By Robert Emslie
Welcome to Craigslist Crapshoot, our weekly search for the most bizarre, awesome, and/or terrible vehicles that the online classifieds has to offer.
In a quote frequently misattributed to Mark Twain golf is described as a good walk spoiled. Last week we looked at golf carts that wouldn’t even let you walk. A surprising result ensued, which we’ll get to in a minute, but first let’s look for what might have been.
We now have a new quest, and this time it’s personal. What we want to find are ads for cars and/or trucks that you think should have been more successful. Do you lament the loss of Pontiac Fiero? How about Toyota’s MR2 Spyder? It’s time to wear your heart on your sleeve and let us know what great cars weren’t initially seen as such, and what they go for now.
As always, we want your finds to go down in infamy and not in the site’s spam filter. Since we’ve 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.
I don’t golf, but I do like golf carts and the funny electric motor whine they make. I also like all the unique customizations and form factors they engender. You all found some amazing examples for sale – and thanks nanoop for offering up, not a golf cart, but a Golf car.
The winner however – in more ways than one – was mdharrell who found, and then took an unexpected action on this very cool follow-along robotic golf cart.
The ROVER not only has a crazy ’70s font for its logo, but also a belt-clip remote that it will follow like an obedient dog. At least that’s the intent. We’ll have to see if it works in practice because he actually bought it. Way to go!
Thanks to you all for your great finds, and mdharrell, we look forward to your update on how the ROVER works.
Jeff Glucker
Specifically the S/R version, but the ZX2 was cheap, decently reliable and pretty fun to toss around. I owned one, and I now keep my eye out for a potential LeMons candidate ZX2.
And you didn’t post an ad because every local CL in the country has a dozen, so why bother?
Exactly. No car needed. If you want to find one, throwing a rock should be sufficient. Odds are the change in your pocket is enough to buy it.
If we’re going to harp on the rules, here is one:
http://images.craigslist.org/00D0D_4d30ku3QQXF_600x450.jpg
1999 Ford Escort ZX2 coupe 5 Speed 95k 30 mpg – $1000 (south jersey)
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5067460441.html
1999 Ford Escort Zx2 coupe with a low 95k miles with a 5 speed manual transmission, AC, ABS, and a DOHC 4 cylinder engine. Runs and drives, good clutch and gearbox, fun car to drive. Clean body, good brakes and tires, paint has some minor fading on it. Will need a new oxygen sensor. $1000.00 firm. 856-677-7three7eight Call or text only.
$1000 and needs an O2 sensor, but from my experience you can run this thing hard for another 120,000 miles (mine made 207k before it was in a fender bender)
I used to really want one of these, and I concur that they’d be a fantastic Lemons-mobile.
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5061097772.html
Here’s one with the NJ State Police roll bar apparently.
I’d buy that for a track day car. No need for a trailer, just load onto a tow dolly. This is perfect!!
I wish I hadn’t had to pay for a furnace this year. Although maybe it’s better that I did.
I could go on forever (and have in the past) about how the original Ridgeline (a new one is expected soon-ish) is an underappreciated gem, but no one is ever convinced, so I’m not wasting my time.
My folks own one. They use it for everything. It never misses a beat. I’ve personally towed and hauled with it, and it does both quite well. The end.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/5031646285.html
It fails as a penis-extender since it doesn’t have a body-on-frame.
Never mind that all pickup trucks will become unit-body within one or two generations, the vans already did…
Now, on a less bitter note.
This is less a one-vehicle thing than a category-of-vehicles thing — the personal luxury muscle coupe with a choose-your-own-gear transmission.
Until today, I’d never heard of a Mercury Monarch. But today I not only learned they exist, but that they were available with a 302/4speed combo. Because this one is a 1977, that V8 is probably quite strangled, but it wouldn’t take much to wake it from its drowsy state.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/5042880971.html
It is interesting that the seller describes the transmission as “4 speed w/overdrive” when clearly it’s a three-speed with overdrive, or, if one prefers, simply a four-speed. My guess is that by today’s standards it’s difficult to grasp the idea of a manual transmission with so few gears.
Even though it’s technically improper terminology, it does have four speeds, and the top gear is an overdrive, so…
And the R is a gear, too!
I had the Granada version. Peppy enough for its time. The body was rusted through in 1984 when I bought it.
My family had a ’76 Granada Ghia for a while. My mom hated it. I liked it because it had reclining seats and an 8-track player.
“I liked it because it had reclining seats and an 8-track player.”
Why do I get the feeling you’re insinuating something?
My first car was nearly a Granada coupe, yellow with yellow vinyl roof and white interior. Vetoed by my father. I think the word “girly” was mentioned. He also vetoed my first choice – a 73 Mustang with a 460 truck engine.
New rule for Craigslist Crapshoot. Dr. Harrell automatically wins with whatever he posts, but he has to buy it.
As was the case with the Rover, I’ll have to impose a strict $200 limit on myself.
As was not the case with the Rover, I’ll also have to start hiding the purchases from my wife.
http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/238/3/8/hide_yo_wife_hide_yo_kids_by_sasusaku1997-d47xh4j.jpg
It’s probably easier to just hide your wife.
No, she already puts up with everything shown in the garage above and more. When I reach her limit I’ll know I’ve gone way too far.
Excellent application of “way”. =8^) Say hello to her from the car web, she does an outstanding job tolerating your hobby!
“…and then took an unexpected action on this very cool follow-along robotic golf cart.”
I, along with most of my friends and relatives, must take issue with the word “unexpected” in this context.
My pre-teen self could never figure out why nobody bought the SVX. I don’t know why this guy is flipping it off in the ad.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDIyWDgwMA==/z/XgUAAOSwrklVND2O/$_27.JPG
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/saskatoon/1997-subaru-svx-2700-obo/1065841324?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
I’ve never understood why people think there’s some sort of fraud that can be committed just by knowing a plate number and car type.
If that were the case, wouldn’t we all be subject to this fraud just by driving around?
Unless you’re Steve Jobs
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/18n2uowu2ihofjpg.jpg
Although instead of fraud, you have bigger issues now.
Being dead.
Pretty big issue.
Also, the earlier XTs. But I guess people were wary of cars equipped with “headlight hydro licks.” Rightfully so, I appears…
http://images.craigslist.org/00D0D_58ZFAF8ndfp_600x450.jpg
1987 subaru XT turbo coup project car – $2499 (Vancouver Wa)
Saab 9-3 Viggen
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/5045548869.html
http://images.craigslist.org/00303_3mS50b7l68q_600x450.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/00u0u_1olclot3TXE_600x450.jpg
The Triumph TR8 deserved better. This one certainly deserves better than an “Edel Brock” manifold and carb that interfere with latching the hood, but at least the original setup is included. $5000.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/5009709724.html
If I disagreed with you, I would be a hypocrite:
http://disqus.com/home/discussion/thehooniverse/hooniverse_asks_what_automotive_unicorn_would_your_most_like_to_own/#comment-2056647225
HOLY CRAP!! Why, oh why did I let you bait me into trolling Craigslist today? It’s an Italjet 350 Casual in the States…a FRICKIN’ CASUAL!
BRAND NEW 1985 ITALJET 350cc MOTORCYCLE- $2951 (LOS ALAMITOS SEAL BEACH)
http://images.craigslist.org/00Z0Z_159hAG6YmTO_600x450.jpg
So it’s now your turn to go to extraordinary lengths to win (ahem, “win”) Craigslist Crapshoot?
Gotta luv that that mechanical drum front brake…reminds me of my old CL360. It actually worked quite well….and didn’t ever leak!
I want it ! By Thor’s beard I curse you, Tanshanomi, for showing me this lovely unobtainable Casual that can never be mine…never be mine.
Another GM gets it right and then kills it. The diesel Suburban. These died just before the diesel pickup boom.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5052424491.html
http://images.craigslist.org/01515_69SU21CKIMw_600x450.jpg
It even has a front bench…
The Manic GT. Small Canadian sports car, made from Renault parts.
Can’t find any, because of low production numbers, and our climate. So here’s one on BAT, three years ago.
http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/plugins/PostviaEmail/images/1970_Manic_GT_Renault_Gordini_Coupe_For_Sale_Canada_resize.jpg
Actually made me chuckle. “Canadian sports car” sounds like “plaid flanell jumper suit” and “Renault parts”….not going into that. But it looks very neat indeed and I think it showed up on the Hooniverse before.
Nah, this was made in Quebec, so it’s more like “soggy carton of poutine” and the Renault parts are actually what killed it, since importation wasn’t as reliable as hoped.
It was Churchill…..
Not particularly crappy, in line with today’s topic, but the MB R 63 AMG is a wunderkind of sorts. I’ll assume to have at least Kiefmo with me saying that an ultrapowerful van of assumed good quality sounds like a neat proposition.
http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=210364032&isSearchRequest=true&scopeId=C&makeModelVariant1.makeId=17200&makeModelVariant1.modelId=184&pageNumber=1
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/5055945486.html
Syclone – Typhoon
http://images.craigslist.org/00T0T_gdTsPrxhbkK_600x450.jpg
Syclone has 94k runs good and in good shape. Could use a paint job to be perfect. Typhoon has 107k runs and drives good. Will ONLY sell the syclone separate. $15.000 FIRM!! For the pair. call or text thanks.
“Will ONLY sell the syclone separate.”
…wouldn’t that make the Typhoon separate as well?
Separate, but not sold. He probably has a kid or two and would keep the ‘phoon. A 4-place SUV is more practical with a family than a two-seater, though a pickup makes a better parts-chaser.
Possibly.
Although, contrary to face value, the Syclone would actually be more useless as a parts-chaser.
It only had a 500lbs load capacity, while the later, slightly upgraded Typhoon could carry 900lbs.
You’re arguing that to the wrong guy. Maybe you don’t know I had a Syclone for more than 10 years then swapped it for a Typhoon? I used the Syclone (at different times) to haul a fridge, a riding mower, a couple of sheets of plywood and other lumber, bikes, muddy/greasy/smelly stuff, assorted pipe, oddball fabricated items, an engine hoist, cabinets, desks, a sofa, etc. Those items either won’t fit in the Typhoon, would mess up the inside of it, or would have required extra trips to fit everything. Typically, I would run out of volume before running out of payload capacity. On the other hand, throwing the car seat into the back of the truck every time there is an adult passenger gets old really fast.
A quarter ton (give or take a slight overload) could take care of 98.5% of what I wouldn’t otherwise pay to have delivered. 1% I’ll use my trailer and tow it with the Yukon, and for the remaining 0.5% I’ll rent a truck.
Uh oh, that’s local to me – does that mean I have to buy them?
Yes, but we will allow you full points if you buy only the Syclone. It only takes one purchase to win the Crapshoot.
http://previews.123rf.com/images/sbonk/sbonk0812/sbonk081200005/3994156-A-basketball-game-of-chance-on-a-boardwalk-Stock-Photo-arcade.jpg