At $5,500, Will This Survivor 81 Datsun 210 Show a Savvy Sale?

As we speak’s Good Value or No Cube Datsun 210 is type of an enigma. The truth that it nonetheless exists is a lot stunning, however poses the query of what must be finished with it. We’ll begin, nonetheless, with what to do with its value.

The vendor of yesterday’s 2002 BMW 540i M-Sport claimed it to presently be “Senior Owned,” however didn’t make clear as as to if that was a highschool or faculty senior. All kidding apart, that M62-packing E39 would probably be a really critical method to have enjoyable for any form of senior, or anybody else, for that matter.

There may be, in fact, the matter of its $13,000 value. That gave the impression to be a good value for all that enjoyable, no less than to the slender majority of you who awarded the automotive a 51 p.c Good Value win.

Yesterday’s win signifies that BMW nonetheless brings the warmth. Nonetheless, that’s a frightening activity for any firm, particularly one like BMW that tries to fill nearly each area of interest it could actually discover that can make the corporate cash. In actual fact, proper now I believe the Bavarian-based carmaker is foisting a head-spinning 16 disparate fashions on the American market. And that’s not counting the hybrid, electrical, or M variations.

The one space that BMW has chosen to not ply its commerce, not even with its Mini off-shoot, is within the realm of fundamental transportation. Right here is the place the likes of Toyota’s Corolla, Mitsubishi’s Mirage, and Nissan’s Versa and Sentra rule the roost. None of those is a horrible automotive — nicely, admittedly the Mirage is a little bit of a canine — they usually all serve a function. Carmakers have been serving this function for many years now, so lengthy in reality, that one firm — Nissan — really modified names alongside the best way.

This 1981 Datsun 210 is from the pre-Nissan period right here within the States and is the direct ancestor of the present-day Sentra.

Initially denoted because the B210, Datsun’s Corolla competitor dropped the B with the mannequin’s 1977 redesign in order to higher align its naming conference with the FWD 310, bigger 510, and range-topping 810 mannequin strains.

This yellow-over-brown two-door gives a SOHC 4, that was listed within the brochure as a 1.2-liter however is definitely a tad bigger at 1237ccs. That 68-horsepower 4 might be paired with both a four- or five-speed guide or, as on this automotive’s case, a three-speed computerized. The 210’s gasoline economic system actually took successful with the addition of the slusher, costing absolutely 8 mpg on the EPA freeway cycle over the five-speed guide.

That’s to not say this 210 is a thirsty outdated lady, and it’ll run on common so it probably gained’t drink you out of home and residential.

Frugality comes at a value, although, and on this 210’s case that’s a dearth of options, conveniences and, to be sincere, type. Oh positive, that is retro-‘80s cool simply by its mere existence. Simply don’t count on an excessive amount of from it.

There are solely 88,347 miles on the clock, which could assist clarify the automotive’s current existence whereas on the identical time just about all different 210s have lengthy since gone the best way of Elvis.

It does sport a couple of battle scars from these years and miles. Probably the most notable of these is a dent within the bodywork just under the grille that by some means the jutting entrance bumper failed to stop. There are additionally a superb variety of chips right here and there within the already fading paint, however that each one simply serves to present the automotive an inviting patina, like a well-worn pair of comfy outdated denims.

We don’t get to see the inside aside from a few peeks by means of the glass, however no less than primarily based on these, it appears to be there. There’s no A/C, energy something, or perhaps a tach. What you do get is a few deep dish alloys wrapped in new tires and a type of cool radio antennas that observe the driving force’s facet A-pillar. Who doesn’t love these?

Based on the vendor, the automotive is in “good working situation,” and “Runs, drives, and appears nice!” The cherry on high is a transparent title.

For all this retro goodness, the vendor asks $5,500 and warns that solely “critical patrons” want apply. What do you suppose? Should somebody critically contemplate this 210 for that $5,500 value? Or, to you, is that only one large joke?

You resolve!

Los Angeles, California, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.

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