BMW never offered a wagon edition of the E34 M5 - or its 3.8 engine for that matter - in the USA. That hasn't stopped enterprising individuals from rectifying that situation, and today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe ’93 is just such a result.

Let’s play word association, okay? I say Geo and you say. . . . Whoa! You kiss your mama with that mouth? Okay, so there’s not a lot of love for GM’s old if-you-can’t-beat-‘em, join-‘em brand, but at least there was some like expressed toward yesterday’s custom 1996 Geo Metro Cute Ute. That wasn’t enough however to overcome its price, which at a Benjamin-shy of seven grand earned it an overwhelming 86% Crack Pipe loss.

Okay, we’re done fooling around here, it’s Friday, there’s a long weekend coming up and I’m not wearing any pants.

There are certain elements which a car may possess that resonate with us all- manual transmissions, powerful engines, fancy-pants names, and longroof station wagons being prime among those. Any one of those can get an approving nod from the collective Jalopnitariate, but roll them all up in one massive spliff and it has the potential for a collective cargasm of biblical proportions.

Today’s 1993 E34 Touring is just such a blunt. The E34 M5 represents the last of the M5 models to be hand-assembled at the company’s Motorsport factory in Garching, just outside of Munich. The ‘89 - ‘95 M5s were offered in two distinct models, as well as a pair of bodystyles.

The early cars were offered with a 3.6-litre edition of the rock-em, sock-em robot S38 B36, and exclusively in the sedan body. In late 1991 however the M5 gained the S38 B38, which, befitting its name, offered an additional 200-ccs of displacement. At the same time BMW began to offer the M5 package on the E34 Touring (wagon) model.

Needless to say, America never saw either the 3.8 engine or the longroof bodystyle at any point in time during the E34 M5’s model run here. That’s where today’s grey market S38 B38-powered longroof comes in. Sporting 157,000 miles on the chassis, this 1993 Touring has been been spec’d out to be as close to the never sold here Euro edition as possible, while still being a good US citizen.

It also offers some of the add-ons that BMW owners seem to invariably add. . . you know, on. That means things such as Dinan suspension upgrades, Hella smiley lights, and a an aftermarket chip for engine management. The seller claims that bumps power up to the 350+ range, which should prove entertaining to say the least.

A manual gearbox - the ad doesn’t say whether 5- or 6-speed, although the pics indicate it's the former - backs up the big six, and the whole shebang is claimed to be cat-equipped and fully compliant with California’s strictest in the nation emissions requirements. Boo-yah!

Aesthetically, you couldn’t ask for much more to make this Bimmer look right. M5 badging proudly declares its intent front and rear, while new black paint over Shadowline trim, M undercar extensions, and a clean set of 7-series Parallels give it an almost factory appearance. Even the hood has been switched out to the later wider kidney edition which BMW used to differentiate the upscale E34s form their lesser engined brethren. It’s only missing the Motorsport embossed door handles for ultimate deception.

On the inside, you get a nice set of BMW sport seats in black leather, a tri-color stitched five spoke tiller and what the ad says is twelve hundred in new alcantara headliner surrounding the car’s massive roof d’ moon. Everything looks tidy and might even make you long for the days when BMW interiors weren’t saddled with more swoops and curves than a Kardashian family reunion.

Being one of only 800 or so built, and a car that BMW Never saw fit to import themselves there's got to be some significant value to the car outside of it being a smoking hot wagon. Speaking of which, the seller is asking $26,000 for this amazing beast. Let’s get on with the vote, after all some of us have a 3-day weekend to get started.

What’s your take on $26,000 for this M5 Touring that still seems really well done? Is that a great price for a grand Touring? Or, does that make this Bimmer and bummer?

You decide!

Orange County Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

H/T to everyone who submitted this, you know who you are.

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Ned Flanders drove a Metro, and when implored by his wife Maude to go faster so as to escape a clingy Homer Simpson, he screamed I can’t, it’s a Gee-ohhh! Today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe custom pickup may be similarly lethargic and Geo-riffic, but will you find its price to be completely cartoonish?

You know the old movie meme where there’s this mousey girl who, underneath the unflattering glasses, unkempt hair, and Kmart Dowager’s-Choice fashions, is really a hot and saucy minx- you know the fugly duckling story? Well 66% of you thought yesterday’s 1988 Camry All-Trac, while possessing duck-like weather-capabilities also came with a swan-esque price. And that was all despite its salvage title, which is irreversibly ugly.

If we’re doing one of these things is not like the other this week, then yesterday's somnambulantly stock Camry sedan would stick out like a sore thumb amidst all the custom pickups, of which today’s 1996 Geo Metro is the latest.

The Metros, as well as their Suzuki Swift cousins, and Chevy Sprint predecessors, are like the Cicadas. Instead however of emerging once every 17 years for a mad round of creepy bug sex and death, they seemingly arrive in droves in the nation’s classifieds whenever gas prices rapidly climb by more than 20%.

That’s owed to the fact that the Geo Metro’s reputation for frugality rivals that of Scrooge McDuck. And when gas prices ebb, so do the Geo ads, although there are outliers. Our candidate today is just such a car - and it doesn’t get much more outlier-ier than a custom Metro Ute.

Claimed to be the winner of three - count ‘em, three - car shows, this painfully twee little utility looks like something Oompa Loompas use to cart bratty children to their doom at the Wonka factory. Actually, the conversion appears so professionally done that the car looks freakishly like a three-quarter scale version of Chevy’s Brazilian Montana Ute.

According to the ad, the car’s exterior sports a fresh coat of arrest-me red, and the pictures show a set of wheels resplendent in Pep Boys bling. Speaking of pictures, this is about the smallest car you could possibly find outside of aMonopoly board, and yet the seller couldn't even manage to get the entire thing in a single shot.

On the inside, there’s custom upholstery and no need to apologize to riders about the lack of rear seat legroom. The customization in there seems to be limited to a stylized Z on each door panel, and the work of someone pining for the eventual creation of Pinterest.

Mechanically this ‘96 Metro is stock, and that means the 67-bhp Suzuki G13BA four cylinder and 5-speed stick driving the front wheels. That combo is not going to engender much excitement unless hybrid-like fuel economy gets your party started. These things can easily break 40-mpg owing to their tiny dancer of an engine and sub-ton weight.

Unless the conversion to pickup was undertaken with former nuclear power plant shielding and Brando-brand Bondo, this trucklet should be similarly light and efficient.

The question of course is whether or not its price is equally demonstrative of frugality. The seller is asking $6,900 for this custom little truck, and you need to now vote on whether you think that’s a fair shake. What do you say, does that price suit this Ute? Or, is that too much to ask for so small a truck?

You decide!

Columbia Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

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It goes without saying that in general Toyota’s Camry is the automotive equivalent of warm milk laced with Ambien. Contrastingly, today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe All-Trac is ugly enough to keep you up at night, but is its price worth losing sleep over?

Trying to sell a heavily customized car or truck is akin to attempting to get someone else to wear your broken-in tighty-whities. While they may fit you like a bun-hugging glove, others might take exception to something molded to your personal taste quite so closely. That’s the only reason I can come up with for why yesterday’s amazing custom 1973 Chevy El Camino - colorfully dubbed El Cedes - dropped in a 70% Crack Pipe loss.

Instead of custom cars, maybe it’s time to take stock of something. . . well, stock. And what better candidate than what is arguably one of the most interesting models of what is inarguably one of the world's least interesting cars?

Today, for your consideration we have a 1988 Toyota Camry sedan. Man, I never expected to write those words, in that order. I’m feeling like I might nod off just re-reading them. But wait, this isn’t just your garden variety Camry! No, this is the variety of Camry that could potentially dig donuts in said garden, and lay down some secure if not thrill-inducing handling during inclement weather.

That’s because this burgundy four-door is that rarest of rare models, the All-Trac. The best known of Toyota All-Trac models is probably the Celica All-Trac turbo. To put things in context, that rally-bred coupe was the more athletic model, likely having lettered in high school and still able to run with the big dogs today.

By comparison, the Camry All-Trac was the more sensible sibling. That’s the one that appreciated the security of all-wheel-drive when heading to chess club on rainy days. Today it enjoys reruns of Law and Order- you know the good one, with Lenny, not that skanky SVU one with the characters who mumble and can’t be bothered to stand up straight. Deplorable.

The ad says that this Camry All-Trac has a remarkable 270,000 miles under its belt. Don’t fret though because just two years ago its engine was replaced. The ad also notes that the car has been reasonably maintained over its life, and that it currently runs well with everything - cruise, power window winders, etc - working as you would expect.

That’s not surprising as this is an ‘80s Toyota which have gained the rep for having the half life of Caesium-135. Unfortunately time and use have apparently not been kind to the car’s appearance, as the seller uncharitably describes it as ugly.

Overall it doesn’t look too bad in the pictures. Oh sure there’s a busted tail lamp, and the dashboard looks like the scene of a WWF Smackdown, but it’s all serviceable. The Ruby Tuesday velour interior is somewhat soiled, and it has those nasty mouse belts, but neither of those are probably deal killers.

There is something about this car however (I mean, other than it just being a Camry) that might just sour your opinion of it.

Just like there are two things that will ensure you don’t get a second date, there are two factors about pretty much any car that will guarantee a Crack Pipe vote. When it comes to dating, the statements “Mom says there’s nothing wrong with a grown man breastfeeding” and “I like cats” are locked-in assurances of your forever alone-ness. I mean, except for mom and the fluffster.

Similarly, possessing an autotragic gearbox is typically seen as a deal killer for NPOCP. This Camry rocks a five-speed stick, so it’s okay on that front. It is however, tainted with that second almost universal indicator of uncleanliness, a salvage title.

I know, and it was all going so well.

What the hey, it’s only $1,300 right? Plus the ad says that the seller has recently dropped the price like the bass. Well, now is the time for you to put no-money where your mouth is, and vote on whether you think this Ugly Camry is worth $1,300 in pretty, pretty cash. What do you think, is this All-Trac worth all that dough-rey-me? Or, is this all-wheel-drive Camry just not all that?

You decide!

Portland OR Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

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We all love manual transmissions right? Well, how much would your ardor wane when faced with a crapped-out clutch? See what the replacement entails over at Hooniverse.

Called “El Cedes”, by its seller, today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe custom El Camino carries so much audacity that you may wonder if it has room for anything else. Of course it’s up to you to determine if its price is also weighing it down.

When given the choice at a fine dining establishment, I always like to start with the super salad. I mean with a name like that it has to be good, right? A statistically relevant 69% of you felt the price of yesterday’s Supra-powered Hilux was pretty super too, giving it a Nice Price win. We’re going to stick with the pickups today, only the modifications on our current candidate aren't only under the skin.

By its fourth generation, Chevy’s A-body El Camino proved itself an exemplar of the American dream, having grown fat, lethargic, and grotesque in its proportions. If it had managed to poop out a child, it would have named her Elke Boo-Boo.

This 1973 El Camino - El Cedes - seeks to rehabilitate that model’s reputation by eliminating much that was wrong and replacing it with a melange of slat and strake and Mercedes SEC front clip. The end result of the effort is a car most likely to engender the singular response- well Mabel, there’s something you don’t see every day.

The foundation for El Cedes is the body-on-frame 4th-gen El Camino, which as we all know rode on the Chevelle station wagon frame, and was offered with engines ranging from the milquetoast 250-CID inline six all the way up to the 245-bhp 454. Transmission options were less diverse, offering up only a choice of 3- or 4-speed stick, or the tried and true Turbo Hydra-Matic, in 3-cog form.

This beast rocks the 454, but it’s been heavily breathed upon and probably pumps out more ponies than when stock. That’s backed up by the automatic, which is topped by a B&M shifter that looks like something out of an S&M club - yes mistress.

The body is an amazing mix of ’82 SEC nose, long-straked doors leading into widened fenders, and topped by an extended bed cowl. The only really jarring element is the box spoiler in back.

The rest of the car- the slatted tail lamps, Boyd Coddington wheels, and fly yellow paint - all combined looks pretty awesome. That is, unless you’re some sort of El Camino purist or something.

One popular description of the mullet hair style is that it’s all business up front and a call-the-cops party out back. With its serious Mercedes nose fronting the hot mess of the remaining mods, this custom El Camino likewise epitomizes that classification.

Wild as it is, you might be surprised to learn that this car resides not in that bastion of paint huffing decision-making, Florida, but in San Antonio Texas. They say everything is bigger in the Lone Star State, and now it’s up to you to determine if that includes El Cedes’ price.

The seller is asking for $12,000 for his custom ‘Camino, and claims to have documentation putting the car’s appraised value at twenty nine grand. Of course, those papers and $4.75 will buy you a Starbucks grande latte, and little more.

What you now need to vote on is whether it’s worth that twelve large. What do you think, is El Cedes worth that much dinero? Or, is this an El Camino that’s not worth that much truck?

You decide!

San Antonio Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

H/T to Darrell and his other brother, Darrell for the hookup!

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Just so there’s no confusion, today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe Hilux is a pickup that’s white over black, while a Hydrox is a cream-filled cookie that’s black over white. See the difference?

Speaking of different, this Toyota pickup is - like Forrest Gump - the dictionary definition of the word. Unlike that cinematic human four leaf clover however, in the case of this truck perhaps that's not so pejoratively applied. The ad claims that this truck started out as a ’79, but only its body hails from the year feted in a classic Smashing Pumpkins song, the rest is. . . well, different.

Underneath the white and five-day’s worth of stubble rough standard cab sits the ladder frame from an ’82, which is still makes it an N30 and opens the door to questions regarding the necessity for the new foundation. That will have to wait however, because we’re not done with the list of non-original parts and upgrades this truck enjoys.

This gen of Hilux 4x4 had live axles at both ends, and those here have also seen attention. In front the pumpkin gets a TrueTrac diffy, while out back the supporting player role is filled by a 4.88-geared Detroit Locker. Tires are massive 33-inchers, with the kind of knobby tread pattern that makes highway driving a noxious aural experience.

The body is lifted a modest 2-inches in order to fit the big meats, and that might mean standing on your tippy-toes to take a gander at what currently resides under-hood. In there, and backed up by an Asin R150 5-speed, lies a DOHC 7M-GE out of a Supra.

The 2,954-cc straight six was good for about 200-ponies back in its day, and that, along with its spec’d 190 or thereabouts lb-ft of torque, makes for a pretty substantial upgrade over the 90-horse/122 lb-ft 20R that originally powered the truck.

Other pluses are the power steering conversion, Bilstein shocks and seats that the seller “thinks” are out of a Mitsubishi Eclipse. With so much else that’s gone into making this Frankentruck forgetting the source of the thrones seems excusable.

On the downside, the truck is offered as-is, and of course should you live somewhere where they give a shit about what color the air happens to be then good luck getting this beast to pass smog.

But, let’s say you live in one of those states were they either consider clean air standards as an affront to freedoms, or are blessed with an active offshore breeze that makes air pollution somebody else’s problem. In either of those situations they probably don’t require smog tests for title transfer and this truck would be solid gold.

Of course that’s if its price doesn’t require dipping too far into the buyer’s reserves of gold. The seller is asking $4,000, and if you consider all the different parts and brands it represents that may seem like a bargain. When you consider it as a sum of those parts, it may however come up somewhat lacking. And that’s what you now need to determine.

What’s your take on this Supra-powered pickup? Is $4,000 a fair price for such a melange machine? Or, is this a Hilux with too hi a price?

You decide!

Denver Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

H/T to DrivingForFunandprofit for the hookup!

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Two years before VW rocked U.S. hot hatchlings with their GTI, sister brand Audi was applying the moniker to their three-box fox. Today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe GTI is totally foxy, but does it come with a price that will make you think it’s a dog?

In Greek mythology the Sirens were beautiful songstresses who would lure travelers to their watery graves. When the Romans usurped the Greeks’ position as the big dogs of the ancient world, they incorporated a lot of Greek culture and lore into their own, including that of the siren song, which in Italy eventually became Alfa Romeo.

Perhaps not so lovely to look at, but still portending possible doom, yesterday’s 1988 Alfa Milano proved to be beautiful music to the ears of 67% of you- or at least its price had you tapping your toes and humming along.

Today we’re going to have you humming a different tune as we’re going BACK to Germany for a Fox hunt.

Daimler Benz purchased controlling share of Auto Union in 1959 with the intent of positioning the marque as an entry-level brand to complement Mercedes. The cost of upgrading the former DKW 2-stroke model range to more refined 4-stokes was costly however, and in 1964 Daimler sold the rights to the name, as well as their Ingolstadt factory to Volkswagen, who was eager to tap into the company’s experience with water-cooled engines, and front wheel drive.

In 1969 VW merged Auto Union with another company they had swallowed whole, NSU, creating the German equivalent of Buick with Audi NSU Auto-Union AG. The first of Audi-branded products, the 100, still evidenced its past Daimler influence, however the next model, and the subject of today’s consideration, was far more NSU than Auto Union.

The progenitor of the Audi 80 was the VW nee NSU K70 model, which along with the larger Audi 100 established the longitudinal engine overhanging the driven front wheels in the way Gerard Depardieu’s schnoz shades his wine hole.

The U.S. never got the K70, Volkswagen instead sending us the ass-engined 411 and 412 models. those were supplanted here by the fastback bodied Dasher, which at the time was the biggest car VW sold in America. Contrastingly, the Dasher’s three box near twin the Audi Fox was the smaller of the four ring marque’s American offerings.

The Fox is notable on several fronts - it’s claimed to have been the first production automobile designed on a computer (Don’t know about that), and it’s also the first VW/Audi model marketed in the U.S. as a GTI.

This 1979 Fox GTI is claimed to have been sleeping for the past seven years. That seclusion was probably the result of the shame the car felt at its asstastically doucheriffic aftermarket interior additions. Fortunately the seller notes that the car comes with the right steering wheel and the shifter and pedal covers are easily banished to the trash.

The three-spoke sport wheel was one of the GTI’s differentiating features, along with more aggressively bolstered sport seats, side stripes, and plastic wheel covers that offered the appearance of alloys over disc brakes.

Mechanically the GTI wasn’t all that different from the regular Fox, sharing the same 1,588-cc 79-horse four and four speed stick. This one is a little more foxy, as it’s claimed to have a 1.8, 100-horse version of the EA827 from an ‘83 VW GTI, and five cogs in the transaxle.

The ad notes that the car does start, But can’t keep its home fires lit so it will require some Sherlocking of the usual suspects - fuel, spark, compression, and timing. Other than that it looks to be in pretty good shape, apparently not being a tinworm condo as is usually the case with these cars, although a beachhead has been established on the front fender.

It’s remarkable just how well the design of the Fox has aged, its angular lines and airy greenhouse having stood the test of time. It’s also remarkable just how light and roomy these cars are, with a factory spec’d weight only a hair over a ton, the cars were reasonably spritely even with only 79 ponies.

You’d kind of have to be a real VAG-hag to get super excited about a Fox GTI project car like this, but it’s still pretty cool to find one in this good of shape. The question of course is how much is an old Audi like this really worth? The seller of this car has already dropped his asking from $2,500 to its current $1,800 price, and while it’s getting some traction on sites like the VWVortex and VWDasher.com, it’s still not selling.

What do you think, is this 1979 Fox GTI right-priced at that $1,800? Or, for that much, should this Audi simply say adieu?

You decide!

Medford Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

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While they say the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe Alfa Milano Verde could live in your own back yard. That is of course, if the seller isn't asking for too much of your green.

So far this week it’s been all Germany all the time, something I bet that European nation would be just fine with- don’t mention zee voar! Well, today we’re going to give another former Axis member a shot, but first we need to find some closure on yesterday’s balls-deep custom 1992 RENNTech Mercedes 500E. That car may have been a beast, but fully 63% of you thought its price was monstrous as well. Despite that, the car apparently sold.

Okay, we’re done here, everyone back on the bus. Say goodbye to Germany, next stop, Italy!

The look of Alfa Romeo’s products has always been about pure sex, as evidenced by the prominent role played by a Duetto in the salaciously themed film, The Graduate. The Milano however never quite lived up to that corporate rep, its styling making it sort of the period panties of the Italian marque’s lineup.

While the Milano’s looks may have had it sitting at home on prom night, that really would have been a shame because, both mechanically and dynamically, the car can prove to be a pretty good dancer. This specific 1988 edition in fact might be the most eager to bust a move seeing as it’s a Verde, which means it has the 3.0 edition of Alfa’s sweet-sounding V6 under its hood.

Claimed rust free, and sporting 100,000 miles (or 10 guibos in Alfa speak), this black Verde is going to a new home either in one piece, or in several. The seller notes that despite a plethora of new bits on the V6, it’s still not running right, a symptom he attributes to a timing belt misalignment.

Other issues on the car are tired tires, broken brakes, a reticent driver’s window, and the Alfa Romeo Control (ARC) display on the dash. Italian car electrical issues? You’re kidding right, hahahahahahahahahahah! I mean come on, it’s an Alfa that needs some work, you know, like they all do.

The car is currently on non-op tags and comes with a clean title, should you choose to buy the whole ball of wax. One Honda owner on the AlfaBB is hoping that the seller will acquiesce to selling the car off bit by bit as he’s interested in getting what are possibly the car’s coolest pieces, its Recaro sport seats. This has led to the thread’s most meme-worthy post in which the vulturous Honda owner is rebuffed with go away accord guy.

It’s those seats, which are in surprisingly good shape, along with the 185-horse 3.0 that makes this Verde special. Of course the De Dion rear suspension, 5-speed transaxle and massive U-shaped e-brake handle also play in its favor. This edition also received a little wing extension taffy-pulled into the rear of the black body stripe, and that does help to make the car a little better looking, IMHO.

The Verdes often go to pieces, and not just from Alfa’s typical poor build quality. In fact they are sought after by GTV owners for their sweet 3.0 six. That engine’s melodious exhaust note is reason enough to overlook a profusion of other foibles, and for some reason I’d be kind of sad to see this Milano go to the crusher after having its heart ripped out.

It doesn’t have to be that way however. Someone with a little gumption and $2,200 could save this Alfa from both the crusher and that Recaro jonsing Accord Guy. It’s up to you to determine whether that’s a decent price. What do you think, for $2,200 should this Milano Verde live? Or, for that much should it meet an ignominious and violated end?

You decide!

AlfaBB, or go here if the thread disappears.

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Once called der wolf in der kleidung eines schafes, the Mercedes 500E was as subtle in its appearance as it was brutal in its performance. Today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe custom 500E is like a wolf on amyl poppers, but will its price pull the wool over your eyes?

When reviewing yesterday’s Ford 5.0-powered ’95 E36, which was claimed 75% complete, did you see it as a glass three-quarters full or one a quarter empty? Perhaps that’s immaterial as 67% of you thought the car’s price was full of it.

Speaking of full, when Mercedes Benz wanted to stuff their 5.0 into the W124 sedan’s engine bay, they had to enlist Porsche to get it to fit. It’s often the case when an auto manufacturer sees an aftermarketer’s ride get more press than their own that they’ll try to replicate that magic in-house.

Prior to Mercedes’ outright purchase of AMG, the German tuner created what is today credited with being the first Mercedes Hot Rod- colloquially known as the AMG Hammer. That W124-based car smacked down with a hand-built 5.6-litre V8, that, depending on tune, would put out between 350 and 400 horses. That made it, according to contemporary tests, faster than a Ferrari Testarossa.

Oh yeah, and the Hammer also rocked that center console sad trombone, a four-speed automatic.

Mercedes, knowing a good thing when they see it, decided to get in on the act with the in-house creation of the 500E, a flare-fendered 5.0 uber sedan that took the mantle of executive Autobahnstormer from the Hammer, and ran with it.

These models were built in partnership with Porsche, the cars requiring a unique forward structure to carry the pony-rich eight, and required multiple trips between Sindelfingen and Zuffenhausen to complete. Out the door they rocked 322-horses and a 5,5-second zero to sixty cred.

Today’s 1992 500E however, is not your ordinary hot mess of a hot Benz. Claimed to have been the recipient of a $240K infusion of awesome, this car now rocks a RENNTech-engineered M119, which is supposedly good for a healthy 465-bhp and 500 ft-lbs of twist.

The seller also claims this car is the only 500E in the world to sport a six-speed stick.

Visually, the car is noteworthy for its purposeful restraint. Metallic sky blue paint tops darker azure bumpers and side cladding, set off against a set of polished alloy BBS wheels. There are additional air inlets up front and a duck’s ass spoiler out back which imply a commitment to speed, and the whole thing is hunkered down in an ominous stance, without looking, you know, stanced.

On the inside, well, it’s got some blue going on. Dark blue leather on the door inserts, steering wheel and center console over a field of grey may an acquired taste, but the same can’t be said for the highly bolstered sport seats up front, nor the four-point harnesses that wrap them. Like its exterior, this 500E’s custom insides looks pristine. Of course with only 35,147 miles on its uber clock, it hasn’t had much experience gettin’ dirty.

Even though today considered a classic, the 1500 or so American 500Es are presently all over the board when it comes to condition and pricing. Excluding salvage titles because they are like gypsy curses, you can find them anywhere from this rough and ready, and dirt cheap one, all the way up to today’s wild custom, which at $54,900 (the lower price is reflected on the dealer's site, but not the Autotrader ad) is about the most I’ve ever seen for a 500E.

It’s now the point in the show - if you can stop genuflecting to this car’s pictures - where you need to determine if that $54,900 price tag is an uber-good deal for this uber-cool car. What do you think, is that a good price for this 500E? Or, does that price for this Mercedes Hot Rod make your blood run cold?

You decide!

Autotrader or go here if the ad disappears.

H/T to Hardibro for the hookup on the cheap car.

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. . . this is what a Datsun FW471B 4-speed looks like.

The seller of today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe E36 says it’s a project that’s seventy-five percent done. You’ll need to determine if the car and its price are together a project worth that final twenty-five.

Playing dress up is fun, it lets you step out of character, and be someone you’re normally not. Plus, high heels! Pretty much everyone saw through yesterday’s 1977 Porsche 911’s ’93 RSA attire, but its 74% Nice Price win proved there was no disguising the attraction of a cheap Porsche.

If you really want to talk cheap, as in getting the most bang for your buck, then there’s little doubt that Ford’s 302-powered fox body Mustang is the way to go. You can pick up those up 24/7, seemingly for the change scrounged from between the sofa cushions.

But what if you wanted that cheap power, but still didn’t want anyone to know just how miserly you really are? Well, the macho Mustang’s attraction lies in its drivetrain, the rest of the car ranging from being (sorry Mustang lovers) mediocre to outright awful. That's especially the case with the really dog's-ass cheap ones. How could you mask that Dollar Store power delivery so the neighbors won’t start questioning your faux-lex watch and lady friend’s amazing cans? Enter the BMW E36 coupe.

Much like the Wolf was there to clean up maladroit situations involving brains and back seats, BMW’s ‘90s 3-series is ready to race in and cover for your threadbare ass. Hell, there’s even a Website that’ll tell you how to mate 3-series and 302.

Clicking a link takes up valuable time, and you’ve got ground to scratch and eggs to lay, am I right? In that light, how about this 1995 E36 Coupe that already has all the best Mustang bits installed, and that needs only 25% of the work done to be completed?

You might remember the E36 as the 3-series that usurped the beloved E30’s place in BMW’s lineup. While vilified by many for this heinous act, the E36 is - in almost every way - a better car than its predecessor. This one - in Hell Red - features painted rockers, M3 Throwing Stars, and a front bumper that looks like it might be off an E46. Both the exterior and interior seem to be in decent shape, that is if the Instagram’d ad photos are to be believed.

In fact, aesthetically, the car seems 100%. It’s the mechanicals that are claimed by the seller to meet only three-quarters of a tank full of doneness. Under this E36’s hood lies that paragon of power to the poor, Ford’s venerated thin-wall 302. This engine is said to have once called a 1994 Mustang its home, and when living there, the then 215-horse mill sported fuel injection. That makes its current induction through a Holley 660 a bit of a head scratcher.

In fact, the litany of engine “upgrades” reads like a JEGS catalog offering up all the usual suspects. Behind the small block sits the tried and true T5 gearbox, a transmission so common Marie Antoinette could have sparked the French Revolution by announcing let them shift Borg-Warner.

The engine supposedly starts and runs, but the car is not complete and the impression is that a buyer would need to show up with a flatbed to cart the car away. Still, the seller makes it sound like that final 25% is accomplishable, and the sale is not a sign of his giving up, but instead his having giving shtup. That’s right, he says that he has just found out that a human baby will soon be replacing the automotive baby, and hence both money and time will be in short supply.

Any engine swap worthy of its own Website possess some validity. Also, replacing even the hottest of BMW sixes with a romper stomper American V8, while crude and and uncouth is still the cheap man’s way to copious power while still maintaining a certain sense of style. This one is claimed to be 75% to that goal, and is asking $6,500 for the honor to make that final 25% come true.

What do you think about someone adopting this three-quarter M302 for $6,500? Is that a price that warms your potentially cheap-ass heart? Or, is that $6,500 one hundred percent too much?

You decide!

Pepsi Cola Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

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Porsche’s 901 served for so very long that it’s not a shock to find an earlier edition mimicking a later model’s duds. Today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe 1977 911 is just such a clone, but will its price have you saying play it again, Sam?

In his forward to Paul Frére’s encyclopedic The 911 Story, Dr. Ferry Porsche says “Back in 1948 when we built the first car bearing the Porsche name, none of us could imagine that it would have hundreds of successors.”

In fact, that first Porsche, the 356, and its inheritor the 911 have lived decades long lives over the course of which both have seen special models spun off like children. Children with junk in the trunk.

One of those models was the RS America, a special edition introduced in 1993 to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the RS model which was never available in America, hence the unimaginative but highly descriptive name. It was intended as a lower weight, no frills edition of the 911.

What did Porsche do in their attempt to heed Sir Colin Chapman’s advice and add lightness to the 911? Well, on the inside the armrests on the doors were given the heave-ho, and the sport seats were covered in fabric as standard. Additional efforts to keep the pounds off were taken by culling the 911’s extensive options list down to just 4 choices for the RSA - A limited slip diff, stereo cassette player, A/C and an electric sunroof.

All the RS Americas rode on the suspension package from the C2 911 Turbo, albeit with inch narrower (8 instead of 9) rear alloys. Those alloys by the way were Mille Miglia Cup I five-spokes.

Porsche built 701 RSAs in 1993, and today’s red whale tail assed car - while seeming at first glance to be - isn’t one of those. No, instead, this 1977 911 is an RSA clone. The ad states that in 1993 a drug inventor from Eli Lilly bought this ’77 car and then proceeded to spend $69,919.44 on bringing the car up to 964 RSA appearance.

I really want to know what the forty four cents bought.

Is this now an exact clone of a real RSA? Oh hell no. For the most part it does look the part, featuring the 964 bumpers and RSA whale tail (the RSA was the only 964 model to receive the fixed rear wing) as well as that model’s hockey stick sill extenders.

What it lacks are the RSA’s aero-shaped wing mirrors and the rear car’s wheels. This one rides on a set of blackout Fuchs which while very nice aren’t appropriate for the RSA, and in fact are an inch too wide in the back.

The interior is more ’77 911 than RSA, having both full door trim and leather wrapped seats. There’s probably a myriad of other differences that a Porsche aficionado could point out, so check out the video and see how good you are.

It at least sounds pretty mean, and overall the car appears to be in really nice shape. Still it’s not quite what it purports to wanting to be, while still being pretty far gone from what it was when it came out of Zuffenhausen. The question is, would its current status as a crazy mixed up kid make its $14,600 price tag seem a bargain?

What do you think, is this 1977 Porsche 911 modded to look (pretty much) like a ’93 RS America worth $14,600? Or, is this a clone you wouldn’t throw a bone?

You decide!

Orange County Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

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Gravity bleeding on an ABS system is done in the traditional manner, while bleeding the ABS pump typically requires a special tool that actuates the ABS wheel sensors while the raised car is run.

The tools cost a lot and unless you are planning on doing this task a lot it's probably more cost effective to have the fluid professionally replaced. There are different systems and I'm not that familiar with the Chrysler set up but I don't believe you will be able to flush the ABS pump body through a gravity bleed and refill without doing it with the actuator tool.

Regarding traditional gravity bleeding, you always start from the wheel farthest from the Master Cylinder and work your way back to the closest.

Last thing, is there some reason why you want to flush the fluid on a 4 year old car? Brake fluid wears out, especially if it goes through a lot of temp extremes, but under normal circumstances, it should still be okay.

Today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe 1992 Mercury X-wing was built for the Dumball rally. Whether or not you’re a Star Wars geek, you can still tell that the force is strong with this one, but is it also with its price?

The force was sadly not with yesterday’s Mopar 440-powered Maserati Quattroporte as it fell in a massive 76% Crack Pipe loss. I guess we’ll now never know just how fast that fat Italian cruiser could make the Kessel run.

In Star Wars, the Empire sought to rout out what they described as the Rebel Scum. In the Pacific Northwest they hold a scavenger hunt rally that serves for routing out some rebellious fun. The Dumball Rally is sort of like the 24 Heures du LeMons, only on city streets and with eating contests.

The last Dumball was held in April and covered over 100 miles between Vancouver and Longview in Washington State. This 1992 Mercury Marquis de Sade has participated in the past two Dumballs,

One of the features of the rally is clever participant themes. This Merc is outfitted to resemble an X-wing fighter from Star Wars and the resemblance is uncanny. Not only are the ski poles on the wing tips close approximations of the real thing but the builders have also put the car’s body damage to their advantage, turning a hole in the plastic nose cap into a blaster scar. It’s all very convincing.

Star Wars was intended as a homage to the serialized science fiction movies of George Lucas’ youth, and there’s nothing more old school than a big Ford Panther. This Marquis rocks a 5.0 and automatic combo and of course sports body on frame construction, just like the Millennium Falcon.

On the downside, also like Han Solo’s ride, it’s a little grungy and not everything works as it’s supposed to. The heater has been bypassed due to a leak, and the tail lights have been set to permanent stealth mode. It can get pretty cold in space so the heater may be an issue.

Other noteworthy issues on this 111,000 mile Merc, there have been holes drilled in the trunk lid to accommodate the wings, and one in the roof for R2D2. Also, the ricer wing and stereo do not come along on the mission.

Why on Earth - or any other planet for that matter - would you want to drive around in a Star Wars car? Two words: Tron Guy. Someone out there needs to out geek Tron Guy. Oh sure, there have been Star Wars cars before, including a Del Sol speeder, but this X-wing made out of a Marquis makes that Honda look like intergalactic crap.

Okay, not only is this former fun rally participant a geek-cool toy to have parked in your Death Star, but it’s also a Ford Panther, which are pretty sturdy rides as-is. The seller is asking $800 which while above LeMons level is close enough that selling R2 as a hat might get you in range and then you’re good to go.

What do you think, is this X-wing worth $800? Or, for that much, would you rather sleep in a Tauntaun?

You decide!

Portlandia Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

H/T to Civardi for the hookup!

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Today we're finishing up the drum brake job by putting on a new pair of shoes and then saying let it bleed. Head on over to Hooniverse for Drum Brakes part deux,

Today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe Maserati is all about the fours. Not only is it named Quattroporte - after its having that many doors - but it’s also shed its four-cam engine for one with fewer cams and, you guessed it, 440 cubic inches. Will you find however, that its price is worth forking over?

Let’s say you wanted to adopt a dog that, for whatever reason, had lost its tail. You wouldn't go to extreme measures to graft, say a spatula in its place, would you? That’s sort of what the builder of yesterday’s 13B-powered 1992 Porsche 968 did, and while I think we can all applaud the effort that went into it, pretty much everyone thought that adding Mazda to the mix was bad mojo. Not only that but 73% of you felt the same way about its price.

Long before Audi was naming their cars after the number of wheels the drivetrain could and would spin, Maserati was doing the same with the number of doors. In fact, the Quattroporte (four-door) name is the longest serving sobriquet in the Italian company’s repertoire.

Envisioned as a 4-door GT, the Quattroporte debuted in 1963 based off the Tipo 103 platform of the 5000 GT. Fast, luxurious, and exclusive, the original Quattroporte proved a worthy competitor to the likes of the Lagonda Rapide and Facel Vega Excellence.

By the time of the third generation - the less said about the Citroën-infused second the better - the Quattroporte had grown in proportion and in the process lost some of its lithe GT nature. Still, as evidenced by today’s candidate, it remains an imposing presence. It fact, I have a friend who used to own one and we dubbed it the Quattro-portly

The third-gen cars were built between 1979 and 1990 with little visual change defining the years. This one's seller doesn’t give its model year, although it carries the Quattroporte badge on the boot rather than “4Porte” so it’s likely a post-’82.

The engine in the Quattroporte is the company’s glorious DOHC V8, a mill that can trace its lineage back to the legendary 450S racer, and which also saw duty in the likes of the Ghibli, Bora, and Khamsin.

This car no longer rocks its original all-alloy 4.9 V8, but instead has a 440 Wedge wedged under its massive hood. The 440 was built from ’66 through ’78, and was the last of Chrysler’s big block RBs. Remarkably, while Maserati was able to coax 295 horses from the four-cam 4.9, in four barrel form like on this car, the 440 netted out at just a little over 300 ponies. A six pack would boost that to 330. Bolting in the massive Mopar mill probably wasn’t too much of a sweat as the Quattroporte already came with a TorqueFlite 727 three speed to begin with.

According to the ad, the 440 is low mileage, and while not explicitly stated, it appears that buying the car gets you the original Maser engine as well - you know, to make into a coffee table or something.

The other aspects of the car seem serviceable, the ItalDesign-penned body looking straight and the ornate alloys seemingly intact, although they are coated in douchie gold. The interior is described as being like new, and if you haven’t ever experienced one of the eighties Maser insides, it is something to behold.

Falling somewhere in between the stoic severity of German luxury and the tacky bordellos that the American companies were foisting on their top customers, the Quattroporte’s interior is a riot of buttery leather, burlwood trim, and tasteful accoutrements, all contrasting with seats so overstuffed you’d expect doe-eyed Steve to be singing Blue’s Clues in one of them.

An ‘80s Quattroporte may not be the most engaging car to drive, but it still possesses a presence and gravitas few other sedans can equal. The fact that this one sports a 440 is a nut scratcher as it probably won’t make much difference in the long term cost of maintaining the car - the quad coil-overs for the rear suspension can seriously set you back nearly four grand - but should it actually come with the Maser mill too, then perhaps having an engine understudy is a wise move.

With a car seemingly centered on the number four - 4 doors, 440, 4 shocks, etc - it’s somewhat disappointing not to have its price be likewise quartet-related. The seller is in fact is asking $15,000 for this magnificent beast, which is not even cleanly divisible by four. That’s enough to drive OCD types crazy.

Would it also be crazy to spend that much for this Mopar-powered Maserati? What do you think, is $15,000 too much for this Italian Four Door? Or, does that price make buying this Quattroporte a forgone conclusion?

You decide!

Denver Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

H/T to Bigblockbear for the hookup!

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Some claim that when it comes to stopping disc brakes are where it's at. Sure a set of multi-pot Brembos look extra tough, but the real reason for many is their fear of ever having to tackle the maintenance on those diabolical mechanisms known as drum brakes.

Of course, over at Hooniverse they're not afraid of anything - except maybe clowns and big spiders - so head on over and get the low down on how to beat a drum.

At $8,699, today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe Porsche 968 may be ironically priced, but that’s not the only irony bestowed on it, there’s also the matter of its mill.

There’s something about an old pickup truck that people just love. Maybe, like an old pair of blue jeans, they just get better with age, wearing the patina of proletarianism like a badge of honor. Lots of you felt that way about yesterday’s rare as los dientes de la gallina 1968 Mercury M100, and fully 65% of you felt that it had also been honorably priced.

While old pickups may benefit from a little dirt, dents, and chipped paint befitting their status as a working man’s (and woman’s) vehicle, you don’t usually want to see those signs of wear and tear when you are contemplating the purchase of a Porsche.

It’s a good thing then that today’s 1992 Porsche 968 presents itself in exemplary fashion. The cabriolet’s black paint seems rich enough that you could go elbow deep in it, and the top is without sag or tear, and has a clear backlight, albeit a plastic one.

On the inside it also seems to be in decent shape, although the seller’s Zoolander-esque photography skills - what are these, pictures for ants? - doesn’t allow for much detail inspection.

The thing of it is though, you probably wouldn’t be spending much time inspecting this Porsche’s seats and stick shifter as you’d most likely be unable to tear yourself away from its under-hood view.

There, with furrowed brow and fly catcher mouth, you’d take in, and attempt to process the motivation for the Mazda rotary that now resides there. Yeah, feel free to release your inner Moe Sizlack and go whaaaaaaa?!

The seller says that he bought the Porsche sans engine and transmission, and seeing as the car was otherwise in good shape, decided to plop in the 13B from his 1984 RX7 GSL. The Mazda, by the way, is now full of Ford 302.

From the Zuffenhausen factory, the 968 was powered by a honkin’ big 3-litre four- one of the biggest four cylinders in modern history in fact. Just to put it into perspective, each pot in the 968’s engine displaces 750-ccs, or about half a ball-bouncing Harley twin.

All that displacement made 236-bhp in NA form, which was able to move the 3,280-lb car to sixty from a standstill in under 7 seconds, and on to a 143-mph top speed. And now that big four is all gone, along with the Porsche’s rear-mounted transaxle. In their place, as documented in this build thread, is a 160-horse Wankel and five speed from the aforementioned RX7. Out back where all the cogs used to live there’s an LSD rear-end, another refuge from Mazda.

Bringing the Mazda bits to the Porsche party was no mean feat, and the seller says that it required a lot of custom fabrication to get everything to fit. He also notes that the lighter drivetrain makes up for some of the power lost, and that the car is a nice driver. YMMV.

Okay, this is certainly a weird combo, but then I’ve had garlic ice cream and that wasn’t half bad so let’s see if this humming 968 is a hum-dinger of a deal at $8,699. What do you think, is this a mashup that makes that price seem marvelous? Or, does that make this a refuge from the Island of Dr. Moreau-ver priced?

You decide!

Seattle Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

H/T to DBG for the hookup!

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Canada isn’t famous just for robot space arms and sparkly ginger ale, they also were once noted for building Mercury-badged pickups. One of those -today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe M100 - may look like a Ford, but will its price have you saying oh Canada?

Someone looking to pick up a natty U.S. edition Ur-Quattro could do far worse than to drop the asking on yesterday’s 1983 flare-fendered Audi. At least that was the opinion of the 65% of you who begrudgingly gave the car a Nice Price win. It seems like while you felt it was a fair price, you also maintained that the four ring’d four-by-four really shouldn't be worth that much, even if it is.

Ford opened their Windsor Canada plant in 1904, only a year after the company was founded on the other side of the Detroit River. Various opinions exist as to why Ford built and sold pickup trucks in Canada under the Mercury name. Some claim it was because not all Canadian communities had both a Ford and Mercury dealer from which to choose, but onerous sales and excise taxes in Canada more likely played a part.

Whatever the reason, the company introduced the Canada-only Mercury pickups in 1946, and produced the F-series doppelgängers until they were phased out in early 1968 after the 1965 Automotive Trade Agreement between the U.S. and Canada was signed.

Today’s 1968 Mercury M100 is virtually identical to a U.S. Ford F100, with minor exception. The grille, body, mechanicals and even the VIN and warranty plates are the same, and from 20 yards, you probably wouldn't even notice the MERCURY name proudly fronting the hood and stamped into the tail gate. For rabid fans of Ford trucks, these alone are worth their weight in gold.

The post ’65 M trucks also had unique Mercury badging on the steering wheel horn button as well as the hubcaps. This electric yellow styleside seems to have the stock tiller, but at least one wheel has been replaced with one of those white spoke jobs. There’s no picture of the passenger side so it’s impossible to tell if the dog dishes remain over there.

The truck’s condition seems rough but passable, possessing an authentic patina rather than that of a poseur. Inside the wide bench has been covered with one of those TV static patterned covers. The rest of the cabin accoutrements are appreciably proletarian, but it does possess three pedals and a very long stick.

What that 3-speed stick sits behind is a mystery as the ad doesn’t say. Whether it’s a six or an eight, it’s the same as any 1968 Ford F100, the days of north of the border Mercurys getting higher output mills long gone by then.

It’s now time for you to decide if this Mercury truck should be long gone for its $4,500 price. What do you think, is that a deal for this rare but thinly veneered F-series clone? Or, does that price make you not want to join this Canadian club?

You decide!

Seattle Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

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Audi’s Quattro takes its name from the fact that it is able to spin all four of its wheels. Today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe 1983 Quattro may be one of only 664 cars ever officially spun over to the U.S., but will its price make your head spin?

In German, Ur approximates to primitive, original or first. It often is used to mean the initial iteration of something - like Rambo, Ur Blood Part II or today’s 1983 Audi Quattro coupe, which was the first of the four-ring brand’s cars to rock AWD. And, if Wikipedia is to be believed, it’s also the first production car to mate a turbocharged engine with four wheel drive.

The Quattro was introduced in 1980, and it took three years for Audi to figure out that Americans like turbos and AWD too, finally deciding to send the rally-bred coupe our way. Turns out, while we like ‘em we don’t so much want to buy them, and in its four years on the market here, only 664 Ur-Quattros managed to move off dealer lots.

This happens to be one from that first year, and as such it should be powered by Audi’s 10-valve 2,144-cc five cylinder engine. Should and are being two very different things, this Gobi Beige Quattro is in fact rocking the later 2,226-cc DOHC 20V five, a mill never offered on a U.S. Edition.

Other noteworthy mechanical upgrades on the 97,000 mile car are Porsche brakes, a 4:11 rear diff, Hank Iroz intake, and RS2 exhaust and injectors. All in all, the car has seen some sensible updates that should enhance its unique personality rather than alter it.

Cosmetically, the Quattro looks to be in fine shape, but of course a cursory exam of the rockers and door edges is advised as this is an Audi, and they do rust. That’s unlikely here, and the extensive build pictures evidence no road rot at all. They do show a fresh coat of paint and appropriate Audi logos and decals however. The only questionable piece here is the Sport model hood which is overly slat-happy. In front of that, the Euro lights do improve the car’s looks over the former rectangular sealed beams.

Mods to the body have been limited to a bumper tuck on each end and the aforementioned hood and headlights, while the interior gets a few updates, including a steering wheel that's a kick in the Nardis. The seats and dash are also said to be new to the car, and the dash has a cool ABT pod on top for some extra gauges. These were originally designed to sit atop the dash - when fitted to the lessor 80 - for a taxi meter. Quattro owners lamenting the replacement of the center console triple gauge cluster with a diff lock indicator added the taxi pod to give room for the necessary dials. On this car it's both period correct and way cool looking.

A lot of effort has gone into this car, and while it’s far from original now, it feels like it has been modded with respect for the marque’s venerated history. The Ur Quattro is a rare sight here in the U.S. and opportunities to buy one come few and far between. The price for this one is $19,000, and the seller warns that he’s not interested in entertaining tire kickers so that’s probably pretty firm. But should it be?

What do you think about that price for this Quattro, is $19,000 for this updated car a deal? Or, is the thought that it’s over priced the Ur thing that comes to mind?

You decide!

Chicago Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.

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The advertising character Joe Isuzu gained fame for constantly lying about Isuzu’s cars’ capabilities. One thing’s for sure, no matter what Joe might have said about today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe custom Rodeo, it couldn’t possibly exceed the audacity of the truth.

Sometimes of course, as Jack Nicholson so concisely encapsulated in A Few Good Men, you can’t handle the truth. And it seemed that yesterday an overwhelming 93% of you couldn’t handle either the humongous price, or sketchy nature of our candidate 1991 BMW M3 Convertible. I guess we don’t need to ask about the one going for sixty grand then.

Dubbed ray gun truck #4, today’s 1998 Isuzu Rodeo custom panel truck is an audacious reminder that American ingenuity is not dead. You may tout the creation of Twitter, Doritos® Locos Tacos, or even Tesla’s battery technology as examples, but I say an SUV with wings is all the evidence one needs.

Who puts wings on cars? Well, these guys thought it’d be a good idea, you know, for Jeremy at least. Then there’s Batman. Are you going to argue aesthetics with Batman? Finally, (cue angels on high)there’s this be-winged beauty.

You know, it’s always reassuring when considering the purchase of a customized car or truck - something that you will entrust with your safety - to have the builder come right out and say in the ad “I ain’t the best engineer in the world.” That means that you already know that the hatch hits the magnificent fins when raised and you won’t scalp yourself the first time you open it.

While possibly not topping the pack in engineering, the builder of this truck is nothing but thorough. Torn CV boot? Replaces the works and repacks the half-shaft. Previous owner scrapes the truck against a pole? Replace the crumpled bits with freakin’ fins.

Those bat-ear like extensions not only serve as unique indicators of individuality but they’re also functional as well. The trailing edge of each has been fitted with LED lights which have been hooked up to the turn signals. They’re also half coated in stainless steel, which as you may or may not know, has a reputation for avoiding stains, which is also good.

The paint is Rustoleum Red and was applied with roller and brush and rattle can - just like the Masters. The angle of the dangle in the rear below the fins, along with the gold alloy wheels, gives the truck the appearance of a pristine Dakar rally participant. Of course, do Dakar entry ever sported wings like these.

Powering the 151K truck is Isuzu’s 3.2-litre quad-cam V6, which was good from the factory for a little over 200 horses.

That mill supposedly has an EGR issue which causes the CHK ENG light to illuminate on the dash. Some people may consider that a red flag, while others may find basking in its warm amber glow to be comforting. It depends on how you swing.

The rest of the mechanicals and structure - auto gearbox, stout ladder frame and well regarded locking AWD is said to work just fine, meaning you can take wing with confidence both on the road and off. The interior - or what’s left of it - seems to be in good shape as well, and the plywood in the back will probably make the insides smell like a mountain cabin - or possibly of formaldehyde - for years.

This Isuzu is obviously a double fist pump of awesome, not just because of its amazing fins, but for the whole package. It kind of makes you wonder, if the company had introduced such an edition of the Rodeo, would they still be doing business in the U.S. today?

Still, we’re here to bury Caeser, not to praise him. And since he doesn’t seem to be around, we’ll just have to weigh in on this custom Rodeo’s $4,200 Buy It Now price tag. What do you think, is this truck awesome enough to command that cash? Or, for that much, will the seller need both a wing and a prayer?

You decide!

eBay out of Washington State, or go here if the ad disappears.

H/T to Michael Walters for the hookup!

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Today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe M3 is claimed to be one of only 5 convertibles in the US. It also comes with a bit of a mystery so while you’ll get to weigh in on how much the seller is asking, you’ll also get to decide if its really a con he is masking.

Few were able to mask their revulsion for what had been done to yesterday’s skeletal 1993 Mazda MX5, as demonstrated by its 57% Crack Pipe loss even at less than two grand. I guess this disproves the old adage that less is in fact a buttload more.

You know what we can always stand more of is E30 M3s. Hell, we love ‘em. The first, and visually at least, most distinctive of the hot 3-series models, the initial M3 was also the only one to ever come with just four cylinders behind its twin kidneys.

That engine was the S14 edition of the M10, the foundation of which goes back all the way to the Neue Klasse 2002 of the late sixties. In the M3 it gained bigger pots and a DOHC top end derived from the M1’s six. That was good - depending on year and tune - for between 192 and 238 horsepower.

Those engines were dropped into a body that sported distinctive blistered fender flares, aero aides at the rockers and under each bumper, a prominent rear spoiler, and most notably, a backlight that was moved several inches rearward above a raised trunk lid.

This car lacks that last feature, as it’s tough to accomplish such bodywork on a convertible. That’s right, this is what is claimed to be one of five E30 Convertibles currently prowling the US.

Said in the ad to be a 1991 model - which was the last year of production for the hot rag top - it is also supposed to have had its U.S. adoption papers signed back in 2003. You see none of the 786 convertible cars hand built at BMW M's Garching facility were ever officially sold here.

Being a 1991 and originally sold in Yurrup, that means the S14 under hood left the factory with 215 horsepower to its name. The fact that it’s a drop top means that it also carried about 400-lbs more than its more common coupe sibling. That’s the price you pay for fun in the sun, I guess.

This one brings that fun in Diamond black over black Nappa leather topped with a black canvas roof. Whatever the new black is, this Bimmer isn’t interested. The interior shows some signs of use, but not necessarily wear and the dash and door panels seem t have stood the test of time better than those of most E30s. The IP looks to have been replaced with a US unit as it rocks MPH rather than KPH.

On the outside things look equally tidy and it sports headlamp wipers which I don’t think were an option on the US cars. The ad says that the car has been EPA and DOT certified, so it should be good to go in most if not all states.

Here’s the thing though, this might just be a scam.

This isn’t the first New Jersey one of five E30 M3 that can drop its roof to appear on craigslist this week. Ryan B sent this one my way, and it looks pretty similar - same color body and top, same wheels, etc. The only major differences between that car and this one are the red stripe on the bumpers and a twelve grand price difference. Oh yeah, and that ad was pulled at the same time this one went up. Things that make you go hummmmmm.

That earlier one of five had an asking price of $60,000, making this copy seeming a steal at a mere $48K. If this is in fact a legit ad, and this ‘91 M3 is offered at that price, do you think that’s a good dealio?

I mean who knows, maybe New Jersey is like some sort of freaky mecca for open topped E30 M3s, and the two ads appearing so close together is a no more than a weird co-inky-dink. It could happen. It could also happen that following up on the ad could result in you waking up in an icy motel room bath off the Jersey Turnpike and short a kidney. That’s a chance I’ll leave to others.

So, Nice price, crack pipe, or con job.

You decide!

North Jersey Craigslist, or go here is the ad disappears.

H/T to Ryan B for all the M3 hookups!

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