Good morning, and welcome to another week of bad vehicular choices! Today we have two uncommon vehicles from the desert southwest, both with low miles and a lot of life left in them. One is twice the price of the other, though. Does that make it twice the car, or half as good of a deal? That’s what we’re here to find out.
On Friday, it was all about me, me, me, as I made you choose between my favorites from last week. I suppose it was a foregone conclusion that the blue Nissan Pathfinder was going to win; even as the most expensive choice, it was the nicest by a wide margin. Too good to be true, some of you opined, but there’s only one way to find out, and that’s to go look at it.
The Pathfinder would be my choice as well, though I would be sorely tempted to at least go look at the camper. The Benz isn’t my style, really; if I were going to look for an old Mercedes, I’d make it a W123 or 126. And the Focus? Well, if you just need a cheap car, it’d do, but it’s nobody’s idea of a first choice.
All right, let’s take a look at today’s choices. By the way, there is a theme this week, but I’m not going to tell you what it is. I’m curious to see who picks up on it.
1986 Plymouth Gran Fury – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: 318 cubic inch overhead valve V8, three-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Waddell, AZ
Odometer reading: 92,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
You don’t see very many Plymouth Furys of this generation, or the previous one, and I don’t think it has anything to do with Chrysler’s often-shaky build quality. Rather, I think it’s because of Hollywood. The Fury, and its siblings the Dodge Monaco, Diplomat, and St. Regis, were the cop car of TV and movies throughout the 1970s and 80s. Sure, there were plenty of other makes, but the bulk of those cars you saw getting smashed up in chase scenes, or pulling up to a crime scene with the lead detective inside, were Mopars. I don’t think this one is a cop car, based on the presence of fake wire wheel covers and velour upholstery, but the basics are there: a cast-iron V8, a tough Torqueflite transmission, and that boxy, no-nonsense presence that cars just don’t have anymore.
The V8 in question is Chrysler’s 318, equipped with a two-barrel carburetor. It’s not the fastest thing for chasing down bad guys or anyone else, but it’s a solid, reliable engine. The biggest shortcoming for Chrysler V8s of this era was the notorious Electronic Lean Burn system, an emissions control system known for shitty idle, hard starting, and dull, lifeless performance. This one has had that system removed, and the carb and distributor replaced with standard items. It probably doesn’t make any more power than it did, but the drivability should be massively improved. The seller says it “goes down the freeway at 80 MPH no sweat,” quite an endorsement for a Reagan-era car shaped like an office building.
I can vouch for these cars being comfy highway cruisers. My wife and I had this car’s Chrysler sibling, the Fifth Avenue, for a while, and though it had its faults, ride quality and comfort were not among them. This one looks good inside, and the seller says everything works except the fuel gauge, which has a mind of its own.
Outside, it’s not perfect; there are some rust spots and some missing trim, but it’s also a $2,500 car. And you know this car can handle a little rust without falling to pieces, if you’ve ever seen photos of the infamous “Detroit Diplomat.” This thing is showroom-new compared to that one.
1996 Chevrolet Camaro RS – $5,000
Engine/drivetrain: 3.8-liter overhead valve V6, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Cave Creek, AZ
Odometer reading: 83,000 miles
Operational status: Ad doesn’t say, but I assume it runs and drives fine
I have mixed feelings about the fourth-generation Camaro and Firebird. I don’t like the looks of them nearly as well as the third-generation, but I concede that they are much better cars. I guess if I were going to get one, this would be the one I would want: a base model that’s old enough to still have recessed square headlights, but new enough to have the “good” V6 engine.
The V6 in question is the legendary Buick 3800 Series II, mounted longitudinally to drive the rear wheels, which it does in this case through a five-speed manual transmission. As far as I’m aware, this is the only way to get a 3800 with a stick. It was a huge upgrade from the earlier 3.4-liter engine, about forty more horsepower and a whole lot more refinement. It’s not easy to work on, being halfway stuffed underneath the windshield, but the 3800 is known for its reliability and low maintenance, so with any luck you won’t have to get in there very often. We don’t get any useful information about its condition, only that it comes with “full service records.”
Camaros aren’t known for luxury or refinement in general, of course; they’re more about looking cool while going fast. The interior design leaves something to be desired; it’s all that GM Fisher-Price-feeling gray plastic, along with gray fuzzy seats. The seats are comfy, though, and they look like they’re in good shape.
It’s clean outside too, and the paint is shiny, which means it must have been garage-kept. Cars left exposed to the Arizona sunshine don’t stay this glossy. The door panels and fenders on these are plastic like a Saturn, so it’s hard to say at a glance if it has any rust, but I’d be very surprised if it did.
So there they are, and as I said, there is an overarching them for the week, but I doubt today’s choices are enough to go on to guess it. I’ll say this: it’s sillier than you think. But would you expect anything else from me? Vote for your favorite, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow.
(Image credits: sellers)
that’s a good 20′ looking Camaro. It’s a bummer it doesn’t have the V8 but it’s clean for what it is. Maybe a bit spendy for a V6 but it is what it is.
I like the idea about a cop car cosplay M-Body, but the rust bits, missing trim and faded paint ain’t helping and I don’t feel like putting any money into it, so I guess it can still cosplay as a failed detective’s car?
Is the theme half the price = double boring?
Three pedal cama row, please.
From a desirability standpoint, the Camero easily wins, but really, it ain’t that desirable. It lost its “pony car” way a generation or two prior, and no V8 here to boot.
So, $2,500 less for two more cylinders and two more doors… Yeah, sure, why not.
(Clearly I’m very enthused about today’s choices.)
Gran Fury is curious but meh compared to the Camaro. This one is in that sweet spot spec too – not a V8 so it hasn’t been thrashed, not much to cause pause in considering it. Overall looks to be in great shape, mouse hair upholstery is lowkey wonderful, and 5-speed FTW.
One of the more harder choices in a long time. I would be happy to take either. But Camaro just eeked out my choice because of the manual.
The Gran Fury if it was a fun 2nd car. Would have to swap those wire caps to cop spec full wheelcovers. Or maybe go dog dish.
The Camaro if you are gonna actually rely on it for transportation. And also provided it doesnt snow much up where you live. I had the LS1 v8 version, you could spit in the road and have the back end start coming around. Maybe with skinny winter tires and a lot of weight in the trunk it would be OKAY. Mine had mongo wide summer tires on it.
Also that Camaro looks to be stupid clean. And for a base model it is the best spec. Reliable 3.8 v6, manual, no t-tops(no leaks) and RED. Might be a great car for a young gearhead going off to college, you can cram A LOT in these with the rear seat folded.
Plymouth needs the torsion bars cranked down a notch or 2, wide steelies with dog dishes. Lean into the ’80s cop aesthetic. Also, I’m sure that 318 can be woken up or swapped.
One Bitchin’ Camaro, please.
These are two great choices. The Camaro should be fun to drive and reliable as-is, but easily modded if you want more power. The Plymouth is cheap enough to be a fun retro beater, but clean enough to be a restoration candidate if you wanted a project.
The Camaro is fine as is, I’d hot rod the Fury. I’m still torn between the two.
The five speed swayed me over to the Camaro, but I really like that M Body! It has some presence that’s kind of cool.
My first car was a 1980 Volare with the 318 that was a hand-me-down from my dad. It was as stripper-spec as possible while still getting the 318 and A/C. Crank windows, vinyl bench, you name it. I’m just nostalgic enough about that car to pick the Fury over a V6 Camaro, but only just.
I’m a 3800 acolyte but I’ve had several M-bodies and they’re really solid, which is why the cops liked them. My dad’s last car was a powder blue 5th, which is currently residing on my wife’s left ring finger.
Besides, what good is a pony car without a V-8?
I’m going with the fury, so I can cosplay an 80s detective… I’m thinking Sledge Hammer, or Hunter. One where my boss calls me a “loose cannon” while he downs some antacid.
Damnit Hot, I’ve had enough of you playing fast and loose on the streets! The Commissioner is breathing down my neck! You’ve got 24 hours to solve this case or I’ll have your badge! Get the hell out of my office!
For 5 grand total between the two, that’d be an incredible combo that shouldn’t be picked from.
But 5 grand for just the Camaro? When there’s a 318 with a 727 in it right there for $2,500?
3800 with a stick be damned, that Fury is the better choice for the price.
As a former multi-time owner of 4th-gen F-bodies (but only V8 ones), as well as a hopeless pedant at times, I’d like to point out that the Camaro is just a base model, not an RS which was an option package (that I think started in 1996) that was a lower body kit and “RS” badges.
Also, I have always said I’d never buy a V6 4th-gen F-body, but today my fake money is doing so.
Most I have to offer about Plymouth is a Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul reference as an M-body Mopar in the Southwest. In fact a movie car prop is probably a good use for it. Clean enough, the spots could be touched up for that use or just leave it as a background/10-footer.
The Camaro would probably compare favorably against a number of cars in the showdowns.
I’m voting for the Camaro, because I love the looks of the early 4th gen ones, and as much as I’d love an LT-1, they’re a bitch to work on. The 3800 backed by the stick will still be enough fun for me, and this one is in great shape. Most of these were beaten to death 15 years ago.
Really though, this is a “Why not both?” day for me. This would be an excellent two car fleet.
I never liked this generation of Camaro much… the Firebird pulled off the jelly bean look a lot better. But a 3800 stick shift against a crap-tastic Gran Fury? At twice the price, that’s still a winner today, esp given the condition of that Camaro.
Agreed about the Firebird. Way better looking. Lusted after a SRT Firehawk while sitting in the library in high school study hall.
Getting my boxes in a row: I’m all over that Fury.
Enthusiastically
I had this generation of Camaro, but the Trans-Am version. Mine was a V8 six-speed, so I don’t think I could take this step back in performance.
I’m old now, so I’ll take the Mopar. It’s gotta be more comfortable getting in and out.
Since the day these came out I’ve always felt that they were meant to have a bit of clear plastic over the headlight opening to match the contours of the body but some penny pincher at chevy cut it at the last minute. It just looks incomplete to me.
I was gonna guess a half/double price theme, but is that so silly? I dunno now…
10 years newer and twice the price?
How is anyone voting for the Plymouth?
Because it’s sweet! I voted for the Camaro, but this is a “Why not both?” day for me.
That Fury has all the marks of a proper sleeper.
This is why I voted for it. Pull off the emissions crap, put a modern carb on it…profit.
Because they weren’t as bad as many think they were.
If we’re headed to Arizona in the first place I’m going full hell yeah brother with the Camaro every time. There are endless practically vacant desert roads out there to do 100+ on, presumably while shooting several guns into neighboring cacti and blasting Queens Of The Stone Age or Tom Waits.
I’M GOIN OUT WEST WHERE THE WIND BLOWS TALLLLLLL
Anyway this spec is a solid 6/10 on the desirability scale. No V8 is a bummer, but it does have a manual and the 3800 is an absolute tank of an engine even though it’s nothing fancy. If this was my own money I’d spend a little more on a V8, but in this comp even the V6 is a clear winner because it’s still a Bitchin Camaro.
The Camaro is at least interesting enough for me to consider what could be, the same cannot be said for the Plymouth.
I’ll take the good looking V6 Camaro over the crap looking Plymouth.