In this week’s Market Monday, we continue our little “deinfluence” campaign against the idea that the only way to stand out at a car meet is with a high-priced exotic or luxury car. In last week’s article,, we focused on the exciting, but somewhat complicated genre of never-sold-here import cars. In this week’s post, we’re focusing on pristine, low-miles, unrestored survivor cars.

There is some debate about what qualifies a vehicle as being a “survivor.” For some, it’s simply a car that is in good condition for its age. For others — including yours truly — a “survivor” car has the following characteristics, without exception:

1. Retains most of its original paint, interior and parts (excepting maintenance items)
2. Original in specification (not modified)
3. In good condition, though some patina can be permitted

I come across a lot of cars billed as “time capsules” or “true survivors” yet they have been repainted at least once, have a fresh or replaced interior, or have had significant mechanical changes and improvements. In my opinion, these do not qualify for “survivor” status. They may be lovely and desirable cars, but they no longer represent the car as the factory originally built it. Condition may be the most flexible requirement, but it’s a general rule that the worse the condition of the vehicle, the more important the other two criteria become. Would Jerry Seinfeld have paid $1.2 million for his 600-mile, 1962 Porsche 356B Twin-Grille Roadster if it had lost its originality under multiple layers of paint and modifications? Doubtful.

I’ve had the privilege to own 2 true survivors in my collecting past: a 1982 Pontiac Trans Am and a 2003 Volkswagen GTI 20th Anniversary Edition. Both of these cars had under 100,000 miles, were over 20 years old (40 in the case of the Trans Am), retained their original paint and interiors, were 100% stock with no modifications, and presented as good to excellent. The cost to acquire each vehicle was under $20,000 at the time of purchase.

My GTI and Trans Am, being mass-produced cars for the general market weren’t supercars or anything particularly special. Yes, the GTI was a special edition with special options and trim, but it was still a Volkswagen Golf (of which over 37 million have been built since 1974). The reason these cars attract attention, and why survivor cars in general can be affordable attention-getters, include:

• They were relatively inexpensive or common cars when new
• Many were lost to rust, accidents, or neglect
• Similar cars are rare to find on the roads and when seen are in far worse condition

Due to their commonplace nature — in the past, anyway — more people have had a personal connection to these cars. Comments like “I had one of these but it never looked like this” or “I never should have sold mine” are frequently heard from onlookers. It can be very gratifying to be a caretaker of a true survivor like these.

Below are 5 “survivor” cars I was able to locate with just a quick search. Some are more eye-catching than others, but in general each of these cars fit the requirements for a “survivor” and are affordably priced. It’s definitely possible to own a classic (or future classic!) for $25,000 or less.

This second-generation, or “NB” Mazda Miata is offered for sale by a dealer in Bon Aqua, Tennessee. Finished in Highlight Silver over a tan interior, it has just 46,620 miles indicated on the odometer. While the NB no longer has the retractable headlamps of the previous generation, it did boast performance improvements and an optional six-speed manual. While this particular car does exhibit some flaws, it is in remarkable condition.

Miatas have been cheap cars for decades and therefore many aren’t treated to the best of care, making stock and well-preserved cars like this a relative rarity. The asking price is a bit high at $11,975 when compared to similar cars (some in some very exciting colors), but it’s not unreasonable.

The original Ford Bronco, along with early SUVs from other manufacturers, has become a sought-after collector car and now commands high prices on the market. Its successor, the Ford Bronco II, hasn’t seen the same rise in values — yet. This 1989 Ford Bronco II is for sale in Charles City, Iowa and has traveled a mere 21,000 miles.

Apparently a resuscitated barn find, it has been treated to some needed maintenance but presents rather well for its age, though some needs are noted in the listing. These cars rust like crazy, and this one appears to be quite rot-free. Take a look at that gorgeous interior! Listed at just $7,900, the truck is priced under market, leaving some room to address its few needs.

Volkswagens built after the original Beetle have always flown a bit under the radar. Sleeper cars — cars with powerful drivetrains and reserved styling — remain popular at car meets. Here’s one of VW’s ultimate sleepers: the Volkswagen Passat W8 with a 5-speed manual transmission. The W8 effectively paired two narrow-angle VR4 engines together on a common crankshaft, hence the “W” moniker. Only 11,000 unites were sold before the variant was pulled from showrooms due to slow sales.

Expensive cars from new, these W8s suffered from neglect on the secondary market due to the high cost of repairs. This example is listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace out of New Hampshire and has just 65,000 miles. Aside from a few flaws here and there, it looks to be in terrific shape. Offered at $12,900, it’s a bit above market for the sedan variant, but it’s incredibly tempting nonetheless.

The 280Z is the evolution of the original Datsun Fairlady Z, and was released in 1975. Engine displacement for the inline-6 was boosted to 2.8L and Bosch fuel injection was added. Unfortunately, crash standards necessitated the addition of large rubber impact bumpers, but the cars retained their sleek styling.

This 1980 Datsun 280ZX is listed for sale on Craigslist and is located in Arizona. The car is said to have just 27,414 miles on the odometer, and the condition of the body and interior seem to back that up. The interior, especially, is quite mint in overall condition with an uncracked dash, while the exterior could use a good compound and polish to bring out its luster. Priced at $22,000, it’s a bit high for the average but under retail, given the mileage and condition.

The Dodge Daytona is a front-wheel drive hatchback and featured a 2.2-liter Chrysler engine with an optional turbocharger. Not to be confused with the Dodge Charger Daytona, this was a Lee Iacocca-era answer to the Camaro, Firebird, Celica, and the Mustang GT. More importantly, when was the last time you saw one on the road?

This first-year example of the Daytona Turbo is offered on Hemmings Marketplace for $15,900 and has traveled only 5,134 miles since new. Its exterior and interior condition is fantastic, and the color combination very attractive. Check out those rear bucket seats! Later Daytonas appear to drive up the average price of these cars, with the earlier models usually priced in the high 4-figures. Those cars aren’t museum-quality examples like this one, however.

Survivor cars have the potential to generate a ton of attention at car meets, especially among marque-specific events. Something like the Dodge Daytona Turbo above could even be an award winner at something like Radwood.

Speaking from experience, there are some negatives to owning a survivor. Modifications for comfort or performance can hurt the value and future appeal of the car, so you can’t really customize it to your own liking if you plan to resell it at some point. Similarly, if it’s a low-miles example, you may hesitate to drive it for fear of putting more miles and wear and tear on the car.

That said, these cars can bring you and others a ton of joy for a relatively small investment. Smart shopping may even land you an appreciating future classic. As always, though, the best advice is to buy a car you will love.

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisals, and auction services for buyers and sellers of collector European cars. If you’re interested in acquiring an overseas car, give us a call or drop a line!