Good morning! Today we’re going to look at a couple of rarities, with plenty of room for people, or stuff, or some combination of both. Even better, they both feature manual transmissions. Sounds good, right? We’ll get to those in a minute.
Yesterday, we checked out some sketchy ads for cheap, abused luxury cars that had several of you crying out for a “Neither” option in the poll. Not gonna happen, folks. That’s not how we play the game. You don’t have to actually buy one of these; you get that, right? It’s all make-believe. So come on; play along! It’s fun!
Those of you who did elect to play chose the Mercedes by a narrow margin. I think that would be my choice too. I don’t dislike Infiniti, nor the VQ35 engine, but a V8 Benz is hard to pass up. Just drive it home at night so no one sees you, and don’t let it out of the garage until it’s presentable.
Well, maybe those of you who sat out yesterday will find one of today’s choices more to your liking. They’re both big enclosed open spaces, one with an unusual number of cylinders, and the other with an unusual number of doors. Let’s take a look.
1986 Volkswagen Quantum Syncro – $3,750
Engine/drivetrain: 2.2-liter overhead cam inline 5, five-speed manual, AWD
Location: Elko, MN
Odometer reading: 169,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
In case you aren’t familiar with it, what you’re looking at here is no ordinary frumpy mid-’80s VW wagon. This is the Quantum Syncro, America’s version of the second-generation Passat, but sporting the entire driveline from an Audi 80/4000 Quattro. Yep, five-cylinder engine, locking diffs, and all. And, just like all the early Audi Quattro models, it was available only with a five-speed manual gearbox.
The Quattro drivetrain makes for a weird underhood layout, with that long engine sticking out ahead of the front axle, canted over at an angle for hood clearance, and the radiator sitting next to it instead of in front like most cars. It works brilliantly, though, as evidenced by Audi’s dominance of Group B rally racing for a couple of years. In the Quantum, Audi’s famous five is not turbocharged, but if you guess that plenty of them have been retrofitted with a turbo engine, you’d be right. Not this one, though. It’s stock, and runs just fine, and both differential locks (for the center and rear diffs) work.
The seller does say that the exhaust system is trashed, but that it “sounds cool.” Hopefully their neighbors feel the same. We’re also told that the air conditioning is inoperative, but some parts needed to get it going again are included. And, in true ’80s VW fashion, three of the four outside door handles are broken. On the plus side, it comes with a full set of extra wheels with snow tires.
It’s currently in rural Minnesota, but the seller says it came from Idaho, where they don’t salt the roads, so it’s not rusty underneath. A photo or two to confirm that would have been nice, as well as a couple interior shots, but I’ll let it slide because of the cat photo.
1991 Mazda MPV – $3,700
Engine/drivetrain: 2.6-liter overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Auburn, WA
Odometer reading: 92,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
I’m not sure if you could ever call a minivan “exciting,” but back in the late 1980s and early ’90s, it was kind of fun to see all the manufacturers’ different approaches to designing one. These days, everyone has settled on the transverse FWD layout of the first Chrysler minivans, but for a while automakers were just throwing stuff at the wall to see what stuck. Mazda’s approach was a car-like vehicle, rear-wheel-drive, with one door on the driver’s side and two on the passenger’s side. But no sliding doors here: The passenger loading door was a big, but conventional, hinged door.
Most MPVs were powered by a V6 engine and an automatic transmission, but the standard equipment was a 2.6 liter four-cylinder and a five-speed stick. You don’t see too many of them; I only recall seeing a couple of them back in the day. This one has only 92,000 miles on it, and just had its clutch replaced. There are varying degrees of “can drive a stick,” and some people are just hard on clutches. At least you know it’s new.
It looks well-kept inside, and refreshingly simple. I don’t know what it is about a true “floor” shifter, with no center console around it, but it really appeals to me. It makes the interior look so much more spacious, and I like the honesty of it. Though, I suppose you might feel differently when you go looking for a place to put your coffee and discover there are no cupholders.
MPVs may have been rare with manuals, but damn near all of them, as far as I can tell, were painted in this sand beige color. I think I saw a green one, once, maybe, but like red Miatas, these are what you see most often. This one looks pretty well-preserved, but the paint is a bit faded, and there are a few battle scars here and there. It doesn’t have any rust, however, which is something.
As for me, I think these are both pretty cool, for different reasons. I’m honestly not sure which one I like better. Luckily, it’s not up to me, not really. You all get to choose – and choose you must.
(Image credits: sellers)
Mazda is better than VW, so I voted for the MPV
I went with the Zoom, Zoom, instead of the vehicle that will soon go Boom, Boom! 🙂
Mazda all the way. That VW will be a nightmare to keep on the road. You VW nerds are insane.
I saw an MPV trundling along in traffic the other day (same colour…) Sign me up! I don’t know why but in my mind these were always manuals; maybe that’s just the few I was ever inside.
My aunt always ordered her vehicles (a long line of Econolines) without a centre console and then had a carpenter friend build them for her. I think that’s the play here – I’m not sure it even qualifies as a “minivan” if it can’t hold a giant drink!
Wagon nearly always beats van, and there’s a lot to like about that VW. Ultimately, though, the idea of keeping a VW-Audi product with 169,000 going is daunting. Also, the fact that I live in an area where we get a lot of days over 105 and virtually none under 40 means the broken A/C is a big deal and the winter wheels are useless. The MPV is clean and likely has a long life ahead of it, so that’s my pick.
Give me the VW. Gives me ET vibes.
Tough choice. I like both vehicles, with the caveat that I wouldn’t buy either due to the lack of cupholders. The absence of cupholders seems more conspicuous in the MPV than the Quantum, though, so I’m going with the VW.
I might pop over to Elko to check out the Synchro because it speaks to me, but gotta vote MPV as the rational choice.
The MPV is genuinely cool, and won’t be a maintenance nightmare. Mazda it is.
The MPV is the MVP in today’s competition.
I’m a Volkswagen geek so this was a no-brainer. I did hesitate for a minute thinking about replacement parts, but I’m sure it’ll be fine. Right? A late-eighties Audi/Volkswagen amalgamation? Totally fine.
I’m pretty sure it means there are twice as many replacement parts available.
I’d take the Leap on the Quantum
Sorry everyone
You might never get home.
Oh boy
I’ll take the ruff, tuff, rugged wagon fer these ruff & tuff times. Handles be damned!
“VW. At the sign of the cat!”
Srsly, though, the MPV is cool but we’ll take the Quantum and start looking for door handles.
We had one of the first ones in North America when I was a youngin’ and I ended up driving that thing after University. Driving it into the ground. Mechanically it was still fine, but the rust had taken it’s toll after a decade of ski trips on salty roads. The only real flaw was the rear AC lines would corrode as they run under the vehicle. It had close to 400,000 km when I retired it.
Oh, and it does have cup holders, it’s a neat little fold down thing on the passenger seat facing the centre. For a first go at a van, Mazda totally nailed it.
I’ll take the VW, pull the drivetrain and shove it in a Sirocco. Instant Quattro.
Good luck getting that longitudinal I5 in a bay designed for a transverse I4.
Meh. Just get rid of the firewall.
With enough money, anything is possible.
With enough money a real Audi Ouattro is the better option.
Holy crap that is the longest shifter I have ever seen outside of a pickup! I pretty much went Mazda just because I was impressed by that. Though begrudgingly I’ll admit that the VW is far more appealing that I expected. I need a 5 cylinder someday. Hopefully in VW V5 form just because it takes the weird up a couple notches beyond anything else.
I, too, want a 5-cyl, but I’d rather have an Acura Vigor.
Eh. Not a bad choice, but it’s not a car that appeals to me. Give me a wagon or hatch anyday.
A friend from college owned a 1st gen TL 2.5 with the 5 cyl engine. Pokey and comfy but it’s got that unique exhaust sound
The MPV has always been on my quirky vehicle wish list. This and the Previa both are minivan weirdness perfection
If the Quantum weren’t a Synchro, then the MPV would be more compelling.
However, I’m not much for doing my repairs, so I’d need to find some Quantum mechanics.
Take your damn
starsmiley & GET OUTThe VW had me in its spell until the three door handle line and that snapped me back to reality. So Mazda it is, it actually seems decent, I can see it lasting 5 trouble free years here, before it dies from sodium chloride.
I think the MPV is the better deal overall, but I went with the Quantum – it would look great parked next to my ’87 Fox. Also, since he’s in the selling mood, maybe a package deal could me made with that green Mercedes “Ponton” in the background.
It’s a Peugeot 403.
Oh wow – nice catch, that would be even more fun to bring home. I’m actually not all that far from the Quantum’s location. Makes me wonder what other treasures may be hiding at the guy’s place.
I’ll take the cat!
Quantum for a toy, MPV for a DD. There are no losers here.
Quantum today. Just like the idea of a go most anywhere, long roof basher with stick. I only need one door, anyway and AC just reminds me of the annoying Mario Lopez in “Saved By The Bell” and who needs that?
Turns drivers seat around
Drives around straddling seat
What are you lookin’ at, preppie?
If I didn’t already have a company work van, I would own that MPV. Caught that listing earlier this week and I’m a sucker for Mazdas, vans and manuals.
MAZDA!!! I am a weirdo who has wanted one of these for a looooooong time!! And one from the rust free PNW? Sign me up!