Seattle‑Side Treasure Hunt: Wide‑Body Volvo 960, Toyota AE86, Honda Trail 250 & More

Friends, happy Saturday. I’ve been day‑dreaming about a quick trip to Seattle to catch up with the crew there, but the budget’s tighter than a race‑car seat belt. Instead of a plane ticket I grabbed my laptop, set my Facebook Marketplace radius to 500 miles around Sea‑Tac, and let the listings do the sightseeing.

What I found feels like a curated garage‑sale for the automotive‑curious: a Swedish box with a wild look, a Japanese drift legend that’s still hunting for a new driver, and a little Honda that whispers “adventure” every time you twist the throttle. Below is my informal tour, complete with the odd side‑note that only a bored internet‑surfer would notice.

1994 Volvo 960 Wagon – $2,750

First stop: a hulking, wide‑body Volvo 960 that looks like it belongs on a rally stage rather than a suburban driveway. The seller has stripped most of the interior, leaving only two fixed‑back racing seats and a single four‑point harness for the driver. The passenger side has the stock three‑point belt, which is a little odd for most HPDE series that demand equal protection for both occupants. The chassis is essentially bare metal with exposed wiring, giving it a raw, “just‑out‑of‑the‑garage” vibe.

Oddly, the ad mentions trading the car for e‑bikes, ATVs, or even Pokémon cards. So if you’ve been hoarding vintage cards in a shoebox, now might be the time to cash them in for a Swedish rally‑car.

2007 KTM 990 Adventure S – $4,000

Scrolling a bit farther I hit a 990 Adventure that reads like a love‑letter to the early‑2000s “Long Way Round” crew. The owner has fitted heated hand‑grips, sturdy skid plates, and a massive front fender—perfect for scrubbing through mud. There are also a few mods that feel more aesthetic than functional, such as a bulky Rotopax fuel tank that adds weight without adding much range. The headlights have been upgraded, but they look more like showpieces than practical night‑lights.

If you’re hunting a bike that already feels like it’s been on a few continents, this KTM might be your ticket.

1990 Mazda Miata – $5,000

Next up is a clean, manual‑transmission Miata that still sports the original 1.6‑liter engine. Mileage is high—Miatas love the road, not the odometer—but the chassis is solid. The seller claims the only modifications are a coolant reroute and a modest aftermarket audio system. Everything else, down to the classic cup‑holder‑less dash, is stock. If you’re looking for a lightweight roadster to rebuild or simply drive to the beach, this one is a decent starter.

1985 Toyota AE86 – $8,200

Now for the highlight: an ’85 Toyota AE86, the “Hachiroku” that sparked endless internet memes after Initial D. This is the notch‑back version—not the more coveted fastback Takumi body—but it’s mechanically sound and runs without any serious rust under the chassis. Paint is faded, and the bodywork still needs a little TLC, yet you can drive it out of the lot without worrying about the undercarriage falling apart. All for under ten grand—a rarity in today’s market.

If you’ve ever fantasized about drifting on a rainy Pacific‑Northwest highway, this is the closest you’ll get without stealing a friend’s car.

1930 Nash 400 Series – $8,000

Finally, a true blast from the past: a 1930 Nash 400 Series. The ad bluntly states, “It hasn’t ran in a few years,” and the car looks the part—dust‑covered body, vintage rubber tires, and a trunk that could probably fit an entire family’s groceries—or, in a darker imagination, a mobster’s “cargo.” The sheer volume of the rear compartment is impressive for a car that’s almost a century old.

It won’t win any drag races, but it’s a conversation starter that could turn a Sunday drive into a lesson in automotive history.

All in all, Seattle’s Marketplace is a goldmine of eclectic rides. Whether you’re after a rally‑ready Volvo, a drifting legend, or a piece of 1930s nostalgia, there’s something out there that will make your heart race—without the cost of a flight ticket.