6 winter workhorses under $6000
The Hagerty Marketplace is filled with lots of powerful muscle cars, sleek sports cars, and vintage SUVs that are sure to become the jewel of some devoted owner’s collection. However, our daily drivers are often utilitarian, and sometimes there are jobs that our prized cars just aren’t cut out for. Here are a handful of affordable vehicles that we on the media staff would consider adding to our own fleets to fit various winter roles.
1972 Datsun 510
We’re not going to pretend that a 50-year-old Datsun makes sense as a winter driver. But, after visiting some vintage races at Laguna Seca, we’ve been bitten by the 510 bug. $4000 is about right for a car in #4 (Fair) condition, and this one has more than its shares of bumps and bruises. Those imperfections make that price seem a tad high, but on the other hand it does have a 2.0-liter engine swap from a Datsun 610, making this a bit of a muscle car. Maybe. If we squint just right we can see it in vintage rally livery that makes those dents look like battle scars. Ice racing, anyone?
1991 Mercedes 300D
This beige beauty, powered by a five-cylinder diesel, has racked up nearly half a million miles, although it seems to have survived them quite handily. The owner notes it does look like the 300D needs a paint job, as the clearcoat is failing on many of the car’s horizontal surfaces. If its past is any indication, this Benz could be one in which to rack up the winter miles without worry. After all, it’s not like another 100,000 miles is going to hurt its resale value.
1992 Volvo 240
Volvo’s long-lived 200 Series was built for nearly 20 years before it was discontinued in the United States in 1993, making this ’92 model one of the last of the breed. These Swedish standbys were built in huge numbers and have a reputation for reliability and simplicity. Their staid design has become both endearing and iconic, and this one looks pretty darn good in seldom-seen red paint. It has survived 30 years of service relatively unscathed, and with only 150,000 miles, this brick has plenty of life left in it. And if the 2.3-liter four-cylinder does start acting up, there’s plenty of room in the engine bay to upgrade.
1984 S-10 Blazer
Chevrolet’s entry into compact SUVs in the 1980s, the Chevy S-10 Blazer, came out to battle Ford’s Bronco II, and we’ve got to say that its styling has aged a bit better than its Blue Oval rival. OK, truth be told, your author is biased because a 1986 4×4 model was his first car, which served valiantly through high school and into college.
Chevrolet’s 2.8-liter V-6 was never a powerhouse and is only adequate in these compact SUVs, but the overall package was pretty well thought-out and nimble. This one has plenty of blemishes, but they just make the rough-and-tumble little 4×4 ready for splashing around in inclement weather. You’d be hard-pressed to find a 4×4 that’s more affordable.
1985 Ford E-150
If you’ve got a winter project in your garage, you may need to haul some bulky parts. How about this simple, utilitarian, 302-powered Ford Econoline that keeps all of your gear both secure and out of the elements? We don’t have enough time to extoll all the virtues of vans, although we will point out that this one doesn’t cost a whole lot more than a camper shell for a pickup.
We’ll always find a way to rationalize a vehicle purchase, especially when it has a V-8.
1979 GMC K2500
We’re not sure what the current owner calls this 3/4-ton 4×4, but we think the blue beast of burden would make an excellent “Babe.” Aspiring Paul Bunyans, take notice: Even its wooden stake sides are painted to match.
The drivetrain consists of a crate replacement Goodwrench 350 V-8 and a four-speed manual with a “granny” low gear. Although not mentioned, its transfer case could be the famously burly NP205, which would make GMC a seriously stout work truck for just about any job you could throw at it.
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A couple of weeks ago a friend sold a 1995 3/4 ton suburban 4×4 diesel. She was original owner, had good tires, newish batteries new starter and good interior. Rusted out doors. She got CDN$4000 for it. The fellow called back a little while ago and was very happy with it. These days a 4×4 is good to have in the winter as weather seems to be getting worse.
I had to look because I am that person. 2006 Toyota Sienna AWD 151,000± on the clock, sitting on a dealer lot for $4,995. I have one, they are great in the snow, carry 7 people easy, great climate control, and if you take the seats out it can easily swallow a 6 inch stack of 4X8 sheet goods. Found on Auto Trader in the Hartford CT area. Link below.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=654218592&allListingType=all-cars&makeCodeList=TOYOTA&modelCodeList=SIENNA&city=Litchfield&state=CT&zip=06759&location=&searchRadius=50&isNewSearch=false&marketExtension=include&showAccelerateBanner=false&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&numRecords=25&dma=&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fall-cars%2Ftoyota%2Fsienna%2Flitchfield-ct-06759%3Fdma%3D%26searchRadius%3D50%26isNewSearch%3Dfalse%26marketExtension%3Dinclude%26showAccelerateBanner%3Dfalse%26sortBy%3DderivedpriceASC%26numRecords%3D25&clickType=listing
Anyone talking down the Mercedes, never owned one. I had 750,000 miles on mt 1983 300D before I retired it. The Mercedes above is ever much more car than my 1983, it will run for a long time, unfortunately as of today, diesel fuel is $2.00 more per gallon than gasoline.
The truck will be a $5000 truck for quite a while assuming there is no salt where you live. Plus its the closest to indestructible of the lot. (Maybe the Mercedes actually is, but with that many miles the risk of a major problem is too high…Same with the Volvo, really like them both but….). 4wd, small block Chevy, bullet proof SM 420 gearbox and NP205 transfer case. Buy it, check the bearings and brakes, change the fluids and drive it.
The 510 is interesting. I was crew chief on a Pro Rally 510 back in the early 80’s. With a locker and proper tires, these were quite capable off road and in the snow. Actually was one of 11 cars (of 80 that started) to finish the 3 night Press On Regardless Pro Rally in Houghton Michigan in 1980 (or was it 81?) Any how it brings back memories!
I live in Buffalo. Given these modern times, I wouldn’t dream of owning a winter vehicle without electronic stability control and antilock brakes. AWD is a nice to have too, but I find myself on slick roads more than in deep snow/slush.
6 winter workhorses under $600 would have been more accurate. Lots of junk here.
All of these would be a major pain in the A….S to get smogged in California. No Thank You to them all
Except the Datsun. Pre 1975 vehicles are exempt.
None of these are any good. I would rather have an old front wheel drive Corolla or Civic with proper winter tires. The Datsun 510 has an ugly aftermarket sunroof that is guaranteed to leak. OK, I might take the 4X4 truck, but the Ford van would get stuck before you even knew that snow was falling. I grew up in SD and lived this life for a long time.
So, being from Southern California, am I to understand that those that live in the land of ice and snow have to buy a “winter” car? Really? It gets into the mid to high ‘teens here in the desert, but only until the sun comes up. Then it’s usually in the low 40’s to mid 60’s. And when it does snow, it might be on the ground until about noon…
I don’t know if I’ll ever see a box chevy as anything but an old truck. The Benz is kinda nice but I wouldn’t give you $5k for the whole lot.
Does Hagarty care to list parts and labor costs for this vintage crap,when they need major repairs. And, they will, more sooner than later.
im interrested in the 79 gmc the blue beasthow much millage is on it and is it a 350v8 iwill buy itright now ,ihad asimular one it was a 88 3/4tonGMCwith afour speed trans i miss it ,give me a for real price and ill buy it
Nothing works like a Chevy truck! And I can get a small block Chevy smog in California without a catalytic. those things run so efficiently and so clean if it is in Reasonable running condition it’ll smog you just have to put all the stuff it came with on it.
While non of these are worth the money , I would go with the Ford Van. It looks to be in decent shape and it would be useful year round. I’ve had many econolines from the late 60’s until the early 80’s as work trucks. They are bullet proof and if you throw some weight over the rear axle, put some good snow tires on, it will get you through anything at all .
Not sure I’d classify a Benz diesel as a winter workhorse. When I was at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, employees would leave their diesels idling in the parking lot all day, afraid to shut them off. This inspite of plug-ins at every parking space.