Welcome back! Today we’re checking out a couple more budget-friendly ’80s classics, and I know a lot of you already have your fingers hovering over the “vote” button for one of them. But condition is everything here, so you might want to read the descriptions and check out the ads before committing.
Yesterday, condition was important too, or at least previous possible damage. The Acura’s salvage title gave a few of you pause, but it still won the vote. It probably is the nicer car, but I’d like to know why it has a salvage title before making the decision. Then again, I’d also like a peek underneath the Grand Prix to check on its rust situation.
Salvage titles are a funny thing; a car was considered junk, but now it’s considered a car again. And I know it’s not even an option to get a salvage title everywhere; my buddy Stephen Walter Gossin has told me that it’s nearly impossible to wrest a car from the grips of the junk man in North Carolina. By contrast, California and Oregon both hand out salvage titles like candy, which is why that Acura doesn’t worry me too much.
Even a clean title is no guarantee of a car’s condition, of course. You can do all sorts of cruel things to a car and still have it run through Carfax as clean as a whistle. But sometimes, a car is cool and interesting enough that questionable condition and a sketchy ad can be overlooked, and sometimes a car is interesting but not terribly cool, but has been cared for well enough to make it a compelling deal. That’s the short version of today’s entries; now let’s look at the details.
1987 Chevrolet Cavalier RS Convertible – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: 2.0-liter overhead valve inline 4, three-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Goldsboro, NC
Odometer reading: 68,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
After Chrysler brought back convertibles for the 1982 model year, its competitors in Detroit wasted no time lopping the tops off their own cars. Ford introduced a convertible Mustang in 1983, and GM had ASC create convertible versions of its J-body Chevy Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird the same year. First-generation Cavaliers are pretty thin on the ground these days anyway, and the convertibles were uncommon to begin with, which makes this car quite the rarity.
It’s an RS model, the fake-sporty version of the Cavalier, with red and black trim, fancy steel wheels, and zero extra horsepower. It’s powered by the standard-issue 2.0-liter pushrod four, which will make the same meager amount of power until the end of time, and a TH-125C automatic, which will happily mush its way through its three gears for just as long. It has only 68,000 miles on it. The seller bought it from an elderly woman not too long ago, and went through it mechanically to get it roadworthy. They also put new tires on it, so it should be ready to rock.
The previous owner had the top replaced and the seats reupholstered, so it’s in fine shape inside as well. I can’t be sure what’s under that dash cover, but considering the rest of the car’s condition, I’m sure it’s fine. There were so many different instrument panel designs on these old Cavaliers that you’re never sure which one you’ll see; I had two 1985 Cavaliers and they both had completely different dash layouts from this one, and each other.
It’s clean and shiny outside, but it’s missing a couple pieces of trim. Glued-on trim from the ’80s doesn’t stay put forever, even on a well-kept car like this. But they’re not asking some crazy amount for this car like so many low-mileage ’80s rides, so we can overlook some trim.
1989 Merkur XR4Ti – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: Turbocharged 2.3-liter overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: St. Louis, MO
Odometer reading: 175,000 miles
Operational status: I’m going to be charitable and assume it runs and drives
In the first of several red or yellow flags in this car’s ad, the seller has it listed as a Ford Sierra. That’s not entirely inaccurate; the Merkur XR4Ti was, in fact, a US-market version of the Ford Sierra, but it’s not a Euro-market car as the seller seems to be implying. Ford imported the Sierra for its Merkur sub-brand, sold in Lincoln-Mercury dealers, to compete with other European imports, sort of a classier version of the Mustang.
The XR4Ti came with only one engine: a turbocharged Lima 2.3 liter four, similar to the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe and the Mustang SVO, but without the intercooler. This one has a five-speed manual transmission. The ad is really light on details; all it says is “needs some work.” I’m going to go ahead and assume it runs and drives, but that may be a rash assumption.
The condition of the interior is something of a mystery as well. The ad includes seven photos taken inside the car, and not a single one of them shows the driver’s seat at all. And this is the only view we get of the passenger’s seat. I have to assume they’re both trashed and in need of new upholstery or outright replacement.
Outside, it’s got some signs of what could be serious rust. You can see it starting to peek out around the corners of the plastic cladding on the doors and wheel arches. The car wears Pennsylvania license plates, and that’s not a place known to be easy on cars. Even worse, as a 1989 model, this car lacks the XR4Ti’s best exterior feature: the big two-level rear spoiler of the earlier cars.
This is going to be a frustrating one for a lot of you, I know; the Merkur is a lot more desirable on paper than the Cavalier, but it’s also in what could be considerably rougher shape. So I guess that’s what it’s going to come down to: would you rather take the nicer but less fun car, or take a gamble on the sketchy one?
(Image credits: sellers)
dayumm, I’ve always liked XR4Tis and usually despise Cavaliers, specially those early ones with the problematic HG eating 2 liter dog. But that Cavalier is a true survivor and it’s the perfect example of continuous dedication and upkeep by its previous owner. She deserves a nice home and maybe the occasional job on a movie set. But it won’t get me any fun, like ever.
I think I’d get both, the Cavalier could stay for a while and be flipped after I get done with the XR4Ti project (as long as rust is not too bad).
If I could only pick one then XR4Ti. It’s parts should still be worth something if it ends up being a bad buy
Cavalier, without hesitation. I drove a slightly-newer Sunbird convertible for a little while in the 90s, and it was a hoot once I got used to ignoring the flex in the body.
This one will be slower, but it’s still handsome.
I love the XR4, but I’d rather buy a nicer one with my fake dollars.
I really wanted to want the Merkur – but the saving grace for the Cavalier is that it’s a convertible with far lower mileage and better condition.
So that’s the one I’m going for.
Anyone know if the modern 2.3 Turbo will fit in the XR4TI? I’m pretty sure I could make it fit. I bet mustang sub frame connectors will work too. Could have a cool little sleeper . . .
Saw the title, blew past all the warning signs and scrolled right down to vote for the MAIR-koor. More Continental than a Lincoln Continental, even if the engine is likely incontinent.
I wanted the Merkur, but too may PCH indicators. Also I’d have to resist the temptation to cut out the rear windows and make an RS500 replica.
The Cavalier is solid and my wife’s first car was an ’88 Cavalier. so she would like it. Also I’ve been in Goldsboro, for a wedding
Condition be damned, XR4Ti for me. Those Cavaliers are terrible. I’m a lifelong PA resident & know the Rust thing isn’t that bad – usually.
I’ve always had a thing for the xr4ti and I’ve never owned a ford so I’d lean that way.
I Kind of considered the XR4 just to see if the Brits and their weird fetish for these in Sierra trim, but the miles kind of swayed me to the Sunday drop top fuel miser. It may not be thrilling to get there, but it should be enjoyable enough on a two lane backroad to an old town or two.
with 175k, I’m not so sure that it actually runs. Engines of this era – especially the Turbo versions – are not exactly known for longevity (understand and welcome completely if someone can change my mind). I owned the carbed version of the lima turbo (’80 Cobra) and it was not fun, as it had a habit of eating pre-converters which mashed the turbo (happened twice on mine). The rust on here is very problematic, and being from PA, I understand what is involved in all of that.
In spite of everything I’m typing here, I’m still going with the XR4Ti, and I’d probably feel immediate regret once I get it on a lift. I’ve always appreciated what Ford tried to do with this car. I dug them when I first laid eyes on one, and I think that the thought of me passing on one of them in lieu for a cavalier would make my teenage self haunt my current self in my dreams for years.
mostly depends on if it has a carb or fuel injection as tuning a carb is hard enough without boost for most. But also it was kind of required to let the engines idle a bit to cool the oil in the turbo to avoid some troubles in that regard back then too.
I had that car at 16 and read about the “turbo idle” cooldown in Motor Trend. Even at that tender age, I heeded the warning. It was weird explaining to others why I’d sit in the car and let it idle for about 15 seconds before shutting it down, but…
Learned to drive in a Sierra, but the XR4 will get my vote on rational basis as well. Even with some investment, it will be a vastly better car to drive, and parts can be sourced really cheap from Argentina and Venezuela.
The Cavalier will always be an old lady’s boring, tacky, slow car.
A running driving automotive appliance vs. a rusting, but appealing, high mileage corporate orphan with a stick.
I vote for the convertible appliance, I have it in mind as a suitable car for my grand daughter. I hope she doesn’t want to paint it pink. (-;
The XR4Ti was so ugly back then though. I would definitely go SVO Mustang over this Merkur any day though.
Heresy!
Honestly, who wouldn’t? Then again how much is an SVO Mustang (even in rough shape) nowadays?
Late Aerobird Turbo Coupe anyone?
I did like the Aero T-Birds, almost bought one until I researched the engines a little and found out they only used the same 4 head bolts on the boosted engines and they had a tendancy to blow the gaskets as a result, but in 1990, the 5.0 motor was available, which they optioned the Aero with the more reliable and powerful 5.0 of the day.
I voted for the Merkur even though “needs some work” probably means “needs A LOT of work”.
But once the work is done, you’ll have a much nicer and more enjoyable car.
J all the way, but you probably already knew that coming from me.
My first car was an ’88 Cavalier coupe and the best thing that happened to it was that giant buck who decided to throw it’s body in my way while driving to my first day of junior year in high school. J-bodies suck and one with it’s top removed is not some “rose-tinted nostalgia boulevard cruiser” as being outlined in these comments.
Merkur all the way here, regardless of interior condition.