Recently I was tapped to play out this game on another site. The rules there stated I had to spend all 10 grand on a single car, which put my top choice, a 1976 Celica GT Liftback, out of the running (All Japanese cars were out, so I ended up with a BMW 530i, though as a kid I would’ve picked a Corvette L82. If asked which of the three would be most valuable today, I doubt many would have predicted the Toyota have the highest selling price, followed by the Corvette and the BMW dead last). We’re going to modify the question a bit so that you don’t have to spend the full amount. But you still have 10 thou and a time machine, and you have to buy a new car that was available for sale somewhere in the world.
How would you spend $10,000 on a car in the year you were born?
The most entertaining comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your favorite Japanese car logo?“.
This week’s answers proved that there’s simply a mind-blowing variety of logos. It’s not just those of the manufacturer, like Speedie’s favorite, the Honda “H” and Acura caliper “A”. And as JJ pointed out, a simple flip of the background color to red could alter the meaning significantly. Jonathon P. picked Suzuki’s simply because it looked cool, and both Azfer and Mark F. Newton-John like Mitsubishi’s for its deep-rooted and straightforward meaning (Mitsubishi literally means “three diamonds”).
But there were also categories we hadn’t considered, like tailgate lettering. Sammy B likes the simple “TOYOTA” on the back of the company’s trucks, while Brandon digs the Mazda REPU’s more flamboyant “Rotary Power”. And when Ben E mentioned the A60 Celica Supra’s “SUPRA” outline, we realized that it falls into the same category.
There’s even logos made purely for American-built Japanese cars, like Ryan A.‘s Honda eagle affixed to Ohio cars sold in Japan. エーイダン‘s “Datsun Saves” was more for an American ad campaign, but proved so well-timed that you couldn’t even make something like that up.
Of course, individual model logos were a hit, especially animal logos like Bryan Kitsune‘s Celica dragon, Ian G.‘s MRS eagle, and f31roger‘s Nisaan Leopard leopard. Even the humble Corolla “C” with its flowered headdress is worth remembering, as nlpnt said. Dave selected the Mazda Cosmo Sport prototype’s ballsy choice of an atomic symbol for its logo.
In the end, it was Nihonnotekko‘s description of the same car’s production badge that filled us with inspiration. Also, bonus points for using “Reuleaux triangle”.
I always liked the Mazda Cosmo Sport hood badge. Style, simplicity and symbolism at its best. A gleaming Reuleaux triangle marking the first commercial entry of their rotary engine, with the much-loved little-m logo inscribed in chrome on a deep blue field. Perhaps a wink towards the sky’s the limit, or perhaps sailing upon new waters for a halo car featuring their best engineering at the time and a feeling of hopeful optimism for the future.
Omedetou, your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop!
1953 Ferrari 250 Europa by Pininfarina, with as many custom items as it would take to get it up to $10,000.
Sometimes being older has it’s benefits.
Gee, I don’t even like cars from 1958. But I guess if I had to have one, I would choose Rookie AJ Foyt’s first Indy Car roadster to have in my collection. Not just because it may be worth something, but the simplicity and coolness of the Offy roadsters would be something easy to work on. And imagine the fun of pulling apart an engine WITHOUT a head or head gasket and putting it all back together, lovingly and with a few friends and beers to look at the “technology” from back in the day.
As an aside, I fully agree with the previous winner, the Mazda rotary badge with the so freaking cool “m” in the middle is an icon design badge. Good choice Ben!
I thought this would be an easy one.
At first I thought for certain a Toyota Corolla GT-S for $9733 but then I started to really do the research.. If I needed something with a bit more room a Subaru GL Turbo 4dr Sedan at $10993 might be possible? At $8178 who would turn down a brand new Honda CRX SI? Wagons are practical and a 1985 Toyota Tercel SR5 AWD Wagon at $8973 or a Honda Civic AWD 4 door wagon is practically a steal. The 1985 VW GTI is only $9310 -a great price for a future classic.
In the end I think I’ll settle with the 1985 Corolla GT-S.
On a rusty ’79 SA22C, to replace the all original and near-pristine one I sold for $2,500 in 2019…
A moment later, they all jumped in value by like 400%.
I failed reading comprehension.
I could have bought said RX-7 and had about $3k left for Marvel Mystery Oil.
I could have bought a 1958 Gullwing Mercedes for that.
When I was young, my family and I didn’t really know much about Japanese cars. The mindset had always been big, heavy American steel that’ll last a long time. Well, after a Chevette, a Plymouth Reliant, a Ford Taurus, and a Plymouth Grand Voyager, I think we had a few lessons learned.
However, I do remember always staring at the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, black with the gold decals on the hood, and the “6.6 litre” writing on that bulge. Those rear tires were huge, and Smokey the Bandit was going all over the place with it.
At the same time I wouldn’t mind buying a VW Vanagon, I’ve always thought those were so cool. Simple to maintain, so slow that you probably replacing hazard lights all from using them on any incline, and a sloppy 4-speed manual. If not that, then a BMW 2002tii, I think those MIGHT be under $10k.
Then, since I was born at the beginning of 1979, there MIGHT be a few leftover Datsun Zs that I can buy from at the dealer lot. I don’t are for the 280Z, only prefer the earlier ones.
$10K in 1999? Toyota AE86……Maybe….if luck was on my side. A battered AE86-gen SR5 would be what I’d end up with, as the JDM spec model would already be slowly being eaten up by the Initial D fanboys and their subsequent crashes.
1979 – I’d have to go with a car I still have soo much regret to this day parting out (couldn’t get the paperwork): Datsun by Nissan 280zx 2+2.
If the car is decent shape, like no rust or heavily damaged parts, then I would definitely like to paint it white.
Refresh the engine and transmission.
I would definitely love to get an Erebuni or Kaminari.. some that has that period correct feel.
Definitely that cool rear center garnish that says 280zx.
Suspension upgrades.
I’ll be honest, I’m not positive how to figure out how much different cars sold for used in 1982. Or is it supposed to be a brand new model from the year?
If there’s a chance I could’ve gotten a Toyota 2000GT for $10k or less, that’s my answer. I know they were ~$7k new in 1967. I don’t know what they went for by ’82.
If it needs to be a brand new offering, I’ll go with a 1982 Celica GT-T. I don’t actually know what it retailed for or the 1982 yen to usd exchange rate so maybe it wouldn’t qualify either! I know the lower end Celicas were maybe around $8k, but being a turbo model I’m sure bumped the price a bit. But hopefully close enough for this theoretical exercise.
Then I could browse the 1982 Kyusha Shoes mail-order catalog for some rad new wheels and a plan to wrap them in Yokohama Advan HF Type D.
The year is 1997.
I’m not sure I understand the question right, so I’ll have to answer both ways. One way I understand the question is that I’m supposed to buy a new car with the ten thousand dollars. The other was I understand it is I have ten grand to spend on modifications for the car. Or a third way that’s come to mind is that I buy and modify a car with the ten grand…
I’ll go with the first two versions.
I looked up quite a few car companies to get bearings on what new car I might be able to get with ten grand, but sadly, if it’s a strict ten grand limit, I’m limited to either a Geo Metro LSI two door hatch at $9,180, or a Hyundai Accent L at $8,599. If there’s a bit of wiggle room for price, then my options open up to another 11 cars. The one of choice would either be the Honda Civic CX at $10,550, or the Chevrolet Cavalier Base at $10,980.
If it’s a matter of just dumping ten grand onto any car from my birth year, then the choice goes to either the Pontiac Firebird, or the Ford Mustang.
I will use this reply slot to show the list of contenders I had found.
Geo Metro LSI 2 door at $9,180 (I had free range on the Metro, the prices ranged from $8,580 – $9,850)
(FWD, manual, 70 hp 1.3L 4-cyl, 74 ft lb torque)
Hyundai Accent (either the L at $8,599 or the GT 1.5 at $10,199)
(L-FWD, manual, 92 hp 1.5L 4-cyl, 97 ft lb torque. GT-FWD, manual, 105 hp 1.5L 4-cyl, 101 ft lb torque)
Honda Civic CX at $10,550 (FWD, manual, 106 hp, 103 ft lb torque)
Toyota Tercel Limited Edition [for some reason was the cheapest trim listed] at $10,648
(FWD, Manual, Torque 100 ft-lbs Power 93 hp Engine 1.5L inline 4-cylinder)
Chevrolet Cavalier Base Coupe at $10,980
(FWD, manual, 120 hp 2.2 4-cyl, 130 ft lb Torque)
Dodge/Plymouth Neon at $10,800
(FWD, Manual, 132 hp 2.0L 4-cyl, 129 ft lb torque)
Ford Escort Sedan at $11,015
(FWD, Manual, 110 hp 2.0L 4-cyl, 125 ft lb torque)
Mazda Protege DX at $12,150
(FWD, Manual, 92 HP 1.5L 4-cyl, 96 ft LB torque)
Toyota Corolla CE at $12,998
(FWD, manual, 100 hp 1.6L 4-cyl, 105 ft lb torque)
Nissan 200SX Base at $12,999
( FWD, 115 HP 1.6L 4-cyl, 108 ft lb torque)
Mazda B2300 regular cab at $10,470
(RWD, Manual, 112 HP 2.3L 4-cyl., 135 ft lb torque)
Ford Ranger XL Cab SWB at $11,070
(RWD, Manual, 112 HP 2.3L 4-cyl., 135 ft lb torque)
Chevrolet S-10 at $11,703
(RWD, manual, 118 hp 2.2L 4-cyl, 130 ft lb torque)
This is a hard decision as 1964 had some amazing cars. But for $10,000 I think I would opt for two cars. First I would find a Chevrolet dealer that had a 1963 Corvette fuel injected with ZO6 package that was still sitting on the lot in 1964 and make that purchase along with a 1964 convertible Corvette. I might of been able to squeeze both in at the $10,000 limit.
I’ll be honest, I’m not positive how to figure out how much different cars sold for used in 1982. Or is it supposed to be a brand new model from the year?
If there’s a chance I could’ve gotten a Toyota 2000GT for $10k or less, that’s my answer. I know they were ~$7k new in 1967. I don’t know what they went for by ’82.
If it needs to be a brand new offering, I’ll go with a 1982 Celica GT-T. I don’t actually know what it retailed for or the 1982 yen to usd exchange rate so maybe it wouldn’t qualify either! I know the lower end Celicas were maybe around $8k, but being a turbo model I’m sure bumped the price a bit. But hopefully close enough for this theoretical exercise.
Then I could browse the 1982 Kyusha Shoes mail-order catalog for some rad new wheels and a plan to wrap them in Yokohama Advan HF Type D.
Once again my answer seems to be blocked by the spambots.
I thought this was going to be a limited choice, as after doing a little research I found that the most popular car in North America in 1977 was a Chevrolet Caprice Classic. Seriously? In my mind, there’s only one clear choice.
SAAB – 99 Turbo, if I was fortunate enough to find one of the limited run cars they made in 1977. I’ll assume that I wouldn’t be, so let’s keep looking.
Honda – Big Honda fan but the Civic and Accord in my mind are decidedly ‘meh’ compared to the rest of the Japanese automakers.
Mazda – The Savanna/RX-3 looks interesting…
Nissan – 280Z… ok, now we’re talking. Not very practical, but god is it good-looking.
Toyota – Celica… ooooh, we have a contender for the 280Z…
But what’s this? One of my all-time favorites is available, the FJ40 for $6,078. Comes with the 2F inline 6 engine, and the cost leaves close to $4,000 for accessories and off-road goodies? SOLD!
With the way collectible car prices are going, mind games like these are the closest I’m ever going to get to owning one.