days ago
Reply to  Mechjaz

Conversely, I can only vote on mobile (not sure which laptop adblocker hides the voting buttons).

Bleeder
Bleeder
25 days ago

I use Ghostery plug in for Chrome and am able to vote.

Urban Runabout
Urban Runabout
25 days ago

The fact that air conditioning was optional on the TC’s blows me away.
Or not.

That plus the fact that I’m too impatient to do all that leather reconditioning means I’m here for the Paos.

Baja_Engineer
Baja_Engineer
25 days ago
Reply to  Urban Runabout

A/C was standard. My take is the compressor was removed at some point and the owner replaced the accessory belt with one from a non-A/C equipped K-Car

DDayJ
DDayJ
25 days ago

I can’t believe I’m saying this but I think I’ll take the pair of TCs for the lower price. If I’m going to slog around in an automatic I want to be more comfortable. Also probably a sturdier car for the roads littered with punchline Nissan Altimas.

PresterJohn
PresterJohn
25 days ago

Real shame those Paos are automatics…I hear Jason is looking for a new manual trans for his…

Steve Wilson
Steve Wilson
25 days ago

These both seem like great deals. Me, I’m going for one of each so I can get the slowness without being denied the unreliability.

Jakob K's Garage
Jakob K's Garage
25 days ago

Pao pao for me (even though I already have the Figaro), because they are just so cute, and it would be cool to have (at least) one like our very own Chairman Pao 😉

ToyotaTaxPayer
ToyotaTaxPayer
25 days ago

Much as I hate to, I think I’d go with the TCS. At least they can go faster than the kids racing their scooter around my subdivision. Maybe between the two, they’ll be more reliable than past Chrysler products I’ve had the misfortune to know.

Trust Doesn't Rust
Trust Doesn't Rust
25 days ago

I don’t have the spare garage space for two TC’s. I do have the spare garage space for two Pao’s.

MaximillianMeen
MaximillianMeen
25 days ago

Hell, I have spare closet space for a couple of Pao.

Lizardman in a human suit
Lizardman in a human suit
24 days ago

Na, just a shoebox under the bed will do for a pair of Pao.

Kevin Frank
Kevin Frank
25 days ago

Mark, I have 4 Futaba FX10s and enough NOS parts to build a fifth. My first RC car! As for these 2 for one deals, I think the Paos would be more fun than the chryslers, even thought driving both Nissans and Dodges in the past bring back bad memories.

Kevin Frank
Kevin Frank
25 days ago
Reply to  Mark Tucker

not in the package but never used, yes

Rad Barchetta
Rad Barchetta
25 days ago

Pao! Pao!

Bam! Zing! Kablam!

Data
Data
25 days ago
Reply to  Rad Barchetta

Is that the sound of deer bouncing off the front end?

MEK
MEK
25 days ago

Words cannot describe how much I want that little terracotta Pao. That color combo (with color matched wheels!) is fantastic! I’m in love.

Too bad I probably can’t register these type of cars in Massachusetts anymore. But I’m still going Double Pao.

Icouldntfindaclevername
Icouldntfindaclevername
25 days ago

With my Internet money, I’d take the Paos and dropship them to Jason’s house.
That way Jason, wife, and son can all Pao together.

David Fernandez
David Fernandez
25 days ago

A family that Paos together, stays together.

StillNotATony
StillNotATony
25 days ago

TCs and I’m starting my own racing series!

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