Good morning! Today is a special day in the history of this silly little column. This is my 100th Shitbox Showdown! Thomas kicked things off on April 4th, and I took over on the 5th, so this is technically Shitbox Showdown number 101, but it’s 100 for me. To celebrate, I’m setting aside the price cap to look at two cars on my own personal “always wanted one” list.
So let’s get yesterday’s results out of the way, and we’ll take a look:
Brave souls, I think. But that Benz does warrant a look, just to see if it really is legit. Besides, the Datsun already sold, so it’s out of the running.
Now, I’m sure I’m not alone in having a list of reasonably-priced cars that I’ve always wanted to own, but haven’t (yet) had the chance. And I’m sure mine isn’t the only list that changes with my mood. But there are some constants: a Fiat 128, a Dodge Shelby Charger, an early Mazda RX-7, a Chevy El Camino, any old 5-cylinder Audi Quattro… and these two. They’re not cheap by our usual standards, but they’re not totally out of reach either. Something to aim for, I think, because you have to have goals. Here they are.
[Editor’s Note: Congrats to Mark Tucker! He’s doing a great job with our Shitbox Showdown. Good writing, good car choice, good man. -DT]
1988 Pontiac Fiero GT – $7,000
Engine/drivetrain: 2.8 liter V6, 3 speed automatic, RWD
Location: outside Puyallup, WA
Odometer reading: 135,000 miles
Runs/drives? Indeed it does
I’ve always felt sorry for the Pontiac Fiero. It started out as a half-baked idea, ended up five years later as a halfway-decent sports car, and then was unceremoniously scrapped. Good old GM, ruining a good thing just when they finally got it right. It was the Corvair all over again. But at least the Fiero actually saw production: Pontiac’s previous attempt at a two-seat sports car, the XP-833 (which was to be called the Banshee had it been produced) was killed off by GM’s brass before it ever saw the light of day. The XP-833’s sin was outshining Chevy’s Corvette, which had to maintain its place as GM’s performance halo car. The Fiero was sold to management as an economy car that just happened to be a mid-engined two-seater. Verrrrry sneaky.
Of course, it wasn’t much of a sports car to begin with, more of a half-assed collection of parts from other GM cars under a flashy plastic body. Half-assed engineering begat fires, fires begat recalls, and Fiero sales tanked. But nobody told the Fiero project engineers; they went on making improvements right up until the bitter end. This 1988 Fiero GT has an all-new suspension design and some improvements to the corporate V6 engine that finally made its performance match its looks. Sadly, it was too little too late, and Pontiac pulled the plug.
That makes this Fiero the one to get, if you want one. And because it’s no secret that this is the “good” Fiero, values for ’88 Fiero GTs are higher than the earlier versions. This one is an automatic, which will turn off a lot of you I’m sure, but I’d be fine with it, honestly. For some reason, GM sporty cars get a pass from me on the three-pedal rule. Fieros, Corvettes, Camaros, and Firebirds are all cool with a stick, but they’re fine with an automatic too.
We don’t have a lot of facts to go on from the ad; it says “call for details.” Usually this means the seller is older and not internet-savvy. So, if you want details, call. But the facts that are there are encouraging: low miles, lots of work done, no obvious flaws. It’s a nice car, and although it’s more than I can spend, it’s not more than I would be willing to spend for a good Fiero experience.
1965 Plymouth Barracuda – $7,000
Engine/drivetrain: 225 cubic inch inline 6, 3 speed automatic, RWD
Location: Lakewood, WA
Odometer reading: 228,000 miles
Runs/drives? Great, the ad says
The Plymouth Valiant Barracuda (as it was known in its first year) shares a birthday with this very website: March 32nd–I mean, April 1st–of 1964. Mopar fans love to point out that this was two weeks before Ford introduced the Mustang, making the ‘Cuda the first “pony car.” But of course, the term “pony car” was coined for the Mustang, and while the Mustang shared a platform with the Ford Falcon economy car, the Barracuda shared a name and three-fourths of its sheetmetal with the Plymouth Valiant. In 1965, when this car was built, the Barracuda became a standalone model, but retained its Valiant looks.
I have always loved the styling of the first-generation Barracuda. The second-generation is even prettier, with its split grille and Coke-bottle curves, but something about the long glass fastback of this car speaks to me. I had a neighbor with a gorgeous 1965 Barracuda Formula S that I really admired; that car also features in one of the funniest anecdotes from my ill-fated college career.
This Barracuda isn’t a Formula S, but it is, as that one was, a one-owner car. Fifty-seven years and 228,000 miles, all with the same name on the title. How often do you see that? It looks like it has been remarkably well-kept, and according to the seller (who I suspect is not the owner, but rather their next-of kin) it runs and drives well. It’s powered by the legendary Chrysler slant six, here in 225 cubic-inch “Super Six” form, backed by a floor-shifted Torqueflite automatic. Not exactly the stuff of muscle-car dreams as some Barracudas are, but it’s plenty for someone like me who honestly doesn’t give a damn about horsepower.
[Editor’s Note: Man I love a Slant Six. -DT]
It’s “honestly dirty” under the hood, with a smattering of new parts and no obvious bodges or red flags. The interior looks nice, just old, and the gold paint shines nicely, and I’m sure it’s original. There is a little rust, and a few dings and scrapes, but those are just character marks from a life well-lived. I really like this car. It’s just about exactly what I would want if I were shopping for an old Barracuda. I would be tempted to add some Cragar mags to it, just for a little style, but otherwise I’d leave it just as it is.
And that’s that! I want to thank you all for going along on this ride with me every day; I’m still having fun and I hope you all are too. And thanks again to David and Jason for letting me babble about old crappy cars every day. Let’s just keep it rolling, shall we? Cast your vote for your favorite, and just to keep the conversation going, feel free to list your “always wanted one” cars in the comments. Thanks for reading!
(Image credits – Craigslist sellers)
HOW do you keep making these so DIFFICULT??? I always start with a “easy answer” and by the end of the write-up, I’m conflicted.
Good job, I guess.
Now to torture myself with a completely irrelevant decision.
There is not shitbox in today’s article.
These are both winners.
Fiero got my vote.
Barracuda. Cool design. Not fire breathing, but neither is a Fiero with an automatic.
Maybe if the Fiero was a stick I’d change my mind.
Nuts that Fieros have risen up to $7000! Just 4 years ago I sold my 1987 Fiero GT, ran and drove but had a jammed e-brake, for $3000. Longer ago, maybe 2012, I unsuccessfully tried for months to sell me 1984 Fiero for $300 (and ironically it ended up getting stolen)
The Barracuda is really cool. I like the idea with the Cragars (without touching the rest).
Perhaps I can just bag the Fiero and stuff the 300-hp Northstar V8 engine and transaxle in the engine bay. Then, hope it would not catch fire on my date night…
I was never particularly into Fieros, but this one does look pretty sweet. But it’s no contest against that Barracuda. One owner. Unmolested. Loved and cared for. I’d almost (but not quite) feel too reverent to drive it. I’m actually not all that sentimental about cars so I wouldn’t be afraid to restomod it up a wee bit in ways that make sense to me, but it’s already very close to what I’d want at that price point. Given the choice between the two, I’d totally pick the Plymouth.
As to my own dream list, it’s fairly conventional and hideously dated, but in no particular order:
1977 Trans Am, ever since I was seven.
1951 Mercury Eight
1934 Ford Model 40 Victoria
1965 Riviera
1956 F100 (good enough for Cher, good enough for me)
1952 Chevy 3100 pickup (first thing I ever “drove”… sitting on my dad’s lap when I was about four years old, he let me steer as we went up the 8mph road to the dumpsters at the far end of the trailer park)
1958 GMC Suburban
Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero
One of them Trans Am Depot conversions from about a decade ago. (You can take me outta the trailer park, but you can’t take the trailer park outta me.)
That brand new electric Meyers Manx
Dean Jeffries’ Landmaster (also ever since I was seven)
1958 Cadillac Hearse
1971 Mustang Mach 1 (I like those big ones)
1966 Toronado
…and a new F150 Lightning, please.
My wishlist is, well, odd:
Renault Twingo Benetton Edition
Opel Tigra
Renault Avantime
VW Transporter
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The best year of the Fiero (1988) versus the worst year of the Barracuda (1965). The majority who voted for the Plymouth are simply incorrect.
Fiero is an irrational vote for me. It’s one of the “cool” cars when I was a kid no matter how bad they actually were. Even today, the GT still on the outside has appeal (in my opinion) and while there aren’t a lot of mod potentials out there other than engine swaps (3800s, Northstars and of course LSs), there are still just cool cruisers as is. Put some modern suspension and brakes on them and just enjoy a cheap cool car at Cars and Coffee or what have you.
This was a harder decision than usual, but ultimately I went with the Barracuda. I am like Matt and love the 1st Gen. In my case, it is my favorite generation, so there is that.
It is also fairly easy to rod if you wish a bigger engine and the Slant 6 can be pushed to some bigger numbers with some tweaking and either turbo or supercharging it.
Yeah the Fiero will handle better and it can be engine swapped, but I just prefer the first Gen Cuda.
Against many other cars, I would have taken the Pontiac.
“always wanted one”
87 Buick Grand National
89 TTA Pontiac
89 Chrysler Conquest Turbo wide body
1977 Pontiac Can-Am
1973 Super Duty Trans Am
1971 K5 Blazer 4WD
1965 Buick Riviera…thanks Mr. Swayze
200? Pontiac G8 GT
2021 TRX
It was a hard choice but I went with Fiero. That poor first year Barracuda was undone by that awful grille and dashboard. Other than that, it was quite the looker. It’s almost worth seven grand just for that beautiful hunk of rear glass. That 225 probably kept it from being thrashed to death. Is that a laundry basket?
First, congratulations on 100 interesting and informative columns!
Second, I had the opportunity to drive one of those Barracudas from the dealership when I was out of college for a year (the dealer wouldn’t let me drive the Plymouth sleeper with the 426 Hemi).The Barracuda had the V-8, which I believe was a 273. It was a blast to drive, and I always liked the style.
Obviously, my choice is the Mopar.
I went with the Feiro because it’s the GT! That Cuda is nice though.
My list of cars:
Grand National GNX
GMC Typhoon
AMC Gremelin (I think they’re cool)
70’s Bronco
85 Toyota Supra (I used to own one)
Volvo P1800 Wagon
Like everyone here I have a always wanted one garage list that could stretch to the moon. I would likely hate half the cars once I drove or lived with them but I wouldn’t mind a one night stand or two with just about anything. Anyways, here’s my practical cars that have always been on the list. Most of them I would want to swap either the engine, trans, or the drivetrain layout which would immediately make their relatively practical price stupid expensive.
Dodge Shadow Shelby CSX
Volvo 240 wagon
GMT400 HD Suburban
Audi s2 coupe quattro
XJ 2 door, the DT special
Obs bricknose bronco
Volvo 240 wagon? Want a project, by chance? ’92, M47, mechanically stock, needs brake work, a windshield, and everything you’d expect after several years sitting.
Should add: body’s in good shape, interior’s a bit musty but wouldn’t take much, and you might be able to fulfill my ridiculous drivetrain-swap ideas. Located in SW New Hampshire.
>free to list your “always wanted one” cars in the comments
1962 Lincoln Continental
2008 Dodge Magnum SRT-8 (even though I know they’re money furnaces)
2006 Ford GT (back when they still had the V8)
2009 Cadillac XLR
Anyone that didn’t immediately vote Barracuda needs to turn in their Autopian Membership Card and join a stamp collection club. Big old smooth ride with muscle car good looks. Also Fiero never had a song written about it. My list is long but one an MGTD I will be looking at next week.
Had to go with the fiero. Small two seaters have always done it for me. I do love a fastback though. Cuda isn’t super to my taste, but I can see the appeal.
Cars I’ve always wanted and have at one point actually considered buying:
Porsche 944 back when they were just old and not vintage
Lotus Elan, at points were theoretically affordable but pretty thin on the ground
VW Corrado/scirocco, but never had the space or repair budget when this seemed like a good idea
Land Rover Discovery, probably came closest of any of these but always came to my senses
Volvo XC70, really liked the 2nd Gen but at the last minute went with a V50 that was on paper a better deal and was actually a gremlin motel
I like the Fiero, but I love that Barracuda. Always found the first generation attractive in a classmate-next-door sort of way. Just needs chrome dog dishes and a bit of polish.
Even if the Slant Six is a bit agricultural, the Chevy 60-degree V6 is (IMO) one of the worst-sounding engines of all time, and besides, Joe Strummer never wrote a song about it.
$7k for either of these? Holy crap.
Anyone who votes Fiero/automatic has never driven one. I drove a new one back in the eighties and the damn thing wandered all over the road when accelerating, slushing uncertainly gear to gear.
The 85 Toyota MR2/5 speed that I drove absolutely crushed the Fiero for basic driveability.
Of course, that old old old Plymouth is probably actually frightening to drive.
Never drove the V6 with auto, but I did drive a first year with the Iron Duke and the auto – what a dog that was. I did drive a 1988 with the V6 and 5 speed and it was a really nice car (for the time) – totally different from the 1984. As mentioned above, GM finally fixed it, then they killed it.
The Barracuda wins for that back glass alone. Yes it’s brown from every angle, but it’s just so cool to look at. Besides, I don’t think I could ever own another Pontiac. That’s one death I didn’t mourn
It would have been close for me, these are both on that lust list, but the Fiero needs a stick. That Barracuda big slant is better for me than the Commando. Keep the steelies. Great car to drive and incrementally improve.
While I actually prefer the Barracuda, I could never own it. Every trip to the garage would involve my brain reminding me “You fool! You could have bought an AMC Marlin, the prettiest fastback in this style!”
So, Fiero it is.