Manley 10-degree Valve Locks 13194-16 (set Of 32) Brand New on 2040-parts.com

Chevy Spark Confirmed – the Yanks learn little cars!

All the grief surrounding the big three US makers (less so Ford) revolves around the lack of cars they make that can compete in the world in which we live. No longer, it would seem, are US car buyers prepared to put up with gas-guzzling, low-quality cars. The rise of the Japanese car in the US (Toyota is now the biggest selling car) has put the writing on the wall for years.

The Toyota FT-1 sure does look like the Bertone Mantide

We really liked the Toyota FT-1, which caught us off guard in the best possible way when it emerged at the Detroit auto show. In fact, we liked Toyota's “spiritual pace car” enough to call it the most fun new thing on the floor -- and we're hoping the automaker's execs take notice. Reader Dennis Liu certainly noticed the car, which seemed rather familiar to him: He feels that, coincidentally or not, it looks a lot like the Bertone Mantide.

'80s dream-car bargains: The AutoWeek list

'84-'89 C4 Corvette High: $44,000 Low: $2,500 Average: $10,018 Our take: Arguably the best buy on this list '85-'89 Volkswagen GTI High: $5,995 Low: $4,100 Average: $4,865 Our take: The iconic pocket rocket '85-'89 Ford Mustang 5.0 High: $48,995 Low: $1,900 Average: $7,924 Our take: Pony car + V8 = tons of fun '87-'89 Pontiac Firebird Formula High: $22,900 Low: $4,000 Average: $10,293 Our take: One day, you might be able to show it at an Orphan Car Show '84-'87 Buick Grand National High: $31,700 Low: $9,000 Average: $17,442 Our take: If you can find a clean one for less than $20,000, buy it '81-'82 DeLorean DMC-12 High: $26,900 Low: $15,998 Average: $22,572 Our take: Only on the market for a couple years; might always be a collectible '81-'89 Lotus Esprit High: $41,998 Low: $16,495 Average: $23,535 Our take: One of the fastest cars in its day '88-'89 BMW M3 High: $65,000 Low: $14,500 Average: $24,417 Our take: A lot of thrills for the money '83-'85 Ferrari 308 GTS High: $44,950 Low: $32,900 Average: $37,878 Our take: A Ferrari for less than 40 grand? Believe it '81-'89 Porsche 911 Turbo High: $78,500 Low: $24,900 Average: $40,669 Our take: Be careful, these monsters are a handful!