Some rare birds that can be bargains...

It's funny that some people want something unique, but then don't want to pay a premium price for it. I've had several people of late ask me to recommend some unique, cool musclecars that can be bought at reasonable or even cheap prices. Some of these will be cheap, some not, but they are all worth taking a look at if you want that model car. # 1. 1980 Z/28 Camaro. For this one year only you could get a 350 V8 backed by a T10 4-speed with a 3.44:1 1st gear and a 2.28:1 2nd, and a 3.08:1 positraction rear end. This combo had better acceleration and higher top speed and better gas mileage than the '77-79 models which had a 2.64:1 low gear, a 1.75:1 2nd and a 3.73:1 rear end. Automatics had a 3.42:1 rear axle which was a good compromise between jackrabbit starts and easy freeway cruising. This year also marked the return of "Cowl Induction" a vacuum operated hood scoop that opened under full-throttle acceleration and sounded cool. It also bumped power up 10 hp to 190 on the workhorse L48 350.  For some strange reason-for '81 if you wanted a 4-speed Z/28 you were stuck with a 305 that wheezed out 145 hp. You could still get a 350 with an automatic. And Canadian models still got the 350 / 4-speed combo. It wasn't emission laws-because in both 1980 and '81 you could still get a 350 / 4-speed combo in the Corvette. ( The 190 hp L48. The 230 hp L82 was only available with a TH350 ).  Dynamite if you can find one. # 2. 1982 Corvette. This one year only offered the C3 body that had been around since 1968 with the "Cross-Fire" Injected 350 and 4-speed automatic that was going to power the all-new '84 'Vette. They were decent performers for the time-15 second 1/4 mile times and 7 second 0-60 times. They make fun weekend cruisers and there is a million ways to build power into a small-block Chevy if you want more oomph. # 3. 1984 Corvette. These featured the all-new C4  with the "Cross-Fire" injected 350. Most had the TH700R4 4-speed automatic, but some had the "4+3" which was a T10 4-speed manual coupled with an electric overdrive that could be engaged in 2nd.3rd and 4th, effectively giving you 7 gears. It was a pretty trick setup that worked really well. 'Vette collectors snub these cars in favor of the '85-91 "Tuned Port Injected" models which keeps prices low. I have seen '84 models on used car lots as low as $2995. # 4. 1984-86 Ford Mustang SVO. These had Recaro seats, upgraded suspension, 50 series tires on 16" wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes, and a Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that put out 175-205 hp depending on year. They didn't sell well when new because the "5.0" V8 models were both cheaper and faster. Their still a cool ride if you can find one, and prices have dropped considerably over the years. # 5. 1987-92 Lincoln MKVII LSC. Often called a "5.0" Mustang in a tuxedo, these featured Recaro seats, 4-wheel disc brakes, 16" wheels with 50 series tires, and the 225 hp 302 out of the Mustang GT backed by a 4-speed automatic and a 3.27:1 rear axle. Any speed parts that fit a Fox Mustang will fit these so there's a ton of potential.  #6. 1989 20th Anniversary Pontiac Trans-Am. These had the vaunted 3.8 liter Turbocharged V6 out of the now-defunct Buick Grand National. Grossly Under-rated at 250 hp and 355 lbs ft of torque, these were much quicker than the LB9 and L98 305 and 350 V8 models. And since the V6 was lighter than the V8s, the already stellar handling of the WS6 T/A was further improved. These bring a King's Ransom, but their worth it. I honestly don't know why Pontiac didn't make this the standard powertrain for the T/A. Probably because it would have ruined Corvette sales.  # 6. 1989-95 Ford Thunderbird SC. The "SC" stood for "Super Coupe" which is accurate. These cars had 4-wheel disc brakes, 50 series tires on 16" wheels, and a Supercharged 3.8 liter V6 that put out 210 -230 hp and 315-330 lbs of torque depending on year. 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatics were the transmissions. They were quick-6 second 0-60 times and 15 second 1/4s, with a 140 mph top speed. However-hot-rodders have made 400 hp reliably by turning up the boost and have run 11 second 1/4 mile times in the buff magazines. If you can't find one of these, from '91-95 the 302 out of the "5.0" Mustang was available, and their's speed parts galore for those. Dynamite if you can find one.  # 7. 2005-2009 Cadillac XLR-V. These were a racy, two-seat coupe based on the Corvette chassis and powered by a Supercharged 4.6 liter Northstar V8. They made a tire frying 443 hp and did 0-60 in 4.6 seconds and the 1/4 in 13 flat. Top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph. These are definitely Jules' wallet from "Pulp Fiction"-the one that says "Bad Mother$%er" on it.  The downside is they cost about 100 grand when they were new, so they won't be cheap. Now there not any more pricey than a same-year Corvette, but are much cooler if your willing to step up.  Like the Ferarri salesman told Nicolas Cage in "Gone in 60 seconds" if you were driving any one of these-"You wouldn't be an asshole sir, you'd be a conissuer".  Mastermind