5k: Wedding Cake: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E W201; 26k miles

The Mercedes-Benz W201 chassis was the first compact luxury car from Mercedes and was positioned to compete with BMW 3-series and Audi 4000.  The W201 was marketed as the 190E in the USA and received a sophisticated 5-link rear suspension and lots of other high end goodies.  The 190 sold well in its 10 years of production and by the time the last one rolled off the assembly line in 1993 Mercedes had sold 1.8 million worldwide.  Find this 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E with low miles (26k!) for sale in Paterson, NJ for $7,999 buy-it-now via ebay.

5k: Not the EZ Way: 1978 Datsun 280Z 2+2 Turbo Diesel?

We love a good engine swap as much as the next guy and nothing piques our interest as much as an engine swap that at first glance appears to be a downgrade...but...what about shoving a diesel into a Datsun Z car...is that going too far?  Find this 1978 Datsun 280Z 2+2 Turbo Diesel for sale in Estacada, OR currently bidding on ebay for $2,200 with a 2 days to go.

15k: Slippery When Wet: 1983 Ferrari 308 GTSi Twin-Turbo; Sandy Flood Salvage

How do you flood a fuel injected car?  Easy - park it outside during the storm of the century.  In 2012, a category three Hurricane (Sandy) turned most of the east coast into a giant swimming pool causing an estimated $71 billion in damages and claimed thousands of cars in the process...but it's just water right?  Find this flooded and recovered 1983 Ferrari 308 GTSi with twin-turbo engine for sale in Olivehurst, CA currently bidding on ebay for $16,000 reserve-not-met with 3 days to go. (thanks to reader Kevin who pointed out this is not a GT4, but a GTS and the seller calls it a GTSi)

2k Flash: Strangely Tempting: 1985 Volkswagen Rabbit Cabriolet

The Volkswagen Rabbit Cabriolet has a bit of a reputation for being a 'chick' car, but truthfully it shares the same delightfully energetic rack-and-pinion steering system and available manual transmissions as the decidedly manly GTI...so is it just the convertible top that makes it lame?  What gives?  What if you took the Cabrio, lowered it, and put on some black alloy wheels with raised white letter tires..would it be cool then?  Find this 1985 Volkswagen Rabbit/Golf Cabriolet for sale in Indianapolis, IN for $2,500 via craigslist.

5k: LeSabreTooth Tiger: 1988 Buick LeSabre T-Type

The LeSabre was an entry level sedan from Buick in the '80s but the name dates back to the time of legendary GM car designer Harley Earl.  But in the decade of excess the LeSabre had become a front-wheel-drive H-body punchline and it was only in the rare T-Type version that some fun could be had.  Find this 1988 Buick LeSabre T-Type for sale in Uniontown, PA for $3995 via craigslist and bidding for $2,036 with 5 days to go on ebay.

5k: Shakotan Galant: 1975 Dodge Colt

The first generation Dodge Colt was a rebadged version of the Japanese Mitsubishi Galant and also sold under the sweet Plymouth Cricket moniker in Canada.  Colt or Cricket, the basic front-engine rear-drive Japanese economy car lends itself well to Shakotan (シャコタン) style, which is typified by extreme lowering, wide deep dish wheels and flared fenders.  Find this 1975 Dodge Colt for $2500, offered in Spokane, WA via craigslist.
Tip from Oldsmobuick.

15k: Berlusconi's Birthday Bash: 1973 Alfa Romeo GTV 2000

We admitted our weakness for the classic GTV in our rambling love post about Giugiaro's masterpiece and, of course, the tips started flowing in with more deliciously tempting Italian steel.  We can't remember seeing this much Italian sex for a bit over $10k since Silvio Berlusconi's last birthday bash, and a run over the white lines in this baby could also land you in prison...but that is another story.  Find this 1973 Alfa Romeo GTV for sale in Bozeman, MT. Big thanks to tip from Oldsmobuick.

15k: A Marlin Classic: 1965 Rambler Marlin

The Marlin was a "personal luxury" 2-door designed during the George Romney era at AMC and first released under the Rambler Marlin name and later rebadged as the AMC Marlin.  Named after one of the faster fish in the sea, the Marlin sports a dorsal-fin shaped fastback and what looks like a 327 cubic inch AMC V8. Find this 1965 Rambler Marlin for sale in Pacific Grove, CA for $15,000 via craigslist.

Tip from KBZ 10-Troy.

10k: Fast Forward Ctrl: 1966 Ford Econoline Falcon Travel Wagon; Original Paint

The first generation Ford Econoline Van was badged as the Falcon Travel Wagon from Ford when equipped as pop-up-tent equipped mini-motor home.  It was the V8 sized Ford similar to the Chevy's flat-6 Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon and the VW flat-4 Type 2 Transporter.  Today's example comes in one of our favorite configurations for a classic driver, restored/updated mechanicals with factory paint.  Find this 1966 Ford Econoline Falcon Travel Wagon for sale in Charlotte, NC for $9999 via craigslist. (update - we originally called this a Econoline Falcon Club Wagon, but it looks to be the rare Travel Wagon version, complete with pop-up camper action!)

10k: No Photo: 1973 Lotus Europa John Player Special

The Lotus Europa is still one of our favorite classic sports cars for non-millionaires and the John Player Special edition is certainly a cool package.  The last JPS special we featured kept failing to meet reserve around $15k, but today's example could be similar in condition for much less.   Find this 1973 Lotus Europa JPS for sale in Oakland, CA for $9,000 via craigslist.  The seller doesn't include any photos and the photo on the left isn't the car being offered for sale, but it should look similar.  Tip from KBZ.

15k: Cap't America's Gremlin: 1974 AMC Gremlin BFG Promotional Pace Car

The Gremlin was a Volkswagen Beetle sized compact from AMC and oddly enough, both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush owned/drove Grelmins in their youth.  The Gremlin wasn't known for its exceptional build quality and thin gauge rust-prone sheet metal meant the movie Gremlin wasn't the only version that you shouldn't get damp or feed after midnight.  Find this 1974 AMC Gremlin for sale in Thurman, OH currently bidding on ebay for $14,995 with a few hours to go.

1.5k Flash: Accelerating Depreciation: 1979 Audi 5000

 The Audi 5000 is starting to become a classic in its own right - no longer vilified as a self-accelerating, rusting and unreliable menace.  Find this 1979 Audi 5000 Sedan is for in Denver, CO for $1500 via craigslist.  This one is equipped with a manual transmission, non-turbo 2.1 liter inline-5 engine putting out 103 horsepower and front-wheel-drive.  Inside and out looks in decent condition and despite the fact that it is a 34 year old Audi...it looks like a great deal.

5k: Left For A Hoe: 1972 Chevy El Camino

We at the Daily Turismo are strong believers in the Joker's axiom to "never rub another man's rhubarb" --in this case we are referring to his most prized possession, a classic car under restoration.  However, we are equally so opportunists and cheapskates to the bone, so we have a hard time passing up a good deal..but what if that deal comes with a potential to get a crescent wrench used to give you a basal skull fracture.  Find this 1972 (it might even be a 68/69) Chevrolet El Camino for sale in Santa Clara, CA for $6,000 from the angry ex-wife via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

5k: Cheapimog: 1965 Unimog 404 Flatbed Truck

The Unimog is a multi-purpose medium duty truck built by Mercedes-Benz, the name is short for "UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät", Gerät meaning machine in German. Unimogs have become quite collectible in the past few years and are sought after for their extreme rugged off-road and hauling capabilities. This 1965 Unimog Flatbed is offered for sale in Crossville, TN with a starting bid of $6,500 with less than a day to go.  This looks like a great opportunity for someone to snipe a running Unimog for its scrap value from a metal recycler. Why not strap an old camping trailer to the bed for an expedition vehicle on the cheap?
 

10k: My Little Pony: 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe

The first generation Ford Mustang is still one of our favorite daily driveable classics.  Fastbacks are expensive and sought by collectors but the lowly coupes are perfectly good and a great value in today's classic car market.  Find one equipped with a high output V8 engine, disc brakes and power steering, for the ultimate classic daily turismo.  Find this 1966 Ford Mustang V8 coupe for sale in Fort Lauderdale, FL currently bidding on ebay for $8,100 with less than a day to go.