1986 Chevette, Cheapest American Cars
1986 Chevrolet Chevette

By 1986, car shoppers were looking for a little more than basic transportation. And while cheap/affordable cars were still the best-selling models, they were generally equipped with such conveniences as automatic transmission and such niceties as FM radio and air conditioning.

With that in mind, we have compiled a list of the cheapest American-made vehicles of 1986, as equipped with all of the above-mentioned options.

For simplicity sake, we have not included captive imports on this list. Had we done so, vehicles including the Suzuki-built Chevrolet Sprint would have been seen here as well.

We have included the Renault Alliance. Though ostensibly French, the Alliance was the product of a tie-up with AMC, and was built in the very American hamlet of Kenosha, Wisconsin.

 

Interesting note: The 1986 Mercury Lynx actually boasted a lower starting price than did the same-year Ford Escort, this despite the fact that the cars were virtually identical, and that Mercury-branded vehicles have traditionally sold at a premium to Fords. However, because the base Lynx could not be ordered with an automatic transmission, shoppers had to upgrade to the “L” model, raising the “as-equipped” price seen below.

As always, if you remember anything regarding the vehicles seen here, please share your impressions with us. The place to comment is below the last vehicle.

The 7 Cheapest American Cars of 1972 (With AM and Auto)

 

Chevrolet Chevette: $7087

1986 Chevrolet Chevette
1986 Chevrolet Chevette

Base Model: $5645 (3-door hatchback)

AM/FM Radio: $82 (AM standard)

Air Conditioning: $645

Automatic Transmission: $425

Destination: $290

 

Pontiac 1000: $7191

1986 Pontiac 1000
1986 Pontiac 1000

Base Model: $5749 (3-door hatchback)

AM/FM Radio: $82 (AM standard)

Air Conditioning: $645

Automatic Transmission: $425

Destination: $290

Foreign Matter: Pricing the Imports of 1973

 

Renault/AMC Alliance: $7599

1986 Renault Alliance
1986 Renault Alliance

Base Model: $5895 (3-door coupe)

AM/FM Radio: $192

Air Conditioning: $685

Automatic Transmission: $469

Destination: $358

 

Ford Escort: $7601

1986 Ford Escort
1986 Ford Escort

Base Model: $6052 (3-door hatchback Pony)

AM/FM Radio: $121

Air Conditioning: $657

Automatic Transmission: $466

Destination: $308

 

Mercury Lynx: $7812

1986 Mercury Lynx
1986 Mercury Lynx

Base Model: $6272 (3-door hatchback L model. $5986 Base not available with automatic transmission.)

AM/FM Radio: $109 (AM standard)

Air Conditioning: $657

Automatic Transmission: $466

Destination: $308

The 10 Cheapest Wagons of 1973

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