After a bit of research here and elsewhere I'm about to take the plunge into e30 ownership. First off this has been very helpful in my preliminary research, so a big thanks to everyone involved. Before I buy, though, I wanted to get some opinions.
About me:
I'm a university student looking for a car that I will enjoy driving and that I can use to learn about car maintenance. I won't take it to school with me but use it at home in the summertime.
This will be my DD for the summer, so it sort of needs to work most of the time.
I don't really have experience working with cars.
The car: I'm looking to buy is this: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/3741917405.html
Right now I can get it for 4k
I've taken a look at it and driven it, seems in good condition, service records present, one owner most of its life. There is a bit of rust under where the battery is, it may be time for timing belt and water pump (owner said done around 110k and its at 160k).
Going to have a mechanic look at it later this week for anything I missed, he said he will put it on the lift and check brakes, etc.
So, if everything else checks out is this a good idea? Can I do the water pump/timing belt myself? Is the auto trans going to hold up for the near (1year at least) future? Anything else I should look for? Thanks so much in advance and if there is any crucial info I forgot to add let me know.
PS I hope this is the right place to post this! Also it's an auto because its the best condition e30 in my area. Though there was a bronzit 325is manual that looked rougher for 2400, but the CL ad is gone now.
About me:
I'm a university student looking for a car that I will enjoy driving and that I can use to learn about car maintenance. I won't take it to school with me but use it at home in the summertime.
This will be my DD for the summer, so it sort of needs to work most of the time.
I don't really have experience working with cars.
The car: I'm looking to buy is this: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/3741917405.html
Right now I can get it for 4k
I've taken a look at it and driven it, seems in good condition, service records present, one owner most of its life. There is a bit of rust under where the battery is, it may be time for timing belt and water pump (owner said done around 110k and its at 160k).
Going to have a mechanic look at it later this week for anything I missed, he said he will put it on the lift and check brakes, etc.
So, if everything else checks out is this a good idea? Can I do the water pump/timing belt myself? Is the auto trans going to hold up for the near (1year at least) future? Anything else I should look for? Thanks so much in advance and if there is any crucial info I forgot to add let me know.
PS I hope this is the right place to post this! Also it's an auto because its the best condition e30 in my area. Though there was a bronzit 325is manual that looked rougher for 2400, but the CL ad is gone now.
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