With the rise in classic car costs over the past 10 years it might seem impossible to get into the game without a huge budget. While it might break the bank if you are trying to get your hands on an ultra rare ride, it is still possible to cruise in style for less than $10,000. You don’t have to be an expert mechanic to keep these less expensive classic cars on the road either. The list we compiled are relatively easy to work on and usually have pretty inexpensive replacement parts.
Chevrolet Corvair
Originally released in 1960, these two door coupes can be a blast to cruise around in. We might suggest looking for one with a 4 speed transmission as they seem like the best ones to drive. They might not be the fastest cars out there, but they certainly look ultra-cool. There are four different engine sizes available. A 95 hp version (which is honestly painfully slow), the 110 hp and 140 hp versions which are much more enjoyable, and then there is the 185 hp version which is quite quick, but might be tough to find for under $10K. Here are some on AutoTraderClassics.com and ClassicCars.com that are waiting for you to pick up.
Ford Thunderbird
The 1962 is one of the lesser desirable years for Thunderbird collectors which is great news for anyone on a budget. The convertible version might run you a little more, but the 2 and 4 door hardtops are easy to find for less than $10K. These cars came with a lot of get up and go in comparison to the Corvair. These Thundersbirds were fitted with a big block 390 cubic inch V8 putting out 300 hp. Again, here are some available on AutoTraderClassics and ClassicCars, but I bet you could find a few on Craigslist as well if you look in the largely populated markets.
Mercury Cougar
The Cougar is the cousin to the Mustang and has a lot of similarities, but for some reason never caught on quite like the little pony. Nevertheless we think they look great and you can pick up a 1960s Mercury Cougar for relatively cheap. They were made with the full array of Ford motors (289, 302, 390, 427, and 428), but the 427 & 428 versions are gonna run you a little more because they are harder to find. Hopefully the ones we found on ATC and CC.com have not sold by the time you are reading this article.
Datsun 240Z
Get in and fasten your seat belt! These little Japanese classics are a blast to drive and they made a lot of them so everyone can have some fun! Inspired by the looks of a Jaguar, the 240Z had a L24 2.4-liter engine with a manual choke and a 4-speed manual transmission. The interest in these is starting to increase so you might want to move if you are still looking to get one under $10K. We didn’t find much at this time on AutoTraderClassics or ClassicCars.com, but we assure you they are still out there. Maybe take a look through Craigslist or head on over to eBay Motors.
1952 Chevy 3100 Truck
The older Chevy and GMC trucks are timeless and honestly look good in just about any condition. It is part of their workhorse character. While a lot of people collect these, there were so many made that the price for them hasn’t yet skyrocketed. Just about every Chevy truck from these days came with a straight six with the 216, 235, or 261 cubic inch motor. They are super simple to work on and have a ton of options for aftermarket parts. There is almost always going to be one available for under $10K. Here are some on ATC, CC.com, and eBay Motors, but we would honestly suggest starting your search on Craigslist.