Eastern Bloc cars, small Japanese and the Duck
Nowadays it is already difficult to buy a new car for less than €15,000. There was a time when you still had quite a bit of choice for less than €5,000. However, you have to go back to the mid-1980s for that. We list the cheapest cars of 1985.
Skoda 105 fl. 8,995 (€4,082)
The absolute price fighter in the Netherlands, with the 4-cylinder in the longitudinal direction in the back and a large storage bin at the front. The ‘standard’ was the basis, the ‘more luxurious’ L had power brakes and window winders in the back, among other things.
Lada 1200 fl. 9,595 (€4,354)
For 600 guilders more you got into a sedan made in Russia, based on the Fiat 124. It was in the price list below the ‘more modern’ 2105 with square headlights, for which 11,985 guilders had to be paid.
Subaru Mini Jumbo fl. 9,995 (€4,536)
The only Japanese who remained under the magical 10,000 guilder limit. You then stepped into a three-door in the simplest DL version. The 665 cc two-cylinder engine produced 37 hp. Two extra doors required an investment of 1,400 guilders.
Zastava Yugo fl. 9,999 (€4,537)
The Yugo, the square cart from former Yugoslavia, has now become a pure cult. Based on Fiat technology, the model was even briefly successful in the US. In the Netherlands, just over 2,400 of the three-door 45 and 55 were sold.
Daihatsu Cuore fl. 10,400 (€4,719)
The DL was already pretty bare, but the Economy even had to do without a parcel shelf, rear window heating and a sun visor. With 632 units, 1985 was the worst Cuore year ever, that number was more than tripled a year later with the new model.
Citroën 2CV6 fl. 10,670 (€4,842)
Despite its respectable age, Citroën managed to sell more than 2,800 Ducks in 1985. The Spécial was the price packer, cutting back on, among other things, an ashtray. 1987 was the last official sales year in the Netherlands.
Suzuki Alto fl. 10,995 (€4,989)
The smallest car in the Netherlands that was available with an automatic transmission, in a 3 or 4-door version (with hinged rear window). The Seat Fura LE was priced the same, but Suzuki charged slightly lower delivery costs than Seat (350 to 395 guilders).
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl