10 Quirkiest Cars You Can Buy for $25,000, According to Doug DeMuro
Not everyone wants to own a luxury vehicle or sports car. Some drivers just really want cars with whimsy. The more it looks like it drove off the pages of a Richard Scarry book and into your driveway, the better.
Niche vehicles can be expensive, though, so we were excited to see YouTuber and car enthusiast Doug DeMuro recommend 10 quirky cars for $25,000 on his YouTube channel. In no particular order, here are the cool, affordable cars worth keeping on your radar.
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1. Vanderhall Venice
At some point in your life, you’ve probably spotted a Vanderhall Venice cruising down a busy main street. These vehicles have three wheels instead of four but manage to look classic instead of cartoonish. They also boast nearly 200 hp, so you’re getting great performance behind the wheel.
According to DeMuro, the Venice sells for $15,000 to $20,000. You’re bound to turn heads driving one.
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2. AM General Humvee
If you want to drive the civilian version – the Hummer – you’ll pay way more than $25,000. The Humvee, the decommissioned military version of the Hummer, is available to the public and for a lot less.
DeMuro said some states offer street titles for these vehicles. This is where you’re able to buy the Humvee, register it on the street and title it like a car and get license plates.
3. Autozam AZ-1
The Autozam AZ-1 is a Kei car, which is a type of small motor vehicle made to conserve space in Japan. What adds to the AZ-1’s quirkiness are its gullwing doors, AKA car doors that open into the air instead of the car’s sides.
It’s possible to find an AZ-1 for $25,000 – for now. DeMuro said prices are pushing up for these vehicles. If you spot one for sale and it’s your vibe (and you can fit inside – the interior is really tight), make an offer.
4. Lotus Espirit Turbo
You can find the Lotus Espirit Turbo, an oddball known for its unusual interiors and driving experience, for less than $25,000 if you carefully comb through listings. DeMuro said he sold one on his auction site, Cars & Bids, for $20,000.
5. 1945 Ford Military Jeep
The 1945 Ford military Jeep won’t be the most comfortable or fastest use of your $25,000, but it will get everyone talking and snapping photos as you drive by.
“I’m really astonished this is a $25,000 car because it looks so absurd and interesting and crazy, like it should be in a museum,” said DeMuro.
6. Pontiac Mera
The Pontiac Mera, as DeMuro said in the video, was a Pontiac Fiero rebadged as a Ferrari 308 and sold as a new car at Pontiac dealerships. Essentially, the car pretended it was a Ferrari until the copyright laws caught up and put an end to that.
An incredibly well-preserved Mera recently sold on Cars & Bids for $25,000. If you find a Mera out there for sale, DeMuro said it may be cheaper than the one that sold on the site.
7. Plymouth Prowler
Prowlers are a major bargain in the automotive industry, according to DeMuro. While it’s true these cars aren’t fast and are all automatic, they’re extremely cool-looking and guaranteed to turn heads.
“This is the kind of car that looks like someone spent five years of their life building it in their garage,” said DeMuro.
8. Chevrolet SSR
The Chevy SSR was a pickup truck, convertible and retro hot rod that came in all sorts of crazy colors.
“SSRs are cheap,” said DeMuro, who sold a 2004 model for $19,500. “People are still blown away this bizarre pickup truck ever existed. Where did you get it? Why did they [the manufacturer] make it? I’m still asking those questions all these years later.”
9. JDM Fire Truck
It’s a Land Cruiser in the front and a fire truck in the back.
We were surprised when DeMuro said he sells a lot of these low-mileage vehicles, specifically the 1983 Toyota Land Cruiser fire truck, on the auction site. This particular model sold for $10,500, well below the $25,000 range.
“There’s not a big market for them and none are ever expensive,” DeMuro said, explaining why they sell so frequently. Because these fire trucks are from the Japanese market, they sell because they’re so little. (American fire trucks are far too massive. Where would you even park one?)
10. 1980s Citroën
The 1980s Citroën models were unusual indeed with their teardrop shape and single post steering wheel.
Ultimately, DeMuro said the French Citroën vehicles, like the CX, was not considered valuable. Many Americans feared owning and maintaining them since they weren’t particularly fast or enjoyable to drive. DeMuro previously sold a 1986 Citroën CX for around $16,000.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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