Craigslist Crapshoot

The World’s Worst Car Is For Sale On Craigslist
Welcome to Craigslist Crapshoot, our weekly search for the most bizarre, awesome, and/or terrible vehicles that the online classifieds has to offer. 
The siren song of the turbocharged (or occasionally, supercharged) V8 was strong last week. I was expecting a series of diesel trucks and old Pontiac Trans Ams, but the variety of vehicles for sale that you all found was truly surprising. We’ll get to the most surprising in a sec, but first, you need to get down with this week’s quest.
Seeing as Turbo V8s proved to be easier to find than I expected, this week I want to give you a challenge that’s, well, a little more challenging. That’s why this week we want – are you ready for this – supercharged 4-cylinder-powered cars and trucks. Ooh, can you just feel the pressure building?
As always, we want your finds to go down in infamy and not in the site’s spam filter. Since we’ve recently changed commenting systems, you may need to update your commenter account. Make sure you have a Disqus account – they’re free and easy to get – and then comment away.

Got that? Good, now lets which V8 really blows.


As I noted above, the variety of turbo V8 cars and trucks for sale was really astounding. I’d like to call out special attention to Krautwursten for finding an amazingly interesting armored Toyota Land Cruiser Series 70, powered by a turbo diesel. That ad has unfortunately been pulled so we can’t revel in its details. I’d next like to acknowledge Muthalovin for actually finding a Turbo Trans Am – and an Indy Pace Car to boot.
Our winner last week however was GTXcellent, for finding this 1972 Chevelle SS powered by what is claimed to be a 700-whp car powered by a Dart-block twin turbo (double your pleasure) SBC. Sure it’s $32,000, or $16K without all the fun bits, but man is that audacious and properly pimped.
Congrats GTXcellent, and thank you all for playing!
1972 Chevelle SS twin turbo

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50 responses to “Craigslist Crapshoot”

  1. dukeisduke Avatar
    dukeisduke

    Low, low, low hanging fruit (and I’ve owned three of them):
    1995 Previa S/C, $2000.
    http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/4934301589.html

  2. dukeisduke Avatar
    dukeisduke

    So why won’t CL pictures display here? I had to download a picture from CL, then upload it to Disqus.

    1. Kiefmo Avatar
      Kiefmo

      Quick hint — instead of downloading, paste the URL of the photo into the “File:” field when you go to upload a photo. This works on Win7 and 8 AFAIK. If you’re using one of them fruity computers, I ain’t got nothing for you, and if you’re using a penguin computer… um, re-roll your kernel.

  3. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    I’m guessing we’ll see lots of Cobalt SS and MB ‘Kompressor’ C230s – so I won’t bother there. However, I did find this Civic.
    http://images.craigslist.org/00b0b_iAuuEV4WqM7_600x450.jpg
    http://images.craigslist.org/00K0K_cALo4uFFG0x_600x450.jpg
    http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/cto/4927059192.html

  4. Kiefmo Avatar
    Kiefmo

    I was all ready to post some low-hanging fruit — a C-class Kompressor or Cobalt SS, then I found this possibly-supercharged (why would you claim this and NOT photo the engine — that’s craigslisting 101) 2003 Focus ZX3.
    http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/4933125389.html

    1. Guest Avatar
      Guest

      Actually, I believe Craigslisting 101 is: Act like you’re paying by the word, even though you’re not, post as few pictures of possible, and spell Camaro as Camero. Or at least that’s what it seams like.

      1. Kiefmo Avatar
        Kiefmo

        My bad — I meant Good Craigslisting 101.

      2. dead_elvis Avatar
        dead_elvis

        Seams about right.

      3. Guest Avatar
        Guest

        Oh, that’s weird… You can upvote your own posts, or at least I somehow managed to do it.

        1. Guest Avatar
          Guest

          And vote down, and up again. Weird…

        2. dead_elvis Avatar
          dead_elvis

          The good thing about that is that the rest of us can see when you’ve voted yourself up, unlike the anonymous self-thumbs-upping in the late, semi-lamented Intense Debate commenting.
          Not that I’d know anything about that.
          It was an accident, I swear!

      4. CSM Avatar
        CSM

        Don’t forget “Don’t respond to emails, texts,or calls”

  5. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
    PotbellyJoe★★★★★

    http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DP4AAOSwPhdVCIf4/s-l1600.jpg
    http://r.ebay.com/nIwmat
    1989 Toyota MR2 Supercharged
    5 speed, leather interior, clean title, stock, no rust or accidents, NO RESERVE!
    Go nuts people.

  6. discontinuuity Avatar
    discontinuuity

    1995 Mazda Millenia with no title for $800. Hmm…maybe I should swap that motor into my Miata?
    http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4945860973.html
    http://images.craigslist.org/00Z0Z_9s9vEhSvu1s_600x450.jpg

    1. PotbellyJoe★★★★★ Avatar
      PotbellyJoe★★★★★

      That was a V6 with the miller-cycle supercharger system.

    2. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      Maybe you should swap that motor into the Ford Falcon parked next to it…

      1. discontinuuity Avatar
        discontinuuity

        That would be something: a FWD Mazda-powered Falcon.

  7. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Supercharged MINI, REAL WARRANTY INCLUDED

    (you know, as opposed to all the fake warranty around)

    http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/edmonton/2005-mini-cooper-s-convertable/1057804805?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

    1. Guest Avatar
      Guest

      What the hell? I cancelled the first picture, BEFORE posting after I realized that was a turbo…

      1. Kiefmo Avatar
        Kiefmo

        Hey, no worries. A Spirit R/T is a welcome sight!
        Anyway, it’s still a supercharger — just one driven by exhaust gasses. A turbosupercharger.

        1. Guest Avatar
          Guest

          I guess! Here’s the link if anybody wants it.

          http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/dodge/spirit/1683082.html

          And are Spirit R/Ts really worth 10k? Especially considering that SHOs go for around a third of that?

    1. Guest Avatar
      Guest

      Not quite factory. Wikipedia says it’s dealer installed:

      “A GM Eaton M45 Supercharger kit was also offered for the Z24 trim as well. The supercharger kit was developed and tested by General Motors and could only be installed at a GM dealer. This upgrade increased performance considerably due to a pressure of 4.7 PSI which in turn added approximately 40 hp (30 kW) and 40 lb·ft (54 N·m) of torque increase; raising the Z24’s ratings to approximately 190 hp (142 kW) and 195 lb·ft (264 N·m) of torque.”

    1. Krautwursten Avatar
      Krautwursten

      This thing deserves an upvote solely on the basis of having half doors. I love those.

  8. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Volvo 240 GLT Turbo Intercooler. As close to a collectable as you can get with the 240 series, therefore with an ask of almost 8000€ in the Netherlands:
    http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/volvo-240-volvo-240-2-3-glt-turbo-intercooler-automaat-cir-helmond/199248973.html
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/ftgAAOSwfcVUFJ7r/$_1.JPG
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/hRQAAOSwfcVUFJ8p/$_1.JPG

    1. dead_elvis Avatar
      dead_elvis

      But not supercharged, as per today’s Crapshoot.
      So much want, I don’t even care that it’s not a 245 Turbo.

      1. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        You are right on both counts. I mixed turbo and supercharger. Damnit.

        1. dead_elvis Avatar
          dead_elvis

          Yes, but pix of snail-laden Bricks are a net plus, regardless.

  9. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    A 1998 Volvo V40 2.0T with a very pleasantly working low pressure turbo, blowing out a neat 160hp. The car is fully equipped and well taken care of. 999€ sounds like a steal, and don’t you worry about the mileage.
    http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/volvo-v40-2-0t-tüv-08-15-vollausstattung-pfaffenhofen/206994866.html
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/0ncAAOSwv0tVCaBy/$_1.JPG
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/M4oAAOSw34FVCaEN/$_1.JPG

    1. Tomsk Avatar
      Tomsk

      What the hell? I tried deleting this post because the photo wasn’t showing up but now it does; however, the post author now shows up as “Guest!”
      Go home, Hoonibbles, you’re drunk.

      1. Vairship Avatar
        Vairship

        Deleting a post in Disqus doesn’t actually delete the post, it merely makes it anonymous.

  10. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    I’m also lusting for a competition within the competition…found two cars that can be had for tax return money. So tempting!
    A not so smart choice would be a 1978 SAAB 99 GL with less than 100000km on the odometer. Clean and in good driver condition:
    http://www.finn.no/finn/car/used/object?finnkode=56811128
    http://finncdn.no/mmo/2015/3/vertical-3/15/8/568/111/28_460286198_xl.jpg
    An outright dumb choice would be this locally available 1973 Austin Maxi, with fresh tech inspection lasting well into 2016. Only needs its carb cleaned. Only that. Seriously. Drive and smile.
    http://www.finn.no/finn/car/used/object?finnkode=56397186
    http://finncdn.no/mmo/2015/3/vertical-3/02/6/563/971/86_1216731273_xl.jpg

    1. dead_elvis Avatar
      dead_elvis

      That 99 brings back many sweet memories of newly licensed hooning, all over southern Vermont & New Hampshire.

  11. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    And here’s another green machine, this time with a Detroit 4-53 ‘screaming jimmy’.
    http://fargo.craigslist.org/grd/4943894354.html
    http://images.craigslist.org/00a0a_hDsfdx4HKEg_600x450.jpg

    1. GTXcellent Avatar
      GTXcellent

      That Oliver is pretty rare. ’63 was the first year MFWD was available, and I think the take rate was pretty low. I have no need for a 100hp tractor, but dang if I don’t really, really like this.

    2. CSM Avatar
      CSM

      My ears hurt just imagining it….

  12. Craig Dotson Avatar
  13. Craig Dotson Avatar
    Craig Dotson

    2005 Lotus Elise
    http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/4923152508.html
    How such a small car is too big for the camera I will never know