Need A Car!!
 

Not a beater, something decent but fun to drive. I can't afford to get a car the can easily be modded, but I can't drive anything the doesn't have alittle fun factor. I have about $8000 to spend, I was think 3 Series but don't know much about them. What do you guys think?

Nick

Re: Need A Car!!
 

Dsm?

Re: Need A Car!!
 

I have a 91 GSX but that has to go. I need something that I can just 'drive'. I'm looking for a house so that is where my money needs to go. That's why I say I need a car that I won't be tempted to drop money into. I'm going to look at a 328iC tomarrow. I'm not sure because I've heard BMW is expensive to up-keep. It's is very hard to replace my little DSM nothing is that fun right out of the box.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

Check out hughes's project thread. I think he got that car for around $2k, and he's put some money into it, but its been basically reliable. Just buy a $4k car and keep some cash handy for when it breaks. Find a well maintained 2G that hasn't or won't crankwalk (i.e. has a 6-bolt), has the T25 done away with (runs a 14b or 16g of some kind) and has some basic mods to keep it solid. I'm sure you could find something well under your pricerange, and have $$ to hang on to for an emergency fund.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

Another good option would be a late 90's, 2000 or 2001 A4 or passat 1.8t would be a good option in my mind to. These are cars I've considered or recommended for people in the past.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

Get a hold of Steve, Goat Blower, he is always able to find solid cars.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

How about a 3/S with some minor bolt-ons?

Re: Need A Car!!
 

+1. I bought my Stealth in rough shape and it's still sound. Gets good millage, first time was only 8 mpg... won't get into that, but second tank was damn near 30. 0-60 in less then 5 seconds, but then the millage drops a bit.

If you get an AWD model you can put some econo tires on if you need to and drive it during the winter as well. Drive slow, don't beat on it and you'll have good traction.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

I've got a 330Ci that you'd really like, but it's a bit more than $8K, it's a 2001. I've also got an A4 Quattro in really nice shape, that I can do for less than $8K.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

I too was thinking 3/s also the A4 Quattro. I'll keep in touch I'm going to drive my first BMW right now. I think I've gathered the 328iC is a convertable so I have to watch insurance. Goat Blower how can I get ahold of you? The only problem I have with a 3/S is I know how to make them go faster, and it's not hard. I'm trying to find a car that's not going to cost me thousands of dollars in the future. DD now race car is atleast a year away.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

Interested in a 95 M3?

Re: Need A Car!!
 

interested in a 97 sc300? ha...for a little more than 8?

Re: Need A Car!!
 

Buy the 3/s, give all your money to the wife, problem solved!!!

Then it becomes a future race car project.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

And make sure you know someone who fixes veedubs before you do this.

My 98 passat 1.8t has had more electrical problems than I care to even express. I always make sure to bring lube with me when I go to the VW dealership, and it still hurts.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

Yep, the i before the C means convertible, C before the i means coupe if I remember right. Mine's a 2-door coupe.

My website, number and such are in my signature, just click. :cheer:

Re: Need A Car!!
 

I thought it was 'i' before 'e' except after 'c' ? ;)

BMW needs to publish a definitive guide to their naming schemes, it is really hard to figure out!

Re: Need A Car!!
 

It's actually not too tough. The three main styles are the 3,5 and 7 series. Basically from smallest to largest, and the first number in the name. In certain years there was also a 6 series and an 8 series, both only come as a 2-door, 6's can be a convertible. The second two digits is the relative engine size. 23 is a 2.3l, 30=3.0l and so on and so forth. They are not always right on since engine sizes grew through the years, but they are close. The 4.0 is a V8, the 5.0 is a V12. M's are the souped up versions of each. The Z is the smaller sporty convertibles and the X is the SUV's, the fastest of which is the 4.8is, which really flies.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

http://www.carsoup.com/used/detail.a...DealerGroupID=

This is what I drove, It was nice I liked it. Not alot of power but it turned well and the top down is the fun factor I'm lookin for. I'll check on what insurance will cost tonight.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

Oh and it was a prior salvage I dunno.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

I personally would not buy anything from a place called "Bob's Auto Ranch" or anything with a salvage title unless you REALLY know what happened and how it was all fixed.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

Even more of an issue with convertibles. If the frame was tweaked, the windows will never seal and you'll have water leaks every time it rains.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

My g/f has a 99 GTP for sale, $5,000 for Style members. Pretty torquey car with lots of features.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

Yea, Bob won't be getting my business. They won't tell me why it had a salvage title. GTP HMmmm L-67 C.A., Pully, PCM, Exhaust=13's.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

Not a bad price!

Re: Need A Car!!
 

Yeah, we need to get rid of it ASAP, so that is the reason for the low price. This house has to get finished and we need a downpayment for the next one too.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

How many miles? What color is it? 2-door or 4-door?

Re: Need A Car!!
 

A friend of mine did buisness with Bob's Auto Ranch a few years ago, and he regrets it to this day.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

If it were me, I would get a bug eye WRX. My buddy has one and its been an excellent car, except the second gear is weak as hell. I think they can be had for under 8 grand and if you dont beat on it all the time it should be a good car.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

Dark green metallic 4 door. Has new clear headlights on it and 109k miles. The only bad thing is that it was hit previously by the gas filler. It doesn't look like it was hard, but there are a few bubbles in the paint on the edge of the fender. It's a real easy touch up. New serpentine belt and plugs on it too and runs great.

Heated drivers seat, dark grey leather and sunroof.

Re: Need A Car!!
 

http://www.carsoup.com/used/detail.a...&DealerGroupID=

I'm going to check this WRX out tomarrow, if it doesn't work out I'll come and check out the GTP looks like a good deal. I have to do it tomarrow I'm driving my truck back and forth from plymouth this week. 15 MPG

Re: Need A Car!!
 

That GTP gets damn good gas mileage, I am not sure how they do it. We have got 32 mpg before on the highway, normal mixed driving is mid to high 20's.