mid-80s cars...

[cfz2882]

...mostly model years 1985-87 along with late-84 and early'88 offerings technology and quality generally improved as the "malaise era"finished up. Yugo and Hyundai were new brands as ford dealers started to sell German Ford Merkurs to have a "european"offering.Ford Taurus was a hit while the 1986 Toronado Was not...Kinda liked certain versions of GMs new FWD midsize cars.

 

[justjunque]

I was still pretty car crazy at that time, and liked lots of different makes/models.
I was particularly fond of GM's "G-bodies".
We still have a very dilapidated 1981 Buick Regal coupe that hasn't run in ages, a 1987 Buick Regal Turbo T with WE4 package, and a 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix with the 2+2 package.

 

[DADoES]

 
I had a mid '80s Buick.  I liked the car.  The head gasket went to leaking after the warranty period, which I had repaired and kept it for a few more years.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

I loved our 1986 Celebrity Chevrolet, it lasted well into the '90's and was the last new car that my family bought...

-- Dave

 

[jmm63]

Merkur

Was just thinking about them the other day. My best friend worked for Ford in Dearborn and he and his brother were able to get Merkur's on the x plan. One had the XR4TI and the other the Scorpio. The XR4TI was an awful piece of junk. Always in the shop and always leaking something. When it did run, it was fun to drive though.
The Scorpio on the other hand, was a very, very nice car. Full of European style and very comfortable seats and a quiet luxurious ride. I remember driving from Detroit to Hilton Head in it and it was a very pleasant experience. He kept it quite a while, over 125K miles and never really had problems with it till then end and traded it for a Mercedes.

 

[rinso]

Bought a new 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix. It had the most comfortable seats of any car I've ever known and was fun to drive and great looking as well. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a to be a total lemon, as is said. The ignition switch would often lock up solidly, necessitating a tow to the dealer's. Additionally, the engine would often stop abruptly while driving and the hydraulic clutch actuation varied constantly, and required a person with very long legs to be able to floor the clutch to shit gears. The electronic dashboard was prone to nervous breakdowns, but did become an entire driver entertainment center, showing anything but correct information.

 

[cfz2882]

French cars still avalible..

..in mid '80s USA: Renault and Peugeot.

 

[philcobendixduo]

In 1986, I was going to buy....

.....a Ford Taurus but, for the same money, I ended up buying a 1985 Continental Mark VII LSC.
It was one year old and had 14k miles on it. I passed by it on the dealers lot every day on the way to work.
This was my "dream car" - I loved it from the moment I first saw the ads for it on T.V.
Despite its size, it could take off with authority when the traffic signal turned green.
The air suspension was very "high tech" at the time and the seats were the best of any car I've ever owned.
I drove it for 6 years and loved every minute of it.
My car previous to this one was a 1980 Honda Accord LX hatchback so the Lincoln was quite a step up!

 

[luxflairguy]

What a beauty Bill!

 

[cfz2882]

1985 continental, reply 7

I think those were the first american cars to have modern "aero" headlamps -I think they were real glass too-not plastic

 

[maytag85]

1986 Ford LTD Crown Victoria with the 302 ci paired up with the 4 speed AOD transmission would be my pick

 

[philcobendixduo]

Mark VII Composite Headlights.....

......was indeed the first American car with composite headlights.

"I think those were the first american cars to have modern "aero" headlamps -I think they were real glass too-not plastic."

They were polycarbonate - not glass.
My car was always garaged so the lenses were perfectly clear when I sold it in 1992.

Another interesting fact - This 1985 Mark VII did not have the "Lincoln" name anywhere on it.
It was a "Continental" - harkening back to the days when "Continental" was the luxury brand from Ford.

I love the above "Merkur Scorpio" - I was seriously tempted to buy one but they were priced out of my comfort zone at the time. It would have been a great car for me since I am a Scorpio myself!

 

[goatfarmer]

Had an 83 Dodge Shelby Charger. 2.2, 5 speed, bought it new. Fun car, until it was about 2 years old. Had about 25,000 on it. In  3 months, had to replace the battery, starter, clutch, and charging system was showing problems. Not Chrysler's finest hour.

 

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

My '87 Dodge Charger was the bets ride I'd ever had...

Bettered the '84 Ford Escort I'd had before it which only needed the full gauges & overhead console for me to appreciate it a bit more...

-- Dave

 

[cfz2882]

Merkur XR4TI...

Oddly,though made in Germany,those cars used U.S made 2.3l "Lima"4cyl same as later Pintos,mustangs,Ranger etc. Turbo whistle was decently loud. Last saw one about 1995-burnt out at the side of the road...

 

[rodknock95]

Love the 80's

Here is my 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham Diesel

 

[wayupnorth]

My 81 Corvette. Bought from the original owner with 18,000 miles. Built in August 1981 (think it was intended to be an '82. One of the earliest to come out of the Bowling Green factory.

 

[cfz2882]

reply 15 85 cutlass, reply 16 Corvette

do you have the v6 or v8 diesel? i have seen some g-bodies with the 4.3 v6 diesel. Aug '81 corvette no doubt one of the very last with a carb

 

[wayupnorth]

Yes my Vette has a carb as the Crossfire Injection would not work.