Project Car Hell: TVR 280i or Maserati Merak?

Never mind that it's powered by the same Ford V6 used in the Capri, this '85 TVR 280i is chock full of challenges for its next owner. Parts are going to be a bit tough to find, and of course then there's that legendary TVR quality to contend with. Only six grand and this screamin' British machine will be all yours! The seller says it runs and drives, and you even get a new windshield, but there's also the part of the description that goes "ongoing project needing some minor work to be a solid driver." Translation: "Neverending project needing massive infusion of time and money to be a finicky weekend cruiser." Balance that against the glory of being the only TVR driver in town and make your decision acccordingly.

But why go with an obscure British make when you can flaunt some Italian style in an honest-to-God Maserati? And not some boring ol' 80s Biturbo sedan, either- this 1974 Maserati Merak is a lean, mean, mid-engined sports car! Yes, it's a grand more than the TVR, but: Maserati! Some of you might remember the Merak as the car Clarkson drove in the £10,000 Supercar episode of Top Gear; yeah, it has a wimpy thrifty Citroën V6, but just remember, the Citroën SM has the same engine! Oh, we'd be remiss if we forgot to tell you- the photograph in the Craigslist listing... well, er, it isn't exactly the car being sold (hence the added quote marks around its image in the illustration above). We're sure the actual car looks even nicer than the photo, though- why, the seller probably just didn't have time to take a photo of the car he wants $7000 for, that's all! Did we mention that it doesn't run? No? Welcome to Hell!