New Member- Need help on buying first E30!

[agent]

Yes From the factory of JC Whitney

I lol'd.

[Beau B]

An '88 325is is a very different and more valuable car.

True, but to me a rust free car with a nice interior that is not trashed is more valuable than what drivetrain/options the car has. I can swap an engine easier then fix rust issues etc..

[Ryann]

I just bought a similar car, but an 88 325iS with similar miles, no rust, 2 owner car a few months ago and paid $3400, but needed a few small things addressed to be perfect. If it is as clean as it looks I think a low to mid 3k is a fair price. I would be worried what the lower chrome molding is covering/hiding.

An '88 325is is a very different and more valuable car.

[blunttech]

The guy said they are beige panels from factory as an option. I have no clue

Yes From the factory of JC Whitney

[bbright8892]

I would be worried what the lower chrome molding is covering/hiding.

The guy said they are beige panels from factory as an option. I have no clue

[Beau B]

I just bought a similar car, but an 88 325iS with similar miles, no rust, 2 owner car a few months ago and paid $3400, but needed a few small things addressed to be perfect. If it is as clean as it looks I think a low to mid 3k is a fair price. I would be worried what the lower chrome molding is covering/hiding.

[Ether-D]

Yeah, $6500 firm is a bit on the steep side. He should just go ahead and put that one on ebay.

[alB5]

I wouldn't even go NEAR 4k. Sure its a clean early model, but not worth it.

I'd check it out anyway if you're local but yeah. The owner is surely just trying to squeeze any penny out of the sale.

[bbright8892]

http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/4077640349.html

There's the ad, I was thinking it was a little high priced, and if it is I'll just wait for another one to come up somewhere!
Just hard to find a rust free !
Thanks guys

[word is bond]

I don't know what the market is for etas, but prices have gone way up for late model 325i/is and 318is in the last couple years. I would not be surprised to see a clean one of those with only 80k miles to go for 5-7k or more. So 3-4k doesn't seem unreasonable for an eta. I just wouldn't buy an eta, personally, unless I was going to do an eta-to-i conversion. And in that case it's probably not worth paying for the low mileage.
Still, it's ultimately up to the buyer, and I expect the price for E30s of all types will continue to rise for a while. In this case, you have to decide how much of a premium the low mileage is worth to you.

[Ryann]

Not knowing the rest of the story I have to consider what that car's going to need to be roadworthy and pass inspection though. Tires, timing belt, all fluids flushed, likely some fuel and brake lines replaced.. If he's able and willing to do the work I'd guess another $500 on top of the initial purchase price. I just wouldn't pay more than $1500 for any eta.

[Steven]

I've owned 3 e30s. The most I've paid was $2950 to the original San Diego owner for a '92 318ic in almost mint condition w/114k on the clock. $4K for a PA eta? Okay.

Idk I feel like you've probably gotten decent deals on your e30s, but market price for that low miles and how clean he is talking is about 3-4k IMO.. The market isn't what it once was. These things have become expensive and an all original low mileage e30 is hard to come across.... Plus the value of a car is whatever the buyer wants to pay. If he wants to pay a bit more for a low mileage clean example, I say go ahead... At least you know there will be no half assed ricer mods on the car.

[Ryann]

I've owned 3 e30s. The most I've paid was $2950 to the original San Diego owner for a '92 318ic in almost mint condition w/114k on the clock. $4K for a PA eta? Okay.

[Steven]

You guys are high.

Dude. California prices... And you don't see a 26 year old car with 80k miles on it every day...

[Ryann]

You guys are high.