I’m in too deep. My love for cars, which has dominated pretty much every element of my life, has me at a point where my taste is really, really niche. Case in point: The car I most want to buy on this day of our car-lord, December 26, 2023, is a minivan that was never sold in the U.S. with this engine or transmission combination. It is an absolute marvel, and I will buy one someday. Hopefully soon.
Back in June, I took my girlfriend — someone who isn’t at all a car enthusiast — to Germany, and introduced her to my family. Most importantly, I introduced her to my European car-family, which is really just one 1994 Chrysler Voyager Diesel minivan. It’s my pride-and-joy, a 32 MPG, stick-shift, seven-passenger cruiser that was built in Austria, and that comes with an Italy-engineered VM Motori turbodiesel engine mated to a beefy five-speed stick. It’s a version of a van sold in the U.S. as the Plymouth Voyager or Dodge Caravan, though in the U.S. you couldn’t get that good engine.
My girlfriend doesn’t really why I’m so obsessed, though she did marvel at the van’s comfort, and ultimately approved it as much better road-tripper than she’d feared. The truth is, most people don’t get it, because when you get to my stage of car-enthusiasm, you’re so deep into the weeds, you’re basically the leader of a cult, citing Haynes Manual verses so obscure only the most devout even know what you’re talking about. It’s with this in mind that I show you another vehicle that I’m obsessing over at the current moment — one that, in truth, I’ve been obsessing over for years. Just look at this article I wrote way back in 2020:
That’s three years thinking about the same minivan; suffice it to say, I will be owning one at some point. This itch must be scratched. Behold the current Apple of my Eye, a 1995 Pontiac Trans Sport:
“Wait a second,” you’re probably thinking. “Didn’t the Trans Sport have a bit more of a…buck tooth look?” Indeed, in the U.S., the early Trans Sport had some big front teeth:
“Wait, but didn’t even that get a refresh in 1994?” Right again. This is how a 1995 Pontiac Trans Sport looks in the U.S.
You see, the van I’m obsessing over is actually a European Dustbuster van, and in Europe, GM basically just took the Oldsmobile Silhouette…
…and added Pontiac badging and a few Euro-market changes like different color taillights and front turn signals, the addition of rear fog lights, and more.
But most importantly, the Euro-market Pontiac Trans Sport was the only dustbuster van to get a stick shift:
And more importantly, that stick shift was hooked to the legendary Quad 4, one of the most important GM engines of all time. It’s actually a surprisingly powerful engine in the U.S., making usually 150 ponies minimum — that’s solid for a 2.3, especially if you consider that the big 3.8-liter V6 offered in the U.S. (and also in Germany) made just 20 horsepower more. Sadly, in the European Trans Sport, power was just 135 horsepower pulling around a curb weight of 3,825 pounds:
According to the German Pontiac Trans Sport brochure I’m currently obsessing over, the four-cylinder takes 12.3 seconds to do zero to 62 mph, while the V6 takes 10.6. So this isn’t a fast van.
Above you can see the power plot for both the Quad 4 and the V6.
The German brochure paints the Trans Sport as a luxury family hauler, though the stickshift four-cylinder is meant more for economy. Look at those gorgeous leather seats in the image above.
To have a luxury vehicle that can haul seven people, can look that good, and can give you the joy, fuel economy, and ease-of-repair that only a manual transmission can? All with a fascinating engine with good reliability and a rich and important history for GM?
I’m in love. Now you tell me: What car are you currently obsessing over?
Images: All by manufacturer except for-sale images, which are from Annunci Al Volante
I would pawn my granny’s dentures for a manual dustbuster… Dang…
Have you seen Get Shorty?
The Caddilac of minivans
69 Dodge Super Bee or 69-70 Road Runner.
6 mpg works fine for me.
Or a Gremlin with the 401 and 4 speed.
I have to say, driving a car named after an ancient (and the largest) Late Pleistocene paleolake in the Great Basin of western North America is pretty killer.
Named after Benjamin Louis Eulalie de Bonneville a French-born officer in the United States Army who was also a fur trapper and explorer in the American West.
Driving a car named after a horse, or a bird or such is okay, but how about one named after a massive, Ice Age lake that existed from about 30,000 to 13,000 years ago?
Now that’s cool.
Yes, I rescued an ’03 Bonneville this past weekend. It rules so hard!
Party on, fellow Autopians.
This man is a Hero.
This guy gets it. That’s a mighty fine dustbuster van you’re obsessing over.
Since I’m currently daily-ing a van, I’ve been in the mood for something far more compact. Someday I’d love to get a third car for the family that’s more fun/small so that the van doesn’t have to gobble up all the commuting mileage. Right now, I’ve been strangely enough going down the rabbit hole of staring at Ioniq 6’s. They’re too expensive at least in the form that they show up on lots, but I really, really like the way they look.
Maybe someday when the van is paid off.
Canada got all the great rare Pontiacs. You want a late 50s El Camino in Pontiac form? Canada had it the Pontiac Catalina.
Yeah, but we also got the Acadian. Woof. And wasn’t the Daewoo based LeMans a Canada only thing too?
Sometimes I’m grateful for how fast cars rust up here.
I believe the 90s Daewoo Pontiac Lemans was sold in the US.
BYD Dolphin
Every European/Aus/NZ motoring outlet is all over it and we don’t even get to see one.
I’m back on a Miata kick ever since I replaced my Thunderbird with my new 1993 Package C Miata. And I am VERY in the weeds. I just put in a new window motor and regulator, and I’m tearing my hand to shreds trying to remove the bodysonic MSSS sound system head so I can send it off to be restored (plus upgraded with bluetooth), only to need to shred my poor hand reinstalling it once it’s done. I just want this Miata to be perfect.
Currently the front runner for me is a British Racing Green BMW e34 touring, tan interior with an M50B25 with a Getrag 250G to row the gears.
I’m currently going deep down the JDM Toyota rabbit hole. The time is nearing for me to sell my NA Miata in a few months and to walk into Duncan Imports with some cash and poor impulse control. Very heavily leaning to a Crown wagon if I can be so lucky to source one at a reasonable price (Dual rear wipers AND a 1JZ!) or something like a turbo Starlet hatch, or heck, really anything JDM that has an engine in it that was available in the US.
As much as I adore the Honda Beat and Suzuki Cappuccino (AZ-1’s are awesome but I just do not fit), and all the other fun and awesome Kei cars out there, as a shade tree mechanic at best, I really need something that has reasonable US parts support, and more importantly easy to access how-to’s in English for maintenance. I’ve had my fun the past couple years with funky and fun old cars (Squareback, W123, and NA Miata) but for now I just want something that’s reliable and comfortable enough to drive longer distances without fear, since my previous trio of fun cars have been unreliable, or in the case of the Miata, extremely sketchy on the highway with modern traffic.
Just remember, the top-end models have a lot more things that can break. A friend of mine (a programmer and engineer) spends all of his ample brain power and much of his money to make the CD-ROM navigation system and associated color CRT display work in his 1991 Toyota Crown Royal Saloon G 4.0 V8 hardtop sedan, along with all of the other ultimate options of the day. Luckily the wagons tended to get a somewhat lower level of equipment.
If you don’t mind bare bones equipment (vinyl seats, anyone?) find a Van version – although they usually have ultra low gearing, which makes them less than optimal for everyday driving. The Mark II Van is cool, because they kept building the old 1984 design (same as an ’85 Cressida) until 1997 – and you’ll get a 97hp, 2-liter 3Y engine also used in forklifts.
Yeah thats a very valid point, and I’ve got my eye on a 91 Royal Saloon Wagon with a 1JZ in it that has a modern Bluetooth head unit already swapped. As cool as the vintage CRT displays are, I’m not a stickler for original head units and would probably swap it out anyways if it’s not a massive PITA. I figure between a 1JZ and what appears to be cloth or wool interior, should be a reasonably nice car to drive around that will be easy enough to source major parts for given its a common drive train in USDM cars.
1990 Nissan King Cab / Navarra. Preferably a diesel.
It seems everybody are buying classic HiLuxes and Land Cruisers, but after owning a surprisingly fault free Nissan (a Figaro even!), I want a durable pick up from that brand
I’m currently stuck on the VG-45 Toyota Century, reason being that I just imported a ’95 non-Miyagata style Century Hearse.
I’m currently in the beginning fermenting stages of an idea that might turn into a fine automotive wine, so my current obsession is on creating a mental rolodex of uncommon Italian vehicles. Now, I’ve spent over a decade obsessed with questionable Italian cars so there’s already a healthy stack in my head, but I’m expanding that and once I have a deep field, *then* I get to go on the adventure of researching the crap out of them. My automotive library has been expanding quite a bit lately, but I expect that will likely pick up even more pace as things continue. For now though, my information acquisition focus has been on finding sources on the DeTomaso Pantera, since I have unlimited access to one.
We have a gorgeous red Pantera that shows up occasionally in our town. I’ve also seen Elvis’ Pantera with the bullet hole where he shot it.
My father in law has a beautiful white one, the exact one he saw at the local Ford dealer and wanted as a kid. I rode shotgun as he cruised north of 110 in it last spring, which was a mildly terrifying experience
My Dad and I sat in a Mangusta in a dealership in Scranton (home town), of all places. That was totally cool, and they locked the doors as soon as we got out.
Bonus points: There was a white Ferrari 275 GTS in the forecourt.
This ought to make it obvious I’m heading towards 70.
Panteras are simply too common. Find yourself an Autobianchi A111 (no, not A112). Or buy a Guarà …
Don’t tempt me with a good time! No really, I don’t have any space for more good times…
1981 Subaru BRAT, manual, T-top. Nobody seems interested in building or importing the small ute I want, so I’m hoping to rescue and restore an elder statesman. If I can’t find a BRAT, I’ll go for a Rampage, Dodge D50(or Mitsubishi clone), Comanche, or CJ-8 (had one).
There are two. I love love love my daily and have no plans to give it up (knock on wood) but I’m usually scouring for-sale ads for a couple of [more] fun cars with manuals.
The first – no surprise – is another black Fiat 500 Abarth. 🙂
The second is a ’71 or ’72 Super Beetle, preferably orange like the one I had *mumble* years ago. I like the MacPherson strut front end and the flat windshield; the ’73-’79 models had a curved windshield and a curved dash.
My ’72 had a sick 1835cc engine and the engine specs are locked away in my brain – carved in stone, one might say – so I can build another one.
I’m aching to go back to a 500 Abarth as well, particularly a black one. I miss my first one soooo bad. The trouble is I know how to modify them into complete submission, which my husband is not terribly fond of letting me do again. I just miss having 200+ whp in a tiny car
I’m thinking about W463 Mercedes-Benz G Classes. Specifically, the 2 (3) door G320’s from 1994-1998.
Dalton, I don’t know if you’ve heard about Duncan’s Imports, but they are a priceless resource for all things funky and fun. It just so happens they’ve got a G320 of that vintage for a really, really good price right now. Here’s a link:
https://www.duncanimports.com/used/Mercedes-Benz/1995-Mercedes-Benz-G320-a699cc670a0e09af27b54db786f8c360.htm
This is a little further down the line, but i appreciate this! If i do end up getting one, itll likely end up being an import.
Duncan is Both an excellent and potentially dangerous website
Ferrari 599 6MT because my UAW-contracted best friend hates Ferraris.
Granted I knew about the existence of the car before Mercedes’ Glorious Garbage article about it the other day, but it brought my desire for a Grand National LeSabre back to the forefront. I mean, honestly, I’d settle for a regular clamshell LeSabre coupe, if only I could freaking find one lol.
Runner up is a Sonata N-Line. I drove one a few months back at our Hyundai dealership across town, and it just completely floored me
Although I love my JDM spec RHD XJ cherokee; and firmly believe it is the best tool for the job as a rural mail carrier; I’ve really been wanting a late 90’s JDM toyota hiace 4×4 with the 1kz turbo diesel. It would be much more comfortable hauling the kids around after delivering the mail. Sadly it will have to be an automatic because at 43 my knees just can’t take rowing through the gears a couple hundred times a day. Fun fact though, I’ve seen at some point where it had the option of a 5 on the tree shifter!
Currently, it’s the new Maverick.
By tonight, probably the new Z, to be honest with you.
I’ve been trying to find a new Z with the manual and blue interior/exterior for months now. There are just none to be had. Not going to pay scalper prices for one, but have no problem with list. Simply can’t find one.
If I win the lotto, I’m looking for either a Red or White Nismo, honestly. I’ve had this odd “street fighter” idea for one…….. and the fact the 9 speed goes into top gear at 70mph, for the 1,000rpm cruising speed, is tickles the nerd side of me, no matter how weird that sounds.
Volvo V70 Polestar Engineered. Nearly 500 horsepower, all wheel drive, gets around 30 MPG combined with a 40ish mile EV range, and of course….WAGON! The wife and I are about to need more space and I wish there were more fast wagons for us mere mortals. You can find the V70s Polestar Engineereds for around 50k. I’m sure they’re a maintenance nightmare but Volvo’s certified program is really good so I’d roll the dice.
That being said my wife will need a new car before I will, and after spending the holidays with her in laws we’re both pretty sold on just getting her another CRV. My mother in law has the newest one in the top trim and it’s ridiculously good for what it is. Hers is ICE but obviously the wife and I would get a hybrid.
I have the S60 version and absolutely love that car. My only regret was not getting a V60, but the things are unicorns and damn near impossible to find.
When I was able to snag the S60 for below MSRP I pulled the trigger, and cried to myself a bit for not waiting for a wagon, but it was too good of a deal to pass.
It truly is the perfect sleeper car.
All the Polestar bits seem to add a lot as well. Fortunately in my area (DC) they seem to pop up pretty regularly, although I’d have to buy used. I am NOT dropping $70,000 on a Volvo lol.
I’ve only heard bad things about them as far as reliability goes unfortunately, the twin-charged 4-banger has loads of common issues and the hybrid system apparently isn’t any better. That said, a fast Swedish wagon is just about the coolest sleeper around.
I hate to burst your bubble DT, but dust buster vans are not comfortable. I don’t care what seats are in them. The seat bottom to gas pedal positioning is so bad, that in order to put your foot on the gas pedal, you have to bend your foot so far back, it feels like you are about to brake all the bones and tendons connecting your foot to your ankle. They are such hateful things to drive.
As for myself, I am currently in between obsessions. I’ve been focusing on turning my ’74 Buick Apollo shaped pile of parts, into an actual car. I’ve never spent less time shopping for vehicles I can’t buy. Its weird. Hopefully I’ll have an actual roadworthy car this summer though. It already runs, and I drove it around the block before winter set in, despite it missing bumpers, lights, glass, seat belts, license plates…
I’m going to be a bit odd here and pull out a new car. For the last month or so I’ve been lusting after a Cadillac Lyriq of all things, specifically in Red and Sport 3 trim.
For the longest time I thought it was hideous, but after seeing one in person it instantly changed my perspective and I really want one as my next commuter car.
I’ve seen two (or the same one twice), and they look really good. Both silver unfortunately.
Auto manufacturers need to reintroduce fun/unique tri-spoke wheels into the mainstream again. I feel like we’re lacking unique tri-spoke designs.
Oh YES please! I know they’re very contentious amongst enthusiasts, but a good three-spoke can’t be beat. I’m looking at JDM imports for my next fun car, and I’ve seen a few Honda S-MX’s from the late 90’s for sale with some sweet OEM three-spokes, and that alone is tempting me into one.
I’ve been obsessing over the 9th gen F-350 single cab with a long bed. I’ve given up any hopes for a manual with the diesel and am instead looking at a manual with the big block since it goes for significantly less.
Oh that’s cool.
I’m quite obsessed and knowledgeable on 9th gen Aeronose Fords. A manual 7.3 Powerstroke is a rare machine, although they do exist. Manual 7.3 IDIs are much more common and massively cheaper, and sometimes get better mileage, plus the other benefits of a full mechanical diesel.
460 pickups are pleasantly fast and can pull down a house, but I have never heard of one exceeding 11mpg under any circumstances. I have also never seen one with a manual. They exist, but anecdotally I would say a manual 460 is significantly rarer than a manual diesel.
May I ask why you specifically want a one ton single cab? Do you need the payload of the one ton or do you just like the solid front axle?
I just want a truck I don’t need to worry about and it will be purely for towing/hauling.