Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
Options
I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today! (Archived)
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
ab348--this is for you. 68 Cutlass S that my grandmother special ordered. 350 2bbl, a/c ps, pb, rear defrost, am radio, tinted glass, oyster white interior. Last picture is me in 1990, as the new owner was getting ready to drive it away. 45000 miles.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
I always thought that that era and model Mazda reminded me of the '78 two-door Chevy Malibu.
Mine was a '79 coupe with the "Iron Duke" 4-cyl, a 4-speed manual, vinyl seats and no A/C. Pretty basic. Tan with tan interior.
I remember we paid something like $3850 for it in 1982 - it had less than 12,000 miles on the odometer.
I had the car almost a year before I left for college. In that time, my cousin and I installed an aftermarket sunroof, a killer AM/FM/Cassette stereo and a couple of speakers mounted on brackets on the rear panel (no room to cut holes for traditional 6x9's). Also mounted both fog lights and driving lights under the front bumper. I really thought I was sylin'!
In February of 1983 I moved from Southern California to Phoenix to attend college. No cruise control, but of course the speed limit was 55 back then.
As winter turned to spring, the lack of A/C and vinyl seats were becoming a bit of a problem for my personal comfort. Checked into installed A/C - I think the quote was around $1000. The other option was a nice set of real sheepskin seat covers. $350. Mom and Dad popped for the seat covers, and the rest of my comfort was covered by the 2/55 method - 2 windows down, 55 MPH.
Sadly, I was involved in an accident not too long after arriving in Phoenix. While the body work was repaired well, I think there were some mechanical issues that never got addressed, and caused the car to run poorly ever after. In addition, it suffered from a hot start problem. Randomly, I'd get no spark or starter turnover when I turned the key. Wait a few minutes, then it would crank up. No idea what the root cause was.
Repaired the heater core, then I started having transmission problems. I suspect it had to do with broken engine mounts from the accident, and the engine twisted enough to screw up the linkage to the tranny. Had a hard time finding reverse from time to time.
Only a few months from graduating in 1985, I was taking it to a shop to be looked at one last time when I was involved in a second accident. This one did enough damage to have the insurance company write it off. Got a check for $2000.
I liked the car, despite the unreliability. Took me on a number of road trips - often to Yuma, where I had family, and one trip back to CA between semesters.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
It was as a fun car in its own way. I loved how it would go over speed bumps with its French soft suspension.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
@sda : Awesome! I love that parchment interior - actually I thought of converting mine to that color but it is a ton of work to do. Beats the heck out of black, as mine is. I'm not sure but the paint color might be the same as mine was originally. They had 3 different but similar shades that year - mine was Ocean Turquoise originally. Had those same hubcaps too. It looks to be in fine condition in 1990. I bought mine in 1993 with 28000 miles, but while the interior was excellent, the body had suffered some from the Nova Scotia climate.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
That Grand Am is pretty cool...you don't see the 4-door sedan very often.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Even when we had the Grand Am in the early 80s, not many 4 doors were around. It really drove well for a car of the era. A tight and comfortable ride, quiet and roomy. The bucket seats, console, and real wood veneer on the dash gave it a bit of sport and luxury. Even with the standard 400 2bbl and single exhaust it was eager to move out. Gas mileage was awful, around 9-12 mpg. It did like to over heat from time to time. The mechanics changed the radiator, fan, water pump, etc. with little improvement. Dad instructed my sisters to keep an eye on the gauges and turn off the a/c when the temp gauge approached hot. I guess it was the nature of the beast yet gave many years of good service.
fintail--it was certainly coincidental that the Cutlass, Sunbird and 626 were of similar color.
kyfdz--no the stache went away in 93! Unfortunately I've gained some pounds and gray hair in the meantime, thou I still have a full head of hair! I will be 57 a week from tomorrow.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I've only shaved it off twice, since I was a teenager. The last time was about 7 years ago, and my wife and son both said to let it grow back (lol).
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Caught this one at the local Safeway parking lot on Saturday. Didn't look too bad from a distance, but up close, the paint is a bit faded (and filthy, but the color hides it well). Some body damage around the front wheel opening, and it looked like someone tried to fix it with bondo.
Spotted this one on the way into work this morning. Despite being a Diesel, it had no trouble keeping up with the stop and go traffic. Much better than the Escalade EXT in my rearview mirror...which actually ran a stop sign to get in front of me, and then proceeded to go extra slow, delayed too long every time the stop-and-go traffic moved forward (probably on the cell phone), and seemed to do everything possible to add to the congestion. Anyway, this Benz was also bit rough, some rust along the lower door edges. And also pretty dirty, although the combination of that color, plus being wet, made it more photogenic.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I see the pic was taken from a nowadays kind of obscure car, too.
Yeah, that badge did say S450, which didn't ring any bells for me, but I figured that was just part of the gag. I mean, one might be able to pull off a 450, but everyone would see right through a 550.
(Spoken from the only member on Edmunds who likes Panthers)
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
and no, tjc78, you're not the only member here who likes Panthers! Every once in awhile, I've thought about getting one. And, I still haven't replaced my Park Ave yet, although I'm starting to lean more towards a V-6 Charger when that time comes. Nothing's set in stone, though.
Looks like it was designed in prison.
Today I'm going to see a pretty obscure car---a 1969 Citroen DS21. I'll take a few pix.
I remember Cushman from the parking ticket cop scooters years back.