Ignore the fact that I’m an absolute sucker for a good Dodge Ramcharger for one moment. Ignore the fact that the 318ci small-block in this beast has at least times more bark than bite. Just look at it for a second…the two-toned blue stripes that go with the dark blue color. The satin shotgun wheels. The 33″ tires you see on just about every 1980s Dodge Ramcharger, it seems. Dude, it’s the Eighties, and it’s sitting right here, in front of you, well within that five thousand dollar budget. It’s waiting for you to spend $3,500 and take this piece of somewhat modern Mopar history home. It’s waiting for you to spend the next $1,500 on any and every performance adding thing available to give this sports-utility vehicle the performance it’s looks say it should have. It’s not like the interior or exterior need any real work, and the rest of the running gear is more than up to the task that most four-wheel-drive enthusiasts enjoy. Will it conquer the Rubicon? Nope. But it’ll haul you out camping and back, and if need be, ditch the rear seat and use the truck as your tent.

Life is short. Own something that stands out a bit. Own one of these, if just for a little bit and enjoy what it will bring to you: the urge to put a Poison cassette in the sound system as you cruise the mall. Then go use it for what it was meant to be used for: a decent SUV with four-wheel-drive.

CarsForSale.com Link: 1984 Dodge Ramcharger