gocubsgo55

after a little bit of thought, i've decided to jump into the car market. i feel i need the car for transport (i'm probably staying in Chicago for college), and want something to showcase/have some fun with too. here were some thoughts...

Honda CRX
BMW 3
1995-1997 BMW M3; it really caught my eye after seeing it priced at around 10k. what's the catch?
Toyota MR2
Nissan 240sx
Nissan 300zx

15k is the extreme max, and i'd prefer 10k. im planning on putting down around $5,000 and paying it off with monthly payments around $200 a month for 48 months. I'm going to need to end the payments before entering Dental School 4 years from now, so I need to stick to a 48 month term.

I'm asking my parents for about a grand, that's all i need from them. everything else is from past savings, current income, and a grandma that has been begging to give me a down payment on a car for 18 years.

any suggestions will do. again; cheap, fairly reliable, decent gas, fun, practical.

bigman

Dude, if this is going to be your daily driver, then get something reliable. An E36 M is not the most reliable of cars. Parts for them are getting harder to find and are very expensive. A CRX is cool, but will need lots of work to match the BMWs performance, same with a non turbo MR-2, 240 and 300zx. What i did was buy a beater jeep to get me around, and purchased a 98 Trans Am for like 8 grand. I put like 2500 into it and its making over 400 hp and over 400 tq. An FBody may not be your type of car, but hit up your local used car dealerships and test drive all types of cars.

Rock2534

e36 M is a nice car, but i wouldn't spend the money on it, it could wind up costing a lot more in the end. Its not flashy, but while you are in college, get a used honda accord. You shouldn't have to worry about it for a few years.

virtualbong

1998 Acura Integra GSR.

gocubsgo55

^ my family friend has one of those and i just don't like it. FWD just isn't for me anymore. I've been finding very good deals on the E36 M3s, but if everyone is telling me that they're problematic, i don't know what to say. 2 cars is not an option at this point. although it'd be nice to get a 1993 Accord or Camry and spend the rest on a RWD muscle car, i just can't say it'd be practical both with my situation financially and with my parents. That's why i really want the M3. My friend has a 1997 A4, and his experiences really turned me off from those. already has spent almost as much as the car itself in about a year of ownership .

The M3 guys are telling me that the cars are running wonderfully. now i know they're trying to sell it, obviously, but one of the guys gave me a highly detailed email of what to expect; seems like an honest guy. here are pictures of one of the candidates for now..

gocubsgo55

Stapler

Also the 95 us spec m3 doesnt have the same engine as the euro model. It was 240hp instead of 280 something.

If the car was used for track days and abused as such, there can be serious rear suspension problems. basically what happens is people lower the car and stiffen up the suspension, but then the metal around the rear sub frame mounts starts to give way as a result. Also the water pump had a plastic impellar instead of the metal one they started using in 97, The radiator has a plastic tank that usually breaks too. Other than that, as long as it isn't a auto and has been well maintained it shoudl be fine.

Parts for old bmw's arent usually to hard to find though. There are plenty of companies like www.bavauto.com or www.autohausaz.com that carry most everything you need at verry good prices. I can even find parts for a 73 bmw bavaria if i look. Bmw is pretty good at supporting their older cars. Right now for a 76 2002 i can go to the bmw dealer and buy most of the parts brand new.

Well maintained and doing the work yourself is the key to owning a bmw. Otherwise it may be Hell On Earth.

tuleman

Used WRX
Lexus sc300/400

gocubsgo55

1995 M3 WBSBF9327SEH00219 Alpine White/Black Leather, 90k miles, CPO, 5-speed, sunroof, heated vaders, new bushings, battery, brakes, cooling system, UUC SSK, 17x8 IFG's w Falken 615's, OE 17's new Kumho's, chip, tasteful mods, nice extras. wired V1, 3m clear bra, detailed records. $14,500

One of the Falkens was punctured last Saturday, so I’m willing to discuss how that affects the price. I put the OE wheels back on this week…

bonuses to this M3:

Great looking, straight, recently refinished by Wheels America IFG 17x8” wheels, only 17 pounds each, with Falken Azenis RT615’s 225/45/17’s

Brand new Kumho Ecsta 235/40/17 on the good condition Original wheels

New (<3 months old) front brembo rotors & lifetime Performance Friction brake pads (I'm including the dusty bmw pads too)

New rear Raybestos Quiet Stop rear pads (6/05)

Regular Mobil One oil changes (I even sent out an oil sample out to be tested last winter)

New Later Model 96-99 Strut mounts (7/04) Motor Werks BMW

New Polyurethane RTAB's (6/05), alignment & and once over by Al Valenzo (highly recommended in Chicago) @ Patrick BMW

New radiator (7/05), cracked 7/4/05, and was the ONLY prob I ever had with this car, I am more than happy with this car's dependability & reliability

BMW coolant & distilled h2o with the radiator (BMW's don't like silicants in their coolant)

Hardwired Valentine 1, including the remote display installed in the gauge cluster.

Steering wheel stereo controls

Clarion CD player

Upgraded speakers (MB Quart)

Small powered subwoofer

Tinted windows 5/04

3M clear bra installed by Protech

New Catalytic Converters installed 11/03 by Knuaz BMW (Service II at that time also)

Convertible X brace & Strut tower brace

Ground Control Sway bar

UUC Short kit, with nice looking bmw knob (included wit a lighted 97+ knob too)

Alcantra //M Motorsport Shift boot

97+ cup holders

Clear front corners

Clear side markers

Turner Conforti E-Prom & stock



Maintenance has been preformed by:

Myself

The previous Owner, I forget his name, but have it in the records

Al Valenzo @ Patrick BMW in Schaumburg

Leo Franchi of Midwest Motorsport in Glenview

Knuaz BMW near north shore area (I forget the town's name)

Motor Werks BMW in Barrington

The car was CPO'd by Knauz BMW. Leo Franchi (well know in Chicago BMW circles) inspected the car in '99 and did some maintenance. I have records from Knauz doing maintenance. When I bought it I worked in the Internet Dept. of Motor Werks BMW. Bob Poduch, BMW Service Manager had it looked at, and before I left there, I had the Strut Mounts upgraded and aligned. The car comes with 3 boxes of records and spare parts. I'm personal friends with Chris Simon, BMW service Manager @ Patrick BMW. His lead tech Al is very highly recommended, that's who did the RTAB's, alignment, and look over. The car was pulling under braking. Everything checked out, and it turned out to be the dusty BMW brake pads. The PFC's don't dust or squeal, but take more pedal effort than the BMW pads (1/2 worn and included as spares). PFC also offers free replacements (don't laugh I've turned in worn pads to received new ones free).

Bullet proof reliability, and a great history. The car has never left me stranded. All maintenance was done PREVENTATIVELY. The only failure I had was the radiator, and that is a know prob for these cars. It's ready to go another 90k miles.

synth19

offtopic, but good ass decision going into dental school!

Stapler

That actually looks pretty danged good.

Also, is it 2 door or 4 door. The 4 doors are known to be a bit lighter and have a stiffer chassis.

gocubsgo55

thanks. that's another 4.5 years away for now .

also, yeah that's what i was thinking, pretty good deal. it's been modded nicely, is coming loaded pretty well, and is negotiable. it is a 2-door, and some pics are up. the only thing it's missing is the rear light conversion. the front looks pretty damn good, but i think black would be better. hey, im not gonna be picky though.

415ua5

i was also thinking about a e36 m3.....ive seen a few really nice ones. the only reason i went with a TL instead was that the maitenance on the m3 scared me a bit, plus it is an older car and the interior wasnt as luxerious as the TL in my opinion

i was in the same situation last year as you....luckily i found a good condition 2000 TL for 10 grand flat and ive been fuckin wit it ever since

415ua5

but yo honestly, if i had a 10-15 grand budget i would build up my dream car, its not that practical though

buy an old ass 240sx, like a 89 with 200k on it- no more than 1000 dollars

i would basically strip the damn thing to the chassis, sand it down, do a bunch of prep work shit, add a s-15 front end conversion and paint it a nice blue -around 5 grand

swap in a sr20det around 4000

misc interior upgrades, new dash, seats, everything- 1000

lightweight 17inch rims -2000


like the kool aid man says.......
oooooooo yeeaaaahhhhhhhhhh

gocubsgo55

good to here. yeah, if it wasn't for maintainance issues, i'd have this thing by this saturday. problem is, it's a BMW. Nonetheless, it's a BMW . Better yet, it's an M Series BMW . and if the TL came in a MT, i think i'd be looking into one. But i'd like to step away from FWD and AT while im still young and maybe come back to them later.

But i'll have to research before i buy; im not going to let pure lust drive my decision. after all, it's my money that's gonna go towards the loan.

any resources would be great guys. thanks.

^^oh, and my friend wants to do the same exact thing. hell, if i had the winter car set and parents that wouldnt give a crap, i'd be buying an old CRX and dropping a K20A2 into it

Stapler

http://www.eurospeed.org/e36m3faq.pdf

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=15

mclarenf3387

Do you plan on using the car in the winter?

I hope not, cause a 95 is the worst possible choice. They have not traction control and can be a handful even when the roads are slick from rain.

M3s are great cars (huge fan of them myself), but they are not gonna be the most reliable. They will cost you $$$$$$ to fix, and are not a good car for all year use.

Also, did you factor in the cost of insurance on these vehicles? If you try to insure an M3 under your name, plan to pay out the ass. UNder your parents name it won't be so bad, but its still gonna be a few hundred more than say a V6 Accord.

stangg172004

XXX on the pics

gocubsgo55

well after having a long talk with my dad (the 4th and most violent on the subject), i've been reminded of my dad's hatred for used cars. basically his words (i will leave out the vulgarity) said something like, "you want to get a used car, buy it. but dont come to me for anything ever. the TSX is yours in June, if you dont want it, tough luck."

let me explain myself. first of all, i love my TSX. I chose it for god's sake, but i just can't feel good knowing that i did jack shit to earn it. and no, "working hard in HS" does not count. granted i do have pretty good grades, test scores, and am involved, i must say i could have done a lot better if i had not slacked off. i feel that 1, i didnt earn it based on my parent's parameters and 2, i don't want to be spoiled with what should be a $24,000 value car simply given to me. if my dad did not have such strong of an opinion, i'd go for something around $15k. With a $10k down payment (provided by grandma and parents, would be paid later) and a good portion of my monthly income, i'd purchase something decent for the price. but i just can't go into the market without my dad's support.

so now im sitting here with 2 options; take the TSX in June and disappoint myself/ buy the car and unleash the dragon in my dad. sorry for the bitching, don't do it often, but im pissed and needed to vent off.

mclarenf3387

Dude, as long as you are grateful for what you were given, there is nothing wrong with it.

Keep the TSX. Its relaible, good on gas and will be A LOT better in the winter than an M3. Take the money you want to use to buy a car and put it in the bank/invest it. By the time you graduate college you should have a nice down payment on a new car of your choice.

gocubsgo55

^ yeah that's what i've been doing for quite some time. i was thinking to myself that same theory; if i keep working the way i've been, i'll have the ability to purchase a 20-25k car by the time i graduate from college (not including what the TSX would be worth). on the other hand, Dental School drains your soul of money. we'll see, you never know. 1 step at a time i guess.

415ua5

dude take the TSX....i was in your shoes once, albiet with a much smaller budget

my grandma offered to give me some cash for the TL. i had 4 or 5 grand saved up and i wanted to buy a project 240 or some other old japanese car. well my grandparents had a fit, and said they wanted me in a newer car and not another old beater (ive owned way too many buckets)

so i did the smart thing, just take the TL and not have to worry about the shit that comes with a much older car. might not be as fun, but definately worry free

take the TSX dude.....old m3s arent all they are cracked up to be

415ua5

but dude i feel you, once you catch the bug for another car, its hard to stop.

i was on the internet every night drooling over 240sxs, i wanted one way more than the TL.

65 Fury Convert

Your dad sounds like a good guy. He probably wants you to focus on more important things like school. TSX is a great car as well.

gocubsgo55

^ exactly. he was trying to be nice, but i kept saying i didnt want to take such a car. eventually he got mad and said what he said.

for now, i'll continue waiting. i'll work and wait. nothing wrong with saving up money.

sbuswell

for 10k, brand new what does he expect you to buy an Accent or a Spectra? The TSX is a great car and very nice looking too, better looking than a 95-97 M3 that's for sure. I would take the TSX and do some mods and live happy knowing I have a great reliable car.