Longevity is the theme today. And hindsight is 20-20 vision. And I just realized that this question can be read either of two ways: A): What would you buy if you could go back to 1981, buy new and drive until today? And B): what 1981 model car would you buy used today, to keep going for another thirty years? Which of course might (or not) be the same car.
A couple of parameters: you’re going to be driving this car regularly (although not at huge annual mileage numbers), and the whole goal is to be thrifty, so no, a 1981 Lamborghini isn’t going to cut it. But I will grant you one Eugenian exemption from reality: rust doesn’t exist. But everything else does.
That Celica in red or white with a hatch. I drove one back then and was amazed, but still wanted my bulging, gas-guzzling 1977 Monte Carlo Landau. What a buffoon I was.
Bought new in 1981? A Mercedes W123 station wagon. Perhaps a 300TD, automatic.
Buy now and keep for thirty years? I would go with a Roller. Early Silver Spirits can be yours for about twenty grand or so, I would buy a nice one and keep it tidy. Everything is bolted on or screwed onto place. Which means it can all be disassembled when necessary. In the long run, I don’t know who would be thriftier. Sometimes the expensive route is cheaper in the long run. One of my dreams is to drive around in a beater Bentley. A green Turbo R as a daily driver. A twenty year old fine specimen can be yours for 20-30 grand and up. What could possibly go wrong? For 1981, I would go with a Silver Spirit. I would rather have a Corniche Coupe, but those are up in the hundred grand league today, so that would make them ineligble for this little game, at least to my eyes.
+1. My actual daily driver is a W123 280E. So there you have it on what 30 year old car I would by now.
Then, hmm. Probably a Volvo 265 Wagon, because I wouldn’t know about the camshaft failure. Nothing from the Big 3 appealed to me from 1981….
It took me about 10 seconds to get to “W123 Coupe, preferably gas motor.”
Which I have. With 289k miles, although it’s not currently running. It ran fine when parked (wouldn’t pass smog), but wouldn’t even cough the last time I cranked it. I’m pretty sure rodents have gotten to the wiring. Gonna take some tedious wire diagnostics to get it running again.
Picked it up a few years ago as a commuter beater, and it never failed to start in two years use.
Of the group pictured, the B-Body Olds (assuming it’s not an Olds Diesel) or the Volvo. Of any 1981 car, a W123, absolutely.
Have you ever seen the show Top Gear? One of the main presenters, James May, is in to old luxury cars, and his very first segment on the show was explaining why he bought a £14,000 Bentley T2 and what a terrible choice it was. Some of the complaints don’t apply to everyone (as an American I thought it was particularly humorous that he complained that the 17 foot long car didn’t fit in his 12 foot garage), but he also pointed out the poor fuel economy and astronomical repair costs. They’ve done several different segments along similar lines (buying a £10,000 Ferrari or a £1500 Porsche), each one ending with the conclusion that it is a terrible idea to buy these cars, but I just don’t care. As soon as I hear that you can buy a Rolls-Royce or Bentley for $20,000 all logic flies out the window.
I will go for a 1981 Chrysler LeBaron wagon with the slant 6 and a Torqueflite. Crank windows, no wood paneling, but probably air.
The mechanicals were good, and Chrysler was using a lot of galvanized steel in the lower bodies during this time. These were pretty comfy and were long lived as well, so maybe I will hold on to my “go to Eugene for free” card for another time.
Actually, a Fairmont/Zepher wagon with the 200 inline 6 and the 3 speed auto would not be a bad alternate.
A /6 with air?! I know they existed, but come on! I bet the 318 got comparable real-world fuel economy, and is also a bulletproof engine.
+1 to BigOldChryslers – If I’m gonna strip the smog crap off of it and add dual exhausts like god intended, gime a 318.
Me too, although I’d go with a 318 as well.
Assuming we can’t strip away the lean-burn, 318/360s handled smogging better than /6s or 400/440s.
I think the last Cordoba was a pretty sharp car, but I can see why the longroof is a better everyday choice.
Crud! I forgot about the Dodge Mirada. I can’t remember if you could still get the 360 in 1981.
Which came as a Blue and White or Red and White Chrysler alternative(Imitation) of the Bill Blass Mark vi availible at the time.
I’d like one of those as well.
I’d like a V8 Grand Prix SJ or LJ Loaded of course, color coordinated wheels too.
Please make mine a loaded Town and Country in Red or Yellow, matching leather, and all the options.
Mazda RX-7.
Datsun 280ZX Turbo.
Any of GM’s 1981 A, B, or C bodies with a V8 engine(nothing with a diesel, V6, or V8-6-4) or Ford’s Panthers.
Delorean DMC-12.
I owned a 1981 Rx-7 a while back and it was a brilliant car. Perhaps with a rack and pinion steering conversion and 10hp bump it could be close to perfect. I could certainly keep one for many years. Fuel economy was ok (similar to a V6 powered car) and reliability for fantastic as long as you change the oil on a schedule.
Since rust is no longer a problem Ill go back to a VC Commodore manual 5 speed wagon in SLX trim 173 engine though by now it would have a LD 28 diesel conversion good handling comfortable cars these were easy to repair.
I’d keep the red ’77 Honda Civic CVCC 5-speed I had. What a fantastic little car! Just a blast to drive. Great mileage too. Way ahead of its time. More exciting than the Accord, or the ’81 2nd-gen Civic. Sure wish I had kept it. (This photo’s from a museum.)
VW Scirocco. Lots of fun to drive and pretty peppy. This was my mom’s daily driver while I was in jr. high and HS in the late 80s.
The Scirocco would be my second choice, because I actually owned a 1981 Scirocco and I loved it… good choice!!
But my 911 Turbo is a better choice… 🙂
Only if you’re prepared to rewire it… I had a love/hate relationship with mine. I loved it when it ran, and kicked it when its intermittant electrical problem (never did solve it) would leave me once again stranded by the side of the road.
The incident of total electrical failure (lights and ignition) while mid-high-speed corner on a dark night on a winding unlit country road wasn’t lots of fun either.
What makes you think an 81 Scirocco wouldnt be even more likely to need to be rewired??? 🙂
Um… what? I DO think it should be rewired. That’s why I said it’s the only way I’d want one (again).
ok so I am confused… I (wrongly, apparently) assumed your comment was a reply to my comment that a 911 Turbo was a better choice than a Scirocco. So I thought you meant that a 911 would have to be re-wired, and then I answered that a Scirocco would probably also have to be rewired… etc etc. So did you have a Scirocco or a 911 Turbo???
I had a Scirocco and it had crazy electrical stuff go wrong. I never had a 911…. yet. Ok, its not as funny if you have to explain it…
Yeah, that should have been a reply to the OP. I had an 81 Scirocco S. In many ways, less fun than the Le Car it replaced. If I had a chace to get only one of them back, I’d go for the Le Car.
Well, I’d have to say my ’79 volvo 245 is pretty close to perfect, either to buy now or then. I do 15K miles a year, and if I had it new in ’81, it would just about be ready for its first rebuild now at 450K. I should add that mine is a UK spec with overdrive and a carburettor not injection, so it doesn’t suffer the dodgy engine wiring of the injection models.
I’ve had other cars from this era- a Gran Fury M Body with the slant six like JPCavenaugh lusts after- and I concur, it was very rot free. However, I had to completely re-engineer the fuel, electrical and ignition system to remove the horrible feedback carb system.
I’ve also had a few Austin Allegros from this age. I’d never buy one new, but they were amazingly rust resistant, and the ones that lasted 30 years were built properly.
I couldn’t see myself driving a 240D benz for that long- too slow and too boring. A 300SD perhaps could be interesting though.
Other cars on this side of the pond? I had both an 81 Citroen GSA and an ’82 CX. Both were fun, but had trim less durable than anything GM could imagine. The CX used ‘spray-flock’ on the glovebox and kick panels. They were fun 10 years ago when I had loadsamoney, but in today’s climate, I would resent spending the amount I did to keep them going.
So back to the Volvo 245- perfect car then and now: rust resistant, very comfortable, safe, able to keep up with traffic, very cheap to drive on LPG, and can haul home anything I buy. Plus, I’m sure that 240’s will still be carrying geriatric hipsters or their offspring around Oregon in 2041. Who knows- by that time maybe even people in the UK will wake up to their legendary qualities and prices will reflect their true value as indefinite transportation.
Im always amazed at the number of surviving Allegros in NZ I keep seeing them for sale on trademe often in fleets of 2 or 3 but yeah they didnt rust like most BL cars.
I am not surprised at all. NZ CKD kit Allegros were allegedly built better than UK ones. The design is surprisingly good durability wise, the problem as always was in the details. After the 1975 redesign, most of the initial bugs were worked out, and the cars were very reliable- and if painted correctly, nearly immune to rust. Certainly they were much better for durability than the 1100/1300 they replaced. In my experience, the problems I’ve had have been mainly due to poor quality ‘bought in’ parts- electrics (of course) water pumps, cheap plastic trim, etc. The basic A series engine is bulletproof, and the gearbox will generally last a while. The hydralastic suspension is very reliable, attested to the fact that most Allegros are still driving around on 30-40 year old displacers.
Compared to most cars of the era, they were really good, especially by the Allegro 3 of 1979. It wrang 63hp out of 1.3 litres, which isn’t bad for the day, and this is combined with an amazingly roomy interior, 40mpg, mini-like road handling, underhood access better than almost anything else, and a cheeky character that makes you want to give it a name. Although you may have a few more trips back to the main dealer for warranty work, I’d say that it has a better long term life expectancy than a Corolla. In the UK, there are thousands of Allegros on the road, compared with less than 50 Corollas of the same vintage. After all, its much easier to change a dodgy Lucas part than to weld a rear spring mount.
1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham d’Elegance 368 cid 6.0 litre, 4door, black on black, loaded with astroroof and all the options, with the 4-6-8 shut off at the dealership
1981 Buick Riviera 307cid 5.0 litre, astroroof, leather, concert sound, light monitors, etc, thinking either dark blue or dark metallic brown with a tan/cream leather interior
1981 Chevrolet/GMC K5 Blazer/Jimmy 350, high spec Silverado or Sierra Classic trim, 4×4 of course, with the sliding windows and roof rack, red and white two tone.
I would like a convertible too, but there are so little chioces, I would say either a Corniche, 380SL or a Lancia Zagato semi-drop top, I cant go with a Rabbit Cabrio, too girly for me.
’81 Fleetwood Coupe, as loaded as you can possibly get.
If this were, “what car from 1957…” it would be much easier for me.
But this is 1981…an exceptionally low point for a GM guy like me…here I go, with some caveats:
1) ’81 Malibu wagon, switch drivetrain to 350 TPI/TH700-R4 from ’87 or newer as no decent GM overdrive automatic existed ’til then.
2) ’81 Caprice coupe or wagon…same deal. I actually did this in 1996 with an ’89 Caprice wagon. Threw out the 307 Olds boat anchor, and the TPI/700 combo was a blast to drive, even w/2.93 gears. With a performance air intake, a cop-car headpipe, 3″ cat and duals in back, it was breathing much better than stock and delivered on average an extra 2 MPG for over 135,000 miles.
The ’81 truck would be tempting but that grill was the ugliest one Chevy put on a truck since…well, ever.
Yeah, Chevy runs deeeep in my household…
Love the Caprice wagon idea! My mom had an 84 wagon back when I was 19-20 or so, It had the Chevy 305, not the 307 Olds that later models had, for whatever thats worth. I would get 21mpg on the highway if I babied it…but being a dumb kid, I usually flipped the air cleaner lid upside down and romped on it!
For sheer eternity a Mercedes 300TD would be logical, although a Landrover Series III 109 is appealing for perversity and near infinite rebuildability. A 5 series BMW would also be fun. I would also want a BMW R100RT motorcycle since that was pretty good year for Airheads and the RT bodywork is more protective and easier on the back.
Drat! The Suburban wasn’t available with the 6.2L diesel until 1982 model year. Otherwise that would top my list…. eventually adding a Banks aftermarket turbo and intercooler setup.
You guys will think I am crazy, but hear me out: I would take a 1981 Olds Delta-98 with the 350cid diesel. 1981 was the first year for the improved design with a reinforced block, longer head bolts and a roller cam. These addressed most of the actual design deficiencies that these engines originally had. I would also add a large aftermarket water-separating fuel filter, which they all should have come with from the factory but didn’t.
What car from 1981 would I buy today and keep indefinitely? I will second ajla on the Delorean DMC-12. You can still acquire a clean, low-mileage example for under $20k or a decent driver for considerably less. Specialized parts availability should be good through the company out of Texas, for the near future at least.
The only other 1981 vehicle I can think of that would be of interest to me is a Dodge Ramcharger.
In 1981, GM was still ahead of its domestic competitors.
The first choice would be a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro Berlinetta with the 5.0 V-8 and rally wheels. That is the final version of the second-generation Camaro. The Berlinetta lacks the stripes, tacky spoilers, etc. that infest the Z-28 version, so it has worn better.
The second choice would be a 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais coupe with the V-8 and the FE2 suspension package.
Oh this one is super easy… 1981 Porsche 911 Turbo… usable day to day yet awesome performance, even by todays standards a fun car, valuable today, reliable enough, plenty of them made it 30 yrs anyway. Oh yes, I want this to be real… 🙂
320i BMW. Longevity and performance. From back when BMW actually made “the ultimate driving machine” and not today’s “bloated Lexus with handling”.
My choice as well.
BMW 323i: Featuring the M20 and Bosch K Jetronic fuel injection, the 323i was the top model of the line with 143 bhp and four-disc power-assisted brakes. A 5-speed overdrive gearbox became standard after 1980. Options include power steering, a 5-speed close-ratio ‘dogleg’ sport gearbox, and 25% limited slip differential.
My second choice would have been BunkerMan’s Datsun 280ZX Turbo.
That Corolla wagon looks pretty nice. I’d go for that, a Corona liftback or a Datsun 510 wagon. I’ve always had an admiration for late 70s/early 80s Japanese cars, especially if they happen to be wagons or hatchbacks! Reliable, fuel efficient, awkward yet charming styling, need I say more? Plus they’re still fairly plentiful in the SF Bay Area (I’m in San Jose) so the temptation is pretty strong for me.
Longevity? Any ’80sToyota pickup certainly is up there. Although I think the 22RE is slightly better than the 22R because of the fuel injection (no cylinder wash). The 22R does, however, have two timing chains.
Part of the equation for overall longevity (in my mind) is the cost of parts and repair. I had a ’77 Mercedes 300D–which is about the same as an ’81, but parts are excruciatingly expensive–which makes it difficult to maintain decently.
I still see boatloads of older Toyota and Nissan trucks around here, usually carrying yard tools and lawnmowers. I’m not a truck person at all but if I had to have a truck, any 80s Japanese truck would do.
EDIT: Apologies for the Picard pic, I meant for that to be my avatar but I guess it didn’t work. *shrugs*
Shoulda picked Kirk.
Monte Carlo Turbo. Rare and (relatively) thrifty.
But it we slip to 1982 it would be a Regal Grand National…
M body Chrysler, B-body – either Oldsmobile or Pontiac, or 6.0 ltr Caddy. That is all.
I allready Have a 1984 car that I’m hoping to keep for 30 years 😛
But, choosing between the cars in the article, he first car I drove was a 1983 Honda Quintet, more or less the same car as the Accord pictures here, but with 5 doors and different body panels. The first car I bought for my own mney and registered and drove as a daily driver was a 1978 Volvo 242. So I’m guessing it would be hard to choose between those two. I’d love to have the rugges RWD in the winter, and the rev-happy little toy for summer, although doing the exact opposite might be more practical…
Not many cool enthusiast cars were built in 1981… Maybe a European Granada Wagon with the 2.8i engine could be a nice practical compromise 🙂
Well, doing a bit of research (I was born in ’81 so I don’t have any direct memories of the lineups) I have to stay loyal to Subaru and go with the GL wagon. It’s a little weird and a little ugly like me, and I don’t need a huge amount of extra space to fit my family’s lifestyle anyways. Sign me up for a 4X4 version.
For an ’81 to drive today, I’d probably like an ’81 242DL identical to the one my dad had. Maroon with a beige cloth interior and automatic. The 2-door sedans are much scarcer than the 4-doors and wagons so it would stand out. As much as I like 240 Turbos, the DL would be a better bet for a daily driver.
As for new cars in 1981, I’d have to go with a Pontiac Bonneville Brougham coupe, Jadestone Metallic with Jadestone leather interior, Astroroof and the ‘snowflake’ aluminum wheels with whitewalls. I wouldn’t mind one of those today either!
You have good taste in Pontiacs-those were damn nice cars!
Gotta go with a Merc W123 and second a Volvo 142-245
Celica fastback seems a need choice as well as the Datsun 280ZX.
Then, any GM B or G-body, Chrysler M-body, Ford “Panther” and “Fox” bodies are a nice choices too.
Then if we add choices from other countries, in Argentina you still can get the Argentinian Ford Falcon and the Renault Torino while in Brazil you can get the local Dodge Dart (who was on its last year in Brazil), Chevrolet Opala and the Ford Galaxie Landau. In Australia, we could get an used Chrysler Valiant Charger with the Hemi 6.
I do have a thing for a “Risky Business” era Porsche 928’s with the phone dial wheels in some sort of funky root beer color.
Skipped right over the “frugal” part of the assignment?
I occasionally fall into thinking I should get one of those some day. Fortunately the reality of engine-out waterpump replacements every 30k miles percolates back to the surface of conciousness before I can do anything rash.
Totally….
Though I guess for max frugality I would go with a loaded up diesel Rabbit, a/c and 50mpg!
and a 70mph top speed….you would never get any tickets!
Think of the money you would save.
I once managed to get a speeding ticket on a 50cc motorcycle with a 45mph top speed.
I knew a guy who got a ticket for doing 10x the speed limit, it was for doing 100km/h through a tourist pedestrian zone around midnight when the speed limit was 10km/h for after-hours deliveries when the place was deserted (ie not a single pedestrian present). Didn’t hear what the penalty was but expect a big fine and walking for a long time…
Right there with you Carmine – if Paul had offered the option of rust exemption or lottery-winner budget I’d have one of these in yellow with the phone dial wheels.
Always had a huge soft spot for the 928, the only Porsche that really does anything for me.
One of my fondest teenage memories is arriving in a bleak north german town for a school exchange after a long over-night coach journey. We were all paired up with our exchange families, my friends led off by assorted dumpty hausfraus to a one or other of a motley collection of different VWs and Opels… then it’s my turn my exchange Mum turns out to be an engaging, glamourous and implausibly young woman who shakes my hand warmly and gestures to her black Porsche 928! Comfiest back seat I’ve ever ridden in. (Never felt so lucky to be small for my age!)
For many years, the 928 was my “what if” car. With the condition being that you could only have one car, and it had to serve as your daily driver. And in some bizarre alternate universe where I have a big enough wallet to cover the upkeep but for some reason can only have one car, I still think it’s fabulous. If I could afford the upkeep, I’d still love to have one. I’d pick from the other end of the model run though. 928S4 from the 90s, with 5-speed.
I’ve lately come to the conclusion that the current Bentley Continental Coupe fills the same slot. Somewhat bigger back seat, but otherwise conceptually very similar.
I’m with you on the fastback Porsches.
Be it the 924, 928, or 944 but the 924, 928 top the list as they are so quintessentially 1970’s-80’s in their design ethos.
And yes, those dial wheels are the bomb and have always loved variations on that theme for wheels, even Honda had a similar style for the CRX back in the mid 80’s, though theirs were flatter in looks and had 4 holes.
I think there was an aftermarket version or two back in the day for those who wanted to have such a wheel on their ride.
Also, the early 911’s through the mid 80’s at least would also be on that list, that is IF I were to have a Porsche, but I have no desire to own one now though.
Tough one. I’d probably have to go for an 81 Mustang Cobra with the Turbo 2.3 in White.
If allowed I’d upgrade to some form of 84-88 turbo/intercooled EFI though.
Keep your 240 Volvos, those things plagued southern Maine in the 80s. People who could afford Something Interesting went with Something Itchy Wool Socks, because hey, we’re Mainers!
(Said with love from an expat, but still…those things are the only non-Chev that I would prefer WITH an SBC.)
I can think of a lot of 81 cars, which I’d prefer astetically to the Mazda GLC I Bought new in 81.
Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz – Red with Steel roof and White Leather and 1/2 roof, moonroof
2. Cadillac Fleetwood Coupe Sounds nice, in Aqua 4 me, sunroof…
3. Lincoln Mark VI Any Loaded to the Gills, But The 4 Door Marks in Aqua would be worth a serious look.
4. I’d like a Frank Sinatra Imperial for sheer kitche factor, 8 tracks included.
5. Rare Odd Heritage Thunderbird
6. Corvette Would be most likely to gain value over next 30 years?
7. What I REALLY wanted in 1981 was a Red Firebird Covertible in Blauvelt Pontiac’s window,
but I knew it would creak and groan, less MPG, easier to break into… I’d Still like that Firebird though.
As for imports I will leave that to those who are so inclined to do so.
At the moment all I can think of wanting involve White Leather,AC,Kitche, Opera Windows, White Viynl roofs… Red Leather Interior would be preferible to white in most long term cases.
I Know, Black would be bettter, but not in Hot Climates…
This is an easy one for me. I would buy a Saab 900! I already have two 1992 900s, one of which I drove from upstate NY to Yosemite CA this summer.
Yep. I see them on a regular basis in DC. Usually convertibles, but I’d settle for a regular hatch.
I’d take my Uncle’s 1981 diesel Mercedes Wagon. 75K miles, in good shape except some trim missing from accident with garage door.
Someday I want a 900 turbo ‘vert, but I love how practical the C900 hatches are. I could fit my whole life in there…I have a soft spot for those diesel Benz wagons myself.
If cheapness and reliably where important, hands down it would be a Toyota truck…..O wait thats what I drive as my daily driver.
Actually its an 83, with an 79 front end, but who cares. From what I know now, it would be a diesel, more reliable, better mpg, just slower.
I honestly think that the 80’s Toyota trucks are the one of the best vehicles ever made. Simple and easy to work on, but not crude. The only thing I can criticize Toyota for doing on these trucks is the single row timing chain, thats it.
Nice! I had an 81 5-speed with gobs of miles and it ran perfectly. Wound up later with an 85 4×4 and an 89 Four Runner. If things go as planned I’ll wind up with another 80s Toyota truck soon.
Volvo 240DL sedan, 5-speed. Safe, bulletproof, economical – a bank vault on wheels. It has a timeless air of understated sophistication; You’re not showing off when you buy it new in ’81, and it has great character 30 years later.
Since rust isn’t a factor, I’d take a Celica GT liftback. Or a Corona Luxury Edition liftback. Can’t go wrong with a 22-R and ’80s Toyota build quality. However, the new-for-’81 Celica with the Supra’s 5M-E straight six is the best Volvo alternative.
My 1981 Plymouth Reliant, probably. Actually, I’ve never had a car I wanted to keep for 30 years, but I wish I had my avatar back, for the thirtieth time on this site!
1981’s a tough year. If it were a few years earlier; or a few later…
I’ve bounced a few of the Japanese brands around…but, frankly, they weren’t so refined in their time, that they’d be desirable to own for 30 years. Well, maybe the Civic; but the older Toyotas were, like newer ones, mere appliances. And not as refined appliances, either. The Japanese pickups, likewise, were in flux…not as pure-utilitarian as ten years earlier; nor as novel and fun to drive (or in the case of the Datsun PL620, not as stylish) as earlier ones.
American trucks? Ford had their then-new body style out…it held up well over the years, but it was a step down from the former, with less room in the cab. Chevrolet had their tried-and-true; but mechanical longevity wasn’t the General’s strong suit in those years.
I keep drifting back to the Jeep CJ. 1981 would have gotten a CJ7 with a newly-re-introduced four cylinder, if you thought the economy worth the hassle; or a V-8 if that was your thing. The six of those years…durable, sure; but before it was born-again hard with fuel injection, it was a dog.
But…corrosion issues aside, it would go and go…and NOT depreciate. And parts remain available to this day. And, as drivetrains improve, so too could the rig…fuel-injected six; aftermarket upgrades on the transmission and transfer case.
It would increase, not decrease, in value with age. Even with daily-use patina, it would be a classic. If the driver has a sense of adventure to match a sense of humor, it would be free use of a car for those thirty years.
Think of it! Three decades of open-car driving; smiles from the ladies; go in the snow…
Bought a new 81 Datsun King Cab in 1981 while living in Guam. The navy shipped it back. I would buy it again today. This time with a diesel and 5 speed. Mine had the Napz2.2/3 sp auto and passengers always thought it was a v6. Put a contractor shell and ladders on it and drove about 300k. Anything Nissan seemed to go like that. Toyota too.
If I couldn’t get that I would happily settle for any 6 cyl stick preferably in a small wagon. fairmont or one of the mopar bunch. No wagons in the Nova IIRC. There was so much to pick from that I liked. For american cars going back to 57-67 would have been better. I still do have that one. My laziness is killing it.
Well, I have an light blue ’82 242DL with 226k miles with the 4-sp + OD manual. I’m trying to do everything I can within reason to keep it on the road for the next long while. Oh, and I live in rusty Massachusetts. The car has lived in New England its entire life. It’s actually not all that rusty.
I bought a new Mazda RX-7 in 1981. Other than it drank a lot of oil due to the engine seals (synthetic oil was not the way to go with a rotary engine back then), no regrets on the purchase.
I’d also considered a BMW 320i at the time. About ten years ago, I mentioned this in a BMW discussion group and someone familiar with the 320i said I made the better choice.
I had my 1981 Accord LX from, April 8th 1981 to September 4th 2010 or 10,742 days or 29 years, 4 months, 28 days… if it didn’t have rust in critical places – I’d have kept it. That counts right??? I am thinking of buying a 1990 Volvo 240 Wagon.
James, you should absolutely buy that ’90 245.
No wiring harness issues.
They rusted even less than my ’82 that year.
Thanks Jesse! I think I will! Its a 5-speed too and I’ve been wanting one for years… going to go ‘see it’ tomorrow…
1981 is easy: I’ll just keep my Mercedes 380 SLC.
Hmmm…. tough year!
If it were a perfect world and gas wasn’t a big issue, I would opt for a Lincoln Mark VI coupe, 2dr. Blue cloth velour interior, everything but a sunroof.
If it were a perfect world and parts were not an issue, I would opt for the obvious W123 Mercedes TD wagon. I would most definitely get the turbo.
If it were a perfect world and I wasn’t afraid of dying in a crash, I would opt for a Toyota Celica Supra (oh why couldn’t we just have one more year of wiggle room Paul!)
But since it’s not a perfect world… I’m just going to cheat. My car would have to be a Volvo 245. Blue exterior, light blue interior, all the bells and whistles… and make it a grey market car so that I don’t have to do deal with all the electrical issues.
In fact I just bought a 1987 model of the same exact type this afternoon for $525 ($400 plus auction fee). It even came with a nice large carrying case on the roof. Mountain life here I come!
Aaaahhh Bullshit!!! My 30 year car would be a Chevy Camaro or Pontiac Firebird loaded to the gills.
P.S. If I really had a lot of free time and was given ‘clean’ diesel instead of the dirty, crappy stuff from that time period, I would be very tempted to buy an Olds Cutlass Supreme Brougham with the diesel engine and all the options. But unfortunately the perfect world is merely an illusion.
30 year old vehicle I’d buy now? A Rolls… but I’ve got a mechanic for that.
“Aaaahhh Bullshit!!! My 30 year car would be a Chevy Camaro or Pontiac Firebird loaded to the gills.”
An 81 Z28 in white/orange would be sweet but the idea of being thrifty would stick you with a TA 301 Turbo..
No mechanic wants that..
P.S. If I really had a lot of free time and was given ‘clean’ diesel instead of the dirty, crappy stuff from that time period, I would be very tempted to buy an Olds Cutlass Supreme Brougham with the diesel engine and all the options.
Yay, another vote for the Olds diesel! The poor quality diesel of the day is one reason that I specified that I’d add a large aftermarket fuel filter. My grandad’s ’78 Olds diesel has had one since new. I’m sure that is one of the reasons that car is still still with us.
I’d go with the Corolla, probably, but the B-body Olds is tempting too. Its body probably will withstand 30 years of use better than the Corolla, and if the engine should die there are lots of options available to replace it (and cheap) whether from the junkyard or from aftermarket manufacturers.
I would go with a Rockford style Espirt Firebird, and an 81 Eldorado. I would love a Caddy B-body but it would have to be a 77-79, so it dose not count. Those cars would be rounded out nicely by my 76 Monte.
its a tossup,
Mercedes Benz 240D stick shift or Toyota Hilux 4×4. Both are slow, can last forever here were rust is not much of an issue, and dont burn a lot of fuel.
Since my favorite 2 door is unavailable yet, I’ll go for my second favorite: a 6th gen Eldorado, almost a modern machine. 1981 will do. Red on red (yes, I want a red steering wheel with a kitchy faux wood insert).
Oh, and for the frugal part – I’ll fix it.
😀
Well I’d have to say a Scout II of course!! The 1980 model production did keep going well past the time that IH would have started production of the 1981 model year. If they had gone through with the plan to continue production and obtained 1981 emission spec engines the last 2 months of production would have been 1981 model year. In addition many dealers stocked up and had inventory well into the 1981 model year and beyond. The famed Portland IH dealer Ernie Bisio sold his final “new” 1980 Scout in the late 2000’s. A fair amount of those also went to Midas for “completion” some of which were not finished until 1981.
If frugality is a big part of the requirement then I might opt for the Chrysler-Nissan Turbo Diesel. On the other hand the Thermoquad equipped 345 when teamed with either 4sp and 2.73 gears was EPA rated at 21MPG Hwy, the best of any of the gas power train combos. But heck I’d take any power train just as long as I get the rust free thing.
For the body that power train goes in I’d take a Traveler with the swivel front, and 2nd row captains chairs, 3rd row that folds into a “bed”, in blue. Classic 70’s plaid, thick shag carpeting, and his and hers sunroofs. I’ll forgo the graphics thanks.
If you are going to make me pick “just a car” then I think I’ll second Steven’s Mark VI in 2dr form so now 30 years later I could drop it on a 03 up Panther chassis with a Mark VIII or Aviator Intech 32v to have that Lincoln badge under the hood.
Which one would I pick today? I’d have to say the Mark VI since that’s the only car that was made in 1981 that I look for on Craigslist. Though due to budget constraints it would probably go on my current 92 CV chassis with it’s 2v 4.6, at least for starters.
Toyota Starlet.
That’s a good one and probally the most frugal in the long run of any car made in 1981. Best combo of high MPG with low cost of RWD repairs and maintenance from when Toyota was on the top of it’s game in durability.
Well, as it turns out my favorite early 1980s car is my car (and no, that’s not why I bought it. I got it first and then in hindsight realized that I like it better than the offerings from other companies), a 1984 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight. Since we are buying the car new, I’d have it optioned with red paint and red cloth interior to replace the beige paint and beige leather in mine, and throw in a sunroof and gauge package while you are at it since those are the only two major options my car is missing. Mine has made it almost thirty years and 160,000 miles since it was built with no major problems apart from an air conditioner malfunction last year. As for longevity, my parents bought it for me as my first car in 2005 (not a bad find for $2600), and I have every intention of keeping it for the rest of my life. It won’t always be my daily driver (I’ll need a car once I graduate college and get a real job, but until I can have it tuned up enough to safely make the thousand mile trip the Olds will have to stay in my parents’ driveway), but I want to keep it as long as I can.
If we are talking about an economy car then a Ford Fairmont (or Mercury Zephyr) hands down. My parents had a red one when I was young and I believe it was the first car I ever rode in. It looks just like a big full-sized car and seats six, but is very small and, from what I understand, relatively reliable and cheap to run. If they weren’t so hard to find in good condition these days it would be a serious contender for my next car, which can’t be a gas guzzler like I like until I can afford the fuel ($2.50 a gallon when I was just going to and from high school was OK in the Ninety-Eight, but with $4+ gas prices these days I’ll need something that gets mid 20s or better).
Actually, I just remembered the Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC, in my opinion the best looking Mercedes-Benz of all time. I grew up in the 1990s and 2000s, so I always associated Mercedes-Benz with overpriced and unreliable cars, but I recently found out that back then they were apparently very reliable, so an SEC would be a tempting option.
That Olds is a beautiful car Steve. I think better looking than the same year Cadillac, it exudes class, Doctors money… without being showy.
I can still remember the ride in my Buddy Shaun’s parents 84 Regency Coupe, Sweet.
And Actually the Beige Leather and Color age much better over the course of 30 years than red ever would, now that I really think of it, and see your baby.
BTW Did you Pick it? and If not what were you thinking when you learned and saw what the Parents had picked out for you?
They sure provided you with a roomy back seat.
Actually, it was a complete accident. For a couple of years before I got my license I had a few vague and impractical ideas about what to get. I figured I could get a nice simple recent model car (at the time I liked the Oldsmobile Alero because my father had had one recently as a rental), or an older luxury car (my first idea was a 1990s Jaguar since they could be found for around $5000 and looked just like then-new Jags). I was interested in classic cars, but never considered an older car until we found a 1985 Chevrolet Caprice on the side of the road for something like $1500. I started looking at other 1980s cars, and we would look at various cars in used car lots, everything from a rusty volvo wagon with hand crank sunroof to a great condition Cutlass Cruiser (the Ciera-based one), we even found a Ford Fairmont at one point, but it looked like the vinyl top had been marooned on an alien planet for several thousand years (and even in good condition it was that awful orangey brown vinyl on green paint that seemed to be so popular for one year in the 1960s and one year in the 1980s). Over the next few months I made the logical jump from 1980s cars to classic cars and started checking Auto Trader Classics to see what kind of deals I could find.
Eventually, when I was a few weeks away from getting my full license, I found a beautiful blue 1969 Impala four door hardtop. At $4,000 it was a little out of my price range, but my father agreed to go take a look at it, only to hear that it had been sold. My father wanted to find a compromise before I had a chance to go looking for more rusty, unsafe cars (A couple others I had been looking at were a 1962 Mercury and 1951 Studebaker, both in awful condition), and he found the Ninety-Eight in a local paper. Since it was a year model that both my father and I could agree on I went to test drive it and as soon as I saw it I knew it was the right choice. A few days later it was in our driveway and I’ve never once regretted the decision, though I have occasionally wondered what would happen if the Impala hadn’t been sold.
It is a very roomy car indeed, and six months later when the remaining restrictions were lifted from my license I was the only one in the school’s marching band who could give a whopping five people rides home. Oldsmobiles seem to have been a recurring theme when I was looking for a car. One of the very first I was interested in was an Alero, and among the others I came across were Cutlass Cieras, Cutlass Supremes, and several Ninety-Eights (one maroon 1976 model which was eliminated because of its $4500 price tag and one 1990s model that I wasn’t too interested in at the time because of the front wheel drive). When I was going over some old family photos for a high school project I was shocked to see that in about 1995 the house directly across the street had the exact same Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight regency in the driveway. The only difference was that it was that slightly lighter off white with a grayish brown vinyl top, the combo that shows up a few times in the 1984 Oldsmobile brochure (here’s an example).
It’s not in perfect condition, its a “twenty footer.” The paint on the hood and trunk literally looks like the surface of a desert up close, and the only reflections that show up are dull and vague, like a wet road reflecting the headlights of passing cars. I still love it, though, and eventually I’ll have it repainted in the factory color and have some of the interior parts fixed (the notorious peeling fake wood on the driver’s door, a small rip in the driver’s seat, etc). What I’d really like to do, but probably never will, would be to replace all the fake wood and plastic in the car with real wood and chrome, and replace the ugly plastic dash with a beige padded dash (while almost every other color like red, blue, brown, and gray came with matching dash, the beige models have an ugly gray dash).
That is a sharp Regency, if you ever get it repainted in red, I would keep the beige interior. When I was a kid one of the neighbors had one of these in triple midnight blue. They were in their 50s at the time but were very nice and didn’t mind my stopping by, they knew I was a car nut. It was a very classy car in those colors. It was later traded in on a 1991 or ’92 Sedan De Ville in Academy Gray with light gray leather, then a light green 1994 Town Car with dark green leather and dark green vinyl landau top-that one was my favorite! They also had a 1980 Continental sedan in Pine Iridescent with a white landau roof and dark green cloth interior, which they kept until the mid-1990s.
Funny you should mention that. While it would be out of the question to change the overall color, since that would involve not only paint but also seats, carpet, dashboard, vinyl roof, and countless other things, I have been toying with the idea of getting a cheap, simple paint job in dark red, just to rejuvenate the car and get some reflections back. Then later on when I have everything fixed up I could have a high quality paint job to revert it to the original beige. I love red on red, but I also love red on beige, something about a dark car with bright interior and no window tinting just looks wonderful.
A very nice car. Back in the 90s I owned a 2 door version of this car. White with no vinyl roof, it was one of the best looking of these I ever saw. That car will take good care of you.
Steven, that Olds is one of my dream cars. My God that car is beautiful!
Five years later and I’d say a FIAT Panda 1000S without hesitation, but – even with Paul’s generous rust exemption – ’81 is too early for one of those: the nasty leaf sprung rear suspension on the early mk1 kills it for me, not to mention the lack of the splendid FIRE engines… So that’s my “what car from 1986” answer.
From ’81 it would probably have to be a Volvo 245 GLE, though by now the fuel costs on that would be really hurting.
A): What would you buy if you could go back to 1981, buy new and drive until today?
I don’t know if my 19-year old self would have the presence of mind to realize how much my life would change in a few short years. My 19-year old self DID buy a left over 1980 Mercury Capri RS Turbo, which turned out to be a rather poor decision. If I had the capability to think long term (and limiting myself to North American models available to me), I’d like to think I’d be able to choose for long term durability and adaptability.
With those parameters in mind, I’d be looking for something like a B-body wagon (gasoline, probably), G-body wagon, a Fox body wagon, an AMC Concord wagon or possibly a K5 Blazer. Frankly, if I had more money to spend back in 1981, I would have been one of those folks who would have purchased a Turbo Trans Am, as I was in love with those cars, then as I am now.
B): what 1981 model car would you buy used today, to keep going for another thirty years? Which of course might (or not) be the same car.
At this point in time, I wouldn’t have to have this as a daily driver, correct?
Then I’m free to indulge in my fantasies. We’re blue sky dreaming here, right?
Strictly limited to 1981: Actually, a 81 Corvette would probably top the list, then the Turbo T/A, my old Capri RS and an AMC Spirit AMX .
You just can’t take the kid out of me.
1981 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser.
A Chevrolet pickup truck. Lots made in the body style, drivetrain substitutions possible with lots of choices, and a more or less useful purpose. Relatively inexpensive parts and easy to work on. Relatively sturdy with any maintenance and care at all. Would lean towards simpler models with less accessories to go kaput.
I just bought an ’11 Tundra which I like very much. I expect excellent reliability for the 10 years I expect to keep it. But even today if I wanted to keep a pickup for 35 years I’d buy the Chevrolet. Engine is mechanically simpler and most likely will be made for more model years. Parts availability deep into old age should be easier. Service would be less complex and easier for mere mortals.
For current vehicles I’d say two categories are most likely-
First high quality relatively simple cars which sell in high volume such as 4 cyl Camry, Accord, Civic, and Corolla. These should have good parts availability for quite a while.
Second- specialty cars with enthusiastic owners such as Corvette, Jeep, and other unique vehicles which have strong owner following. I strongly suspect the high performance V8 Mustang, Camaro of today will be highly collectible due to fuel economy requirements in the future.
420 SEL. Roomy, supremely comfortable, reliable, 300k mile plus durability, actually quite fuel efficient, and they made them forever so there are plentiful parts for the rare occasion when something does go wrong. Make mine black or white with the dark red interior
The 420SEL wasn’t introduced until ’86. Your gasser W126 choices in the USA would have been a 155 horsepower 380SE or a grey-market 500SEL with close to 240 horsepower. Tough decision, no? Not surprising that grey imports were a presence in the early ’80s from Europe.
I had forgotten, my parents actually had an ’81 Olds Cutlass Cruiser with the 260 V8, and although we did wind up keeping it for a long time (my mother picked it out on a dealer used lot in ’83, and I learned to drive in it), I wouldn’t have recommended it for the ownership experience. Not really unreliable, but build quality was atrocious.
Its great to see the Oldsmobile love on this Veterans Day.
A Sincere and heartfelt Thank You to all the Veterans and active Service Members among our little car group here.
300td benz wagon. if i could swap in a manual transmission, even better. i had an ’83 240d which i really didn’t want to sell but the wife lost faith in it after we almost got marooned on a hot august day with our infant daughter.
My number one choice would be an XD model Falcon, in actual fact Fairmont Ghia ESP with the 351 Cleveland and 4 speed trans, to go with the standard sports suspension, LSD, 4 wheel disc brakes, Recaro-style seats and all the other goodies of the top trim level. Same answer whether buying new in 1981 or today. Other choices would be a Falcon ute or long wheelbase LTD sedan, my father had one of these for 12 yrs and well over 200k miles.
Other options that would tempt & haven’t been mentioned yet include Fiat X1/9, Alfasud Sprint, Ford Capri V6, HDT Commodore or to be a bit crafty, buy now a Jag XJ-S with the Lynx Eventer shooting brake conversion done on it (because they weren’t done until a couple of years after 1981), while we’re at it stick an modern XKR powertrain in it.
If I was buying new in 1981? Grey market import BMW 635CSi with a 5-speed gearbox. With good maintenance & service, that car would easily last until 2011.
Because I’ve always liked small fuel efficient cars, it’s pretty easy, I’ll get an 81 Honda Civic 1500DX hatch with the 5spd manual, AC and upgrade to a decent sounding cassette deck or better yet, the Civic GL (later to become the S in ’83) OR get the wagon, but for that, I’d prefer the ’84-87 Civic tall wagons best. I owned an ’83 Civic 1500DX hatch with AC, 5spd manual and came with the stock AM/FM mono radio and it was a fun car and put some 70K on it in the 6 years I had it.
But for 1981 and slightly larger size, would be the final year for the first gen Accord, blue onblue 5spd manual thankyouverymuch. My Dad had a ’76 blue on blue with manual, though sans AC as I’d want the AC and make mine the lightly more fancy LX grade.
Barring those two, perhaps the last year Fiat Strada (Ritmo for the rest of you) or the R5 (Le Car) for something a bit less conventional.
Of course, no one picked the OBVIOUS choice for a 30 year automobile: the Volkswagen Beetle… yeah, you could no longer buy one (legally) in most of the US back in 1981… but… a friendly importer in Arizona was bringing them in from Mexico, re-registering the Mexican Beetles as “classic” cars, and selling them with US registration, all the way through the last Ultimo Edicion in 2003! Primitive? Sure, but that’s what you want, when the Zombie Apocalypse hits: a car you can work on yourself, runs on crappy gas, and parts you can fabricate in the basement, if necessary… so, my vote: Mexican VW Beetle!!!
I have been out of town for a few days so I couldn’t weigh in on the conversation. I have owned a lot of cars and driven a lot more and finding that elusive combination that is just right is just about impossible in my experience. Here is what I look for a in a car:
1. Reliability. I don’t want my dream car to break down and strand me all the time. I am simply too old to be bothered with waiting for two trucks in the rain and then having to fork out big money unexpectedly to keep my dream boat running. This by nature eliminates European cars since once past warranty, you are going to wear out your check book writing arm.
2. Fun to drive. I want a car that is fun to drive, meaning it has above average grunt upon applying the go pedal. Yes, the chances I actually get to do it are practically zilch in Vancouver traffic but out on the open road, I love it.
3. Handling. I want to be able fling said car into the fabled twisties (whatever they are) and not have the thing howl plow in protest. This involves having good steering and suspension, meaning rack and pinion and control arm. Struts blow compared to control arms.
4. Comfort: I want a comfortable interior that doesn’t fall apart. That means high quality upholstery and carpets.
5. Utility: I want lots of cargo space to put the stuff in that I need when I need it.
6. Reasonable fuel consumption. I can afford a car that gets 15 mpg but I just don’t have the lack of social responsibility to takes to drive one.
My choice for the 30 year car: Honda Accord. The only thing it lacks is utility. The rest of the car is beautiful. It is exceptionally well built, good on fuel, handles well and has plenty of zip. The seats are comfortable and supportive. The car is about as reliable as an anvil and it has yet (after two years) missed a beat.
The first car I can remember our family having is a 1980 Chev Caprice, bright orange. My father has fond memories of that car: it handled really well, was big inside, and was reliable. Rust was what killed it, so in this rustless universe it might not be a bad choice.
For trucks, give me a Dodge Ramcharger. Big V8, 4 spd standard. Yes, it gets poor mileage. But it’d live to see the cheap gas era of the late 90s, and be completely badass besides. (Assuming its terrible brakes don’t kill it/me beforehand.)
1981 Ford Mustang six-cylinder 4-speed stick, which I actually owned ’82-’87. Simple 200 Six, one-barrel carb, and overdrive on the 4-speed. It got mileage in the low twenties, and Ford had geared the rear end low enough that it came out of the hole very nicely (for a one-barrel Six). No top end, though. It was a nice driver; the front seats were comfortable and the space under the rear hatch could fit just about anything you could lift over the transom. Parts are easy to find and any fool could wrench on it–even me. The only downside was that with the wrong tires it could get tailhappy in the wet and do loop-de-loops sufficient to loosen your bowels. Believe me.
These 81’s were my favorites, but some wouldn’t last 30 yrs.
Citation X-11, [best of the X cars]
Z28, [last of Gen 2 round headlights]
Regal/Cutlass/Grand Prix 5.0 [1st year NASCAR used these bodies]
Malibu/LeMans 5.0 [last LeMans]
Mustang/Capri hatch [too bad 302 not aval til 82]
T-Bird/Granada/Cougar [Fox bodies can be modded as Stangs]
Caprice/Impala [solid tanks]
Favorite Imports
Accord hatch/4 door [best looking Accords ever]
VW Rabbit
280ZX
Celica Supra [82 is around the corner]