10 cars for less than $10K at 2025 Mecum Kissimmee

Sure, a Ford GT40 topped the charts at $7 million at this year’s Mecum Kissimmee auction. But some of us enjoy a bargain. There were plenty of awesome cars for less than $10K. Don’t believe us? Here are 10 that caught our eye.

Late C3 Corvettes just don’t seem to get respect from the collector market. Their loss is your gain, because look at what this one has. A classic L82 350-cubic-inch V8. M21 Muncie four-speed manual. A 3.55 Positraction rear end. And doesn’t it look badass all in black?

While not the STI, it comes with upgraded Invidia performance exhaust, Cobb air intake and mass air flow sensor, and silicone hoses. Purported to be garage-kept, it looks it from the photos available, despite the nearly 115,000 miles.

It’s becoming increasingly rare to see a highly original E21 available on the market. The BMW comes with the fuel-injected, 1.8-liter M10 inline-four and a Getrag five-speed manual. It also recently had some work done, too, making the under $10K price tag even more enticing.

Sport trucks are hot, especially right now. Yeah, Chevys and Fords may be popular, but how about a Toyota? This custom was once featured in Motor Trend magazine.

The sixth-generation Honda Civic only had an Si trim for two years. This is one of them. It certainly has a few miles under the belt (170,000-plus), but Hondas like this last forever, right?

Can’t decide between a Bentley or a JDM? We understand hard choices like that. How about a JDM that’s built to resemble a Bentley? That’s what coachbuilder Mitsuoka essentially did with a mid-size Nissan Crew. Woodgrain trim. Chrome hubcaps. White sidewalls. Yeah, it checks off all the boxes, and it’ll turn heads as you roll into the track?

How rad is this? A hardtop R129 convertible. Underneath the hood, a 5.0-liter M119 V8. Plus, it still wears the same paint as it came from the factory. This looks like a great cruiser that allows you to wave to your car’s admirers.

A McLaren for under $10K? A Fox-body Mustang (in Mercury clothing) for under $10K? Yes, and yes. This example is just one of 257 made, and it comes with the 5.0-liter V8 as well as Recaro seats. Plus, this one has only 65,000 miles on the clock.

While the bones of this car may have seen a lot of miles (178,000 plus), many of its components haven’t. The seller states that both its LT1 5.7-liter V8 and T56 six-speed manual have been rebuilt. Plus, there’s a lot of other new goodies. Regardless, a Z28 with a manual is enticing.

Several Z cars sold for under $10,000, including a 280ZX that hammered for just $3850. However, this one caught our eye over the rest. The odometer reads less than 80,000 miles and it comes with a 3.0-liter V6. Personally, I love leather, and the interior seems to be in great shape.

Comments

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/22/25 12:42 p.m.

I’d rock a late C3 Corvette. At one time, JG were talking about doing one. We still should.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/22/25 12:42 p.m.

Of course, though, the 2000 Civic Si holds the highest spot in my heart. :)

Still miss ours.

californiamilleghia UberDork
1/22/25 12:50 p.m.

I think it would make an interesting website/blog that would post the First 10 sales at the major auctions ,

I always figured there would be good deals in the first hour or so before many bidders got seated.

xflowgolf (Forum Supporter) SuperDork
1/22/25 12:51 p.m.

Those custom cut "Elite Viper" style HRBB (Boyd) billet wheels on the Toyota minitruck have to have cost well over half the sale price of the truck.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/22/25 12:53 p.m.

In reply to californiamilleghia :

Yeah, and FWIW, Mecum starts the day with Road Art: signs, printed, artwork, etc.

z31maniac MegaDork
1/22/25 12:58 p.m.

David S. Wallens said:
I’d rock a late C3 Corvette. At one time, JG were talking about doing one. We still should.

Maybe do a ridiculous restomod CAM type car?

Colin Wood Associate Editor
1/22/25 1:03 p.m.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

I mean, I get it, but I'm often surprised at how much some of that Road Art sells for.

JG Pasterjak Production/Art Director
1/22/25 1:32 p.m.

David S. Wallens said:
I’d rock a late C3 Corvette. At one time, JG were talking about doing one. We still should.

Editorial Director, Grassroots Motorsports & Classic Motorsports

That '79 seems like kind of a steal. I mean, how bad can they be, right? I guess the chassis are a little floppy, but that seems like something that could be fixed. Throw in some bracing, ditch the leafs, cut the sleeves off your denim jacket, party.

Also, wow those Z31 Nissan Zs have aged well. Especially the 2-seaters.

Ian F (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
1/22/25 1:44 p.m.

The high-dollar cars get the attention but it's good to be reminded you can get into the vintage car hobby for relatively cheap. A few there that would tempt me if I weren't already buried in cars.

On a related note, it was interesting to see the R53 MINI profiled as a rising collectible car in a recent Hagerty magazine. I suppose that means I'm not the only one who has one under an collector car policy.